Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
ZANU-PF members from Matabeleland South Province have backed calls for President Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond 2028 to ensure the fulfilment of Vision 2030. The provincial coordinating committee met yesterday, where districts and various party structures delivered recommendations to be tabled during the party’s 21st National People’s Conference to be held in Bulawayo next month.
Among the key resolutions is that the Constitution should be amended to allow President Mnangagwa to continue his term of office beyond five years. The leadership of the province expressed its confidence in President Mnangagwa, citing significant development across the country under the Second Republic.
The province also recommended that July 1 should be declared a holiday in honour of the contributions of the late revolutionary leader Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo. Additionally, they suggested the decentralisation of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology programmes to district level.
The districts and party wings presented their resolutions under key thematic areas, including party leadership, state of the party, infrastructure development, youth affairs, women empowerment, war veterans affairs, and climate change. They also formally congratulated President Mnangagwa on his new role as the SADC chairperson.
Speaking during the meeting, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman, Cde Nqobizitha Ndlovu, said the province successfully held inter-district meetings to capture the views and desires of the people.
“Everyone has seen the works of our leader President Mnangagwa, and as a province, we have recommended that he be allowed to remain in office beyond his term. This resolution is a true reflection of what the people want. All of our districts held inter-district meetings where they came up with resolutions, and all the party structures also held their meetings.
“The conference is an opportunity for the party to evaluate its performance and identify gaps. Zanu-PF is a people-oriented party whose main focus is to serve the people, and hence the process of coming up with resolutions is crucial as it reflects the desires and needs of the people. President Mnangagwa has done a lot for the country, and as such, the province feels he has unfinished business,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu said President Mnangagwa made a promise that no one will ever hunger, and the food relief programme rolled out across the country is a testament to the fulfilment of this promise. He added that the input distribution programme has also helped to ensure that households are food secure.
Also speaking during the same meeting, Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Richard Ndlovu commended the province for successfully and thoroughly crafting its resolutions, which will play a crucial role in developing the party. He said the endorsement of President Mnangagwa is crucial to the development of the nation. “We have reached this consensus because of the wonderful works that we have seen. President Mnangagwa was appointed SADC chairperson, which is a great win for us as a nation. For the first time in history, 16 heads of state attended the SADC Summit, which was a record attendance.
“In Beitbridge, we have a modernised border which isn’t there in many countries. These are part of the many great initiatives brought by President Mnangagwa. We are on a great development path which shouldn’t be disturbed. If we lose President Mnangagwa, we would have lost a great mind in leadership,” he said.
He urged the province to be united as the party heads for the conference. Other resolutions from the province include making the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology compulsory so that people can easily get oriented on the ethos of nationhood. They also called for speeding up the input distribution programme to ensure timely planting and scaling up and expanding infrastructure development such as the construction of schools, clinics, roads, and bridges. — @DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter