Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba in Gweru
THE Zanu-PF mass mobilisation machinery left an indelible mark in the Midlands province as the President Youth Interface Rally held here on Friday remains the talk of the city.
On Friday all roads led to an open space adjacent to Mkoba Teachers’ College for the rally that was graced by President Mugabe and the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, senior party officials and more than 100 000 people.
Clad in colourful party regalia, they came in buses, in cars, in lorries, on bikes and indeed on foot.
The youth interface rally brought brisk business to local bars, shops, service stations, fruit vendors among other businesses.
Gweru rose to life from Thursday night as people from all parts of the province and country at large converged for the rally bringing more activity to hotels and lodges in and around the city, spilling to surrounding towns like Kwekwe and Shurugwi.
Private homes, colleges and schools also provided alternative accommodation.
About two days before the rally the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development went all out rehabilitating roads in the central business district (CBD), Bristol and Hamutyinei Roads and several others in Mkoba suburb.
Bristol and Hamutyinei roads are the city’s busiest and had become an eyesore over the years due to pot holes.
As a result the rehabilitation of the roads by the Government brought about much relief to locals as the cash strapped Gweru City Council had been failing to do the job.
Commuter omnibus operators and residents said the interface had left a lasting impression.
“Who would have thought that these two major roads (Bristol and Hamutyinei) could be rehabilitated?
“This is a welcome development and I wish another interface is held since our council is failing on its own to rehabilitate these roads,” said Mr Mike Chinyama from Mkoba 20 suburb.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson Cde Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said Zanu-PF was a pro-development party.
He said the road rehabilitation exercise was part of the infrastructure development cluster of Zim-Asset.
“The Presidential Interface will go down in history as having seen the rehabilitation of the roads in Gweru.
“This is a welcome development — a lasting impression for the people in Gweru regardless of the political party they support,” said Cde Ncube.
“The 120 000 strong crowd that came to meet President Mugabe is also a clear indication of how popular His Excellency is ahead of the 2018 election. We promise a landslide victory.”
Zanu-PF youth chairperson Cde Prosper Machando said they were happy with the development that has been left after the rally.
“The rehabilitation of the roads, the brisk business recorded by hotels, lodges, private homes, supermarkets, vendors will forever be in the minds and hearts of the people.
“Numbers speak for themselves and the interface has indeed left a lasting impression,” he said.
Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe Midlands Chapter secretary, Mr Thomas Nyirenda said hotels and lodges were 100 percent booked last week because of the Interface Rally.
The eighth edition of the Interface Rally is in Mashonaland Central this weekend.
Online Reporter