Slow start to Mat North fund raising
THE Zanu-PF Matabeleland North province fund raising for the 16th Annual People’s National Conference to be hosted by Masvingo next month got to a slow start in Victoria Falls on Friday.
The provincial fundraising dinner sought to raise $50 000 and about $10 000 was raised. A few companies turned up while most of the party’s Central Committee and Politburo members from the province also failed to attend.
The province had set dinner tables at $20 000 for the platinum category, $15 000 for gold as well as $10 000 and $5 000 for silver and bronze categories respectively which companies should have bought.
About $10 000 worth of pledges were made at the event from the few companies and businesses that included Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company and a few others.
The party’s secretary for Business Development Cde Sithembiso Nyoni was the only senior official who attended the occasion that was presided over by VicePresident Phelekezela Mphoko. Cde Nyoni reminded the business community to continue working hand in glove with the ruling party towards its annual events, as she commended the few that attended for “sacrificing.” VP Mphoko said donating to the community was obligatory, as he challenged businesses to develop communities that are domiciled in saying that was part of corporate social responsibility.
He said Matabeleland North was the richest province in the country with a plethora as resources such as minerals and wildlife.
“Don’t be discouraged by the fact that you are very few because there is quality in being few,” said VP Mphoko.
“Matabeleland North is one of the richest provinces and I can count coal, methane gas, gold, tin, lithium and game, among others. You are so rich but company directors don’t realise that what they need to do is to help communities. It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s a tradition that we develop communities. We come from different places but we have responsibilities where we are based,” he said.
VP Mphoko said it will be embarrassing for the province to go to Masvingo empty handed, as he implored the provincial fundraising team to send letters of appeal to respective companies.
“If your leaders come asking for assistance, give what you can. Ukuthi sihambe eMasvingo siyi- province enothe kangaka . . . sihambe silengise izikhwama kuphela kungela lutho, hayi lokho, ngiyacela bantu bakithi (we can’t go to Masvingo empty handed) as rich as we are. Let’s give the little we can get,” added VP Mphoko.
He didn’t have kind words for companies that he said only exploit resources but fail to plough back to the community, as he gave a practical example of his line of business, Choppies Zimbabwe which he said always strives to empower citizens in any part of the country.
“To all companies, please remember that on a daily basis people leave money in your businesses. Last year we managed to raise very good money. All these hotels should also pay. You can’t just come here and make money out of our people and go . . . no, you can’t do that. People must know that they have responsibilities and we can’t have people making money and not assisting the community,” retorted VP Mphoko.
He urged the provincial fundraising team to prepare letters of appeal for donations to be dispatched to companies, adding that they all have an obligation for social responsibility in their areas of operation.
Cde Stars Mathe, who leads the provincial fundraising team and provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo attended the event. The conference will be held at Masvingo Showgrounds from 13 to 17 December under the theme, “Moving with Zim Asset in Peace and Unity.