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ALL is set for provinces to host delegates who will virtually follow the19th Zanu-PF National People’s Conference which is being held at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) in Mashonaland Central province
The party’s Politburo and Central Committee meetings were held at the party’s headquarters in Harare on Wednesday and yesterday.
Zanu-PF First Secretary and President Cde Mnangagwa will today address delegates, marking the official opening of the conference.
In the provinces, delegates will follow proceedings from selected venues across the 10 provinces.
In line with Covid-19 health regulations, delegates are expected to produce their valid Covid-19 vaccination certificates before accreditation.
The annual party indaba takes place at a time when Government, under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, is rolling out a number of initiatives to revive the economy as part of a transformative drive towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
In Bulawayo, it’s all systems go with the province set to host 270 delegates drawn from the party’s 53 districts.
When Chronicle visited the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Hall 2, the venue where Bulawayo delegates will be virtually following the proceedings from the main venue, it was a hive of activity, with health workers testing delegates for Covid-19.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Cde Obert Msindo said the province was ready for the conference.
“We are ready for the conference and everything is in place. We have also pitched a tent where all accredited delegates are being tested for Covid-19 and subsequently issued with a certificate, which should be produced upon arrival at the venue,” he said.
“We have secured enough accommodation and transport for our delegates and there is enough food for everyone. We have a back-up generator in case of power outage. We are now waiting for the official opening of the conference by His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa tomorrow (today)”.
Cde Msindo said 10 Central Committee members will be part of the delegation in Bulawayo.
Bulawayo Zanu-PF head of ICT and also chief director of events Cde Matthew Mutavayi said they have done the final test runs of network platforms for the live feed for live streaming and were satisfied with connectivity.
Matabeleland North Zanu-PF chairman Cde Richard Moyo said the province was ready to participate in the hybrid conference from Lupane.
“We have tested the equipment for virtual proceedings, accommodation for delegates has been organised as well. We are only left with a few issues such as paying service providers such as tents and the business community are assisting us to that effect. We are eagerly waiting to listen to the President’s speech and he is expected to direct how the party progresses into the future,” said Cde Moyo.
He said the party was satisfied with how it has fulfilled some of its 2018 electoral promise.
“We have several infrastructural development projects, roads are being rehabilitated, schools are being developed, and clinics are being constructed. Devolution funds are having a positive impact on communities. We have projects such as the Gwayi-Shangani Dam construction and rehabilitation Hwange Unit 7 and 8 which upon completion will change the country’s power matters. As a province we are proud that Matabeleland North is home to some of the national projects that will set the tone for Vision 2030,” he said.
Matabeleland South acting provincial chairman Cde Never Khanye said the province will host at least 200 delegates.
“We are ready for the conference today, we were doing final touches in terms of the connectivity and linking with other provinces and it was a success. We have no doubt that we are going to have a successful conference,” said Cde Khanye.
In Midlands province, delegates attending the conference virtually started streaming to the Midlands State University (MSU) main campus in Gweru yesterday.
Zanu PF Midlands provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said they had slaughtered six beasts to feed the delegates.
“On Wednesday we had a dry run connecting with the main event and other provinces. Today (yesterday) we again successfully linked up with Chinhoyi and other provinces which is a clear indication that we are all systems to go,” he said.
Eng Mackenzie Ncube said a total of 350 delegates from the province’s eight administrative districts had been accredited for the conference. – @nqotshili
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