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1045: PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is today expected to officially open the 17th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South.

Delegates are already seated at Mzingwane High School, the conference venue.

Zanu-PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri yesterday said the conference was critical for introspection and mapping the way forward for the country’s economic recovery.

“We’re excited to be in Matabeleland South during this time of the year after an eventful year. It’s important that we’re meeting to introspect, share ideas, look at our strengths and our weaknesses and come up with resolutions as well as plan for the next four years.

“We had our primary elections where people were shaken a bit and this is the time to forget the past and strengthen the party as well as celebrate our victory in the harmonised elections,” she said.

Cde Muchinguri said the party continues to have a clear message to the people to remain united as the country re-engages with the outside world in the drive to improve the country’s economy.

“This forum is expected to address a number of issues, which include corruption, economic development, creating jobs for our youths and our women.
We’re introspecting. Where we’ve failed, we will correct and chart the way forward.

“It’s critical for us to review and re-evaluate the wok that we’ve done as the ruling party. The people of Zimbabwe are expecting positive results from the party and we’re promising not to let them down,” she said.

Cde Muchinguri said since the conference was being held during the agricultural season, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement would give reports on where the country stands in regards to the sector.

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1055: All is set for the official opening of the 17th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference at Mzingwane High School with more than 5000 delegates already seated to hear President Mnangagwa’s key note address. Clad in Zanu PF colours emblazoned with President Mnangagwa’s picture, the delegates are being entertained by scintillating revolutionary songs by one of the Zanu-PF youths Tirimusango Hwenje.

1105: President Mnangagwa has arrived in the company of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and the National Anthem is underway to mark official commencement of the conference business. He joins his deputy VP Chiwenga at the top table.

1107: Prayer moment by Bishop Mutendi of Zion Christian Church.

1116: National political commissar Cde Engelbert Rugeje welcomes delegates to the Conference. He emphasises on time keeping.Cde Rugeje calls Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu to take to the podium. He introduces delegates province by province.

1131: Cde Mpofu declares that the 17th National People’S conferences is duly convened in terms of Article 6 of the Zanu-PF constitution.

1135: Cde Mpofu invites the party’s chairperson Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri to the podium.

1140: Cde Choeni welcomes all officials and guests.

“On behalf of Matabeleland South I would like to welcome His Excellency and Amai and his deputies. We welcome you to the famous rainbow province. We are proud to host you in the new compensation as a province. On behalf of the province we congratulate you for winning the elections resoundingly. We won 12 seats making us a province you can count on. 2023 you are the sole candidate. For the first time in the history of the party we will be discussing devolution.”

1148: Minister of State Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Cde Abednico Ncube now making his remarks.

“Welcome to our province. We are the gateway to most Sadc economies. This province has endorsed you as the 2023 candidate.
Our focus is on turning the economy around. We are working toward ensuring our province contributes meaningful in devolution. We need to construct new dams and rehabilitate existing ones to ensure we have food security.

“As a province we will contribute meaningfully in the livestock area which is a our strength. We also need to regularise our artisanal miners. The province has poor communication as our communities are out of touch with what is happening around them. A dark cloud hovered around us this November as people perished in a bus accident.”

 

1214: Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri invites VP Chiwenga to the podium.

1216: VP Chiwenga takes to the podium to introduce President Mnangagwa who is about to give his keynote address.

1219: VP Chiwenga narrates President Mnangagwa’s revolutionary history.

1234: VP Chiwenga invites President Mnangagwa to the podium to address the delegates.

1236: President Mnangagwa says his deputy VP Mohadi not well and is in Harare.

1243: “I thank the revolutionary friendship that exist between us and fellow liberation movements in Southern Africa and our Chinese friends who are here. This conference comes on the backdrop of an eventful year following our thunderous electoral victory in the harmonised elections which have deepened our democratic dispensation,”

1247: “After the elections there was violence and we condemn it. We will release the outcome of the report of the Commission of Inquiry next week. Takarakasha vaitikwikwidza and we should be proud of that,”

1249: “We were given a full five-year mandate to govern and there is no Government of National Unity.”

President Mnangagwa thanks all provinces for their efforts which culminated resounding victory for the party

“I urge party members not to be deterred by people making irritating noise. We should be warned of complacency due to the victory in the elections. We should fulfill election promises in our manifesto,”

1255: “We must fulfill and pledge ourselves to the values and ideals of the party. This conference is being held against the backdrop of fuel shortages, price hikes of drugs and basic commodities. We strongly condemn the business malpractices,”

1259: He warns businesses against profiteering at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans.

“Government along with industry continues to engage each other to come up with corrective measures,”

1304: “The onus is upon us to come up with key economic resolutions. Our country has immense potential to grow our economy in various sectors such as mining and agriculture. The Land Commission is left with three provinces and we have noted multiple land ownship and we are addressing that. We request our farmers to grow crops such as cotton, soya beans and wheat.”

1310: “We have started distribution of livestock under Command Livestock scheme in Matabeleland North and South and will move to other provinces next year. The Cold Storage Commission restructuring will bring economic impetus to the beef industry. Food deficient provinces will receive grain as the country has enough grain reserves,”

1314: “We can feed all Zimbabweans and no one will starve and we urge our traditional leaders to revive isiphala seNkosi/zunde ramambo. Some of the companies such as Cairns, Pespi, Treger, Green Tomatoes have started to grow and are employing people,”

1320: “Works on the Beitbridge-Chirundu-Harare and Plumtree-Mutare highways are underway. The Beitbridge to Bulawayo road and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls roads to be modernised,”

1323: “Through the support of China our power output has increased. We are having negotiations for the Batoka Hydro Power project with Zambia. With regards to the tourism sector there has been tremendous growth. Government will continue to prioritise education and health. No child should walk more than 5kms to school. Institutions of higher and Tertiary education should be centres of innovation,”

1326: Meanwhile, several companies are gracing the People’s Conference. They are showcasing their products.

1330: “We noted that drugs are now in short supply and we are setting up Natpharm pharmacies in all provinces and prices of drugs will be affordable. We urge those in the health sector be considerate,”

1334: “Provinces should benefit from their own resources. Our new finance minister has allocated $310 million towards devolution. As we implement devolution let us have this in mind that we remain a unitary state with diverse cultures. Down with people who clamour for secession. Under the Second Republic, we seek to transform Zimbabwe into a upper middle income economy by 2030,”

1342: “We recently designated every Friday of the first week of every month between 8 to 10 am for us to embark on a clean up campaign. We must cleanse ourselves from corruption and immorality and be honest, hardworking. All our authorities to fight corruption. I exhort everyone to fight corruption. I challenge war vets, youths and women to play a part in building the Second Republic,”

1346: “We must occupy ourselves with the zeal to grow our economy. We must thrive on recruiting more members so that when 2023 elections come we get more votes. Youths should be visible on social media to articulate our position and counter negative narratives. Our party values must permeate through the structures of the party,”

1352: “Government has stepped up efforts to ensure fiscal discipline. We have a calendar of five legislative bills to cover the alignment of our laws with the Constitution. Posa and Aippa will also be attended to,”

1357:  “This conference must interrogate what the Government failed to achieve in the last 12 months. As leaders let us understand and remain concerned by the plight of our people. The new dispensation has brought about servant leadership. You are here because of the people who elected you”

1403: President Mnangagwa finishes his speech.