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Later in an interview, Cde Mavima who is also the party’s provincial vice-chairperson, told journalists the massive project signalled the renaissance of Zanu-PF.
“This is a multi-faceted project that we embarked on. The facility has an estimated budget of about $6.5 million but this can be reviewed as work progresses. We are 100 percent on course for the completion of the facility. We have the capacity, the resources, the will and commitment to undertake such a massive project despite the illegal sanctions imposed on us. It is renewal on our part.
“Renewal starts in the mind before it translates into work. As a party we are making a strong statement that we are here to stay. We are a party that looks ahead to the future and we are coming up with such projects for the benefit of the present generation as well as future generations,” he said.
Cde Mavima said although the conference centre could accommodate around 5 000 people, it could, however, entertain a bigger audience as the development association was working on installing big plasma television screens for outside audiences.
He said the whole complex would be installed with modern technology for it to remain competitive as a venue for holding big conferences.
“It is a state-of-the-art conference centre. Audiences will have the option to select a channel of their choice and listen to speeches in a language of their choice, be it Shona, English or Ndebele from their seat, which will also be equipped with headphones. There won’t be any need for one to listen to the original statement before it can be translated. The auditorium will also have a Public Address System.
All these will be fitted-in as they are a part of the conference centre,” he said.
The Zvishavane-Runde MP said the Midlands Development Association deliberately came up with an attractive facility as the complex had to remain viable even after the Zanu-PF national conference.
He said the centre would be available for hiring to churches, weddings and other social functions like musical shows.
The conference centre project is said to have taken up about $3 million so far.
Cde Mavima said the project, which is on a 60-hectare piece of land, also included a dairy training project that the Midlands Development Association entered into partnership with Dendairy.
He said the dairy project would benefit mostly women.
“The project will identify women willing to undertake training in dairy farming. We expect the dairy project to be fully operational within two weeks. We will also subdivide the 60ha farm into three hectare plots for horticultural projects. The project will benefit women and youths,” said Cde Mavima.
He said there were also plans to build a five-star hotel at the same site.
Cde Mavima said the hotel project would add value to the conference centre as all the needs of the people who use the venue would be catered for.
“We want to give people who use this facility a complete package. We don’t want them to drive to the city for food or accommodation,” he said.
Zanu-PF chairman for Midlands Cde Jason Machaya said the conference centre project would be handed over to the national executive once it has been completed, in time for use for the party’s annual conference.
The national executive is, however, still to announce the exact dates of the annual conference.
Online Reporter