NEW: ZANU PF Women’s League pushes for unity, support for the President and empowerment

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

ZANU PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs Cde Mabel Chinomona today rallied women in Mashonaland West province to remain united and support President Mnangagwa while taking advantage of opportunities created by the Second Republic to transform their lives.

Addressing the party’s inter-district women’s meeting in Chinhoyi ahead of the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference that will be held in the province next month, Cde Chinomona said women have a critical role to play in advancing party programmes and national development.

The Second Republic, she said, has demonstrated its commitment to women through various empowerment initiatives and infrastructure development programmes.

“The Second Republic respects and honours the needs of women. Your voice and thoughts matter,” she said.

Cde Chinomona urged women to use social media responsibly and desist from using the platforms to spread divisive or misleading information.

She also challenged beneficiaries of Government empowerment programmes to use inputs for their intended purpose instead of selling them.

“We have a peaceful nation, so let us work to develop it. We must continue supporting the President because of what he has done for us, including infrastructure development,” she said.

The meeting adopted several resolutions for presentation at the 23rd National People’s Conference, including a strong endorsement of President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

The Mashonaland West Women’s League resolved to unequivocally endorse President Mnangagwa as its preferred candidate for election as First Secretary and President of ZANU PF at the next party Congress, subject to the necessary constitutional, legal and electoral processes.

The women also called for a review of the ZANU PF constitution and, where necessary, its alignment with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly provisions relating to the tenure and electoral cycles of party structures.

They further called for the expeditious implementation of applicable provisions arising from the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Act in accordance with the Constitution, legislation and established party procedures, while ensuring continued participation of women in national development.

Another resolution proposed that the next ZANU PF Congress be held in 2030 to elect the party’s First Secretary and President.

On economic empowerment, the women called for a minimum 20 percent quota of land allocations for women through the Women’s League, representation of the league in land allocation structures and preferential access to residential stands under Government housing schemes.

ZANU PF Women’s League Secretary for Administration Cde Monica Mutsvangwa said the party remained committed to empowering women, revealing plans to provide 12 fishing rigs to support women and small businesses in Kariba.

She said the initiative was particularly significant following the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster, which claimed 97 lives.

Cde Mutsvangwa urged women to remain patriotic and contribute to national development, saying President Mnangagwa had consistently supported programmes aimed at advancing women.

ZANU PF Women’s League Political Commissar Cde Maybe Mbowa called for unity among party members and encouraged women to fully use Government programmes designed to improve livelihoods.

Provincial Women’s League chairperson Cde Constance Shamu also urged members to remain united as the province prepares to host the national conference.

She said Mashonaland West was already benefitting from the Second Republic’s development agenda, citing the opening of new mines and increased economic activity across the province.

Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo said the meeting provided an important platform for women and party leaders to identify development challenges facing the province and find practical solutions.

She said women had a major role to play in driving economic development through agriculture, small and medium enterprises, mining, tourism, trade and value addition.

Minister Chombo encouraged women to take advantage of Government-created opportunities and empowerment programmes to improve their livelihoods while contributing to national development.

She challenged the Women’s League to ensure resolutions adopted at party meetings translated into tangible programmes rather than remaining on paper.

She said such meetings should produce practical and measurable programmes with clear timelines for implementation.