Zanu PF is unstoppable: Mnangagwa declares as he launches election manifesto

President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared that Zanu PF is the only party that can protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, as he launched the party’s official election manifesto.

Addressing party supporters at Mutemi High School in Chipinge, the president began his hour-long speech by recounting the liberation history claiming that Zanu had delivered the “dignity of the African person.”

He said Zanu PF is a party that accommodates everyone and no one can claim to own the party.

“We need to preserve the legacy of the party,” declared President Mnangagwa as he urged people to vote noting that “no one dies when voting and no one sweats like they did during the liberation struggle. You just put your X and go home.”

The president called for “peace, unity and harmony,” in the country ahead of the polls.  

Mnangagwa said the liberation war was fought to reclaim land, therefore people must work and eradicate hunger

“We used to suffer as we were receiving food from other countries, now the country is self-sufficient,” he said, highlighting the Pfumvudza programme, as a case in point.  

He said the government was giving free inputs such as seeds and fertiliser to three million households and loans to “big farmers”.

“For three solid years, there has been no hunger in this country. We have sufficient food for all,  a surplus, so we give free food to those in need. We now know that the country will never be food insecure.”

To combat climate change, President Mnangagwa said his government was building dams in all the provinces.

“Whether it rains or doesn’t rain, we can measure the hectares and then water them,” he said.

President Mnangagwa further mentioned that fuel is now available at service stations around the country.

He stated that electricity shortages had improved after the government built two more power units (7 and 8) at Hwange with a US$1.34 billion loan from China.

“For two to three weeks, there has been no load shedding,” adding that they were still building energy infrastructure.

On roads, the president said local civil engineers were working on the infrastructure and so far, five companies had been formed for that purpose.

President Mnangagwa said the government had also bought borehole rigs for every chief and joked that the chiefs could bath in hot water anytime.

He added there was also a government programme to provide solar-powered boreholes in all 35 000 villages in the country which had been running for two years.

“We want to create horticulture for women so that they can be sustainable,” Mnangagwa said, adding that horticulture tied into agriculture production, whose revenue had improved from 2017.

“Between 2017 and 2018, revenue was US$3.8 million now it is almost above US$10 million.”

This growth in production was also seen in mining where revenue in 2018 was US$3.7 billion but is now as above US$12 billion, said the president.

“Since there are sanctions, we shall build the country on the basis of our resources. We are 

 going to grow, focusing on what we have, No one will build your country for you,” he said and stated that as he always said everyone needed to be responsible.

“As a Zimbabwean man or woman, know that you have a responsibility so that when you die you would be remembered for contributing to the construction and growth of the country.”

Mnangagwa also mentioned university-based innovation hubs and industrial parks, emphasizing that with the application of science, technology, and innovation, Zimbabwe now has a satellite in space, alongside countries such as the United States and Russia, that is recording data.

“Children of Zimbabwe are very talented and we should support them to build their motherland,” he said.

Turning to the upcoming election, Mnangagwa urged people to vote for Zanu PF.

“Vote for Zanu PF councillors, we have the interests of the people at heart. We are a people-centred party. We don’t get instructions from anybody, no other country or leader outside Zimbabwe. What we do we decide for ourselves for the good of our country,” he said.

He also told party members to unite and support each other despite some having lost in the primary elections.

“Tomorrow it will be your chance,” Mnangagwa said, stating it was pleasing that 74 council seats had been won uncontested by Zanu PF.

Mnangagwa and also thanked the various affiliates for supporting his presidential candidature.

“We have the Young Women for ED… and in Bulawayo, there are sangomas for ED, Inyanga for ED, all those I welcome,” he said.