Kuda Bwititi
Non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) and other private organisations are increasingly warming up to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration after several civil society organisations attended the recent Zanu-PF National People’s Conference in Goromonzi.
The huge attendance by NGOs underlines a break from the past regime where civil society organisations aligned themselves with opposition politics.
Under the Second Republic, Zanu-PF has embraced civil society for their role in advocating people’s rights as well as undertaking checks and balances on Government.
Some of the organisations that attended the conference include the Zimbabwe Activists’ Alliance, the Broad Alliance against Sanctions, Bulawayo Youth Arise, Zimbabwe Activists Alliance, Sisonke Women’s Forum, Youth Agenda, Citizen Forum Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Women in Politics Alliance and several others
Also in attendance was the Commercial Farmers’ Union and indigenous churches.
Addressing party delegates, Zanu-PF national chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri said some of the NGOs had stopped working with the opposition in favour of the ruling party.
“In our midst, we have some civil society organisations that strongly opposed us in the past. Here we have 21 NGOs. Some of them used to work with the opposition MDC, but they are now working closely with us. They are our friends and we should embrace them,” she said.
According to the Zanu-PF Central Committee, which was tabled at the conference, the ruling party had a deliberate strategy to embrace progressive NGOs.
“The party has a long established tradition of cooperating with progressive civil society movements. Of note are students movements, trade unions, churches and religious organisations, empowerment groups, youth and women groups as well as cultural groups,” read the report in part.
“The party works with several youth groups with a presence in different sectors of society and that are in constant interactions with the party as needed.
“The traditional indigenous apostolic churches are reliable partners and have given the party support at critical moments.
“Recently, the Coalition Against Sanctions Zimbabwe has actively organised meetings at which the Commissariat Department has been actively engaged in nationwide rallies on anti-sanctions meetings.”
Activist Lynette Mudehwe, who is famous for protesting against former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s long stay at the Rainbow Towers said she had “seen the light” and was now working with Zanu-PF.
“Activists have been known to be anti-Government, but the New Dispensation has embraced everyone and we have built a relationship with Zanu-PF,” she said.
“We have no space, as activists, to reverse the will of the people of Zimbabwe when they voted in last year’s elections.
“Our mandate is to support all pro-development projects that are being carried out by Government. Where there are problems, we are not going to be confrontational with Government but address issues through dialogue.”
White farmers
Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Nick Swanepoel also attended the conference in a move that highlighted how the ruling party had moved from past poisoned relations with white farmers.
In his solidarity message to Zanu-PF, Mr Swanepoel said the CFU was committed to working with the New Dispensation.
“This New Dispensation has welcomed us as a family and we are grateful. We have to get serious in agriculture in Zimbabwe. We have had excuses about drought, but if you a true farmer, you will find a way,” he said.
“There is no more room for cellphone farmers in Zimbabwe and if you (President Mnangagwa) could do us a favour and find them another job. We do have some people in the provinces who work against your policies.
‘‘I also appeal to the international community that we need your help and if you give us money we will put it to good use’’ he said.
Churches
Also in attendance at the conference was the Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-denominational Council of Churches (ZIICC)
ZIIC leader Andrew Wutawunashe said: “On our part as the church, we find it important to call upon true Christians not to stand aloof or be cynical spectators of the party, but to heed Christ’s call to be the salt of the earth and to participate and make their own positive contributions to the ruling party.
“We are persuaded that the present economic hardships will pass through and I emphasise, pass through.”