Chronicle Editor
Mkhululi Ncube, Sunday News Reporter
CDE Menziwa Dube, the Zanu-PF candidate for the Lobengula-Magwegwe Constituency in the upcoming 9 December by-elections has wasted no time in distributing his manifesto to residents in his constituency.
He aims to win the seat from the disjointed CCC. Cde Dube successfully filed his nomination papers on Tuesday and was met with jubilant party supporters who cheered for him and the ruling Zanu-PF. Born and raised in Magwegwe North, Cde Dube said he plans to bring smart politics to the constituency, focusing on tangible development that will win over the people’s hearts.
“The people of Lobengula-Magwegwe constituency are ready for a legislator whose primary objective is to bring concrete development to the constituent’s doorstep in line with Zanu-PF Party objectives led by his Excellency President ED Mnangagwa’s vision 2030 seconded by the philosophy Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo/ Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
“Gone are the days of seeing politicians buying constituents inhloko (ox head) and amasese (opaque beer) ema-grocer to woo votes. I will initiate community initiatives such as my brainchild initiative dubbed “Sisonke/Tiri tose community welfare programme under which all widows and orphans in the constituency will be fairly identified and registered to receive assistance to improve their quality of life. All pensioners and elderly in the community will be encouraged to access community activities that boosts their well-being.
“People with disabilities and terminal illness will also come under the scheme and will be given help such as organising home care helpers, and community ambulances so they have access for when they need such. Education places will be prioritised to local children. No child must travel more than 5km from their place of residence to get education when we have primary and secondary schools in each of the townships within Lobengula-Magwegwe area. This initiative will put child safeguarding as priority,” he said.
Cde Dube said the drug and substance abuse is another area of concern to him with formation of community centres that will be run by youths to create local jobs. He said the youths will be at the heart of his programme and will work with various partners to assist them.
“I will work towards youth development by providing programmes at youth c in partnership with the private sector and other Government agencies that provide our youth with tangible support measures allowing them to participate gainfully in the economy. Skills development programmes will be designed to increase the likelihood of employment or entrepreneurship. I will commit my office to take progressive action to hold to account the local authority to provide the services it is supposed to provide like water and refuse removal among others,” he said.
Cde Dube said he will work with the diaspora community from the constituency to invest and give back to the constituency using the links he has with them. SMEs will also be at the heart of his priority list by addressing the bottlenecks they face in doing business.
“I will aim to attract the diaspora investment by creating a diaspora-friendly investment opportunity in the area. Already there are pledges by diasporas to invest in solar energy, industry, health, education, sports and creative arts.
Our Party, Zanu-PF Vision 2030 is the only tangible vision that can see us realise our dreams under my term as Member of Parliament for the area. I will be supporting local businesses and making sure we relieve pressure for the Small Businesses — by ensuring that business properties will pay less business taxes and rates. I will also work to support thriving small-scale vendors so they are supported with licences to operate in designated stalls by the City Council, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said.
The former Mazwi and Nzwananzi Primary School pupil said voters in the constituency must read what is happening in the opposition CCC which was a clear sign that there is no development that will be brought by a divided political party that cannot manage its own affairs. Cde Dube said his campaign will focus on speaking to residents of the constituency door to door and using all available platforms to meet to send his message though to them. — @themkhust
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