Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
ZANU-PF President and First Secretary, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has mandated the ruling party to place the improvement of citizens’ grassroots livelihoods at the core of all discussions ahead of its 22nd National People’s Conference.
Addressing the 128th Central Committee meeting at the party headquarters in Harare, President Mnangagwa stressed that the forthcoming conference, themed “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition,” must result in concrete resolutions focused on national advancement.
He added that the conference should accelerate the party’s goal to lift citizens out of poverty by driving productivity, industrialisation, and the deployment of new technologies.
“The conference is being held under the theme “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition”. The conference theme underscores our party’s unwavering determination to accelerate the achievement of an upper-middle-income status by 2030. It further gives impetus to our colossal mass party to lift many more of our people out of poverty into prosperity, anchored by productivity, industrialisation, modernisation and deployment of new technologies,” President Mnangagwa said.
President Mnangagwa also emphasised the need for discussions at the conference to zero in on improving the lives of those at the grassroots.
“In our deliberations, I urge the central committee to give the requisite leadership and guidance in the respective sectoral committees. Discipline, focus and the national interest must remain guiding principles. Improving the lives of the people at the grassroots level must be at the core of all discussions. The overall recommendations and resolutions should be aimed at propelling our country forward.”
The ZANU PF First Secretary said party policies will continue to centre on promoting peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
“Over and above the developments in the agriculture sector, ZANU PF continues to promote various programmes that have seen us rise above the illegal sanctions imposed on us and record significant gains on the economic development front. Going forward, our colossal mass party will continue to implement policies that consolidate unity, peace, prosperity and sustainable development.”
The last batch of vehicles for Central Committee members was distributed this Wednesday, with President Mnangagwa distributing 20 vehicles, while the other 47 were given to Central Committee members at the State House.
The President said these vehicles should be used for party programmes.
“Vehicles have now been distributed to members of the central committee. As per my previous exhortation, these are for the benefit of the people and the party as a whole.”
Now, all roads lead to Mutare, where the official opening of the conference is set for Friday.
The ordinary session of the central committee provided a platform for members to reflect on their achievements as they prepared to present them at the conference.
