CAES leadership takes empowerment drive to Manicaland

MUTARE - Citizens Against Economic Sanctions (CAES) leadership has embarked on a provincial tour of Manicaland, engaging members and promising empowerment initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening grassroots structures.

The tour saw national leaders meeting provincial representatives, listening to members' concerns and distributing branded T-shirts to improve visibility and foster unity within the organisation.

CAES chairman Ellison Samuriwo Muchenje urged members to remain committed to the organisation's programmes, saying the focus should be on practical empowerment projects that improve people's lives.

"Let us remain united and committed to the struggle. Our organisation must go beyond meetings and statements. We want to see our members benefiting from practical projects that improve their livelihoods. We are here to listen to your concerns and work together towards finding lasting solutions," said Muchenje.

Manicaland provincial chairperson Chipo Mhlanga welcomed the visit, describing it as an important step in strengthening relations between provincial and national structures.

"We are grateful to the national leadership for remembering Manicaland and taking time to engage us. The T-shirts will make it easier for our members to identify themselves and raise the organisation's visibility. We hope this engagement will translate into tangible benefits for our members," said Mhlanga.

CAES vice-chairperson Wallace Matavire said the organisation was committed to maintaining direct engagement with provincial structures.

"We believe in continuous engagement with our structures. This visit is not a once-off exercise, but part of our commitment to staying connected with members, understanding their challenges and ensuring that their concerns reach the national leadership," he said.

Another provincial leader, Moses Mujaji, welcomed the engagement but stressed the need for transparency and accountability in implementing programmes.

"We appreciate the leadership's efforts in reaching out to provincial structures. However, transparency must remain at the centre of everything we do. Members need to understand how programmes are implemented and how opportunities and projects are distributed," said Mujaji.

Youth chairperson Fanuel Mandiringa called on the national leadership to prioritise youth empowerment through skills training and income-generating projects.

"We are excited by this visit because it gives young people an opportunity to interact directly with the national leadership. We want to see more projects and training programmes that equip youths with practical skills and enable them to become economically independent," said Mandiringa.

The Manicaland tour forms part of CAES' efforts to strengthen provincial structures, improve communication and promote economic empowerment among members.

The engagement comes amid leadership divisions within the organisation following the separation of former CAES leader Martin Zharare from the grouping led by Muchenje, widely known as Cde Samuriwo.

The split resulted in separate leadership structures within CAES and has generated debate over leadership, accountability and representation within the organisation.

Observers say the latest provincial outreach programme appears aimed at consolidating support for Muchenje's leadership while promoting the organisation's empowerment agenda at grassroots level.