The Sunday Mail
At a time when the Press is awash with reports of divisive activities in different parts of the country, Harare province has set itself aside, refusing to be caught up in factional debates.
Rather, it acknowledges and recognises one centre of power in President Mugabe.
Remember Abraham Lincoln’s words: “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on your side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”
True to this time that we find ourselves in where it appears one has to pick a “right” side/faction to belong to.
The issue is here, comrades, is not to choose a side but to simply belong to the centre.
It is that unifying centre, our leader President Mugabe, that Harare Province has chosen to belong.
Only months ago the province was on the brink of collapse under the command of a factional leadership.
Amos Midzi together with the likes of Chiratidzo Mukarati and Godwills Masimirembwa had demoralised party members to the extent that very few were interested in being associated with party activities.
It took the voice of Zanu-PF’s First Secretary at the 2014 Congress to declare sanity within the organ and his appointment then of a new leadership for Harare set a new tone for the metropolitan province.
The unity of purpose within the province was clearly demonstrated at an induction meeting held last week for Harare Central 2 District.
Like that oasis you identify in the desert in the midst of all the heat and barren land, it was refreshing to hear of a people who distanced themselves from factional squabbles and instead declared their allegiance to the President and First Secretary.
What was particularly worth applauding for was the district’s mobilisation of members.
The district meeting was attended by scholars, white and blue collar employees, vendors, entrepreneurs and the physically challenged across the three arms of the youth, women’s and main wings.
Indeed, the district is a true representation of the Harare citizenry and this will be key in ensuring the needs of the different groups are addressed as we push for delivery of promises made to the people before the 2013 elections.
Harare’s focus is on fulfilling the Zim-Asset mandate.
Senior district official from Harare Central 2 proposed different projects aimed at addressing the challenges faced by its people in this, the hub and heart of the nation.
One project touches on health and sanitation, which will see the drilling of boreholes at strategic locations to give free access to safe water for all.
Whilst Harare Central has a great concentration of business persons, it also has a great concentration of homeless persons.
To this end, an initiative is being crafted to assist these vulnerable persons.
A soup kitchen is to be established where the destitute can eat a hot meal, find a place of recess, access bathrooms and receive donated clothing and books.
Another exciting venture is aimed at reducing the stress put on parents over ever-increasing day care fees for children.
It has been seen necessary to develop a safe centre within the CBD where parents and guardians can leave their young as they attend to their work or errands during the day.
This great initiative should provide some reprieve for many parents.
Economic progress and the consistent teaching of party ideology is the agenda at the heart of Harare province.
The leaders who spoke at the induction were reading from the same book, each reiterating the importance of progress in building an empowered province that will win resoundingly in the 2018 elections.
Cde Tendai Wenyika made it clear that the province will stand firm and support the leadership of our President. Cde Takataka was clear in reminding youths of the importance of respect of the hierarchy within Zanu-PF.
Zanu-PF is a well-organised body and protocol must be observed at all times. The youth in particular are at times found guilty of disrespecting leadership. This must come to an end. The youth are the vanguard of the party and as such form the first line of defence just as they did during the liberation struggle.
We cannot afford then to have an unruly, divided youth as this immediately weakens the party.
In the same vein, the Women’s League was reminded by the provincial leadership that the fate of the party is in their hands.
“Musha mukadzi,” as the Shona say. That means women should be at the forefront of unifying party members and responding vigilantly to threats posed by opposition elements.
My dear comrades, it is a time for work. Let not the year be wasted in fulfilling selfish agendas but in committing selflessly to the struggle for economic freedom which is far from over, lest we find ourselves back where we started, overtaken by imperial rule.
Zanu-PF is for the people. Let the betterment of those people remain the reason behind all our activities and gatherings.
Do not waver brave soldiers. Iwe neni tine basa.
Cde Jason Zhuwao is district chair of Zanu-PF Harare Central Youth League and CEO of Team Zanu-PF Live, the party organ for mass dissemination of information, research, mobilisation, networking, live updating of current affairs and e-media campaigning
