MDC Deputy Spokesman guns for National Chairperson post

MDC Deputy Spokesperson Dr Bekithemba Mpofu has thrown his name in the ring for the post of National Chairperson in the impending Congress pencilled for May.

The former United Kingdom-based University lecturer announced his candidature on Thursday in a four-point CV that detailed why he is the right man for the top job.

The senator for Matabeleland South narrated how he has set on various eminent boards and assumed Senior positions in various prominent Universities which has moulded him to assisted him to horn the skills and capabilities needed for the position of the chairman.

Said Mpofu, "I am a committed founding member of the party who will serve his position with the greatest level of integrity, honesty and distinction while upholding and respecting the party constitution. With this submission and the noted informal approach, l am putting my name forward for the endorsement and nomination for the position of National Chairperson."

Senator Mpofu is likely to battle it out with the current Organising Secretary Honourable Amos Chibaya who is reported to be backed by Professor Welshman Ncube to assume the position of National Chairperson.

Read Mpofu's full declaration of interest below:

I have put my name forward for Nomination and endorsement for National Chairmanship of the party.

l have re-visited/reviewed the duties of the National Chairperson with a view to ascertain if l had the confidence to fulfil the constitutional mandate for this position. I hereby confirm that my recent experiences, persona and acquired skills will be best used in this aforementioned position. In particular (but not limited to these);

1) As a Deputy Dean in a University, l was involved in overseeing conflict avoidance, management and resolution of conflicts and disputes between and amongst students, academics and administrative staff which experience and acquired skills will help the party, its structures and/or organs.

2) I am the founding party member and the inaugural party National Youth Secretary General. While in post, l oversaw the general health and state of the Assembly. Also as a Youth Assembly Chief Administrator, l monitored, supervised and oversaw that all elections in the assembly, external or otherwise were properly conducted in order to ensure that due process was followed in terms of the constitution and that each election met the standards expected of the values and principles of the Youth Assembly. It was the office of the Youth SG that also responded to any disputes that arose from election and l was able to resolve them with speed and satisfaction of aggrieved parties, a key attribute required for the position of the National Chairperson. So the skills attained in this position and other management experiences will undoubtedly come in handy for the office of the National Chairperson of the party especially at a time when the party is under heavy criticism for double candidates and election disputes.

3) I have worked as the Chairperson of University-wide disciplinary Committee for several years, where l reviewed over 50 cases of academic misconduct. Such cases needed skill, attention to detail and research which experience l believe will strengthen the position of the National Chair who is expected to Chair the National Disciplinary Committee. In addition, l am currently the Deputy Spokesperson of the party a position that requires a good communicator that l have proved to be. As a Deputy Spokesperson l have used my skills as a good listener and these skills will enable me to be a good judge of character and cases that will be brought to me as the party National Chairperson.

4) In addition to the aforementioned, I have participated and chaired several committees and boards in business, academia and politics. The skills and experiences obtained thereof will not make me an alien to the Nation Chairperson's remit as the chair of the Congress, the National Conference and the National Council.

Finally, I am a committed founding member of the party who will serve his position with the greatest level of integrity, honesty and distinction while upholding and respecting the party constitution. With this submission and the noted informal approach, l am putting my name forward for the endorsement and nomination for the position of National Chairperson.

Your Senator for Mat South,

Hon. Senator Dr Bekithemba Mpofu
(Party Deputy Spokesperson)