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The First Lady Amai Dr Grace Mugabe

Felex Share Senior Reporter
FIRST Lady Amai Grace Mugabe heads to Mashonaland Central Province today where she is expected to meet the people and assess the effects of El-Nino-induced drought affecting the country.

Last year, the Zanu-PF secretary for Women’s Affairs moved around the country handing over irrigation equipment in a move aimed at resuscitating irrigation schemes. Amai Mugabe also donated foodstuffs and clothes.

Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Cde Dickson Mafios yesterday confirmed that the province was hosting the First Lady at Kanyemba Secondary School in Chiweshe.

“It is a Zanu-PF rally in Mazowe South to be addressed by Amai (Mugabe),” she said.

“She wants to meet the people and assess the effects of drought and see how as a mother of the nation she can assist. This is her first visit of the year to the province and we are excited to host her.”

Cde Mafios added: “She will come with innovative projects, which will help women and the youths to alleviate the challenges they are encountering at the moment.

“We have mobilised our people and it is good that the rally is coming after her wise speech at the Zanu-PF headquarters this week where she centred on unity.

“As she said, there is no need to fight while people are suffering. It is time to work hard and fulfil the election promises we made as a party in 2013.”

The First Lady has brought a new approach in Zanu-PF and has repeatedly said that politicians do not have to wait for elections to find out the challenges faced by the people.

During her rallies held in the provinces last year, Amai Mugabe emphasised the need for Zanu-PF members to unite and work towards improving people’s livelihoods. She has also not spared party officials accused of rekindling factionalism and attempting to create their own centres of power.

Instead of petty fights, the First Lady has emphasised that party members should expend their energies on delivering on the mandate bestowed on them by the electorate in the 2013 harmonised elections.

On Wednesday this week, she warned Zanu-PF members to stop setting President Mugabe against his appointees and concentrate on issues affecting the electorate. She said a people oriented party like Zanu-PF should not spent the whole year discussing disciplinary issues, but service delivery. She urged journalists to report responsibly, as negative reports were scaring away investors.