Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporters
SENIOR ZANU PF leaders yesterday attended their respective party cell meetings across the country to mark National Cell Day, using the grassroots mobilisation exercise to reinforce the importance of unity, discipline and vibrant cell structures as the foundation of the ruling party and national development.
The exercise, introduced in 2022, requires every party member, including the President and the senior leadership, to attend meetings at their registered cells.
It is used to verify membership, recruit new members, strengthen grassroots structures and reinforce the party’s organisational framework.
President Mnangagwa yesterday could not participate in the exercise because of a family bereavement.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga attended the Makarichi ZANU PF cell meeting in Hwedza, where he hailed the engagements as the most effective way of understanding community concerns and shaping national development.
“Through the cells, we worked closely with the community and the war collaborators to ensure the liberation struggle succeeded,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Now we are in a new era of industrialisation. Let the lessons of the liberation struggle guide our development journey. Let us remain united so that we can develop our country with the same spirit that helped us win the war.”
He said development must begin at the grassroots.
“Development of the country should also start from here. That is why Government introduced village business units, a concept that leaves no one and no place behind.
“But for these efforts to succeed, communities must initiate their own projects, and Government will come in to support them.”
VP Chiwenga said his attendance reflected respect for the party’s procedures and protocols, adding that National Cell Day reinforces discipline throughout the organisation.
He pledged to provide copies of the ZANU PF constitution to members of his cell.
“I will buy copies of the party constitution so that every member here has access to it. We must all follow the party’s procedures and protocols. Whenever you are in doubt, consult the constitution because it guides us on the correct way of doing things,” he said.
“I am here because I understand the importance of following the party’s norms, procedures and protocols.”
Growing support
Vice President Kembo Mohadi attended the National Cell Day meeting for Mohadi 3 Cell in Ward 2, under the Beitbridge Municipality, together with the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe.
Speaking after the meeting, VP Mohadi welcomed the growth of party structures in Beitbridge, saying attendance had increased, particularly among young people.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi addresses members of the Mohadi 3 cell in Beitbridge yesterday while Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe looks on. — Picture: Thupeyo Muleya.
“I am pleased that our cells are growing here in Beitbridge. When cells are alive, the party is alive. Reports show that the party continues to grow in terms of support, which is a positive development for our movement,” he said.
Organisational growth, he said, must be accompanied by unity and discipline.
“It is important to unite from the grassroots level to drive national development. Development begins in the cell, in the village and in the ward. If we work together at that level, the whole country moves forward.”
ZANU PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri attended proceedings at her cell in Muchinguri village, Ward 24, Mutasa Central constituency, where she described National Cell Day as the heartbeat of the ruling party.
She said authentic cell structures were essential for the party to accurately know its membership and effectively pursue its developmental agenda.
Zanu PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri verifies her details in the cell register.
“We need to follow our Green Book, the party constitution, which is very clear on what we did when we came from the war, and what are we are still doing for the people of Zimbabwe,” she said.
“It speaks to the party’s mission . . . people perished in Mozambique, and we are not going to wage another physical war with guns; our gun is development and economic emancipation of the people.”
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the party derives its strength from the grassroots.
“ZANU PF does not exist at the top — at the party national headquarters.
“As National Chair, I do not have a specific area where I am in charge; the party operates through these cells, which is where the people, the members are.”
In Hwange West Constituency, ZANU PF Secretary-General Advocate Jacob Mudenda called for stronger grassroots structures, saying vibrant cells remain the foundation of the party and a key driver of national development.
Addressing party members at Dete Community Hall, Adv Mudenda urged them to be guided by the party constitution and the cell handbook.
“The foundation of the party is the cell. If the foundation is not strong enough, the whole house falls apart,” he said.
He encouraged members to raise community concerns through their local cells for transmission through the party’s structures to national level.
“Let us continue mobilising more members at grassroots level and demonstrate that we are a people-centred party committed to addressing the needs of Zimbabweans.”
National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha described National Cell Day as one of ZANU PF’s most important organisational exercises because it provides an assessment of the party’s grassroots strength while creating opportunities for recruitment.
“The National Cell Day is a crucial exercise because cells are strategic grassroots organs that ensure organisational vibrancy. They enable us to measure our strength while also presenting opportunities to recruit more members and grow the party,” he said.
“The exercise reflects directly on the strength of the party and opportunities to recruit more members and grow the party.”
Introduced in 2022, National Cell Day has become one of ZANU PF’s flagship grassroots programmes, providing the party with an opportunity to verify membership, consolidate structures, recruit new members and reinforce unity from the cell level upwards as it strengthens its organisational capacity.
