The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday News Reporter
SENIOR members of Zanu-PF Bulawayo are happy with resolutions that were passed at the recent 7th National People’s Congress in Harare and are convinced that the resolutions form the basis of better gains in the province ahead of the 2023 harmonised.
The Congress was concluded last Saturday with the ushering in of new Central Committee members – the party’s central leadership – from among whom Politburo members will be selected in due course by the party’s President and First Secretary, Cde Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa addresses delegates at the close of the 7th National People’s Congress in Harare
Among the key matters that delegates debated on and resolved was the unanimous endorsement of President Mnangagwa as the party’s sole candidate for the 2023 elections. He in turn re-appointed his two Second Secretaries and Vice-Presidents, Cdes Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, along with Chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri and Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Moses Mpofu.
Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Cde Archibald Chiponda said the Congress was “fluid and very organised” adding that it gave the party structure direction and a heightened level of unity given that previously, the event was marred by factionalism.
Minister Orpah Muchinguri-Kashiri
“Compared to previous congresses, this one was very organised and fluid with a much higher level of unity and almost all the delegates were on the same page. Decisions such as the creation of ex-officio Central Committee members also went a long way towards addressing unnecessary jostling for positions.
“I am also happy with the level of maturity among all delegates during our deliberations which proved that this was indeed a National People’s Congress. All deliberations were smooth flowing and there was a great sense of consensus and this can only help with the growth of the party and success at the polls,” said Cde Chiponda.
Cde Kembo Mohadi
Bulawayo provincial Secretary for Security, Cde Emmanuel Sunduza called the Congress a watershed moment for the party. He described the Congress as “open and yet calm” as the party’s delegates deliberated on policies that would take them through the next five years.
“The youth wing in the province is very happy with the manner in which the Congress was held but we are happier with the resolutions that came out of it. We see these resolutions as the X-Factor as we head into election season. I am convinced that we will do better as a party in the next elections,” said provincial youth chairman, Cde Freedon Murechu.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga
“As a consequence of the Congress, the youth in the province believe they now have the right tools to fight for the legacy of the revolutionary struggle come the 2023 elections. After all, the party has proven to be a listening party and heard our cry as the youth for a quota to be allocated to us vis-à-vis parliamentary and council seats ahead of the upcoming elections.
“We asked for this years ago and the President promised that this will come into effect for the upcoming elections. We have 10 parliamentary seats set aside for youth candidates across the country,” Cde Murechu added. – @RealSimbaJemwa
