The Sunday Mail
Nduduzo Tshuma in Masvingo
VICE-President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday evoked shades of his predecessor, Dr John Landa Nkomo, as he chaired the report-back session of thematic committees at Zanu-PF’s 16th National People’s Conference in Masvingo.
Dr Nkomo was known to be a tough chair of proceedings and a stickler for order, and VP Mphoko yesterday brought back memories of the late national hero.
VP Mphoko told thematic committee chairpersons that they had no more than two minutes to make their presentations.
First to experience the seriousness with which VP Mphoko was taking the matter of time-keeping was National Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, whose presentation on the state of Zanu-PF was halted precisely two minutes into delivery.
And VP Mphoko did not only order an end to the delivery, he sang “tshayile tshayile madoda asambeni emakhaya,” — a ditty sung by employees as they leave work after knocking off.
Delegates laughed as a bemused Cde Kasukuwere pleaded for more time but VP Mphoko insisted that his time was up.
President Mugabe heeded the plea, though, and said presenters could have five minutes to sum their resolutions.
While giving the three extra minutes, VP Mphoko told delegates that “we must know that hapasisina nguva, nguva ndeya President”.
Cde Kasukuwere continued with his presentation. When the extra minutes ran out, VP Mphoko interjected, “Kasukuwere, shamwari, apa takukuitira favour.”
Next up was Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made, who was sternly cut off when the sands of time ran out in another moment reminiscent of Dr Nkomo’s fastidiousness.
And as Women’s Affairs deputy secretary Cde Sandi Moyo waltzed to the podium for her presentation, VP Mphoko told her she was wasting time.
Graciously though, he gave her six minutes to complete her delivery, and when she hadn’t done so after that magnanimous gesture by yesterday’s standards, VP Mphoko warned, “Bonga phela Sandi.”
The message got through to the next two speakers, as Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Kudzai Chipanga and Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha presented their resolutions briskly.
Dr Bimha jokingly said he had done his in record time.
But then came his Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare counterpart, Minister Priscah Mupfumira, whose brief administratively carries a huge case load.
VP Mphoko was done with the magnanimity by then, and sang “tshayile tshayile, asambeni siyolala, insimbi ikhalile amadoda azophuma (we have knocked off, let’s go and sleep, the bell has rang, the men are going). Thank you Sisi, Cde Mupfumira”, as the five-minute allotment elapsed.
Cde Mupfumira pleaded that she had not yet spoken about social protection.
“Please, Your Excellency,” she turned to President Mugabe asking. “May I have one or two more minutes?”
In what appeared to be less than the two-minute bonus period, VP Mphoko rose and chanted, “Pamberi ne Zanu-PF. Thank you Cde Mupfumira,” bringing an abrupt end to the minister’s presentation.
Running under the theme “Moving With ZimAsset in Peace and Unity”, the Conference started on Tuesday and ended yesterday.
