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Mnangagwa hails Grace Mugabe for uniting Zanu-PF
12 Dec 2015 at 06:37hrs | Views
VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday paid tribute to the First Lady Grace Mugabe for uniting the party through her tour of the country's provinces, which he said helped mobilise party members countrywide.
Giving a vote of thanks following a keynote address by the party's First Secretary President Robert Mugabe at the official opening of the party's 15th People's Conference, VP Mnangagwa said the First Lady's tours not only rejuvenated the party structures but sowed seeds of unity among members.
This, he said, culminated in a resounding turnout to the ongoing conference which ends tomorrow. VP Mnangagwa's sentiments quashed private media reports which were claiming that the First Lady had been sowing seeds of division during her visits.
"Your Excellency we applaud you for the guidance and insights you continue to give the Women's League in relation to their role within the party. In this regard, we congratulate the Secretary for Women Affairs, the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe and the Women's League for a successful tour of the country's 10 provinces," said VP Mnangagwa.
He said the generality of the party membership was grateful to the First Lady's exemplary passion, generosity and sensitivity to the plight of the less privileged. "We further commend the First Lady for bringing vitality and rejuvenation across all structures of the party. The rallies and tours helped to mobilise membership for the party throughout the country," said VP Mnangagwa.
The VP said government would continue to support the various initiatives which seek to advance the rights of women, children and the elderly, especially the quest to end child marriages.He also challenged the Youth League to remain grounded in the party's founding principles and unite the party.
VP Mnangagwa called for implementation of the 10 point plan outlined by President Mugabe in his State of the Nation address and the importance of enhancing food security, value addition and beneficiation.
Earlier, his counterpart and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko also exonerated the First Lady from supposedly fanning factionalism. VP Mphoko was giving introductory remarks ahead of President Mugabe's official address.
"There are people who are claiming that the First Lady is leading a faction. These people are the ones pushing for factionalism thereby undermining the party. This will weaken the party," he said. VP Mphoko reiterated that President Mugabe was the only centre of power in Zanu-PF and challenged members to concentrate on developing the party, instead of wasting time on "useless" issues.
"Unity is key to us as members and we should all remain united and shun tribalism which just like factionalism negates the party's growth. As President you are the only centre of power," he said.
Both Vice Presidents spoke passionately against corruption saying those found on the wrong side of the law must be prosecuted without fear or favour. Vice Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko praised President Mugabe for his able leadership saying he managed to steer the party out of the murky waters following the treacherous actions of enemies throughout the year since last year's 6th Congress.
They called upon members to be politically disciplined, which "should start with observing the party constitution where cadres should be loyal to the party." VP Mnangagwa said the 6th Congress last year helped redefine the party's internal politics and marked a new economic trajectory-Zim-Asset- for the achievement of an empowered economy and society.
"We are inspired by your ability to lead from the front inspite of your commitments as Sadc and AU chairman. Today we are buoyed and enthused by your instructive, poignant and eloquent keynote address which reminded us of the fundamental values of the party. Zanu-PF is a non-discriminatory mass party," said VP Mnangagwa.
He called upon the party cadres to use the party's constitution as a mirror for self reflection and self introspection with a desire to rectifying and correcting themselves.
Giving a vote of thanks following a keynote address by the party's First Secretary President Robert Mugabe at the official opening of the party's 15th People's Conference, VP Mnangagwa said the First Lady's tours not only rejuvenated the party structures but sowed seeds of unity among members.
This, he said, culminated in a resounding turnout to the ongoing conference which ends tomorrow. VP Mnangagwa's sentiments quashed private media reports which were claiming that the First Lady had been sowing seeds of division during her visits.
"Your Excellency we applaud you for the guidance and insights you continue to give the Women's League in relation to their role within the party. In this regard, we congratulate the Secretary for Women Affairs, the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe and the Women's League for a successful tour of the country's 10 provinces," said VP Mnangagwa.
He said the generality of the party membership was grateful to the First Lady's exemplary passion, generosity and sensitivity to the plight of the less privileged. "We further commend the First Lady for bringing vitality and rejuvenation across all structures of the party. The rallies and tours helped to mobilise membership for the party throughout the country," said VP Mnangagwa.
The VP said government would continue to support the various initiatives which seek to advance the rights of women, children and the elderly, especially the quest to end child marriages.He also challenged the Youth League to remain grounded in the party's founding principles and unite the party.
VP Mnangagwa called for implementation of the 10 point plan outlined by President Mugabe in his State of the Nation address and the importance of enhancing food security, value addition and beneficiation.
Earlier, his counterpart and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko also exonerated the First Lady from supposedly fanning factionalism. VP Mphoko was giving introductory remarks ahead of President Mugabe's official address.
"There are people who are claiming that the First Lady is leading a faction. These people are the ones pushing for factionalism thereby undermining the party. This will weaken the party," he said. VP Mphoko reiterated that President Mugabe was the only centre of power in Zanu-PF and challenged members to concentrate on developing the party, instead of wasting time on "useless" issues.
"Unity is key to us as members and we should all remain united and shun tribalism which just like factionalism negates the party's growth. As President you are the only centre of power," he said.
Both Vice Presidents spoke passionately against corruption saying those found on the wrong side of the law must be prosecuted without fear or favour. Vice Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko praised President Mugabe for his able leadership saying he managed to steer the party out of the murky waters following the treacherous actions of enemies throughout the year since last year's 6th Congress.
They called upon members to be politically disciplined, which "should start with observing the party constitution where cadres should be loyal to the party." VP Mnangagwa said the 6th Congress last year helped redefine the party's internal politics and marked a new economic trajectory-Zim-Asset- for the achievement of an empowered economy and society.
"We are inspired by your ability to lead from the front inspite of your commitments as Sadc and AU chairman. Today we are buoyed and enthused by your instructive, poignant and eloquent keynote address which reminded us of the fundamental values of the party. Zanu-PF is a non-discriminatory mass party," said VP Mnangagwa.
He called upon the party cadres to use the party's constitution as a mirror for self reflection and self introspection with a desire to rectifying and correcting themselves.
Source - chronicle
