President Mnangagwa calls for a robust and fruitful debate at the Conference

THE 22nd Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference must recalibrate all cadres to deepen their appreciation of the party’s purpose as a mass movement that is implementing programmes and projects to serve the interests of Zimbabweans for shared prosperity, President Mnangagwa has said.

The President and Zanu-PF First Secretary said this at the party’s headquarters in Harare yesterday while delivering a keynote address during the 388th Ordinary Session of the Politburo, which is a precursor to the conference to be held in Mutare, Manicaland Province, this week.

The Politburo meeting also preceded the party’s Central Committee indaba, to be held today at the party headquarters.

“The gathering is by no means routine, but presents our party structures with another opportunity to consolidate the aspirations, ideas, observations and recommendations of the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. Our focus, therefore, must be on providing leadership and guidance for consolidating our unity and the party’s strength,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Further, we must grasp this moment to recalibrate all cadres to deepen knowledge and understanding of the nature and purpose of the party. We must ensure that the rank and file remain clear that all activities, programmes and projects, implemented by our Zanu-PF-led Government, serve the interests of the majority of our people for shared prosperity.”

He said the holding of the Conference was a demonstration of Zanu-PF’s adherence and respect for its constitution, traditions and practices.

“The management of the conference itself must give us value for money and produce qualitative resolutions for high-impact results. This session of the Politburo and tomorrow, the Central Committee, respectively, mark the commencement of the 22nd National People’s Conference of our colossal revolutionary mass party,” President Mnangagwa said.

He called for robust debate and thorough analysis of issues at the conference during committee deliberation.

“It is my expectation that those members of the Politburo who will chair committees of various conference agenda items will ensure that issues are thoroughly debated. Meanwhile, I commend you all, including our host province, Manicaland, for the unity of purpose demonstrated during the preparations of the conference,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said the success of the party was anchored on discipline and is rooted in the Zanu-PF long-established ideology.

“The people’s revolution, which our mass colossal party, Zanu-PF, is championing, is like a flame whose light is sustained by following the correct line and our ideology, as well as discipline, patriotism and loyalty. In this spirit, as the conference roars into life, I call on us, the party’s Politburo, to continue to lead by example in uniting the party and nation, towards the growth of our revolutionary movement and prosperity of our motherland, Zimbabwe.”

President Mnangagwa took a swipe at people bent on denigrating the party and improperly characterising it.

“Shame, shame, shame on all those who are denigrating our national interests and ongoing people-centred projects and programmes. We are Zanu-PF, and will not be deterred. We reject the negative and harmful characterisations of our party and country,” he said.

President Mnangagwa implored party structures to conduct themselves well during the conference, knowing fully well that the rank and file of the party looked up to them.

“I urge the party leadership and structures to conduct our affairs during this 22nd National People’s Conference, in the true spirit of our renowned revolutionary culture. Let us be cognisant that the nation looks to Zanu-PF to carry on the current trajectory of multi-pronged development, social cohesion, unity and peace. As we begin our conference, the message is loud and clear, our colossal revolutionary party is delivering,” he said.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme: “Attaining Vision 2030 through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition, brick by brick, stone upon stone and step by step.”

Zanu-PF cadres have since started converging in Mutare ahead of the official opening of the conference by President Mnangagwa on Friday, with several activities lined up during the mega event.