Zanu-PF fundraising dinner raises $1 million

THE Zanu-PF fundraising dinner was oversubscribed and raised almost US$1 million towards the holding of the 14th Annual National People's Conference.

The Conference is set for Chinhoyi, home to the historic battlefield where seven gallant sons of Zimbabwe fired the first shots of the Second Chimurenga on April 28 1966.

The site is now home to the Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes Acre.

A member of the fund raising committee and party legislator for Chikomba Central, Felix Mhona, said the revolutionary party was on track to raise the $3 million to stage a successful conference.

"This year's fundraising dinner was an event with a difference, especially after resoundingly winning the July 31 harmonised elections," said Mhona.

"The set target for the dinner was surpassed and donations are still coming. We are still doing reconciliations, but we are almost at US$1 million. It's now imminent that our target of US$3 million is achievable.

"Our special thank you go to the corporate world for partnering Team Zanu-PF and above all to His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe and First Secretary of Zanu-PF and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe for championing the economic blueprint Zim Asset, a theme that we are running with.

"We also urge the corporate world to partner us again at the conference expo to run during the conference."

The 14th Zanu-PF Annual National Peoples Conference will be held under the theme "Zim Asset: Growing the Economy for Empowerment and Employment".

Speaking at the fundraising dinner over the weekend, Vice President Joice Mujuru said political and economic stability should be the guiding compass as the country moves towards 2018.

The VP said it was good that the Government had managed to produce the economic blue print, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset) to direct economic recovery efforts between 2013-2018.

"The thrust of the Zim Asset is on empowerment gains made to date, with more emphasis on growing the economy and thereby creating employment," she said.

VP Mujuru said with empowerment as the main thrust of the party, positive strides had been made in agriculture, tourism, mining, banking services, ICT, construction and manufacturing.

She said as Zimbabwe forged ahead, more support should be given to youths and women.

VP Mujuru said as Zanu-PF they were prepared for the conference in Chinhoyi as it would provide time to take stock of developments during the past year.

"As the ruling party, we should take this opportunity to consolidate our gains of the struggle to strengthen the party," she said. "For it is through unity that Zanu-PF can effectively deliver services to the electorate, thus keeping opponents at bay."

VP Mujuru called upon all patriots to support party events such as the forthcoming conference.

"Zanu-PF is and has always been a mass movement, whose support comes from me and you," she said. "This is the right time for us to respond positively by giving generously, to support the needs of our party."

VP Mujuru applauded donors and individuals for the dedication, loyalty and commitment to the party they showed even under difficult times.

She said with such unwavering support, the successful hosting of the conference was guaranteed. "Let us  work together with the spirit of oneness," she said. "Let us rally behind our President Cde Robert Mugabe, our party and provide the necessary financial support that will enable the party to execute its mandate.

"As you know, the party provides guidance and leadership to those seconded to Government. Through this support, we help maintain economic stability, political stability and social stability, guided by our new Constitution and the economic blueprint - Zim Asset."

The fundraising dinner was attended by senior Government and party officials and various sponsors from the private sector.