adminPeter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
Preparations for the 15th Zanu-PF annual national people’s conference have started, with the revolutionary party targeting to raise $8 million for the event.
The conference is scheduled to run from December 9 to 14 and more than 12,000 people are expected to attend.
Addressing journalists at the Zanu-PF Headquarters on Thursday, party secretary for information and publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo said a fundraising committee has been set up to coordinate the exercise.
“As a party we are looking at a target of $8 million just to meet congress expenses and at this juncture we hope to raise about $1 million,” said Cde Gumbo, flanked by fundraising committee members Cde Charles Tawengwa and Cde Felix Mhona.
He said the national congress co-ordinating committee’s finance team chaired by secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa will host a fundraising dinner on October 31 at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru would be the guest of honour with entertainment being provided by the Police Band.
Cde Gumbo urged the corporate world, churches and individuals to support the cause.
“We call upon the business community. We call upon church groups and religious organisations to assist in cash and kind,” he said.
The dinner tables would be classified as platinum table for $100,000, gold $50,000, silver $30,000, bronze $10,000, and general $3,000.
Cde Mhona said the congress will run concurrently with a business expo and urged corporates and small to medium enterprises to participate and showcase their products.
“It’s a platform for SME’s to showcase their ingenuity in trying to come up with products that appeal to the nation in tandem with Zim-Asset and also the corporate world it’s time to appeal to the outside world for strategic alliances. So let’s come and partake in this noble project,” Cde Mhona said.
Parastatals were encouraged to take the opportunity to market their services.
Cde Tawengwa said each province has also been tasked to raise $150,000, adding that security measures have been put in place to ensure that the funds and donations are accounted for.
derick.khumalo