By Killian Mwanaka – Interim Information and Publicity Secretary
The Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) President, Dr Amai Joyce Mujuru, hailed the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, Morgan Tsvangirai for opening the door for opposition parties in the post-independence era.
United
Speaking in Luton at a meeting of an enthusiastic crowd of ZPF supporters, who had come from all parts of the UK, Dr Amai Mujuru said, “Never say Tsvangirai was wrong. He opened the door for opposition parties,” adding that, “We should thank him,” amid thunderous applause of approval.
She said the opposition parties in Zimbabwe were united adding that ZPF was working with NERA and CODE.
The ZPF President was accompanied on her trip by the party’s head of External Affairs, Ambassador Builder Mvundura, head of the Security Departmet, Retired Col. Beta and several other party dignitaries.
She said she had come to the UK on private business but had found it obligatory to meet with Builders.
Dr Amai Mujuru, had earlier addressed a conference at Chatham House in Central London, last Thursday, where she outlined the party constitution, manifesto, policy and ideology.
The meeting in Luton was chaired by ZPF UK, Ireland and Europe Interim Chairman, Builder Gilbert Navonika, who welcomed Dr Amai Mujuru and introduced her to the public.
Builder Navonika took the opportunity to introduce members of the previous committees, Builder Phil Noble and Builder Josh Chigwangwa.
Applause
The two Builders were applauded for their work in building the party in the UK during its (part’s) initial stage of development. Both Builders Noble and Chigwangwa welcomed Dr Amai Mujuru and her delegation to the UK and intimated that they would work with the Interim Committee in building the party.
Builder Navonika also introduced members of the Interim Committee to Dr Amai Mujuru and her delegation and the public.
Present at the meeting were representatives of the MDC and the People’s Democratic Party, led by Tendai Biti. Both expressed their desire for all opposition parties in Zimbabwe to unite.
Dr Amai Mujuru said it was a myth Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe announced her expulsion from government when, in actual fact, she had tendered her resignation on 21st December, 2014.
Economy
Dr Amai Mujuru thanked the Diasporans for sustaining Zimbabwe’s economy. “Money sent to Zimbabwe from you and other Diasporans to your families and friends is sustaining the ailing economy,” she said.
Distancing herself from the iniquities of ZANU-PF and Mugabe’s government, she said, “Don’t see me in yesterday’s mirror,” further reminding the gathering that Zimbabwe’s history of national liberation was dominated by ZAPU and ZANU which meant that opposition politicians on Zimbabwe’s political theatre came from these two parties.
Don’t kill
In conformity with the traditional values of the party embedded in the slogan, ‘Vavaki murunyararo’ (Building in peace), Dr Amai Mujuru said, “Don’t kill in the name of the party.”
ZPF was working with NERA and CODE and other opposition parties to try to resolve the contentious issue of the Diasporan vote.
She dissuaded the party in the UK to campaign and collect funds for whatever project as money collected in the past, in the name of the party, never reached Zimbabwe. A formal structure would be established to raise funds for the party.
ZPF was not an abstract party, it was a party of the people which came from the people and will address concerns of the people, Dr Amai said.
War veterans
She said a department of War Veterans was created in the party paraĺlel to other departments like the Women’s and Youth’s but pointed out that everyone in Zimbabwe fought for the war of liberation that brought national independence to the former colonial country.
She rounded up Mugabe who she said tried to persuade African leaders to leave the UN at the recent UN Conference in New York when his economy was miserably failing at home.
Youths
During question and answer session, Fadzi Chikwanha asked what ZPF had in store for the youths (if it got into power) in Zimbabwe.
Dr Amai responded by saying it was up to the youths themselves what they wanted to do, however, stressing that while the youths were here in the UK , it was important they acquired skills that would be direly needed in many areas of the country’s economic development.
Another member of the public, Stanley Sibanda raised concerns about the system of uneven development perpetrated by the Mugabe regime that saw parts of Matebeleland getting no development at all. Responding to this issue the ZPF President reminded Builder Sibanda that it was not only Matabeleland that was neglected (development-wise); she, herself, came from the Dande region of north-east Zimbabwe that was also ignored by the Zimbabwe government.
New chapter
Speaking on the same podium Ambassador Mvundura said Builders in the UK had to start a new chapter; what happened in the past was water under the bridge.
He bemoaned progress of development of UK, Ireland and Europe province which he said lagged behind other Diaspora provinces.
He said UK, being the 12th Province was an important component of the party and needed to show that in its organisational acumen.
He appealed to UK ZPF Builders to put aside their squabbles aside and work together for the development of the party.
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