Serve the people, fulfil the vision

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa, who is also the Zanu-PF First Secretary, has called for stronger synergies between party policies and Government activities to ensure the national objectives under Vision 2030 are realised.

Speaking yesterday while delivering the keynote address at a Zanu-PF Central Committee strategic seminar held at the Gweru Convention Centre in Midlands Province, President Mnangagwa said collaboration between the party and the Government must be constructive and people-centred.

He said the ruling party’s policies must complement the national Constitution and that cohesion between the party and state institutions is imperative for national development.

“Constitutional literacy guarantees that leadership is exercised within clearly defined legal mechanisms to protect the integrity of the party. Further, the party and the national Constitution are complementary legal instruments. Understanding this synergy will enhance coherence between Party policies and Government activities as we strengthen accountable governance. The Central Committee must also demonstrate enhanced capability of oversight, supervision and support of Government programmes in line with the party constitution, policies, directives and resolutions,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said the seminar must help provide insights into governance issues and the party’s role.

“Our party should be more responsive and innovative in the manner we approach challenges and opportunities across all sectors of the economy. Party and Government collaboration must always be constructive and people-centred. The Central Committee should lead from the front and promote the involvement of all our members in every sector of the economy,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said various topics would be discussed during the strategic seminar.

“The presentation on ‘Understanding the National Economy in the context of Vision 2030’, among other development frameworks, must equip Central Committee Members with the analytical tools to engage in the ongoing economic transformation efforts,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Every leader is an ambassador of both the party and our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. Central Committee leaders are urged to always promote our philosophy of ‘Friend to all and an enemy to none,’ and reinforce that ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business.’ Zimbabwe is not and will never be for sale. The party leadership has a duty to promote good stewardship and sustainable resource utilisation within our communities, at every level.”

Further, the President called for the revival of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee.

“The revitalisation of the Standing Committees of the Central Committee is long overdue. I expect that this seminar will recommend strategies to guarantee the functionality, effectiveness and sustainability of our Standing Committees.

“May I reiterate that the Central Committee is the backbone of our revolutionary mass Party, Zanu-PF. Our strength lies in upholding the provisions of the party Constitution, demonstrating ideological maturity, discipline and collective leadership,” he said.

The seminar, said President Mnangagwa, was convened to strengthen and broaden leadership capacity, ideological clarity and reinforce collective responsibility and discipline.

“I want to emphasise that this gathering is not for show. It must be a platform for honest introspection and renewal. In doing so, we remain alive to the weighty duty on us, that of consolidating the people-centred governance of our country under Zanu-PF.

“We have the inherent responsibility to unite our people towards development that lifts many more out of poverty, into a higher quality of life,” said President Mnangagwa, adding that, “Our actions and decisions have ripple effects on the realisation of Vision 2030 and indeed the destiny of our great country.”

The revolutionary party’s First Secretary challenged Central Committee members to self-introspect with regard to their commitment to the party.

“We must boldly question ourselves whether we are loyal and patriotic, or humble and respectful in dealing with the masses. The trust and confidence bestowed on us by our membership, along with stakeholders of the party and indeed the entire nation, should be approached with soberness and reverence.

“The party is bigger than all of us Central Committee members; hence, in conducting our affairs, we should always exercise self-discipline and vigilance while reflecting a grounded knowledge of the party constitution and decorum,” said President Mnangagwa.

Added to that, the President said the onus was on the party’s leadership to openly share perspectives and, most importantly, proffer solutions in a strategic manner that will grow the Party while also propelling forward the national development agenda.

“As we are aware, the Central Committee occupies a pivotal position in the leadership and governance architecture of our party. This is the principal organ of the party between Congresses, vested with authority to make rules, regulations and procedures governing the conduct of the Party and its members,” he said.

Furthermore, the President outlined the roles of the Central Committee in terms of the party Constitution, which include implementing all policies, resolutions, directives and programmes adopted by Congress and the National People’s Conferences.

“Further, this organ is mandated to supervise and superintend over the implementation of Government programmes in line with party resolutions. It is also the Central Committee that convenes Congress, in both ordinary and extraordinary sessions.

“This constitutional role imposes a sacred obligation upon each and every member of the Central Committee.

We are custodians of party discipline, guardians of ideological consistency and standard-bearers of collective leadership,” he said.

“As such, our strategic seminar must enrich us with the requisite skills, knowledge and orientation to effectively discharge our duties. In doing so, it is critically important that we reflect on our role in the context of the new complexities affecting party mobilisation and organisation, such as the youth demographic and shifting socio-economic patterns in our communities.”

He called for the brainstorming of the media landscape, given the expansion of the sector.

“Issues such as the impact of media plurality and technology on our body politic, among other matters, should be accordingly dissected. In this context, we must proffer actionable recommendations on how we grow our membership by age, gender, sector, professions and so on. The identity, ideology, ethos and character of the party should never change; however, our strategies on growing the membership and winning the hearts and minds of the people must be fluid, innovative and forward-looking. Let us quickly embrace and fully utilise new media to occupy the space and publicise the work and successes of our party,” he said.

In his call for discipline, President Mnangagwa said leadership was not conferred by positions alone but had to be earned.

“It is earned through the unwavering commitment to wholeheartedly serving the party and people of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. No one can ever claim to be ‘entitled’ to a leadership post,” said President Mnangagwa.

“As Central Committee Members, our conduct must continue to inspire confidence and hope, while also entrenching unity of purpose and trust within the party and nation at large. Disregard of the party constitution and ignorance of the correct party line results in a leadership and membership that is opportunistic, ideologically bankrupt and removed from the masses. No organ or structure of Zanu-PF under the watch of the current crop of leadership must ever degenerate into such a state.”

Yesterday’s event was attended by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Cde Kembo Mohadi, national chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, among other senior party officials.