The Sunday Mail
Kuda Bwititi
News Editor
The ruling party’s main objective is to introduce programmes, policies and projects that end poverty, including creating a prosperous future for Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has said.
He boldly declared that “no other political parties can ever cater for the people of Zimbabwe like ZANU PF”.
President Mnangagwa, who was unanimously elected as ZANU PF First Secretary on Friday, made the remarks in his closing address at the 7th National People’s Congress that ended in Harare yesterday.
“Our party ZANU PF is not about contestations for leadership positions. We are about policies, programmes and projects which end poverty,” he said.
“Our quest is to create modern jobs towards delivering true benefits to the people, as we lift the least among us from poverty into prosperity. We are about delivering sustainable livelihoods and a prosperous future for all the people of Zimbabwe.
“In ZANU PF, it is never about the President, Politburo, Central Committee or the well-crafted resolutions from our Congresses and other party forums. It is about the people, in whom true power resides. It is the people who are galvanised, moved and organised by our ideas towards transforming, modernising, industrialising and growing our economy.”
He said as the ruling party embarks on its drive to modernise the economy and improve people’s livelihoods, it is also continually renewing itself to be responsive to the needs of the people.
This constant rejuvenation, the President said, will see completion of the modernisation of the ruling party.
“The party must remain proactive, innovative and transformational in all its policies and strategies. As it was during the liberation war, we must remain fluid, blended and adaptive to new realities.
“Administrative systems and mobilisation strategies should continue to be revamped and overhauled, if need be, to be in sync with the prosperous and modern society we are building, as articulated in our national Vision 2030,” he said.
“In doing so, the party should boldly harness the competencies and capabilities that reside within the cross section of our people. Let us leverage on our new associate membership category; the growing corps of specialised professionals; emerging patriotic private sector, industrialists and SMEs, as well as the creative technology-savvy youth and students to drive our arty forward for the good of our great motherland, Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa said with the 2023 Harmonised Elections fast-approaching, ZANU PF remains open to everyone.
“No one is barred from coming to ZANU PF. ZANU PF haizari. Ndogara ndichitaura kuti hapana munhu anokwanisa kuisa ZANU muhomwe yake ikasamupisa.
“Party structures and leadership at every level must resist the temptation to ‘close out’ any individuals or group of persons from coming into ZANU PF on the basis of labels, prejudices and preferences, or even for the self-preservation of a few. This is not the ZANU PF way. Instead, our structures must make our membership base stronger and broader.”
ZANU PF, President Mnangagwa said, is geared for a thunderous victory in next year’s harmonised elections.
He said to date, the party has already secured regalia for next year’s polls, with the election manifesto to be unveiled in due course.
“The party Election Manifesto will soon be launched, while the requisite election campaign material and resources are ready, and will be distributed in due course. More efficient distribution modalities are in place that will ensure that the party regalia reach the ordinary party members at the cell and village levels. This will include distribution at cell level.”
He told Congress delegates to relay an assurance to the grassroots that the party is “strong, alive and unstoppable”.
“Equally, tell them that ZANU PF is a party for those in urban areas and at growth points. We stand with miners, teachers, doctors, nurses, industrialists, SMEs, religious organisations, the vulnerable, women, the youth and students as well as artists, creatives and sportspersons, among many others.”
The President reiterated his call for party members to desist from violence by preaching peace and unity.
The Second Republic, he added, will continue to diligently empower communities under the mantra “leaving no one and no place behind”.
The Congress, which was held in a carnival atmosphere and was attended by more than 3 000 delegates, ended on a high note last night with a musical gala at the Glamis Stadium in Harare.
