Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZANU PF’s “Fishers of Men” initiative is yielding positive results in Harare by actively recruiting a vibrant and committed membership, with particular focus on the youths and women.
In Harare province, the party is specifically targeting students from tertiary institutions, aiming to integrate them into the revolutionary movement.
In an interview, Zanu PF Harare provincial Political Commissar Cde Voyage Dambuza, emphasised the party’s aggressive outreach efforts, which have been crucial in attracting new youth members.
He stated that this strategy goes beyond mere card-carrying membership; it connects political inclusion to tangible economic empowerment.
“The party is embarking on an aggressive outreach effort, which has proven pivotal in recruiting youths and new members,” said Cde Dambuza.
The party is engaging in a vibrant and committed membership, specifically targeting the youths and women.
“This strategy goes beyond mere card-carrying membership by linking political inclusion to tangible economic empowerment,” he said.
“Thousands of women and youths were not only recruited into party structures, but were also equipped through skills training, access to equipment, and income-generating projects. This successfully places them at the centre of Zimbabwe’s economic growth.”
He said President Mnangagwa is currently embarking on an empowerment initiative targeting the youths and women.
“We are currently recruiting new voters at tertiary institutions under the programme, catch them young and blend them in the party.
“Empowerment is starting at tertiary institutions; we are not selective, we embrace everyone,” said Cde Dambuza.
“Some are already venturing into poultry, pig farming and cattle fattening, broadening their career options and fostering a network of loyalty and patronage within the party.”
Further, he highlighted that by embedding these new members in the party structures, the “Fishers of Men” programme fundamentally bolsters Zanu PF’s grassroots mobilisation capacity.
This localised system of mobilisation and reward gives the party a distinct edge over competitors in day-to-day political work, voter registration, and turnout logistics, especially in rural and newly urbanised areas.
He said Zanu PF is the engine of national development and the party must continue focusing on membership growth, strategic planning and mobilisation to win elections.
“Focus must be on guaranteeing the growth of our party membership in readiness for the harmonised general elections,” he said.
“Responsive strategies and approaches must be advanced to consolidate the visibility and influence of the women, youth and veterans’ leagues.”
He added that political mobilisation by the party, with its affiliates, is a daily responsibility.
“We should carry on recruiting and welcoming new members from all walks of life and harness the diverse skills of the membership for the ultimate good of our revolutionary movement,” he said.
“This deeply localised mobilisation and reward system ensures that Zanu PF possesses a superior machinery for voter registration, turnout logistics, and day-to-day political work, giving it a distinct edge over competitors in the highly contested rural and newly urbanised areas.”
