Opinion / Letters
Open Letter from ZAPU Europe - 1 Dec 2012 was a day to always remember
22 Dec 2012 at 05:19hrs | Views
Dear Comrades,
I hope you have all settled after the hectic schedule you had in preparing and making our rally a success that we witnessed. Allow me to begin by thanking those of you who attended the rally in spite of the cold weather that covered the whole country especially the north. Special thanks to those of our comrades who were physically involved in carrying out various organisational tasks as assigned to them by the PEC. To mention but a few, the Information and Publicity Team that spearheaded our advertising campaign, the Finance and Fundraising Team whose role even on the day of the rally was unquestionable, the speakers that included the Secretary General of the party and our invited guest Dr. Nkululeko Sibanda. We appreciate the work by the Organising as well as the Administration and all other departments which worked so well together with local Party structures to make the event a galloping success.
We are also thankful to ZAPU Canada Province which was sending their delegate Cde Anderson Bango who unfortunately failed to make it at the last minute due to logistical problems beyond his control; however, he instead sent a letter of apology that was read at the rally. We also acknowledge and appreciate
Nephat Siziba sent that was also read. We will not leave out Comrade Mazula who came all the way from Zimbabwe to be with us on the day and had an opportunity to address us.
war hero, the veteran of the struggle, the stalwart, former ZIPRA military supremo and now the President of our party, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, for his address of the rally. The president changed tactics in a military operational style (as a soldier) to ensure the mission was accomplished. When the Skype could not serve the purpose he quickly had to send a printed statement which was delivered on his behalf by the Secretary General Dr R Mguni. We do also sympathise greatly with all the comrades who faced transport problems and ended up not making it to the rally. Well done for the manner you supported the information team in inviting people to the rally. People were contacted across the board through every means possible.
When the date of the rally drew closer, we were saddened to learn that one of our party stalwarts and ardent patriot Elder Enoch Kaka of the Europe Provincial Council of Elders had passed on. Some of us drove all the way to the South East Coast to pay our respects and tribute to the Kaka family. On our arrival we were joined by other ZAPU members of the local South East Coast District, chief among them was Elder & Mrs R. Mhlanga (acting chair of the CoE) Cde Kaka will be remembered for his dedication and loyalty to the cause of the party and in this province as a tireless supporter for the campaign to bring about unity and stability in the party. In salute of our elder we say, you have fought a good fight, rest in peace.
The moment that intrigued and heartened me the most on the day of the rally was at the end of the programme, when no one left the venue but instead people formed themselves into spontaneous groups all over the hall and feasted on roast beef and boerewors as well as drinks while others danced and ululated in a broad show of unity and oneness we would like to see in the party. That was the moment we can seize and build on. That is the kind of spirit we need in order to make our organisation as formidable as it used to be.
The rally has come and gone, yet back home the referendum is yet to come, elections are on the cards and this is the time to intensify our efforts in building the party structures and be ready for what lies ahead.
Comrades, now is the time to engage in serious party business in order that we move our organisation to the next level. The nation is unwittingly approaching a scenario likely to be a replica of the 1980 elections, when despite our clear message that other groups represented violence and hunger for power very few listened. As a result our nation is stuck without freedom and democracy, the main component reasons for our struggle for independence. The rulers of the country since the advent of our independence have committed atrocious crimes leaving them with no option but to cling to power at all cost in order to try and get away with their crimes. They are now even scaring the masses from voting for the party of their choice by use of scare tactics, whereby lies are being churned day in and day out, that if certain political parties win the election they will revenge for the atrocities.
As we continue working to bring our membership together, embracing all Zimbabweans as has always been the character of our Party, we have arrived at a point in this province where we have to drive a two-­‐pronged strategy/ approach.
On one hand we will be building structures through vigorous recruitment and strengthening our organisational capacity while on the other hand driving a rigorous resource mobilisation exercise to support the party activities back home.
important announcement will be made through our Information, Publicity and Marketing department in the next few days. Our provincial departments of Finance and Fundraising, Organisation and Mobilisation and Information, Publicity and Marketing are already playing their part effectively supported by their fellow colleagues in other departments in the PEC. May I appeal to you all party members to support this work with earnest and patriotism.
The PEC is at your service. It will listen and expeditiously deal with matters brought before it, be they suggestions, complaints, queries, advice etc.
The PEC is meeting this weekend to kick-­‐start the road to our provincial AGM which will take place on the 30th March 2013 as announced previously. May every party member at local level be involved in the walk to this all important meeting to mark the first anniversary of the current PEC.
One of four important components of inner party democracy requires that all the elected organs of the party periodically report/account to those that elected them.
Remember at that point the country will be fully geared for an election. Let us therefore save Zimbabwe, the land of milk and honey so that our future generations will inherit a country at peace with itself. All its citizens free and safe at the hands of the state which the current status quo has failed to do in 32years of our independence.
On behalf of the Provincial Executive Committee and indeed my family, I wish you and your families, Zimbabweans in the diaspora, our country and its citizens a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. Amandla ka Wehle -­‐Masimba Ngaadzike Power to the people. I Thank you.
Christopher Maphosa (ZAPU Europe Provincial Chairperson)
Source - ZAPU Europe
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