Vusumuzi Dube
I extend warm and revolutionary greetings to you all as we convene once again in compliance to our Party Constitution at this 21st National People’s Conference of our colossal mass Party, ZANU PF.
Allow me from the outset to congratulate the general membership, rank and file of the Party for the manner all preparatory meetings conducted in the build-up to this Conference.
I also extend my gratitude, particularly to the people and leadership of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province for the jubilant welcome extended to the Conference Delegates.
The warm hospitality has become characteristic of the growing hosting prowess of this beautiful City of Kings and Queens, as a leading conferencing destination.
Siyalibonga Bulawayo omuhle. Congratulations. Amhlophe. Makorokoto.
Comrade Delegates;
As we begin a new decade of hosting our National People’s Conferences, the turnout from across
the provinces, including Diaspora structures is commendable. It is a clear statement that ZANU
PF remains true to the sacred founding values and principles of our revolutionary Party. Together in unity, across the 10 provinces, from all the cells and villages to Districts, we are expanding the organizational capacity and growing the strength of our Party.
In reviewing the year behind us and planning for the future ahead, we stand tall and proudly confident that we are indeed jealously safe-guarding the, ‘Unity, Peace and Development’ that the Founding Fathers and luminaries of our Party bequeathed to us, as our ZANU PF Motto and beacon.
Over the period since our last Conference, we have lost many of our gallant sons and daughters, who were interred at various sites across the country. We honour and remember them with solemn reverence.
The representation of special interest groups makes this event, not only national in scope and thrust, but also echoes the unquestionable belief in our development philosophy that; Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo/Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa inonamatirwa nevene vayo.
In oneness, under the enduring spirit of comradeship, we continue defending our Party of Zimbabwe’s liberation, freedom and independence. We are making sure that, under our watch, as this generation of leaders: – “Our ZANU PF Party is in safe hands”.
ZANU PF and the people of Zimbabwe are one; we are singing one national anthem, flying one national flag and working hard towards the attainment of our national Vision 2030 for the prosperity, modernisation, industrialisation and development of our beloved motherland.
Comrades and Conference Delegates; We gather here in Bulawayo, em’zini wama Khosi
lama Khosikazi; under the theme: “Industrialise and Modernise Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030.”
This underscores the momentum we must inject to maintain the success milestones our country has realised under the leadership of ZANU PF in the Second Republic.
In line with the provisions of the Party Constitution, our Forum should objectively, honestly and thoroughly reflect on the state of the Party, our economy, national as well as community projects. Time bound and structured solutions should be proffered, sector by sector.
We are a Party of results, hence, the need to continually sharpen our Party’s policies. Strategies in this regard must remain robust and people-centred.
Therefore, Conference has the obligation to recommit our Party, to deepening grassroots engagement and mobilisation, for both Party building and scaling up production and productivity as well as the implementation of projects. Challenges affecting our country, including illegal sanctions and climate change should never limit us.
Step by step, brick upon brick and stone upon stone, we are realising the mission, aims and objectives of our colossal Party, and consolidating the gains of our hard-won independence, national unity and peace.
It is also important that we celebrate the achievements realised since the last 20th National People’s Conference, held in Gweru, Midlands Province.
On behalf of the Central Committee, I congratulate and applaud all members for the successes scored by our colossal, mass Party, including victories in various by-elections. Makorokoto, Amhlophe.
Overally, the Commissariat, undertook key activities such as the restructuring of Cells and Villages. The existence of a credible and electronically stored Party Membership Database has become an urgent necessity.
Delivering this multi-functional membership register tool cannot be left at the level of the Party Headquarters alone. It is the duty of all Party leaders and members to work harder and honestly to deliver an accurate and verifiable Party register. This will also enable more responsive development planning over and above the routine strengthening of our internal democratic processes and procedures.
I am aware that in some districts, chaotic records of members are deliberate and preferred by those holding Party positions to gain favour or advantage over others.
This is unacceptable and must stop. Party structures are critical for a strong foundation of the revolution.
We should guard against infiltration into the structures and not to destroy the structures.
Meanwhile, it is pleasing that the membership of the Party is steadily growing, especially in provinces like Bulawayo. Organisations and individuals affiliating and sympathising with the Party are broadening.
However, the Party should not relax. Greater linkages and business networks across all sectors of the economy, including among entrepreneurs, the youth and women must rank high on the Party’s work.
The work of the Chitepo School of Ideology is achieving the intended objectives of “Decolonising the Mind,” nurturing and inculcating a sense of patriotism, understanding of our rich liberation war heritage as well as the sacred ideals that unite us, the people of this great nation.
Influence and interest in the Chitepo School of Ideology now transcends the political party divide. This is in keeping with the true spirit of our national unity in our diversity. Congratulations.
The work carried out by the Women’s League, Youth League and War Veterans League is commendable.
These are vital engine-rooms of the Party’s mobilization and cadre development initiatives.
Going forward, I challenge Party structures to demonstrate renewed vigilance by opening more
innovative fronts to earn, keep and safeguard the people’s support.
In this regard, I call upon the Leagues to continue harnessing ICT and the digital space towards
heightening our mobilisation programmes and ongoing Party modernisation agenda.
The War Veterans League and the Elders Council are critical as dependable repositories of our rich liberation war heritage.
I applaud the successful holding of the Congress and election of a new leadership of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association, which is an affiliate of our Party. This is a testament of our embedded commitment to the tenets of the democracy which we fought for,
delivered and is now being enjoyed by the people of Zimbabwe. Makorokoto. Amhlophe.
As time progresses, both the War Veterans League and Association are called upon to roll-out programmes that endear the younger generations, to the founding values and principles which make ZANU PF an indomitable and impenetrable Party.
Comrades and Conference Delegates;
ZANU PF is a moving train, always ready to welcome new members. However, Party systems, must be tightened and insulated against infiltration by divisive elements and malcontents who have no regard for the political order that is guaranteed by the supreme Party Constitution.
In line with Article 2, Section 8 and 9 of the amended Constitution, I challenge this 21st National People’s Conference, to re-affirm our commitment to the Party Constitution. This binds all members and must be respected, adhered to and fulfilled by all of us, at every level, without exception.
Further, the threats posed by indiscipline and political excesses of opportunists, should be addressed head on.
In ZANU PF, we toe the correct line of the revolution.
There is no room for ideological indecisiveness.
According to Article 3 Section 19, sub-section (1) every member of the Party has a duty to be loyal to the Party and its leadership. Sub-section (6) also obligates us to conduct ourselves honestly and honourably in dealing with the Party and the public so that we do not bring the Party or its leadership into disrepute and ridicule.
No one will be allowed to derail the Party’s people-centred character. Ultimately, us the people
must always defend the Party.
ZANU PF musangano unoyera. MuZANU PF tine tsika, yekukudzana nekuremekedzana. ZANU PF hayikwani muhomwe yemunhu.
Fellow Party Comrades;
Land remains the backbone of our economy. The land was one of the key grievances that saw us wage a protracted and brutal war of liberation. It is more than a store of wealth and symbol of identity; our God-given land is a perpetual inheritance for both the current and future enerations, which we will continue to jealously safeguard and protect.
To ensure the security of tenure, therefore, a new Land Tenure Policy has been adopted by Government for the beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme, including war veterans, youth and women.
Programmes under our Agriculture Food Systems and Transformation Strategy to guarantee national food security and nutrition are ongoing. I commend provinces, farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector for the expected bumper winter wheat harvest as well as growth milestones in the horticulture sector.
The promise of good rains during the 2024/2025 summer cropping season should see thorough preparations. The Party, along with Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, is tasked to ensure that inputs for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme are timely distributed.
Corruption and favouritism in this process should not happen. All beneficiaries of the programme should receive inputs.
A comprehensive farmer-driven livestock feeding programme launched by Government is helping to minimise drought-related livestock deaths. The construction of new dams is on-going. Lapha ko Bulawayo siza-waletha amanzi from the Gwayi- Shangani Dam and shame the prophets of doom.
Equally, our ZANU PF Government shall deliver water to Harare, from Kunzvi Dam.
With regard to infrastructure development, the construction and maintenance of national road
networks are ongoing. Our focus is now on upgrading the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and Harare-Chirundu roads, among others.
The resilience of the mining sector is evident through the realisation of 84% capacity utilisation in 2024 with an expected jump to 90% in 2025. Overall mining industry growth was at 7% in 2024, despite low commodity prices. The sector is contributing 75% of our country’s exports and 18% of GDP.
Gold output, especially from artisanal and smallscale miners, has been growing month on month and Government is periodically reviewing incentives in thesector for the realisation of win-win benefits.
Tourism is a key export product. To date, the sector has surpassed the US$5 billion tourism revenue target set for 2025. The Tourism industry contributed 12% of GDP in 2023. We thank communities in our country’s tourist destinations who are always ready to welcome our visitors.
In the manufacturing sector, the recently adopted Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan is designed to consolidate gains realised in primary production in the mining and agriculture sectors, while attending to challenges faced by our manufacturing and commercial sectors. The Plan lays a foundation for accelerated industrialisation, reduction of the cost of doing business, strengthening value chains, promoting SMEs linkages and Government-private sector collaboration.
The capacitation of the public sector is an ongoing process. The bureaucracy across all provinces and districts is directed to respect the supremacy of the Party over Government. Policies, directives, programmes and projects enunciated at this Conference must, therefore, find place in Government plans and the requisite resources allocated.
The ZANU PF Government guarantees a capable human capital base that supports existing entities and the creation of new industries, especially by our innovative young people and women. The robust, resilient and formidable education system that we have rolled out under the Heritage Based Education 5.0 model is achieving its objectives.
Traditional leaders are the custodians of our heritage and culture. It is our expectation that they will nurture peace and harmony within communities, ensuring that people embrace each other by resolving differences through dialogue. I congratulate the Chiefs and people in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces for championing and embracing the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme as a mechanism that carries everybody on board.
Comrade Delegates, Distinguished Guests;
This Conference is being held against the backdrop of our successful hosting of the 44th SADC Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in August.
This vote of confidence by SADC members, reaffirms Zimbabwe’s ability as a regional leader, in the political, economic and social spheres guided by the founding principles and values of the SADC Treaty.
The collective interests of the peoples and economies of the region shall be at the core of planned activities, during Zimbabwe’s tenure.
Our gathering, also coincides with the 5th Anniversary of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day. We join fellow member states and those in solidarity with us, from Africa and beyond, in condemning and calling for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the heinous illegal sanctions
imposed on our country.
In concluding, may I once again emphasise that this gathering is not a talk show. The Update Reports that will be presented in Plenary, reflect the extent to which both the Party and Government implemented the Resolutions of the 2023 Conference.
I, therefore, urge the Committees of this 21st National People’s Conference to engage in frank and robust discussions.
Thereafter, the best possible recommendations, focusing on key issues that affect our Party, communities and the economy, including social services, should be proffered.
It is our responsibility to create new pathways as we consolidate socio-economic gains and mitigate the risks and challenges of the future.
The outcome of this Conference has far-reaching implications. ZANU PF is the Party that is leading Zimbabwe, developing every Province, District, Ward and Village; we shall industrialise and modernise our motherland, ourselves. Forward and forward ever!
With these remarks, it is my singular honour and privilege to now table the Central Committee Report and declare the 21st National People’s Conference, officially open.
I thank you.
Pamberi ne ZANU PF.
Pamberi ne kubatana.
Pamberi ne gwara reMusangano.
Pasi neMhandu.
Phambili le ZANU PF.
Phambili lokubambana.
Phansi labathengisi.
Bongani Ndlovu