News / National
Zanu-PF women's league guns for Mugabe's job
03 Jun 2014 at 09:08hrs | Views
The Zanu-PF women's league has thrown its hat in the contentious President Robert Mugabe's succession ring, with the wing's boss Oppah Muchinguri declaring at the weekend that they were gunning for the party's top job.
Addressing a party women's conference in Gweru on Sunday on the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation, Muchinguri laid down the gauntlet setting the stage for a vicious fight for the presidency, arguing women have an equal right as men to lead Zanu-PF and the country.
"We also want the presidency as women because during the war we fought side by side with men," Muchinguri declared.
"Nothing can stop us from landing the top job because we have the revolutionary qualities."
This is the first time the women's league has publicly declared its interest to have one of its members land the party presidency and first secretary post.
Muchinguri, however, did not state when the women's league intended to make its move to win the Zanu-PF top job. The party holds an elective congress in December with indications that Mugabe would be retained for another five years.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are reportedly leading factions in Zanu-PF jostling to succeed Mugabe. The two have, however, denied leading opposing camps.
Two months ago, Mugabe said Mujuru and Mnangagwa "are not the only ones" fighting for his throne.
Muchinguri, who is the Women Affairs and Community Development minister, told the Gweru conference that Zanu-PF constitution recognised women's participation in the liberation struggle, hence their desire for top positions in the party.
She spoke glowingly on Mujuru's contribution to the liberation struggle. Media reports at the weekend were that Muchinguri intended to challenge Mujuru for the vice-presidency at the Zanu-PF congress in December.
"We are recognised in the Zanu-PF constitution, that is why we got a 30% (quota system) which saw Mai Mujuru getting the top job as vice-president. Thenjiwe Lesabe, who was an educated person, also wanted to be (deputy party leader), but we opted for Mujuru," she said.
Muchinguri, a veteran of the liberation struggle, chronicled the history of the women's movement and Mujuru's involvement and subsequent rise to power.
"The women's league started during the struggle… Amai Mujuru, who was young then, we elected her with other late heroines. In 1980, our government recognised women and formed a Women's ministry led by her (Mujuru) again (sic)," she said.
Muchinguri took a swipe at women who she accused of vote-buying ahead of the league's congress.
"I want to warn those who flash money to get top posts for personnel gains that you will not be entertained anymore. This coming congress will be focusing on reviewing our strength, challenges and opportunities as women. Leaders without history of the party disturb the programmes of the party because they are self-centred," she said.
Jostling for party positions has reportedly started in Zanu-PF ahead of the congress.
Addressing a party women's conference in Gweru on Sunday on the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation, Muchinguri laid down the gauntlet setting the stage for a vicious fight for the presidency, arguing women have an equal right as men to lead Zanu-PF and the country.
"We also want the presidency as women because during the war we fought side by side with men," Muchinguri declared.
"Nothing can stop us from landing the top job because we have the revolutionary qualities."
This is the first time the women's league has publicly declared its interest to have one of its members land the party presidency and first secretary post.
Muchinguri, however, did not state when the women's league intended to make its move to win the Zanu-PF top job. The party holds an elective congress in December with indications that Mugabe would be retained for another five years.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are reportedly leading factions in Zanu-PF jostling to succeed Mugabe. The two have, however, denied leading opposing camps.
Two months ago, Mugabe said Mujuru and Mnangagwa "are not the only ones" fighting for his throne.
Muchinguri, who is the Women Affairs and Community Development minister, told the Gweru conference that Zanu-PF constitution recognised women's participation in the liberation struggle, hence their desire for top positions in the party.
She spoke glowingly on Mujuru's contribution to the liberation struggle. Media reports at the weekend were that Muchinguri intended to challenge Mujuru for the vice-presidency at the Zanu-PF congress in December.
"We are recognised in the Zanu-PF constitution, that is why we got a 30% (quota system) which saw Mai Mujuru getting the top job as vice-president. Thenjiwe Lesabe, who was an educated person, also wanted to be (deputy party leader), but we opted for Mujuru," she said.
Muchinguri, a veteran of the liberation struggle, chronicled the history of the women's movement and Mujuru's involvement and subsequent rise to power.
"The women's league started during the struggle… Amai Mujuru, who was young then, we elected her with other late heroines. In 1980, our government recognised women and formed a Women's ministry led by her (Mujuru) again (sic)," she said.
Muchinguri took a swipe at women who she accused of vote-buying ahead of the league's congress.
"I want to warn those who flash money to get top posts for personnel gains that you will not be entertained anymore. This coming congress will be focusing on reviewing our strength, challenges and opportunities as women. Leaders without history of the party disturb the programmes of the party because they are self-centred," she said.
Jostling for party positions has reportedly started in Zanu-PF ahead of the congress.
Source - Zim Mail
