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PAINTING THE TOWN GREEN . . . Zanu-PF sing during the official opening of First Session of the Eighth Parliament by President Mugabe on Tuesday

Sarudzai Mupangi Features Writer
THERE was an air of jubilation and high expectations as mostly Zanu-PF supporters gathered outside Parliament Building to witness the opening of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament in Harare. The entire Africa Unity Square was painted green and yellow – the ruling party colours.  The crowd waited patiently and sang revolutionary songs.

Business in the city centre came to standstill as President Mugabe’s convoy made it into Sam Nujoma Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue for the august House.

People in adjacent buildings would be seen staring though windows to catch a glimpse of the proceedings. Indeed, it was a royal event as President Mugabe arrived in a Rolls Royce led by the Police Mounted Unit.

He was greeted by wild cheers, which grew louder when President Mugabe stepped out of the car. The crowd simply went berserk chanting “Gushungo, Gushungo” and whistling, it was an occasion that should not have been missed.

It was clear testimony that Cde Mugabe has remained popular with the people who left their busy schedule to get a glance of the momentous occasion and wave a hand to the man who dares tell the West to back off.

Following the singing of the national anthem and the inspection of the guard of honour, the President made his way into Parliament for the business of the day – laying the agenda of the Eighth Parliament of independent Zimbabwe.

He was followed by Government ministers, their deputies, Members of the Senate and of the National Assembly. At the end of the procession was Buhera South National Assembly representative Cde Joseph Chinotimba spotting a wide smile much to the delight of the crowd.

Clearly, the crowd favourite among the legislators, Cde Chinotimba rhythmically stepping to the tune of the song “Gabriel Tungamira” sending the people into a frenzy as they shouted his name. The man replied with a broad smile in appreciation.

As President Mugabe and his team disappeared into the building, the country’s direction for the next five years was charted.
In his speech, the President highlighted that the new Government will work hard to restore the dignity of civil servants and to revive agriculture.

While the President delivered his speech the people who had travelled from around the country continued to sing and dance for hours on end while others paid attention to the speech as huge monitors had been erected outside the building.

The sound of drums continued to fill the air until the end of the programme. People were not even worried by the fact that members of the two MDC formations were conspicuous by their absence except for Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

Amon Amon, a Zanu-PF party supporter from Mufakose, said: “The MDC-T makes an insignificant part of Parliament and they are bound to dance to the tune of Zanu-PF.

“Now that Zanu-PF is totally in control and the government of national unity is now history I am hopeful we will go back to the heydays when we had an all Zanu-PF Government. “President Mugabe is a realistic leader unlike the MDC-T which took pleasure in the suffering of the people so that they would emerge the people’s saviour in the end,” he said.

He added that the MDC-T wanted to see the people suffer first then come in movie style as the people’s saviour.
“They had planned to give them jobs and many other things which they promised. President Mugabe talks indigenisation, he tells us that the country has gold, platinum, diamonds among other minerals which will be instrumental in the upliftment of the people’s lives.
“He presents us with home-based solutions,” he explained.

Mr Amon said it was painful that the outgoing Harare City Council has not been performing well and it took pride in corrupt activities by employing their MDC-T supporters whom they did not even pay at times.

Elsie Zindi, a party member from Borrowdale, said it was more comforting to realise that the people of Zimbabwe now know the country’s enemy.

“The people had in the 2008 election sold the country to its enemies because they had listened to lies by the West but the opening of the Eighth Parliament signifies a new era for the people. I want to thank God for giving us a wise leader who proved his abilities by carefully picking members of the Cabinet who have the potential and experience to run the affairs of this great nation,” said Ms Zindi.

She castigated MDC-T former members of Cabinet for sitting on their portfolios just to discredit Zanu-PF and worsen the people’s suffering.
“All they managed to do was enrich themselves and build themselves houses in the low-density suburbs while ignoring their responsibilities which included financing the country’s economic backbone – agriculture.

Production levels took a dip during the GNU and we hope things will now change for the better.
“They wasted the people’s time. Their councils were run badly and most of the roads are in a story state. The service delivery system had become a great cause for concern. I am, however, grateful for Zanu-PF leaders whom I hope the majority will tap into the President’s wisdom and act according to the people’s needs,” she said.

She expressed hope that there will be less jeering and childishness in parliament this time around.
Zanu-PF Women’s League chairlady for Harare province Cde Mary Chakanyuka said she is hopeful that women and the youths will get more empowerment opportunities.

“I hope that the new Government will avail opportunities for women to have more income-generating programmes,” Cde Chakanyuka said.

“I hope that the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment will also consider supporting youths in the urban areas through the Youth Empowerment Fund as those youths in rural areas tended to benefit more in the last Government.”

Cde Chakanyuka acknowledged that some of the women had little or no education and appealed to Government to bring back adult literacy schools so that they can improve their business management skills.

A village headman, Mr Onwel Nyakanwa, said as a traditional leader he was hopeful that the new Government will support farming activities in his area, Musana, so that people are able to feed themselves and social vices such as crime are eliminated from society.

“We are hopeful that the opening of the Eighth Parliament brings hope to us as the Zanu-PF Government has always had a passion for supporting agriculture. I hope farmers will be more productive this time around.

“Our youths should be able to empower themselves through farming.”
Honourable Melody Dziva from the Midlands, one of the youngest female parliamentarians, said the opening of Parliament had given her the opportunity to stand up and fight for women’s rights.

“I will serve the people through the various Government policies and stand up for the rights of women to make sure their representation is visible in all arms of Government.”

Deputy Minister for Energy and Power Development Engineer Munacho Mutezo said expectations are very high and the country is blessed to have President Mugabe.

“In his opening speech he clearly stipulated what the expectations are from the voters who voted us in with such an overwhelming majority that we must deliver in all areas and improve the lives of our people. Com-ing to the power sector and energy development which is an anchor for the economy we have been challenged to make sure that we perform and people get the service that they are entitled to,” he said.

“We are highly invigorated and motivated to serve the people and meet the challenges as expounded on by His Excellency.”
Buhera West legislator Cde Oliver Mandipaka expressed enthusiasm at his new responsibilities.

“I am excited to be representing Buhera West constituency and most of all I am glad that the President in his opening speech spoke against corruption and I hope that the Anti-Corruption Commission that will be put in place will be made up of people who detest corruption,” Cde Mandipaka said.

“Corruption derails development. I hope that the Constituency Development Fund will be put to good use by parliamentarians as well.
At the end of the programme, Cde Chinotimba came back to bid farewell to the people, the Chinoz way, and got them into a frenzy. Despite his new status, the man remains down to earth; maybe that is why the people love him.