Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE campaign for the upcoming by-election in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane Constituency, set for December 20, intensified yesterday when six of the nine candidates vying for the seat engaged in a rigorous town hall debate, directly engaging the electorate and outlining their visions for the community.
The election will fill the National Assembly seat left vacant following the tragic death of the legislator, Desire Moyo, in a road traffic accident on October 10 this year.
The debate, held at a packed Nkulumane Hall, provided a critical platform for aspirants to directly engage the electorate, present their manifestos, and field challenging questions on long-standing local issues.
The lively session was attended by Zanu PF party candidate, Cde Freedom Murechu, CCC’s Mr Mothusi Ndlovu (popularly known as Madlela Skhobokhobo), Mr Vivian Viyo Sibanda (ZAPU), Ms Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T), and independent candidates, former Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Councillor for Ward 22, Alderman Rodney Jele, and Mr Mbuso Fuzwayo.
Three candidates did not attend the gathering.
The event allowed voters a crucial opportunity to compare and contrast the different approaches to local governance and development, forcing candidates to move beyond general promises and articulate tangible solutions to pressing concerns.
The ruling party’s candidate, Cde Murechu, was particularly effective in articulating his plan, expressing how the party’s national development agenda will be localised to bring tangible change to the constituency.
He used the platform to intensify his campaign to win the seat, stating that all party structures were ready to drum up support ahead of the December 20 polls.
Cde Murechu further detailed specific projects under the banner of the ruling party, including Government-backed initiatives for housing and infrastructure upgrades, assuring the residents that Nkulumane will not be left behind in the country’s drive towards an upper-middle-income economy.
In his address to the media on the sidelines of the event, Cde Murechu outlined his clear vision and the practical steps his party has already undertaken in the area.
“As the Zanu-PF candidate, I am running again for the December 2025 elections, having already secured victory for the party in 2023,” said Cde Murechu.
“Today, I articulated both the national and my personal manifestos. The key issues raised were centred on youth and women empowerment, focusing on economic inclusion and opportunities, social welfare, aimed at creating a welfare society for the elderly and disadvantaged groups; infrastructure development and service delivery, addressing local needs like water and power; and skills training and funding, providing essential skills training and financial support for youth and women.”
Cde Murechu was keen to stress action over mere promises.
“I made it clear that we are not just promising to address these issues once elected to Parliament. We have already started working.
“Specifically, we have introduced extensive skills training programmes within the constituency, targeting youth and women.
“We have also initiated community projects, including drilling boreholes and fixing or installing new electricity transformers,” he noted.
“Furthermore, in line with the President’s directive that we must ‘leave no place and no one behind’ ahead of Vision 2030, we have already started giving food hampers to our elderly people, especially as we approach the Christmas season.”
He emphasised a community-centric model of representation.
“Above all, I articulated my strong belief in community-led development. This model is entirely based on participation, where the community meets, deliberates on issues, prioritises its projects, and decides what it wants to achieve.”
