Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZANU-PF Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has emphasised the party’s long-term vision extending well beyond 2030, highlighting the vital role that new provincial party headquarters will play in driving Zimbabwe towards a modernised, upper-middle-income economy.
Speaking at the official opening of the party’s Matabeleland North Provincial Office Complex in Lupane yesterday, Adv Mudenda praised the province for its dedication to realising the party’s directive and urged other provinces to follow suit.
“These new office complexes are not just administrative buildings but essential centres for driving political and economic activity at the grassroots level, linking party policy directly to Government action,” he said.
Adv Mudenda explained that the establishment of provincial headquarters is a key part of President Mnangagwa’s vision.
“What’s important is that we are following the directive by His Excellency the President that every province must open a provincial party headquarters,” he added.
He acknowledged the perseverance of Matabeleland North, noting: “It has taken us nine years, but I’m happy that finally, the building is now standing firm and it will be a centre in which the province must share ideas.”
The Secretary-General elaborated on the role the complexes will play in ensuring accountability and effective governance.
“The province must share ideas,” he said. “First, on how the party should be mobilised so that it is strong and vibrant and also how the party should link up with Government ministries here in the province to ensure that whatever the party has decided to be done by the Government is fulfilled.”
Adv Mudenda stressed that the party will use the new headquarters to hold provincial Government accountable.
“The party, using its provincial party headquarters, should be able to summon the various ministries through the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution so that issues can be followed up, development programmes can be evaluated and monitored accordingly, and ensure that what the Government has passed through the National
Budget finally has created value for money and improved the livelihood of the people.”
He reiterated the call for all provinces to replicate this model, insisting that “every Zanu-PF province should have a provincial office complex, not only Matabeleland North, but in all provinces and that party business should be conducted in these offices.”
Adv Mudenda also took a moment to address those vying for leadership positions within the party.
“When doing party business, we should walk the talk. The party is not for positions but positions are worked for. The positions one occupies is not for individual benefit but it’s for the people and the party,” he said.
He said with a touch of humour that leadership “comes by working hard,” gently mocking those who seek advancement through unorthodox means.
Unity was another theme of his address. “When working together we should not look down upon one another looking at which district one is coming from, we are one people. All of us, we belong to Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Province. If the party becomes strong, the President would also be powerful.”
Despite ongoing sanctions against the country, Adv Mudenda expressed optimism about Zimbabwe’s economic outlook.
“Despite the country being under sanctions, as a country we are doing well, according to the World Bank report, Zimbabwe is currently doing well with 6,6 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
Also speaking at the event, Zanu-PF National Political Commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha, commended Matabeleland North for answering President Mnangagwa’s call to build dignified party offices.
“They have duly answered President Mnangagwa’s call to build party offices where party business could be conducted in a dignified manner,” he said.
Cde Machacha linked the new facility directly to the Head of State’s vision for modernisation. “This achievement aligns with President Mnangagwa’s conviction that the party cannot successfully pursue an industrialised, modernised, middle-income society driven by technology if the party itself is lagging behind and failing to provide new ideas to the populace. Without the party’s leadership, the people also cannot advance.”
He emphasised the need for “modern and state-of-the-art offices, like the one commissioned here, an example that will be replicated in all provinces.”
In his welcome remarks, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and provincial chairman, Cde Richard Moyo, expressed gratitude to party members and local companies involved in the project.
He also thanked Adv Mudenda for his generous contribution of US$20 000 towards the purchase of the furniture, for the offices.
Cde Moyo highlighted the economic benefits of the project, noting that local labour was employed in the construction. He pointed out that the province had previously been forced to hire venues for meetings.
“Today, the project is finished and we are officially handing it over to Zanu-PF. Matabeleland North now has a Zanu-PF property,” he declared, calling the office a sign that “as a party we are organised.”
He revealed that the decision to build the offices followed an initial US$100 000 grant given to provincial chairpersons.
The event extended beyond party business, with incubators donated to youths and women in Bubi, Umguza and Lupane districts as part of a wider empowerment initiative.
Senior party leaders also attended, including Politburo members Cdes Alice Dube and Sithembiso Nyoni, who is the Member of Parliament for Nkayi North.
Bongani Ndlovu