Midlands retains Women’s League committee members

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
THE Zanu-PF Midlands Women’s League yesterday retained its five Central Committee members as part of the women’s quota in a peaceful election held at the party’s Provincial Convention and Conference Centre outside Gweru.

The five who were voted for are Cdes Auxillia Mnangagwa from Kwekwe, Tsitsi Muzenda from Gweru, Vongai Zengeya-Sithole, Patricia Chimi from Chirumhanzu and Melania Majobane-Mahiya from Gokwe.

Yesterday’s Central Committee elections had initially witnessed seven candidates submitting their curriculum vitae for considerations but two members, Cdes Philina Zhou and Mary Mbengi, withdrew their candidature.

Cde Zhou opted out after considering that she was elected to be a Member of Parliament under the women’s quota while Cde Mbengi could not state her reasons.

Women’s League national executive member, Cde Esphina Nhari, confirmed the results.

“We have retained five of our members who were in the previous central committee. These were all elected uncontested after two of the candidates withdrew at the last minute. The five were retained unanimously in an election held in a peaceful environment.

“These candidates will occupy five of the 50 reserved seats as part of the women’s quota in the central committee. The central committee has about 300 members and at least 50 must be women,” she said.

In her acceptance speech, Cde Mnangagwa said women must not embroil themselves in the ongoing factional politics.

She urged women to be united and speak with one voice so that they are not be eclipsed by men in the party.

Cde Mnangangwa also called for peace, reconciliation and unity among party members.

“I want to advise women to remain united and stop being used in the ongoing factional politics. People must learn to forgive each other. If someone wrongs you, you must learn to forgive them because maybe tomorrow you will also do something wrong to them.

“We must also remain united and support each other so that our voice is heard. We must speak with one voice. As women we must not pull each other down nekuti muroyi wemudzimai mudzimai (women are their own worst enemies). We must stop gossiping, sabotaging each other and standing in each other’s way,” she said.

Cde Mnangagwa commended women for choosing the First Lady, Cde Grace Mugabe to lead the women’s league.