The Sunday Mail
President Mugabe has appointed Cde Kudzanayi Chipanga as Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth Affairs, saying he is impressed by his work in the party.
Cde Chipanga replaces Pupurai Togarepi whom he deputised and then replaced in an acting capacity after a no confidence vote was passed on him early this year.
President Mugabe announced the elevation at the Zanu-PF Youth League National Assembly in Harare yesterday.
“I want to say to Chipanga, ‘Come and let me shake your hand for being able to organise this gathering and leading the youth. Come let me shake you.’
“Now I am not just shaking his hand, but informing him that as from now on, you are not acting, but Cde Kudzanayi Chipanga is now Secretary for Youth Affairs,” said the President to wild cheers from the youths.
President Mugabe said Zanu-PF will address issues affecting young people.
“We are going ahead to meet the needs of our people in general and in particular those of our youth, who constitute majority of the population. We are also aware that the youths need farming land. Responsible ministries are working tirelessly to ensure that land for agriculture is made available to them. I would like to implore you, as the youth leaders, to ensure that once the land is allocated, it is properly and fully utilised in order to ensure massive production.
“In the mining sector, I am aware that the youth are trying to make ends meet through small scale mining. We support your initiatives in this sector, but do not encourage illegal activities.
“The youths should work well with the Ministry of Mines, avoiding being caught on the wrong side of the law. All gold mined should be sold to Fidelity, not on the black market. The land from which we extract resources needs to be protected for future generations.”
On party discipline, President Mugabe said: “…It is, however, disheartening that within our party, some members, senior in age, but perhaps immature in their ability to understand Zanu-PF and its ethos, started to sow discord and disharmony with the hope of destabilising our party.
“We had to act fast and firmly in order to bring back dignity and discipline to Zanu-PF. Thus, such orchestrators of unruly and undisciplined behaviour were expelled from Zanu-PF party. Zanu-PF and its Government will not be derailed by irrelevant side shows that are orchestrated by the spineless opposition parties.
“. . .A disciplined Youth League does not allow anybody, including senior leaders of the party, to divide it. Youths should not be seen to be in the fore, attacking Zanu-PF or even fanning divisions in the party.”
President Mugabe congratulated the youths on having successfully organised the One Million Man March in May 2016, saying it had demonstrated tenacity and ability to mobilise support for the party.
The President said he is pleased that the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology has begun equipping Zanu-PF members with the party ideology.
