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The late Dr Joshua Nkomo

Nduduzo Tshuma Bulawayo Bureau
FIRST Lady Amai Grace Mugabe yesterday challenged Zanu-PF officials to emulate the teachings of the late Vice President and nationalist Joshua Nkomo to maintain unity and peace within the revolutionary party.Speaking at a rally at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, Matabeleland North, as part of her “Meet the People Tour,” Amai Mugabe said the late Dr Nkomo and President Mugabe had come together to ensure unity among the people.

She warned that Nkomo and his compatriots, who fought for the liberation of the country, would not rest peacefully if unity and peace were not upheld.

“Baba Nkomo left us unity and said he was going to rest, but you’ve to remain united.  When we forget what Baba Nkomo left us and divide each other, he won’t rest peacefully. All those who’re departed that he worked with won’t be happy,” she said.

Amai Mugabe spoke amid growing political veld fires in the revolutionary party, with senior leaders jockeying for positions ahead of the elective congress in December.

Reports point to rampant factionalism in the party, just over a year after Zanu-PF got an emphatic mandate in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.

Amai Mugabe paid tribute to Matabeleland North Province which she said was not plagued by factional divisions. She also congratulated the province for adding four more constituencies to the Zanu-PF parliamentary majority in last year’s elections.

“I want to congratulate Matabeleland North for remembering what we were taught by Baba Nkomo. If we listen to elders, we’ll develop,” she said.

She warned party members against stampeding for positions, saying it showed their lack of respect for each other.

Her comments appeared directed at former PF-Zapu leaders who have openly declared their interest in the vacant post of Vice President.

“If people don’t respect each other, when it’s said there is a position, a hundred names come up because everyone thinks they are better than the other, which is not a good thing,” she said.

Zanu-PF national chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, politburo member Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri and Zimbabwe’s former ambassador to South Africa Phekezela Mphoko have all openly declared their interest in the post, left vacant following the death of Cde John Nkomo last year.

Amai Mugabe said in the Unity Accord between Zapu and zanu, it was agreed that there should be a Vice President from Zapu.

“It was agreed that one only, but now if you say you’re forwarding names, it shows that you’re not united,” she said.

Factionalism, the First Lady said, causes divisions as people formed groups to support sectional leaders when Zanu-PF had only one leader — President Mugabe.

In searing heat at the open football pitch, she further advised: “Look at the division you’d have caused. We think that as senior people who follow rules of the party, senior people who love their country Zimbabwe, if you want Zimbabwe to continue peaceful, you could sit and talk about what’s good for you and what’s good for Zimbabwe.

“This thing of going to newspapers after deciding that you want a post doesn’t work. We say ‘what has gotten into you men?’, because most of them are men.

“The spirit you’re spreading to people, if it gets to women and they decide that since men want chaos and throw in their names, how many people will we have?

“They’re too many to mention, if they declare interest, where will it end? What I’m saying is that you might be older than me in age, but let’s do things with wisdom.

“I’m telling you that talking is good. Do not wash your dirty linen in public. That’s what you’re doing.”

The First Lady said the leaders should have consulted first to avoid chaos, saying God should intervene so that people see what is good for the country.

She said after one person wins, some who will remain would be angry and work against the one who won, saying they are hated.

“As you run, you know the code of conduct and rules of the party. Don’t pretend as if you don’t know. We’re new, you’re teaching us but if we were to behave better than you, what does that mean? We go back to the wisdom we spoke about.

“Desist from sending names to papers because you’re exposing yourselves and playing to the hands of the enemy.”

The First Lady called for caution against Western infiltrators pouring money into the country to destabilise the nation.

She pledged to seek funds and open a facility next year where women would secure money to run various projects.

Cde Mugabe said she wished to see women running conservancies in the province so that they fend for their families.

She called for patience in the implementation of the government’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, saying it had so many programmes that would take time.

“We’re a resilient people. That’s why we still continue forging ahead despite sanctions, we need to be patient.  When programmes are being implemented, let’s not be fooled into taking to the streets and demonstrate,” she said, singling out the country’s poor roads as one major problem that required urgent fixing.

She said President Mugabe was not a quitter and would see to it that the economic blueprint is fully implemented.

The First Lady donated 10 tonnes of maize seed to the gathered crowd and handed $6 000 to Good Hope Mothers, an organisation that looks after orphaned and vulnerable children.

The outgoing Zanu-PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, said she was happy to hand over the reins to a tried and tested leader in the form of the First Lady.

She said a decision was made to elevate Amai Mugabe to head the Women’s League as it was under threat from some officials who were sowing seeds of divisions in a bid to land the Presidency.