The Sunday News
FIRST Lady Dr Grace Mugabe this week takes her “Meet the People” tour to Matabeleland with the three provinces in the region raring to host her with thousands expected to attend the three rallies.
Dr Mugabe starts her tour at Gwanda’s Pelandaba Stadium tomorrow before going to Lupane at Somhlolo Stadium on Tuesday while the Bulawayo rally will be held at Amazulu Sports Club on Wednesday.
Presidential spokesperson, Mr George Charamba, confirmed that the First Lady’s rallies were on this week and all the necessary preparations had been done.
“The First Lady will indeed be in Matabeleland this coming week for her ‘Meet the People’ rallies. Everything has been done and I believe the three provinces are ready to host her,” said Mr Charamba.
Out-going women’s league boss, Cde Oppah Muchinguri also confirmed the three rallies noting that they expected people to turn up in their numbers to hear what Dr Mugabe has to say.
“We will be in Gwanda, Lupane and Bulawayo this week. People will turn up in their numbers to hear the First Lady’s message,” Cde Muchinguri said.
The party’s youth league in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces is also rallying behind the First Lady and yesterday urged the youths to come in their numbers.
Bulawayo provincial youth chairperson, Cde Khumbulani Mpofu, said they had endorsed the First Lady to lead the Women’s League and the province is optimistic about her visit.
“People have to know that we are behind her endorsement and as the youth we stand to be guided by her as she is a mother figure to us. She is indeed our icon,” said Cde Mpofu.
He said youths from across the political divide have to come and hear what message Dr Mugabe has for them as youths are the backbone of the economy.
Matabeleland South provincial youth chairperson, Cde Washington Nkomo, said he was positive that the First Lady would tackle issues of unemployment that are affecting the youths.
“I am optimistic that our mother will make headway in tackling the problem of unemployment among the youths which is a topical issue at the moment and youths have to rally behind her,” said Cde Nkomo.
Cde Tamuka Nyoni who leads the Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Youth League said in Lupane people will come in their numbers to support the First Lady as they have observed that other provinces have been very active.
“We have observed that other youths in the country are really doing well in coming for the rallies and we also want to lead by example and show the nation that we are united,” he said.
The youth chairpersons encouraged vendors to attend the three rallies in Matabeleland North, South and Bulawayo as there is an important message for them.
The First Lady has been to Mashonaland West, Midlands, Harare, Masvingo and Manicaland, meeting thousands of the revolutionary party’s members following her nomination to assume leadership of the Women’s League during the Zanu-PF National People’s Congress in December.
