Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
Preparations for the 22nd ZANU PF National People’s Conference have reached the homestretch, with President Mnangagwa set to commission four major projects that are driving the province’s economy.
National Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri told The Herald in an interview on the sidelines of the National Coordinating Committee tour of the Mutare Polytechnic grounds that the President will commission the Mega Market milling plant, Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Mutare Depot artificial intelligence-powered silos, National Pharmaceutical warehouse, and lead a tree-planting exercise at the land adjacent to the conference venue, where the party’s provincial offices will be built, on October 16, 2025.
The ruling party conference will take place from October 13 to 18, commencing with the Politburo and Central Committee meetings in Harare.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri stated that the venue is now ready, with just a few finishing touches left.
“We have requested that the President commission some projects in Mutare. We had a request from businesses—for example, Mega Market, which has set up a state-of-the-art milling plant, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, and they have requested that it be commissioned by the President on Thursday, as our programme starts on Friday.
“We also have the GMB silos, as well as the National Pharmaceutical warehouse, which has been built by the Ministry of Health and Child Care at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. We expect that the President will commission it. We also expect the President to lead a tree-planting ceremony at the venue of the new party offices.
“This is an added programme for the President on that Thursday,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She added that delegates will also tour the Chimoio Liberation War Shrine in Mozambique, with provinces taking turns, and the schedule has already been agreed upon between the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, and his Mozambican counterpart.
“We have come as the National Coordinating Committee, together with all the provincial chairpersons. With only nine days left before we embark on our programme, which commences on October 13 with the Politburo and Central Committee meetings in Harare, this is our third meeting.
“We will return next Friday for the final one to ensure we are 100 percent ready to host our conference. I am pleased to note significant progress. On our previous visit, little had been done following the Sanganai World Tourism Expo, which was held here and helped with the groundwork. We had a tour of the entire venue to inspect the tents, ventilation, and as you have seen, we are almost ready, with only final touches remaining. Our offices are nearly 95 percent complete.
The canteen area and exhibition space are ready. SMEs from Manicaland will be given an opportunity to sell their wares during the conference. Our women, youths, SMEs, and others must benefit,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said the committee received updates from various committees, indicating that the programme, agenda, and the Central Committee report have been compiled and are ready.
“The report reflects all our activities as a party from 2024, including passed resolutions, both implemented and unimplemented, as well as new resolutions from the provinces.
“Prior to the conference, we held provincial inter-district meetings where the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) reported on all programmes implemented by the Government in the provinces. We have new resolutions focusing on the state of the economy, the party, social sector, health, schools in the provinces, as well as youth and women empowerment projects.
“High on our agenda is also the issue of drug and substance abuse pervading society. ZANU PF has declared zero tolerance to drugs. As we speak, people are on the ground conducting awareness programmes and collecting data in villages on those affected by the scourge, in preparation for us to assist them through rehabilitation centres,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She mentioned that the accreditation of delegates and invited guests is at 85 percent.
“We have different categories, including invited guests and delegates, and their accreditation is ongoing and is at 85 percent. We will be very strict on this—it is not a free-for-all event. We had a security problem in Bulawayo last year after some hooligans gatecrashed the conference. This time, security will be very tight.
“We also discussed accommodation, transport, food, and everything is ready. Payments have been made, and provincial chairpersons will inspect the venues allocated for their delegates. Foodstuffs and cattle pledged are being honoured, and we are really grateful for the overwhelming response from the provinces. People are contributing and have surpassed our expectations.
We had set a target of US$50,000, but some provinces have reached $150,000. It is amazing that our provinces are taking this seriously, in line with the President’s mantra, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo (the country will be developed by its own people), and the party is supported by its own members,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She stated that the party is expecting US$5 million for the conference.
“We are almost halfway to raising the conference funds. Money keeps coming in, and we remain hopeful. There is a huge appetite to attend the conference; people are eager and happy about what ZANU PF and our President have achieved regarding the economy, National Development Strategy (NDS) 1, which is transitioning into NDS 2, especially food security and self-sufficiency. We have had a record wheat harvest, and inputs for the next summer season are already being distributed. People want to come and hear about these plans, including income-generating programmes being implemented by the Government. In Manicaland, our roads are very busy; they are being upgraded, and the mining sector continues to grow while export volumes continue to surge, which speaks volumes about a viable economy. There are prospects to revamp the railway system so that the goods train can be responsible for both exports and imports, easing the pressure on our roads and reducing accidents,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
