The Sunday News
Zanu-PF President and First Secretary and Head of State and Government, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday gave a Closing Address at the ruling party’s 17th National People’s Conference at Umzingwane High School, Esigodini in Matabeleland South province. Below is the President’s speech in full . . .
Conference delegates
Invited Guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Comrades and Friends
IT is with a great sense of pride in our evolving and reforming party that I address you to close our historic 17th National People’s Conference. I am humbled by the constructive, candid and frank discussions we had during this conference. The insightful and instructive resolutions demonstrate the commitment and love for the development of the Party and the country at large.
The convergence of ideas in respect of various agenda items is inspiring, gives us zeal to fulfil what we have set out to do. The focus, discipline and unity of purpose during this conference were unprecedented and undoubtedly reflect a modernising Party.
Comrades, Delegates;
All our resolutions were unequivocal and will certainly strengthen and consolidate the correct line as well as our desire to grow and modernise our revolutionary mass Party.
These will further stand as a guiding beacon as we implement our policies and programmes in the coming year.
The spirit of unity, love, loyalty, co-operation and discipline within the Party must remain the solid foundation upon which our structures are built and strengthened.
Party leaders and members alike should continuously and consistently concern themselves with the state of the party and seek to improve it, always.
Hard work, integrity, unity of purpose, honesty, sensitivity to the plight of our people, regardless of social status, must be synonymous with the Party.
Each of us must conduct himself/ herself honestly and honourably in his or her dealings with the Party and the public and to always guard against bringing the Party into disrepute or ridicule; as we are obliged by our Party constitution.
As we accelerate the modernisation of the Party we should adopt technology and ICTs for robust mobilisation, and information dissemination as well as the efficient administration of the party. Let us all trust the Party, rely on it and follow its orders conscientiously safeguarding its unity, peace and solidarity. I further urge all structures to be mindful of their duties, obligations and responsibilities towards the Party and the people we lead.
As we reform and modernise both our Party and Government structures, policies and systems, let us be in the forefront of communicating and explaining these reforms to the people. The relevant departments of the party must play a central role in publicising our policies, programmes and reform measures to allow for the tracking of progress, monitoring and evaluation by the people.
Comrade Delegates;
The women and the youth leagues together with the veterans of the liberation struggle have made their distinct demands which we have taken note of, both as a party and Government we will endeavour to fulfil that which we can.
We challenge the leagues and the veterans to be re-energised by the deliberations of the conference and stand stronger and more united than ever before.
To the youths, you carry the yoke of becoming the future leaders of both the party and the country. Yours is to inculcate to future generations, the patriotism, peace and love and unity you are inheriting from us.
As you return to your respective provinces, you have a weightier burden to intensively mobilise and organise your constituencies for the greater economic participation, broad-based empowerment, as well as wealth and job creation. The responsibility to improve the quality of life for our people must be on all of us.
The Chitepo School of Ideology should inculcate national ethos, values and principles borne out of our rich liberation war history and heritage.
We shall now be emphasising the need for more of our membership to attend this school in order to strengthen our resolve for the correct line of revolutionary party.
Distinguished Delegates, Comrades and Friends;
The resolutions will help Government to be more focused guided by the will of the people. We value all the constructive contributions, with regards to all the sub-sectors of the economy; agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, energy, ICTs and social services.
As conference has directed, we will accelerate the various strategies that will lead to the modernisation of our agriculture sector and ultimately increased production and productivity.
I have been enthused by the reception and quick understanding of the concept of devolution and creation of provincial economies, by our communities. We must work hard, with a renewed sense of urgency to close the development gap between the urban and rural communities.
The revitalisation of rural areas must be uttermost. The days of skewed development must be a thing of the past. All our people are important to us.
The prosperity we seek to achieve by 2030 must be for all the people in every corner of the country. We should determine not to leave anyone behind in the building, modernisation and industrialisation of our beloved country.
I am happy that we have all agreed to fight corruption. We should never let our guard down. Those in positions of leadership must be servant leaders who serve and prioritise the people’s interests in that they do.
This ought to be our legacy as a second republic. In addition, we should further entrench the rule of law and constitutionalism both within the party and country.
This is the message from Esigodini; Zanu-PF is boldly on the move. We have an appointment with destiny. We will not be distracted or destroyed. Prosperity for our beloved country and a better quality of life for our people is inevitable and shall be achieved.
Distinguished Guests, Fellow Delegates;
As we close our Conference, allow me to once again, thank you for the commitment, discipline and focus which has characterised this conference. This is the nature and character of true cadres of a revolutionary party.
As you go back to your provinces, I wish you safe travel and the ability to disseminate the decisions we have made at this defining 17th National People’s Conference. Amhlope kini lonke, Makorokoto kwamuri mese, congratulations to you all for a resoundingly successful conference. I also wish you a Merry Christmas and a very productive fruitful New Year.
God bless you all
God bless Zanu-PF
God bless Zimbabwe
I thank you.
