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15:40: Zanu-PF Second Secretary Cde Kembo Mohadi has taken to the podium and is giving a vote of thanks.

Cde Mohadi thanks His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his speech that chronicled the history of Zanu-PF, its philosophy and ethos.

He says the opposition that is in local authorities have failed.

Cde Mohadi says the President is bringing to fruition the dream of water to Bulawayo through the construction of Lake Gwayi-Shangani. The lake will bring to an end the perennial water shortages in Bulawayo.

Cde Mohadi says the Second Republic has brought much development and urges Bulawayo to vote for Zanu-PF come August 23.

He says it’s time to remove the opposition from power who have failed to run councils.

Cde Mohadi thanks Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda for mobilisation of the thousands gathered here. He ends his vote of thanks.

1520: “I would like to extend my gratitude to Byo for coming to listen to me we shall remain one unitary nation. Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans we are solid. We know where we want to go, we are unstoppable.

“23 August the people’s victory is achievable. We want peace, shun violence guard against detractors that might lead you astray,” says the President as he ends his address

1515: On International relations last week I came from the Russia-Africa Summit. We have continued to strengthen our relations with such countries as Russia who aided us during the liberation struggle. Our philosophy is that Zim is a friend to all and an enemy to none but those who chose to be our enemies we won’t change them.

“We are having our elections we have invited International organisations and individual countries to come observe our elections but those countries that have made a conclusion that Zanu-PF will lose and that they will be violence will not be invited. We are inviting those that will not be biased.”

1514: The President also speaks against drug and substance abuse.

“We your leaders want to leave it better than we found it but we don’t to leave it to people who abuse drugs.”

1510: “On accommodation, we have done the Bulawayo students accommodation, Mpilo and UBH accommodation. I am aware that some of our families have been staying in houses for 30 years but with no title deeds. Under Zanu PF we will give you title deeds. I know you have a lot of problems but no one and no place shall be left behind. International sports are coming to Zimbabwe, we have cricket coming to Zimbabwe. We are refurbishing BF stadium where Highlanders plays which is doing well this season with 17 unbeaten games amhlophe Highlanders iBosso yiBosso.”

1507: “Today we opened a state-of-the-art clinic here in Cowdray Park, we shall build 30 of those around the country. The first was in Harare the second was here in Bulawayo. Down with bullying in schools. I don’t want anyone bullying our children. We must leave this country to children who are responsible.”

1503: “We have changed our education so that it can now produce products and services. We introduced innovation hubs at every State university. At Nust we are constructing an industrial park so that our students can dream and implement their dreams. Under the Second Republic, we leave no one behind even regarding ICT we have built information centres around the country so that we all move with modern technology. I want to thank Prof Mthuli Ncube that he gave people here in Cowdray Park free WiFi.”

1501: “The Hwange unit 7 and 8 upgrade project has added 600 mega Watts to the national grid which is why we have electricity. Tomorrow il be commissioning the project. The Second Republic has plans to upgrade the Bulawayo power station. Under the Second Republic, we have since got rid of any fuel queues. With transport, we have not finished we still need to add more buses so that our people can be transported on time.”

1459: “I have upgraded the Beitbridge border post, we are upgrading all the other border posts. There are now more airlines coming to Joshua’s Mqabuko Nkomo airport because of the Second Republic. We have also started work on the Beitbridge-Bulawayo- Victoria Falls Road. Because all the Urban Councils which are under the opposition have failed and the Government has intervened to work on the roads.”

1456: “In infrastructure development dams, roads, clinics etc. These are issues which the Second Republic are ceased with. Gwayi-Shangani dam is now 70 percent, the pipeline is under construction before this is achieved we have been drilling boreholes. As we were coming here I instructed Minister Masuka to drill 20 boreholes before I come here he tells me 8 boreholes have been completed so far.”

1453: “I would like to commend our citizens in the diaspora, most of them are now remembering where they come from and are investing back in the country. I commend them saying that they should remember that where they are is not their home but their home is back here in Zimbabwe.

The Japanese built Japan, the Americans built America so we Zimbabweans must build our own country ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo. There are 3 principles which must teach your children 1. ilizwe lakhiwe 2. ilizwe libuswa 3. ilizwe likhulekelwa ngabanikazi balo.

1449: “Since the Second Republic came to office when you would get into any supermarket 35 percent of the products were produced in Zimbabwe but now five years later it’s now over 80 percent.”

1448: “The second issue is energy, electricity which is why I went to China and they extended a soft loan which we used to rehabilitate Hwange unit7 and 8 which is why now we have electricity.

“So what is the duty of each one of us; each one of us must make sure you engage yourself in production if you are a lazy person you must just die.”

1446: “In the past, we used to say kuNtuthuziyathunqa under the Second Republic we have plans to revitalise Bulawayo as the industrial capital of this nation. The first step is for us to ensure the supply of water this is why you have been told by Cde Judith Ncube that we have had Nyamandlovu Aquifer as the first step. My second step is the Gwayi-Shangani dam project which was first mooted in 1912 once we have completed this project you will all wave goodbye to the water challenges.”

1441: “I want to remind the opposition and their handlers that State House is very far. Rather they go to America it will be much easier but State House they must forget, it is very far. I understand they are those who want to be supported by dishing out money, eat the money of these sellouts but come election day vote for Zanu-PF.

“Turning to the economy, in the last 3 years Zimbabwe has been the fastest growing economy despite sanctions. We are building our country on the basis of our own resources. For 23 years we have had sanctions we have not received any foreign direct investment but we have been developing using our own God-given resources.”

1439: “Our party is also uncontested in the provincial council amhlophe mahlabezulu. So let us win resoundingly. In the past, we had one Modi now we need 12 Modis. Please ward by ward, province and province vote for Zanu-PF. Forward ever the sun has come up and Zanu-PF is the only light that is there.”

1435: “Under our party Zanu-PF, we are on a road to deliver a higher quality of life for our people and we are committed. We are a people’s party, no one and no place shall be left behind, only Zanu-PF has this philosophy because Zanu-PF is the one who brought the liberation of this country, we are the masters of our own destiny.

“Zanu-PF is an organised political party, the party keeps time when there is a nomination court we know when it opens and when it closes. I say to those that are unable, who are unable to read the times and programmes must go back and reclaim their school fees.

“The party is uncontested in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo Central and  South not because we stopped them but because they stopped themselves.”

1433: “The opposition has failed across the country. All local authorities they control are a shame, shame to you the opposition.

“Zanu-PF signature is that we deliver. The opposition is about talking while Zanu-PF is all about delivering.”

1431: “Today I want to tell you that we all can fit in the Zanu-PF pocket. However, there is no one who can take the party and put it into his own pocket. To those that were misled, Zanu-PF has a big heart, come back home to Zanu-PF.

“On 23 August I have declared that all opposition parties should leave local authorities and Parliament because this all belongs to Zanu-PF.”

1430:  “This month we will be commemorating our heroes and defence forces. We honour our late Father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo, Benjamin Burombo, Bruno Msika, Jane Ngwenya and others for the role they played in liberating this nation.

“On 23 August we must all vote for Zanu-PF so that we win resoundingly. Zanu-PF has been winning and will continue to win. Zanu-PF is unstoppable.”

1426: “Zimbabwe is a unitary state, we are a united people very peaceful. We are one from Zambezi to Limpopo from Mutare to Beitbridge.  Zanu-PF is a people’s party, a party by the people, a party for the people.

“We are the party that brought independence through a protracted liberation struggle. It was not an easy road from the first chimurenga to the second chimurenga.”

1424: “Your presence here is a reflection that as Bulawayo province you are determined to play your part in defending the revolution. Ngiyalibonga lonke Bulawayo. Well done Bulawayo. Together let us build our motherland brick upon brick, stone upon stone step by step.

“I hail you for the maintenance of peace, Zanu-PF rejects violence, and regionalism, we are all one people under the flag of Zimbabwe.”

1423: The President starts by greeting all those present at this star rally

“Ngifuna ukubonga sibili ngobunengi kwenu, ngize ngithi iNkosi zonke ezahambayo oMzilikazi khangelani izizukulwana Zanu.”

“I am very happy to be in the City of Kings and Queens. Since I am here will you give me the Queens? Thank you for coming here in your numbers to show your love and support for the ruling Zanu-PF.”

1413: VP Chiwenga ends his address by inviting President Mnangagwa to the podium, the crowd erupts into song and dance.

1408: He chronicles the main promises and assurances made by President Mnangagwa such as bringing an end to the perennial water problems that have been afflicting the City through the construction of Gwayi-Shangani Lake

VP Chiwenga says President Mnangagwa has also made access to health services for Bulawayo residents easy through tangible works like the construction of Cowdray Park Health Clinic and UBH laboratory. He says an 80 percent majority for Zanu-PF will send a clear message.

1407: Vice President and Second Secretary, Dr Constantino Chiwenga has taken to the podium. He says he feels happy and excited to be with the people of Bulawayo at this Presidential Star rally adding that they came to Bulawayo together with the party’s Presidential candidate in the forthcoming August 23 elections.

He urges the electorate to pay attention to detail in the keynote address by President Mnangagwa. President Mnangagwa, says VP Chiwenga, has remained true to his promise that no Zimbabwean life will be lost due to hunger.

1345: Cde Bimha now invites all members who will be representing the ruling Zanu-PF in the upcoming harmonised elections to come to the front and meet the President and other members of the Presidium.

 

1340: Zanu-PF Provincial Chairperson Cde Jabulani Sibanda takes to the podium

” Here today we came to listen to the President, we have done the mobilisation. Our President is standing with God that no man shall marry another man. We are here as Bulawayo to vote for the President who will continue to ensure that this country remains for God. Please receive my revolutionary support Cde President.”

1337: Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube takes to the podium to welcome the party’s leadership in Bulawayo.

Minister Ncube expresses gratitude to Bulawayo for gracing the event. She said she was sceptical that due to the cold, some party members would not have attended the event but is proud that multitudes attended the rally.

She recounts how President Mnangagwa intervened when some rowdy protesters destroyed shops in Bulawayo in 2019.

President Mnangagwa also played a crucial role in ensuring that Highlanders Football Club is financially sound and provided the team with a gold mining licence in Inyathi, Matabeleland North. The President addressed the water crisis in 2020 when residents started dying in Luveve.

The President is in the process of addressing the permanent water crisis through the construction of Lake Gwayi Shangani, a dream which had been left unattended for more than a century. Power shortages have been addressed through the rehabilitation of Hwange Units 7 and 8.

Hospitals are being constructed to improve health care in the city and it is not surprising that this morning the President commissioned Cowdray Park Health Centre.

1323: Zanu PF National Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha is now on the podium giving salutations.

He has invited Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda to introduce traditional leaders represented by President of the Chief’s Council Chief Fortune Charumbira and his Vice Mtshane Khumalo.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu has taken to the podium.

He says Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Father Zimbabwe and liberation stalwarts will be pleased to see the sea of people who are here to meet with President Mnangagwa.

1300: President Mnangagwa is set to tour the Cowdray Park waterworks after the end of his Presidential Star rally keynote address.

1257: President Mnangagwa is now meeting with thousands of Zanu-PF supporters that are gathered here and the mood has reached fever pitch.

The President is moving around and making stops here and there doing his signature dance much to the delight of the lucky ones in front of the thousands of Zanu-PF supporters.

Thousands of Zanu-PF supporters cheer, waving red, green, yellow, white and black caps as the First Secretary greets them.

1208: President Mnangagwa has arrived at Cowdray Park grounds near Mkhithika Primary School in Bulawayo where he is set to address a Presidential Star Rally.

He is accompanied by First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Thousands of Zanu-PF supporters cheer waving red, green, yellow, white and black caps as the First Secretary arrives.

President Mnangagwa is received by Vice President and Second Secretary Cde Constantino Chiwenga and Second Secretary Cde Kembo Mohadi.

He is also received by Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda, Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube and President of the Chief’s Council Fortune Charumbira, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda and other senior party officials.

The President is in a briefing.