adminTendai Mugabe and Susan Nyabunze
Preparations for the Zanu-PF National Youth League conference to be held at the Harare International Conference Centre are complete, with delegates from the country’s 10 provinces expected to arrive on Thursday. The conference runs from Thursday to Sunday and will be officially opened by President Mugabe on Friday.
Among other programmes lined up for the conference are the election of new members of the League, including the deputy secretary post which gives one a ticket to sit in the Politburo.
The League’s secretary is appointed at Congress by President Mugabe who is also the party’s President and First Secretary.
Zanu-PF Youth League secretary Cde Absolom Sikhosana yesterday said the youths would deliberate on various issues of national importance.
“We are through with preparations and everything is now in place,” he said.
“Delegates will arrive on Thursday and serious business will start on Friday with critical discussions on issues around the economy.
“We want the youths to be involved in issues to do with the economy.”
Cde Sikhosana said most of the discussions would focus on the implementation of ZimAsset.
The elections for new members would be held on Saturday, with candidates for various posts being derived from the selected four candidates from each province.
In separate interviews, candidates from various provinces confirmed their readiness for the conference.
They said they had everything that makes them good leaders.
Cde Kudzanai Chipanga from Manicaland, who is eyeing the League’s deputy secretary post, said he would continue to serve the party with utmost loyalty.
“I am confident of victory since I have been in various arms of the party for some time and will continue to serve in the best interests of the people for it is them who have elected me,” he said.
Cde Chipanga is the current legislator for Makoni West Member of Parliament and he joined the Youth League in 2000.
Aiming to be elevated to the post of secretary for administration is Cde Varaidzo Mupunga from Harare province. She said that her main objective was to uphold the party’s nationalist principles among the youths.
“If I were to obtain the seat, I will encourage the carrying on of the revolutionary cause,” she said.
Cde Mupunga said she was proud to be one of only three females who have made it to the national level and would be honoured to represent other females.
Another candidate from Harare province Cde Prince Shinya, who is also vying for the post of secretary for administration, said he was ready to serve the youths.
“I have been elected by the youths themselves, so all I can do is to serve them and make sure that I represent them,” he said.
Cde Betty Dhliwayo from Manicaland said she was keen to mobilise the youths in preparation of victory in the 2018 elections if elected.
Cde Kudakwashe Sintu from Mashonaland Central who was facing a disciplinary action, but cleared by the Politburo to contest in the Youth League elections, said he was ready to serve in any position availed to him.
“I will take up any post given to my province since I have been a provincial member of the party for a long time,” he said.
“I have been on the ground, so if the chance comes my way, I will be able to work with people like I have always done.”
The current secretary for administration Cde Leslie Ncube from Matabeleland South said he was not worried much about positions. He said any post was worthwhile as long as members were rallying behind President Mugabe.
“I am not worried about posts,” he said.
“I have been serving the party and will continue to do so.
“What is key is that we are 100 percent behind the President (and) the recent nomination of the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe into the Women’s League.”
Mashonaland West province will hold their provincial elections today in time for the arrival of delegates in Harare on Thursday.
Online Reporter
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