News / National
Zanu-PF supporters gear up for make or break conference
20 Oct 2015 at 06:19hrs | Views
Zanu-PF provinces are geared up for the party's 15th National People's Conference to be held in Victoria Falls from December 7 to 13, with some confirming receipt of donations towards the big event.
The provincial chairpersons confirmed that preparations have started and promised to meet their respective set fundraising targets.
Most provinces were confident that the set targets will have been met by mid November while Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West confirmed having already surpassed their targets of five beasts each.
Mashonaland Central chairman Dickson Mafios said the party had already raised seven beasts, when the province's target in that respect was only five beasts.
"So far we have received donations of seven heifers. We have actually surpassed our target of five.
"We were asked to raise five tonnes of maize but with our capacity as a farming and mining province, we promise to raise 10 tonnes instead," said Mafios.
Mafios said general preparations were now at an advanced stage.
"We are done with all the structures of the party. Our districts are all intact.
"Last week we held our provincial coordinating committee meeting when we were summoning all people to contribute financially.
"We are very sure that we will be able to raise the $50 000 target and some people have already pledged.
"By end of this week, we hope to have received a reasonable figure financially," he said.
Mafios said the province had been rejuvenated by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe's rallies and the people were now in the conference mood.
"We are more than ready for the conference considering the rejuvenation we got through Amai Mugabe's recent visit.
"We are already in the conference mood," he said.
Mashonaland West Province has already received $15 000 towards meeting its target of $50 000.
The province has also raised 10 beasts to surpass its given target of five beasts.
Acting provincial chairman Ephraim Chengeta expressed optimism that the province will meet its target for the crucial conference in November.
"We started working towards meeting our target of $50 000 with at least $15 000 already in hand," he said.
Chengeta said the target was broken down to all party districts in the province.
"We are optimistic that by the second week of November we would have met out target," Chengeta said.
Zanu-PF chairman for the host province, Matabeleland North, Richard Moyo said they had since set up eight committees to spearhead fundraising activities. The province is expected to raise at least $100 000 towards the conference.
"We have started mobilising for funds ahead of the National People's Conference and eight committees have been set up to spearhead that campaign. We have already sent letters to various companies and partners to assist us in raising the money," said Moyo.
Sithembiso Nyoni who heads the Matabeleland North finance committee has been tasked with identifying potential donors.
Other committees that have been put in place include the information and publicity committee chaired by Professor Jonathan Moyo, documentation committee led by Jacob Mudenda, transport and welfare committee chaired by Thokozile Mathuthu.
Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu heads the security and accreditation committee while Joshua Muzamba chairs the heath committee.
Fathi Mpofu heads the entertainment committee while Cain Mathema heads the organising committee.
Moyo said they will hold a fundraising dinner on November 21 in Victoria Falls.
"Since we are the host province, we have to make sure that the critical element of accommodation is prioritised. So far we are at about 85 percent in that regard," he said.
Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Rabelani Choeni said his province was given a target of $50, 000, five herds of cattle and a tonne of maize.
"We are working on fundraising for the National People's Conference although we are a little bit behind because of the restructuring exercise that we are currently conducting. We have already come up with committees and by next week Saturday we believe we would have made headway," said Choeni.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Dennis Ndlovu said a fundraising dinner would be held on a date yet to be announced sometime in November.
Ndlovu could not immediately state how much the province was required to contribute.
"We will ask well-wishers to chip in with funds so that the conference becomes a success," said Ndlovu.
Acting chairman for Harare province Charles Tawengwa said the province was working flat out to meet the set targets.
"While we are waiting for the announcement of the theme of the conference, preparations are now at an advanced stage.
"We are confident of meeting the set targets," he said.
Secretary for finance in Harare province Dumisani Chipango said the province was still engaging the traditional donors and other well-wishers to raise the required funds and other goods.
"So far so good. People have started deposing funds into our account but we are yet to check the actual figure," he said.
He said the committee was under pressure to raise the required funds, but was optimistic that the target would be met to ensure the success of the party's conference.
At least $3 million is required to hold the annual conference which would be officially opened by President Mugabe on December 11.
The provincial chairpersons confirmed that preparations have started and promised to meet their respective set fundraising targets.
Most provinces were confident that the set targets will have been met by mid November while Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West confirmed having already surpassed their targets of five beasts each.
Mashonaland Central chairman Dickson Mafios said the party had already raised seven beasts, when the province's target in that respect was only five beasts.
"So far we have received donations of seven heifers. We have actually surpassed our target of five.
"We were asked to raise five tonnes of maize but with our capacity as a farming and mining province, we promise to raise 10 tonnes instead," said Mafios.
Mafios said general preparations were now at an advanced stage.
"We are done with all the structures of the party. Our districts are all intact.
"Last week we held our provincial coordinating committee meeting when we were summoning all people to contribute financially.
"We are very sure that we will be able to raise the $50 000 target and some people have already pledged.
"By end of this week, we hope to have received a reasonable figure financially," he said.
Mafios said the province had been rejuvenated by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe's rallies and the people were now in the conference mood.
"We are more than ready for the conference considering the rejuvenation we got through Amai Mugabe's recent visit.
"We are already in the conference mood," he said.
Mashonaland West Province has already received $15 000 towards meeting its target of $50 000.
The province has also raised 10 beasts to surpass its given target of five beasts.
Acting provincial chairman Ephraim Chengeta expressed optimism that the province will meet its target for the crucial conference in November.
"We started working towards meeting our target of $50 000 with at least $15 000 already in hand," he said.
Chengeta said the target was broken down to all party districts in the province.
"We are optimistic that by the second week of November we would have met out target," Chengeta said.
"We have started mobilising for funds ahead of the National People's Conference and eight committees have been set up to spearhead that campaign. We have already sent letters to various companies and partners to assist us in raising the money," said Moyo.
Sithembiso Nyoni who heads the Matabeleland North finance committee has been tasked with identifying potential donors.
Other committees that have been put in place include the information and publicity committee chaired by Professor Jonathan Moyo, documentation committee led by Jacob Mudenda, transport and welfare committee chaired by Thokozile Mathuthu.
Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu heads the security and accreditation committee while Joshua Muzamba chairs the heath committee.
Fathi Mpofu heads the entertainment committee while Cain Mathema heads the organising committee.
Moyo said they will hold a fundraising dinner on November 21 in Victoria Falls.
"Since we are the host province, we have to make sure that the critical element of accommodation is prioritised. So far we are at about 85 percent in that regard," he said.
Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Rabelani Choeni said his province was given a target of $50, 000, five herds of cattle and a tonne of maize.
"We are working on fundraising for the National People's Conference although we are a little bit behind because of the restructuring exercise that we are currently conducting. We have already come up with committees and by next week Saturday we believe we would have made headway," said Choeni.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Dennis Ndlovu said a fundraising dinner would be held on a date yet to be announced sometime in November.
Ndlovu could not immediately state how much the province was required to contribute.
"We will ask well-wishers to chip in with funds so that the conference becomes a success," said Ndlovu.
Acting chairman for Harare province Charles Tawengwa said the province was working flat out to meet the set targets.
"While we are waiting for the announcement of the theme of the conference, preparations are now at an advanced stage.
"We are confident of meeting the set targets," he said.
Secretary for finance in Harare province Dumisani Chipango said the province was still engaging the traditional donors and other well-wishers to raise the required funds and other goods.
"So far so good. People have started deposing funds into our account but we are yet to check the actual figure," he said.
He said the committee was under pressure to raise the required funds, but was optimistic that the target would be met to ensure the success of the party's conference.
At least $3 million is required to hold the annual conference which would be officially opened by President Mugabe on December 11.
Source - the herald
