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Leonard Ncube Bulawayo Bureau
ZANU-PF needs $3 million to hold the party’s Annual National People’s Conference set for Victoria Falls in December, national commissar, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said yesterday. Cde Kasukuwere met the party’s provincial executive, hoteliers and business persons in the resort town as preparations for the conference gather momentum.

Emerging from the meeting, Cde Kasukuwere said he was happy with the preparations. “I was here to meet stakeholders and service providers in preparation for the conference. This is the beginning of a series of meetings and what we would want to see now is that we have all the necessary logistics in place,” he said.

Cde Kasukuwere, who is also the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, said the money would be sourced from well-wishers and through fundraising activities.

“The conference will require a lot of money . . . about $3 million and we are going to raise that from well-wishers and donations. We are excited the provincial team already has set sub-committees and we are therefore happy that it’s all systems go,” he added. Matabeleland North, as the host province, has pledged to raise $100 000 and it is not clear how much other provinces are expected to raise.

The conference, which was last held in the resort town in 2002, will be held during the first week of December. He said over 6 000 delegates will attend the conference which would be held at the Elephant Hills Resort Grounds.

“There will be invited guests and representatives of sister liberation parties so we can put the figure at 6 200,” said Cde Kasukuwere.

In the meeting, the party’s provincial executive appealed to hotels and lodges to maintain accommodation rates similar to those charged during the 21 February Movement celebrations early this year.

“The Politburo met yesterday and adopted preparations for this annual event. The party is excited to be coming to the resort town and his Excellency will officially open and close the conference,” said Cde Kasukuwere.

After the meeting, the organising team toured the venue and other facilities such as schools to assess what would be needed in terms of preparations. The Provincial Minister of State for Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, recently urged party members from the province to fundraise for the conference.

“For the coming conference, each party member should donate something even if it’s just $3. That would make a difference,” he said. Committees headed by Politburo members have already been set up and the party’s provincial chair said a local organising committee would also be established to work with the main committees.

Cde Sithembiso Nyoni heads the finance committee, Transport and Logistics is led by Cde Sithokozile Mathuthu while organisation of venue and documentation is headed by Cde Jacob Mudenda.