ZANU-PF Secretary General, Dr Obert Mpofu, has said unity and hard work are critical in driving national development as he implored Zimbabweans to embrace each other and rally behind Government to realise the desired socio-economic agenda.
He was speaking yesterday at a thank you rally organised by the ruling party in Hwange Rural District Council Matetsi Ward 1 to celebrate victory in last year’s harmonised elections.
The revolutionary party has retained Matetsi Ward 1 since 2 000 despite Hwange West Constituency going to the opposition in 2018 to date.
Cde Vulindlela Mhlanga, popularly known as Gasela, won the seat for the party and helped the National Assembly candidate Cde Philani Moyo to win in the ward although he eventually lost to the opposition by a mere 400 votes.
Hundreds of party supporters from around Hwange West and some from Hwange Central and Hwange East, as well as traditional leaders and councillors from other wards attended the rally held at Matetsi Centre.
Matetsi is a resettlement area with 1 300 homesteads and in excess of 7 000 people, in the A1 and A2 farms, according to Cde Mhlanga.
There were 2 498 registered voters in last year’s elections and voter turnout was more than 50 percent, with only 250 people voting for the opposition as President Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF Parliamentary candidate Cde Moyo and Clr Mhlanga all won in the ward.
Clr Mhlanga said soon after the election, he ceased to be a politician and became a development agent for the ward.
In his address, Dr Mpofu reminded the crowd that only Zanu-PF can bring meaningful development through people driven policies hence they should always vote for the party.
Dr Mpofu said Hwange is critical to the Zanu-PF Government because of the contribution the district and Binga made by providing crossing points for freedom fighters into Zambia.
He said President Mnangagwa has committed himself and his Second Republic to make sure the district and Matabeleland North province are not left behind as evidenced by projects being implemented by Government including the Hwange Unit 7 and 8, Gwayi Shangani Dam, Muchesu Coal Mine in Binga, Kamativi Mine and several others.
“Hwange and Binga are key because they helped in fighting the war of liberation by helping freedom fighters cross the Zambezi. Let’s not be divided by power struggles and hatred.
“We may despise each other but when it comes to the party, let’s unite for unity is power. Other districts along the borders vote wisely because they experienced the war, let’s also vote wisely,” said Dr Mpofu.
“We thank you Matetsi for voting Zanu-PF. Positions are not for individuals but for the people, the Zanu-PF pocket is big to accommodate everyone, so let’s welcome all those coming to the party.
“The President loves us, which is why he is always in Matabeleland North. Let’s not think we can get development by voting the opposition, for us to prosper, let’s unite,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said Matabeleland North has a lot of advantages in terms of natural resources, which can benefit the province and is rated among the richest in the country. “Electricity is generated here and power and coal that run the factories is mined here and is also exported. We have got the national parks and the mighty Victoria Falls here yet the people seem not to appreciate what the province is able to achieve,” said Dr Mpofu.
“I think one challenge that we have as a people is to conscientise and make them understand how we can contribute as a province to the national budget. We need to put our politics behind because it looks like people have not accepted that we should be sort of developmental but we shall continue talking about it.
“I have been addressing meetings across the province to try and make people understand that we cannot develop an area through opposition politics but we do so by working with others as the President is always saying that ‘Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabaninilo’. So, if we don’t realise the benefits that we have we won’t grow,” he said.
Dr Mpofu implored party members to respect the party’s constitution when it comes to electing people into positions and to respect war veterans.
The party supporters appealed for programmes that benefit young people, women, elderly and other vulnerable groups.
They called for job and empowerment opportunities, non-discriminatory distribution of food aid, housing stands and other opportunities and rehabilitation of roads.
The party members also expressed concern over local leadership failure to steer the party forward and Dr Mpofu implored them to vote for development and report to party leaders any malcontents.
Zanu-PF Hwange District Coordinating Committee chairman, Cde Matthew Muleya, called for equality in job opportunities saying advocating for prioritisation of locals is not being tribal.
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