Preps for Zanu-PF Congress on track
PREPARATIONS for the 7th Zanu-PF People’s Congress have reached feverpitch with the party confirming that it is putting final touches for the political conclave that seeks to emphasize its commitment to democratic ethos that have always defined it as a peopleoriented party.
The congress will be held between 26 and 29 October at the Robert Mugabe Square in Harare, and the party apparatus are in full swing making the necessary arrangements for the political gathering. The party’s National Political Commissar, Cde Mike Bimha, told Sunday News yesterday that the objective of the congress was to formally nominate the President and First Secretary of the party, who would contest the upcoming 2023 elections. President Mnangagwa has already received resounding nominations from across the country to continue leading the revolutionary party.
The Congress will also formally affirm recently-elected Central Committee members while the President and First Secretary is also expected to announce members of the Politburo and other key organs within the party.
“The convening of this congress is a reminder that we are a party that draws its mandate from the people given that the party’s founding inclination to democracy — and consultation — anchored principles of leadership. The congress re-gestures the party’s commitment to dialogue. We have been working hard to make sure that all logistics are in place such as accommodation, the venue for the Congress and the accreditation of delegates who will be part to this revered political assembly. Accreditation is ongoing at various centres having first been done in all the 10 provinces of the country,” said Cde Bimha.
The Party National Commissar said he was confident that all necessary arrangements for a successful congress were now in place and the party was ready to welcome its delegates and begin proceedings.
“All the basic necessary arrangements are done while we are putting final touches to any outstanding issues. We are raring to go and we are looking forward to a successful people’s congress,” he added.
The 7th Zanu-PF People’s Congress also comes against a backdrop of a nationwide party restructuring exercise, which culminated in the election of District Coordination Committees (DCCs) and provincial executives.
The congress will draw delegates from the Central Committee members, National Consultative Assembly, Women’s League national executive, Youth League executive, War Veterans League, provincial executive members, District Co-ordinating Committee executives and one district executive chairperson per party district drawn from either the Main Wing, Women’s League, Youth League or War Veterans League. Cde Bimha noted that like the other preceding congresses, this particular assembly is aimed at informing the policy direction of the party’s next five-year election-derived mandate.
“Therefore, as a party we are constitutionally compelled to convene its 7th Congress between October 26 and 29. We are set to achieve the following: endorsing the leadership of His Excellency Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa as the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, declaring his unanimously approved candidature for the 2023 harmonised elections, ratifying the newly-elected Central Committee, which is the highest decision-making body of the party, and appointment of the party’s Politburo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo Province which recently elected a diverse mix of youth and experience as its Central Committee nominees is ready for the congress. Provincial Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Archibald Chiponda said arrangements to move delegates to Harare were now complete and all were ready to play their part in the democratic process. — @RealSimbaJemwa