Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
MEMBERS of opposition political parties who recently joined Zanu-PF under the party’s Kumusha Home Ekhaya (KHE) programme in Bulawayo have expressed admiration for development initiatives being implemented under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, particularly the principle of leaving no one and no place behind, as one of the reasons for their decision to switch political allegiance.
The former opposition members, drawn from parties including the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), FreeZim Congress and the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC), were among more than 3 000 new members formally welcomed into Zanu-PF at Stanley Square in Makokoba, at the weekend.
The event, organised under the KHE programme in partnership with the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) Zimbabwe Chapter, also brought together members from about 23 churches, as well as former opposition supporters.
The new members said they were encouraged by what they described as the Government’s development programmes and President Mnangagwa’s emphasis on ensuring that communities across the country benefit from national development.
Former CCC provincial youth organiser and Nkulumane constituency candidate Cde Tanaka Njini Sibanda said his decision to join Zanu-PF was influenced by what he described as opportunities available to young people through Government programmes.
“I decided to join Zanu-PF because, as young people, we need to position ourselves where there are opportunities for us to participate in the development of our country.
“There are a lot of opportunities for young people under Zanu-PF, and we are seeing development taking place under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
“I believe young people should be part of these programmes and contribute to the development agenda,” he said.
Cde Sibanda said young people should not remain on the margins of national development when they could participate in programmes and initiatives aimed at improving communities.
“Why should young people remain on the sidelines when there are opportunities for them to participate in the development of the country? We need to be where we can make a contribution, access opportunities and have our voices heard,” he said.
Former FreeZim member Cde Harriet Nyathi, who contested the previous elections in Hwange Central Constituency, said her experience in the opposition had prompted her to reconsider her political position.
“The reason I joined Zanu-PF is that, while I was in the opposition, I realised that I was wasting my time. I came to the conclusion that the opposition was not focused on building the nation, but on pursuing what I believe were personal agendas,” she said.
Nyathi also criticised what she described as efforts by some opposition elements to seek external support, saying ordinary Zimbabweans ultimately bore the consequences of sanctions imposed on the country.
“That is why I decided to join Zanu-PF, which I believe is people-driven and has implemented a number of development programmes under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” she said.
“We have joined the party because we want to contribute to building our country. We have also been impressed by President Mnangagwa’s development policies, particularly the principle of leaving no one and no place behind.”
Another former FreeZim candidate from Bubi, Cde Ernest Ncube, echoed Nyathi’s sentiments, saying he had decided to join Zanu-PF after recognising what he described as development work being undertaken under the Second Republic.
Cde Ncube said developments taking place in different parts of the country had convinced him that joining Zanu-PF would give him an opportunity to participate in national development.
Former ZANC candidate for Gokwe Central, Cde Nyika Midzi, said his experience in the opposition had not exposed him to the kind of development initiatives he expected.
“I realised nothing from the opposition. There are no meaningful development initiatives being preached by the opposition. When I look at what is happening on the ground under the Second Republic, I can see a number of programmes aimed at improving people’s livelihoods and developing communities,” he said.
Cde Midzi cited infrastructure development, road rehabilitation, access to electricity and other public services as examples of initiatives which, in his view, demonstrated a practical approach to national development under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
He said joining Zanu-PF would allow him to contribute to programmes aimed at developing his community and the country.
Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha welcomed the new members, saying their decision to join the ruling party reflected their recognition of its development-oriented policies.
He said the growing number of people joining Zanu-PF showed that some opposition supporters were identifying with the party’s development agenda.
“The people are recognising the development-oriented policies being implemented by President Mnangagwa and the progress being made under the Second Republic,” said Cde Machacha.
Zanu-PF KHE Diaspora Coordinator Cde Pardon Tapfumaneyi who joined the ruling party from the opposition last year, is now spearheading the programme’s mobilisation drive, encouraging other opposition supporters and church members to follow suit.
Cde Tafumaneyi said his own political journey had given him an opportunity to engage people who remained in the opposition and share with them his reasons for joining Zanu-PF.
He said the Bulawayo initiative brought together members from about 23 churches, as well as opposition supporters from parties including CCC, FreeZim Congress and ZANC.
“In total, we mobilised about 3 000 people who have come to join Zanu-PF,” said Cde Tapfumaneyi.
