Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring Member of Parliament (MP) Bekezela Maplanka has urged women to participate and run for public office positions.
Maplanka is one of two women vying for a parliamentary position in Matabeleland South province.
She is contesting in the Bulilima constituency and will battle it out with Aleck Moyo of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), Artwell Ndlovu of ZAPU and Dingumuzi Phuti of ZANU-PF.
In an interview with CITE, Maplanka said the absence of female candidates in the province is a sign that women are afraid to run for public office.
“I feel honoured to be given an opportunity to represent Bulilima Constituency and also women, I also want to encourage other women to stand up, participate and take high positions in public offices. There is nothing impossible that we cannot do, the sky is the limit, all we need is to be strong and have self-confidence,” she said.
She said that she was not fazed to be going up against males adding that she was confident of winning.
Maplanka said the campaign is going well and the response is overwhelming adding that people are ready for a new great Zimbabwe.
“People have made their choice none other than Advocate Nelson Chamisa. All that I can say is that Bulilima will vote for change, they will vote for Advocate Nelson Chamisa.”
Maplanka said she will work tirelessly to develop Bulilima constituency.
“My area is less developed, there is no clean water, and people are drinking water from the same resources as their livestock e.g rivers and open wells. There are no ambulances, pregnant mothers use scotch carts to get to the clinics and the clinics are few with no medication.”
Maplanka added that she will also ensure that the road infrastructure is improved.
“Schools are far, children leave their homes at 4 am and come back at 7 pm they walk for more than 15-20km a day. Roads are extensively bad. As an MP when voted in I will definitely make sure all the above problems are attended to,” she said.
