Online ReporterConrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
PREPARATIONS for the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference have gathered momentum, with overall readiness now exceeding 60 per cent as the ruling party positions the annual gathering to showcase Zimbabwe’s economic transformation through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The conference, to be hosted in Chinhoyi later this year under the theme “From Resolutions to Results: Consolidating Economic Development and Deepening Economic Empowerment Towards Vision 2030,” is expected to bring together thousands of delegates from across the country to review the implementation of party resolutions and map the way forward for the country’s socio-economic development.
The national event will also be attended by delegates from revolutionary parties and government officials from across the globe.
Addressing the first joint meeting of the National People’s Conference Coordination Committee in Chinhoyi on Tuesday, ZANU PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, in a speech read on her behalf by the party’s Treasurer General, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, said preparations were progressing according to plan, with all sub-committees recording preparedness levels above 60 percent.
Beyond organisational preparations, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said this year’s conference would place special emphasis on SMEs, with the exhibition village expected to demonstrate how party policies are translating into economic growth, job creation and industrialisation.
She directed that SME exhibitions be accorded the highest priority, saying they were central to achieving the country’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
“SMEs are at the centre of employment creation and economic empowerment. Their participation in the conference exhibition village is not merely symbolic but a strategic platform for advancing the attainment of Vision 2030,” she said.
“Let us use this conference to showcase local production, link SMEs to markets and demonstrate that our resolutions are becoming results.”
She said the conference would provide an opportunity for local producers and entrepreneurs to exhibit Zimbabwean-made products, create new business linkages and demonstrate the progress being made in implementing Government and party programmes aimed at empowering communities and growing the economy.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the focus was now supposed to shift from planning to implementation, adding that the Politburo had already approved the conference budget.
At the same time, formal communication had been dispatched to stakeholders requesting contributions towards hosting the event.
She also commended the continued coordination between the party, Government ministries, security services and technical committees, saying the spirit of unity was key to successfully hosting the conference.
The Chairman described Chinhoyi as an appropriate venue because of its enduring place in Zimbabwe’s liberation history, having been the scene of the Battle of Chinhoyi on April 28, 1966, which marked the beginning of the Second Chimurenga.
Chinhoyi is also home town to late former President Cde Robert Mugabe, with the province playing host to the conference also expected to honour the heroic statesman.
“Chinhoyi is not just a venue; it is an altar of the revolution. It reminds us that our resolutions must be anchored in our liberation values and defended through practical implementation,” she said.
Mashonaland West provincial leadership has already made financial pledges in support of the conference, demonstrating what Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri described as patriotism and ownership of the event.
Updating the high-powered delegation, provincial chairperson, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said apart from the financial and non-monetary pledges, the province has managed to secure 350 rooms for VVIPs and VIP delegates to attend the conference with a shortfall of about 600 rooms to be addressed before the event.
“To bridge this gap, we have 18 houses and boarding facilities that were recommended and are being inspected and the search for new accommodation is ongoing,” she said.
She also mentioned that at least 14 kilometres covering Chinhoyi will be rehabilitated before the conference to improve movement within the provincial capital.
The conference will also review the implementation of resolutions adopted at previous party gatherings while charting strategies to accelerate economic development and deepen empowerment programmes in line with Vision 2030.
