Exciting times for ZANU-PF Primary Elections

Exciting times for ZANU-PF Primary Elections

•As Youthful contenders dominate Masvingo Urban Line Up

Brian Rungano Temba

Following the announcement of the date for ZANU PF Primary elections at the party’s 367th Politburo Meeting in Harare yesterday, signs of an exciting race have begin to show as youthfulness is set to battle it out with experience.

The primary elections, which are set to be conducted on the Saturday of 18 March 2023, will see a number of party youth cadres throwing their names into the ring to sweat it out for the right to represent the revolutionary party in the 2023 Harmonised Elections which are likely to happen in the third quarter of the year.

An announcement by the party at the end of yesterday’s Ordinary Session of the Politburo upheld the recently gazetted delimitation report as the basis upon which the Primary elections will be held, reaffirming the call by the President for the party to remain bound by Constitutionalism.

Electric scenes are beginning to manifest in all ten Party Provinces as open campaigning begins in earnest. However, Masvingo Province almost scoops the price in that category as jockeying for positions intensifies especially in urban constituencies where a number of youthful contenders are lining up for the coveted prize.

This internal democratic procedure which is key in assisting the party to choose their local authority representatives and House of Assembly candidates in the coming Harmonised elections has seen a number of young Turks making debut on the political scene, giving a new flavour of internal dynamics.

Wards 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 in Masvingo urban are expected to have fresh, young blood tussling for the right to carry the aspirations of the party in the general elections.

ZANU-PF Youth League Chairman Cde Tawanda Mandebvu, Speaking at a recent Youth All-night vigil held at Masvingo Civic Centre last Friday, ZANU PF Masvingo Province Youth League Chairman Tawanda Mandebvu said that it was the duty of the Youths to take back the Wards and urban constituency from the dysfunctional opposition parties that have displayed incompetence over the years.

Speaking at the same event, Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Jabulani Sibanda implored the youth to always be conscious of who they are, lest they get lost in the noise.

“Zimbabwe as a country derives its name from Masvingo and the ruins in its territory. The Great Zimbabwe ruins are also the symbol on the party logo. So if you the Youth of Masvingo do not take these seats back and regain your place as the cradle of Zimbabwe’s National identity, you would have failed your ancestors and your elders,” said Sibanda.

 

Cde Sibanda also told the Youths to stay guided by the Veterans League and always pursue higher wisdom through enquiry.

 

At the same event, Masvingo Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Ward 6, Cde Wellington Mahwende was endorsed to represent the party as it’s candidate for Masvingo Urban Constituency.

 

The current MP for Masvingo Urban, Jacob Nyokanhete (CCC) has been an absentee representative as he is rumoured to be living outside the country.

 

With only a week to campaign, the primary votes are most likely to sway in favour of the candidates who have been active throughout the season as nothing new can be done in just seven days.