The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
ZANU PF has so far increased the number of its cells in Manicaland from 10 665 to 13 000, with more still being expected ahead of the March 10 deadline.
The cell is the vanguard of the party at the level of the village.
The ruling party embarked on a re-assessment of its cells last year when a new executive was put in office amid concerns of dodgy structures that allegedly disenfranchised and created onlookers out of thousands of party supporters and stakeholders in the province.
Zanu PF provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza told The Manica Post on Tuesday that so far, 13 000 cells have been established while the number of party districts has increased to over 500, with more on the way.
Cde Mukodza said teams are still on the ground to harness those who feel left out and include them in party cells to strengthen its grassroots, organisational and mass mobilisation units.
“We had about 10 600 cells and the number has increased to 13 000 after 80 percent of the districts were looked at. We are currently doing a mop-up exercise of the remaining 20 percent and by March 10 we should be talking of between 14 000 and 15 000 cells. We are striving to sustain an atmosphere of inclusiveness at the grassroots so that everyone is included,” he said.
Cde Mukodza also singled out some party affiliates in Manicaland, crediting 20 percent of the new structures to them.
“They are working very hard to bring in new members. The for Economic Develpment affiliates have contributed 20 percent of the new cells, which is a huge number.
“We want to encourage them to do more and mobilise more people from their sectors and it is commendable.
“Our strength is anchored on vibrant grassroots structures, and we are happy that people who felt left out are coming on board to fully participate in party activities and processes. We appreciate that power is for the people, and this power in Zanu PF is derived from the grassroots,” said Cde Mukodza.
He said Zanu PF will wrestle some urban constituencies and wards currently in the hands of the opposition.
“We are setting inclusive, intact and functional structures in all urban constituencies and wards, and I want to tell you that we are going to win some of them, especially Makoni Central, Mutasa Central and Dangamvura. We will add them to those already in our hands.
“To win the 2023 elections, we need a formidable membership drive, and we are happy that all the aspiring candidates are mobilising votes for the President.
The party is active in every corner of every province, drumming support for President Mnangagwa. The President is going to win in Manicaland,” said Cde Mukodza.
He also implored party supporters to take advantage of the 10-day voter registration blitz to register to vote.
Cde Mukodza said Manicaland is targeting 700 000 votes as part of its contribution to the targeted five million votes in this year’s elections.
“The focus is on uniting the party, recruiting new members, ensuring they are registered and retaining existing ones since every vote counts. We need as many votes as possible to win these elections and the youths who are statistically in the majority must take advantage of the 10-day voter registration blitz to register to vote,” said Cde Mukodza.
The party last year introduced a National Cell Day which will be celebrated annually to strengthen Zanu PF’s grassroots, organisational and mass mobilisation units.
Ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections, the National Cell Day marked the beginning of a membership recruitment drive and voter mobilisation exercise as the party works towards attaining five million votes.
