The Sunday Mail
Leroy Dzenga
Senior Reporter
When asked about her age, Gogo Louisa Marasha could only offer a smile.
She does not remember when she was born.
Her memory is beginning to betray her in some instances, a conversation with her requires patience.
Despite the limitations imposed on her by age, Gogo Marasha exhibited remarkable clarity on her political choices — she is ZANU PF to the core.
Gogo Louisa Marasha attends yesterday’s ZANU PF Star Rally in Epworth
It is the profound love she has for the ruling party, which saw her join the crowd of thousands of party supporters which thronged Epworth High School for the first ZANU PF star rally for the March 26 by-elections.
“I stay in Sunridge, I woke up early to make sure I catch the bus which brought us here,” she said.
In her long life, she has seen many political parties being formed, but has remained steadfast in support of the party she has followed from its early days.
“I started supporting this party a long time ago. It is like a father, if you are born of one father would you want to consider other people for the role?” she asked.
Gogo Marasha braved the scorching summer temperatures to listen to the party leadership’s message.
Despite the youthful demographic which dominated the attendance, Gogo Marasha said this rally was one of the best.
Entrances to the venue proved to be too small, as the ruling party’s faithful made way to the school grounds., One would have mistaken the crowd for mass display participants due to the illuminating aesthetic the party regalia was exuding. Circling the crowd on foot was an errand for the physically fit.
The event was, for the most part candid, as the party leadership took a relaxed approach allowing the crowd to give feedback.
Addressing the multitude, President Mnangagwa promised Zimbabweans in urban areas better service delivery.
“Harare has been in the hands of an incompetent political party for too long.
“There is rubbish everywhere and they are busy saying CCC instead of delivering service,” said President Mnangagwa.
It had been announced earlier that Epworth homeowners would receive title deeds to their properties during the rally, but President Mnangagwa said the process was too significant to be bundled up with the day’s main event.
President Mnangagwa also addressed what was a contentious issue affecting the party in the Epworth constituency.
Cadres who lost the primary elections to eventual winner Cde Zalerah Makari were struggling to accept the winner.
The President called the losing candidate Cde Kudakwashe Damson and encouraged him to support Makari’s candidacy.
“Contests are allowed within the party, that is democracy. This time Cde Makari won, give her a chance and support her.
“She once defected and realised it is cold outside Zanu PF and she has returned. Let us support her, those who failed to get their chance this time can try again next time, there is still plenty of time,” said President Mnangagwa.
In a strong show of the party popularity, Blessing Chebundo, a former MDC Alliance member and ZANU PF critic was offered an opportunity to address the crowd.
He said the ruling party’s policies are the best for Zimbabwe.
He was speaking on behalf of former opposition party members who have defected to the ruling party from various political outfits.
“When we formed MDC in 1999, the issues we were raising were on national development and political stability. ZANU PF has solved those issues, and we did soul-searching. We realised that ZANU PF has solved the areas we had problems with,” said Chebundo.
After the serious politics had been dispensed with, top Zimdancehall stable Chillspot Records took over.
DJ Fantan, Jah Master, Enzo Ishall and a number of acts launched Epworth youths into delirious dancing. Chief Shumba, whose song “Musangano kumasero” appears to be the soundtrack of most ZANU PF events, also gave a performance of his life.
