By Sizalobuhle Khumalo
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that ZANU PF’s victories in the by-elections held during the course of the year are reflective that the ruling party remains the people’s party and party of choice.
President Mnangagwa made the remarks while addressing the Central Committee at the party headquarters in Harare today, ahead of the official opening of the ZANU PF 18th National People’s Conference slated for tomorrow in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East.
‘We meet against the background of a very eventful year which saw the party reassert its dominance on the political landscape. Our victories in the various by-elections are reflective that we remain the people’s party and the party of choice,” said the President.
The President took time to thank the various party provinces for their mobilisation prowess.
“In addition, I commend the various provinces which hosted very successful programme based rallies; such as Masvingo province for the Chiredzi-Tshovani rally, Bulawayo province during the handover of ZUPCO buses.
“Mashonaland East province-Mahusekwa rally. Midlands province at the side-lines of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation and Mashonaland West province during the National Youth Convention held in Kadoma. We equally commend the Women’s League, Youth League and ZILIWACO for also convening successful meetings,” he said.
President Mnangagwa urged the party leaders at all levels of the party to adopt participatory leadership which he said “is enriching as it allows us a greater appreciation of the challenges that face the people as well as their aspirations.”
He added, “I urge us all therefore to be leaders that co-exist with the people and have them at heart. Let us pay close attention to the plight of the ordinary people in constrained conditions, by caring for them and offering them help with love and respect.
“From the days of the liberation struggle the people were the water and us the fish. Let us draw from that personality of our party and care for the people accordingly.”
President Mnangagwa re-iterated that ZANU PF is a listening party and servant of the people.
“As the year comes to an end, let us all recommit to serving the people and fulfilling our responsibilities diligently without reservation, always concentrating on areas that promote their standard of living,” he said.
