The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
THE hard traits of a warrior are confidence, strength, aggressiveness, discipline, being active and bravery.
A warrior gives everything because he has no fear of depleting himself, nor does he need energy to uphold everything.
Everything he has to offer is available. He shares his resources —be they financial, emotional, intellectual or physical.
This aptly describes victorious ZANU PF candidate for Mutasa South, Cde Misheck Mugadza.
Popularly known as the New Dispensation Warrior in political circles, the shrewd politician lived to his billing and snatched the Mutasa South constituency seat from MDC Alliance surrogate, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), during last Saturday’s by-elections.
Going into last Saturday’s plebiscite, armchair political analysts gave Cde Mugadza the faintest sniffs of victory, with some claiming that CCC had already begged the seat considering that the constituency is predominantly urban as it covers all of Mutare’s low-density suburbs as well as parts of Chikanga suburb.
It also covers Penhalonga and Tsvingwe which are also urban settlements, before stretching to Odzi and areas around Watsomba in Mutasa communal lands.
Alas, the New Dispensation Warrior had something up his sleeves, and boom, victory for the revolutionary party.
A sucker punch had been delivered to floor the opposition.
So sweet was the victory as ZANU PF showed the world that it can stand up to the challenge, even in so-called opposition strongholds.
Cde Mugadza polled 5 818 votes against former Mutasa South legislator, Mr Regai Tsungai of CCC who had 5 269.
Mr Tauzeni Pedzisai of MDC Alliance had 162 votes while Ms Eurydice Lynette Ndoro (Independent) got 50 votes.
“It is the people’s victory, it is President Mnangagwa’s victory,” said the elated Cde Mugadza in an interview early this week.
After losing by a small margin to Mr Tsunga during the 2018 harmonised elections, Cde Mugadza did not despair and continued working with the electorate.
Unlike some individuals who pack their bags and completely turn their backs on the electorate for disappointing them by not voting them into office, Cde Mugadza’s visibility in Mutasa South did not wane.
In fact, he engaged a higher gear and endeared himself well with the electorate, especially the marginalised ones, as well as women and youths who are beneficiaries of the various empowerment programmes he has rolled out in the constituency.
“I have been with the people even after my defeat in 2018. The constituency needs a development oriented leader who ensure that people’s lives are improved and I think I lived up to that billing. Their vote was an endorsement of our programmes.
“I am grateful for the overwhelming support I got from His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, the party, ZANU PF, partners and well-wishers. Most of my partners have been working with me on developmental projects that have a direct bearing to people’s lives. Now that I am in the office, we expect to double our efforts and ensure that the seat remains under ZANU PF,” said Cde Mugadza.
Cognisant of the fact that his tenure in the August House is very short, Cde Mugadza said he will leverage on the natural resources in the area to ensure that the people of Mutasa South have better lives.
“We are a blessed constituency. We have minerals like gold, but our major trump card is the good soil as well as reliable water sources. We have already identified a piece of land that will be sub-divided into one-hectare plots. Drip irrigation will be introduced on these plots as we want the beneficiaries to be active on the land throughout the year.
“With drip-irrigation, you will never go wrong. I had a hectare under onions and I harvested four tonnes. From my harvest, I am expecting US$6 000 and if we have a number of young men and women producing various crops on their small plots, they will be smiling all the way to the bank.
“The beneficiaries will be trained in proper farming methods and agronomists will also be engaged for specialist advice on what crops to grow. We want to be drip irrigation torch-bearers in the country. President Mnangagwa has been saying we need to build this great nation brick by brick. We are the masters of our own destiny,” said Cde Mugadza.
Although a number of youths have set base in Penhalonga where they are mining for gold, the obtaining situation sticks out like a sore thumb to Cde Mugadza.
“We need organised mining in Penhalonga.
“The free-for-all situation there should be addressed as a matter of urgency. The wanton land degradation needs to be halted because we stand to lose at the end of the day as gullies will be left everywhere. This will eventually needs reclamation, thereby eating into the national fiscus.
“We need organised mining where all the gold extracted should be accounted for and benefit the constituency and the nation at large. Our hardworking youths should enjoy the benefits of their sweat and blood through organised activities.
“There are a number of stakeholders who are willing to come on board and assist our youths to formalise their operations,” said Cde Mugadza.
On health service delivery, Cde Mugadza said all the programmes he rolled out prior to the by-elections were not a campaigning gimmick.
“Access to health is a basic human right and we will continue and even scale up these programmes. Our desire is to have a health centre in every ward. ln Ward 22, we have a health centre that is now at roof level. We will ensure its speedy completion and move on to other areas. All outreach programmes will be maintained, while those who are struggling to have easy access to healthcare and medication will also be assisted.
“Well-wishers who have been supporting these programmes have assured me of doubling up their efforts. As a united front, Vision 2030 will be a reality and we will enjoy an upper middle income economy in the next eight years.
“We are Zimbabweans first before anything else and we should show the world that we can conquer any challenge if we speak with one voice.
“I also want to urge those who were sitting on the fence to join the revolutionary party and ensure that this great nation prospers,” said Cde Mugadza.
