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Herald Reporter
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been exhorted to rally behind the ruling Zanu PF and its visionary leader President Mnangagwa as the country moves towards achieving rapid socio-economic transformation underpinned by sound and people-oriented policies.
Zanu PF national spokesperson, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, made the call during a rally organised by economic lobby, Small and Medium Enterprises for Economic Development (SMEs 4ED), in Mbare yesterday, meant to drum up support for the ruling party ahead of August 23 harmonised elections.
The rally, which was attended by Zanu PF Harare provincial chairperson Cde Godwills Masimirembwa, Politburo member Cde Tendai Chirau, all candidates for the ruling party in the area and other top party officials, saw hundreds of small and medium entrepreneurs converging at Shawasha grounds as the revolutionary continues to make inroads into the opposition support base.
Cde Mutsvangwa implored SMEs to continue supporting the revolutionary party for them to continue benefiting from game-changing projects and policies that are being implemented by the Second Republic.
“Everyone wants to be prosperous, but in order to succeed you must have a Government that has the same vision as you. A Government that is dedicated to the prosperity of its people,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
“You have gathered here because you want to succeed. If you don’t vote for Zanu PF, it will be the biggest betrayal of the country’s liberators. Please keep up the excellent work to please the country’s liberators.”
Cde Mutsvangwa said Zanu PF was the only game in town, as it had a track-record of supporting SMEs and other informal businesses.
Zimbabwe, despite being the third-last country to achieve independence, remained one of the most organised and well-educated of the 56 countries in Africa.
“Even if we were to lose our lives, we merely desired a flourishing country when we went to war. We did not fight for the party or the leadership; rather, we were fighting for the future generation,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
Cde Masimirembwa said they were expecting a resounding victory for Zanu PF and its visionary leader President Mnangagwa in the coming elections. In separate interviews, the entrepreneurs pledged their allegiance to the ruling Zanu PF party, saying they were impressed by the Second Republic’s development-oriented policies. With only a fortnight before the country’s general elections, the ruling party is confident that it will reclaim urban seats from the opposition.
“I am a man living through carpentry, mainly because the ruling party created this conducive environment for the informal sector to grow,” said Mr Tendai Chikwaka, a carpenter.
“I am definitely going to vote for Zanu PF. Had it not been for President Mnangagwa’s sound policies, perhaps we would be wallowing in poverty.”
Mr Gerald Garagada said he was making a living through welding.
“We do face challenges here and there but we are earning a living from selling doors, door frames and window frames,” he said.
“We are doing work freely without disturbances and we shall continue to support the ruling party in line with vision 2030.”
SMEs 4ED president Mr Lloyd Bahera said their main agenda was to help mobilise six million votes for the ruling party and President Mnangagwa.
“Our main agenda is to help mobilise six million votes for our President and we also want to mobilise resources and finances for our SMEs so that they get finances for their projects,” he said.
The huge sector of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that provides a living for so many last year added US$8,2 billion to the Gross Domestic Product with the double thrust now on formalising more of these businesses.
The sector has also grown to become the bedrock of economic growth and poverty reduction.
Online Reporter