The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani, recently in Matopos
MANICALAND left a huge mark at the recently held 21st Movement celebrations where it almost matched the host province, Matabeleland South in terms of attendance.
Despite being one of furthest provinces from Matabeleland South, Zanu-PF Manicaland youths were equal to the task as they turned up in their thousands to celebrate President Mugabe’s 93rd birthday.
Guests used all forms of transport to travel to Matopos, with some youths enduring four days of travelling to and from Binga by train.
About 500 youths from Mutare and Makoni districts travelled to Bulawayo by train, while their counterparts from across the province used 28 buses. Some used private cars, a move which left Manicaland with the biggest travelling party.
In an interview on the sidelines of the colourful celebrations, Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial youth secretary for administration, Cde Victor Saunyama, was full of praises for youths from Manicaland who turned out in their numbers to celebrate President Mugabe’s birthday.
“The turnout from Manicaland was just massive. We matched or even surpassed the host province in terms of attendance. More than 2 000 people travelled from Manicaland for this year’s celebrations.
The travelling parties used all means of transport from private cars to aeroplanes. Although the issue of using a train to ferry people from Manicaland came at a short notice, our youths displayed unparalleled patriotism as they came out in their numbers. They proved to the world that they are totally behind President Mugabe’s leadership. Spending four days travelling is not a joke and we really want to salute all these youths.
They endured a lot during their travelling as some of their food was diverted by some people to other areas. We also want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to the youths for this unfortunate development, which was later addressed by the national leadership especially our national secretary for youth affairs, Cde Kudzi Chipanga who went out of his way to ensure that food was provided for the youths in Harare,” said Cde Saunyama.
Despite enduring long hours of travelling, the youths were in high spirits when they arrived at National Railways of Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo Station last Friday afternoon.
Cde Saunyama also thanked the local political leadership among them Cdes Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Samuel Undenge, Mandi Chimene, Nyasha Chikwinya, Supa Mandiwanzira and Chipanga as well as the business community and individuals who donated generously towards the 21st Movement celebrations.
“The unity of purpose displayed during our fundraising as well as travelling to Matopos should be commended. We should take heed of President Mugabe’s call for unity. As a united front we will move mountains,” said Cde Saunyama.
Speaking during last Saturday’s celebrations, President Mugabe urged those angling to succeed him to stop causing divisions in the party.
“I want now to refer to our problem, problem, problem, apparently unending problem of these divisions, divisions in the party. We want a party which is intact and united.
“When we say let us be united, we will be saying let us have the unity that binds us at heart, binds us also intellectually. True, true unity.
“The party has a programme, the party as we are saying is based on a party constitution and the party constitution provides how people can get elected from one position to another. So, why, why, why want to try to circumvent the constitution?
“Haunganzvenge yese constitution sebhora uchirovera parutivi kuti uwane chigaro. Aiwa, hatina kumboita party yakadaro.
“Whatever position you seek, it must be a position you get upon proper election. Izvi zvekuti vanhu vanonzi vanodyarana to create chairpersons or groups that support them will never succeed in Zanu-PF. People, whether they want to be chairpersons or any other (leaders) of provinces or districts, have to be chosen by the people of the particular organic framework, kubvira pasi apo kusvika kumusoro.
“Zvino vamwe vari kungopembera netwuma group twavo kuti VaMugabe ngavachienda. Zvino ndozvandiri kubvunzawo kuti ndoinda kupiko?”
He said his mandate to rule Zimbabwe comes from the majority who voted him into office.
“Aiwa, kana zvanzi Zanu yati ‘ahh chigarai pasi’ ndinogaraka. Ndokwandakabva, and by the way, I have never canvassed for any seat in the party.
“Hazvisi zvenhimbe zvekubikira doro kuti, Huyai muzonwa kwangu mugondivhotera. Vanhu, ivo pachavo, let them judge you. Zvino vamwe vanoti President sarudzai anokuteverei. Ho-o, ndiite impose someone upon the party? Aiwa, handidi ini, handidi.
“Vandinonzi neconstitution sarudzai ndivo vangu vaviri ava vamuri kuona ava, VaMnangagwa naVaMphoko.
“We won’t block those with an interest who want to try. There are some who think they have some level of popularity and that they are wanted by the people in their areas and if they go to other areas. . .
“No; let us just work and get to that time when, naturally, the occasion comes for us to go to Congress. We can have an Extraordinary congress if the President retires, but isn’t it you say I lead you even in the next elections? So, I will be with you.
“We must be together. I will be seeing and analysing that within the family I have. Who are the strong and enduring, those are the ones we will be looking at on the day when it comes. We don’t want a leader who will say what Mugabe was doing, taking farms from whites, was bad, let’s return them. No,” said President Mugabe.
