adminhomework and easily beat his more fancied opponents to get the right to represent the revolutionary party in National Assembly elections on July 31.
Kudzanai Chipanga (31), the Zanu-PF secretary for external relations in the youth league squared off against seasoned politicians among them Cdes Joseph Made, Nation Madongorere and Retired Colonel Sarapiah Makuyahundi.
The big names did not deter him.
Not even the inferiority complex that engulfed the men sent by Moses to spy on the land of Canaan, reporting “that there were huge people in Canaan whose cities were fortified and large.”
Cde Chipanga chose to be the Caleb, who insisted that the vision could not die because of what he had seen.
Besides, there is a Shona proverb that says “Matanda makuru mazingunutswa . . .”
For him the victory is not an issue. The big battle will be fought on July 31.
“I did not care much who would win as long as that was the wish of the people. Anyone of us would have taken the mandate of the people and we would be bound to support him. That is the beauty of Zanu-PF democracy.
“The results in our constituency have shown the world that Zanu-PF practices internal democracy. Zanu-PF does not impose candidates.
“Whoever feels that he or she can contest for any position as long as they qualify in terms of party regulations, they are free to contest,” he said.
Cde Chipanga said he has much respect for the trio and would always consult them for ideas.
“They have accepted the primary election results and we are working well together because we all understand that the party is bigger than individuals.
“The three have pledged to support me for a party victory. They have already taken some positive steps in that direction because Cde Madongorere is now my campaign manager and chief election agent. Cde Made has also pledged support throughout the campaign,” he said.
Cde Chipanga was born at Rusape General Hospital and did his schooling in Makoni and part of it in Harare.
Cde Chipanga joined Zanu-PF in 2000 starting at the cell level before rising through the ranks.
“That same year I was to be elected secretary for administration at party district level in Ward 25 of Makoni West. Two years later I was to be elected Zanu-PF district youth chairperson for Headlands Ward 32 when it was still Makoni North constituency,” he said.
In 2006 Cde Chipanga was elected youth chairperson for Rusape Urban and soon his love and work for the party was to be recognised with a position in the then District Co-ordinating Committee as secretary for youth affairs in 2007.
Cde Chipanga was to be elevated to Zanu-PF Manicaland province as secretary for transport and social welfare.
Cde Chipanga only served in the province for a short period before he was elected national secretary for external relations in the Zanu-PF youth league in 2009. This was after the party’s constitutional amendments disqualified anyone who was above 31 years from holding a position in the youth league.
“Because of new position, I automatically became a central committee member at the Zanu-PF congress in 2010,” Cde Chipanga said.
Despite being a member of the central committee and holding a powerful national post in the youth league, Cde Chipanga chose to remain in Makoni where he grew up.
“I have not relocated like some cadres in the party whenever they are elected to higher positions, they relocate trying to match their positions in leafy suburbs of Harare but I did not do that. I remained with the people,” he said.
Cde Chipanga said the inclusive Government was frustrating empowerment programmes spearheaded by Zanu-PF.
“Zanu-PF’s policies are pro-youths, pro-Zimbabwe and pro-African. But all Zanu-PF’s efforts are being frustrated by the MDC. Development had stagnated in Makoni West one of the constituencies that was won by MDC-T in the last elections.
“I saw it fit to go on the ground and fight for Zanu-PF to retain that constituency.
“When we win that constituency, Zanu-PF and I as a youth, will try to push youth agendas so that they can get youth funds.
“At the moment we are getting peanuts from treasury because the Minister of Finance is fighting to frustrate Zanu-PF and endear his party with the people. With Zanu-PF in government the youths are likely to get a large chunk of resources to alleviate poverty.
“We have enough resources here to economically emancipate ourselves. We don’t have to go to the West begging for assistance.
“We have enough resources to finance our development.
“We should be owners of resources not what the other parties are saying,” said Cde Chipanga who is also into farming and the transport business.
He said Zanu-PF will wrestle Makoni West from the MDC-T’s immediate past legislator and contestant, Mr Webber Chinyadza, come July 31.
“As far, as we are concerned Zanu-PF did not lose that constituency in 2008. We did not have successful primary elections because of internal squabbles. We had two comrades Joseph Made and Nation Madongorere who had a disputed primary election.
“We ended up having two candidates in that constituency while MDC-T had one. If you combine our comrades’ votes they exceed the number that Chinyadza got.
“So I don’t take that constituency as an MDC-T constituency in terms of population.
“It is us in Zanu-PF who gave MDC-T a chance to govern us but this time around we have had our successful primary elections. Therefore it’s tough luck to MDC-T,” he said.
Cde Chipanga said united the party was going to reatin the seat.
Cde Chipanga said he was going to be guided by the constituents on their expectation if elected to represent them.
“Even when I was campaigning, I was not promising much to the people because I have not been a legislator before.
“Whatever I am going to do will be driven by the electorate. People are going to tell me what they expect from me. If it is possible, I will do it but if not I will tell them. I will be a servant of the people.
“Gone are the days when you lie to the people that when you elect me, I am going to construct a railway line or construct bridges where there are no rivers. In Zanu-PF, we are people-driven. We don’t mislead people,” he said.
Cde Chipanga is married to Maria Mukomo and the couple has three lovely daughters.
Online Reporter