Unity, peace, development anchor Zanu PF’s longevity

Richard Muponde, Zimpapers Politics Hub

UNITY, peace and development are the Zanu PF founding principles which are expected to bind the ruling party members as they go for the 21st National People’s Conference to be hosted by Bulawayo province at the end of October.

The conference will be held from October 22 to 27.

Zanu PF’s 21st conference is a piv­otal moment for the country as it will be focusing on sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.

Under the theme; “Industrialise, Modernise Towards Vision 2030,” the party aims to stabilise the economy, address inflation, foreign exchange rates, unemployment and create a con­ducive environment for investment and growth.

To achieve this, unity, peace, and development are the guiding principles that have sustained the revolutionary party over the years.

President Mnangagwa’s efforts to promote unity under the Second Republic have been notable.

His mantra, “Zanu PF ihomwe hombe inokwana munhu wese,” has welcomed opposition and former ruling party members who rejoin the party, promoting unity and solidarity.

Recently, President Mnangagwa welcomed back former Minister, Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, his son Lawrence and former MDC-T Member of Parlia­ment for Gutu Central, Oliver Chirume, after they defected from the opposition to join Zanu PF.

The trio decided to rejoin the party because they have seen that President Mnangagwa is championing unprec­edented and life-changing economic developmental projects that have not been witnessed before in the country.

Cde Mavhaire said the time had come for him to come back home to Zanu PF’s big tent.

“It was my conviction, I just sim­ply decided as a thinking being that the development being led by Presi­dent Mnangagwa is very good,” Cde Mavhaire said.

His counterpart, Cde Chirume, said he felt he could not be left out of the massive economic growth being spearheaded by the Second Republic under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa.

“Cde Matuke was actually the one who persuaded me as his younger brother to join the party so that we could work together and develop the country. I have seen the wonderful work being spearheaded by the Second Republic so I decided to join so that we continue taking the country forward,” Cde Chirume said.

A number of opposition members and ex- Zanu PF members have been rejoining the ruling party, all announc­ing that they had been charmed by President Mnangagwa’s development initiatives.

As has become the tradition, robust engagements will characterise the con­ference with delegates expected to give feedback of concerns coming from dif­ferent communities.

Focus will be on national develop­ment issues and economic growth as depicted by conference’s theme and also the emphasis on collective responsi­bility by recognising individual roles in achieving broader party objectives.

Under President Mnangagwa’s lead­ership, Zimbabwe has experienced peace and stability, allowing unprec­edented development.

The country has made significant strides in infrastructure development, aligning with Vision 2030’s philoso­phy: “Nyika Inovakwa neVene wayo. Igotongwa nevene vayo, Igonamatigwa nevene vayo” and “Let us build our country with our own hands, and no one and no place left behind”.

Political and economic analyst, Mr Paurosi Naboth Dzivaguru said the ruling party conference’s fundamental objective should be to discuss policies and practices that help achieve sustaina­ble economic development and poverty reduction.

“Party members should create an aura of camaraderie and esprit de corps to come out with cogent out­put in period of the conference. Party members should embrace harmony and unity in pursuit of national goals,” Mr Dzivaguru said.

“Unison and cordial relations with each other during the period in ques­tion should punctuate the party sum­mit. Peace, unity and order are sine qua non for economic development,” he said.

“Even in international economic rela­tions, peacekeeping efforts are regarded as development aid, as peace and tran­quillity are ideal for a conducive envi­ronment for economic fortunes. Order and security is a principle number one of rule of law,” Mr Dzivaguru said.

Addressing the 378th Session of the Politburo on Wednesday, President Mnangagwa said ZANU PF was a Con­stitutional entity with a well-articu­lated overarching mission, goals and objectives, as well as stipulated duties of members.

He said it was important for party members to reinforce the political foun­dations and principles which form the bedrock of the colossal revolutionary party.

He said scaling up production, pro­ductivity and hard honest work across all sectors of the economy should be the loud and clarion call to the general membership of the party.

Promotion of economic growth through encouraging investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the same time prioritising poverty reduction by implementing policies addressing inequality and social pro­tection should be paramount.

The ruling ZANU PF distinguishes itself from other political parties in the country by not only being a party of liberation, but being ideologically anchored on pro-majority and pro-poor policies.

It therefore comes as no surprise that the governing party has since independence maintained its hegem­onic dominance of the country’s body politic.