The First Lady and Zanu PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs Grace Mugabe has urged President Robert Mugabe to name his successor
saying this has been the trend in other countries.
Addressing the Women’s league National Assembly meeting at
the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare this Thursday, Dr Mugabe said there is
nothing wrong with Cde Mugabe naming his successor, adding that the move will
enable all members to rally behind one candidate.
Using the biblical story of Adonija who organised a feast
to crown himself because his father the king was sick, Mugabe said the
President has the right to be involved in naming his successor, saying the
President’s word is final.
The Zanu PF Women’s League boss also took a swipe at those
who have no respect for seniors in the party who are swaying other cadres using
money from their foreign bases.
She strongly urged women to desist from factionalism and
stick to the party principle of one centre of power.
Earlier on, Amai Dr Mugabe highlighted several projects
that the Women’s League has been working on that included the rehabilitation of
the Mbuya Nehanda Training Centre in Melfort which has been renovated into a
skills training institution for entrepreneurial projects, the Bulawayo Kraal
Irrigation Scheme in Binga, the Marlborough House which is being rented out
after renovation, chicks programme, Hippo Valley Sugar Cane Project and
provincial women’s league farms, all of which are aimed at generating income.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Women’s League
earlier, Cde Joyce Kasinamunda declared President Mugabe the Zanu PF
presidential candidate for 2018 and that the First Lady should also remain
Secretary for the Women’s League.
Cde Kasinamunda expressed gratitude to Grace for Command
Agriculture and requested that the First Lady conducts interface rallies in the
provinces to meet the women.
Notable figures who attended the women’s league assembly
include Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, National Political Commissar Cde
Saviour Kasukuwere, Secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, Secretary
for War Veterans Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde
Kudzanai Chipanga, Secretary for Security Cde Kembo Mohadi and Information,
Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe.
Amai Mugabe called for the amendment of Article 7.1.b of
the Zanu PF constitution to reinstate the provision that one of the two vice
presidents and second secretary shall be a woman.
She also raised a number of concerns including the call for
50 -50 gender representation in key decision-making positions in public
institutions.
She said the Zanu PF constitution should be aligned to the
national constitution to allow for the 50-50 representation in the party
positions.
The issue was raised during the 15th and 16th National
Annual People’s Conference and that it should be done in time for the 2019
National People’s Congress.
She implored the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF
to ensure that the girl child is empowered, especially through STEM to allow
her to undertake science subjects.
The Zanu PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs expressed
gratitude to the President for the policies and programmes the government under
President Mugabe’s leadership has taken to empower women of Zimbabwe, making
Zimbabwean women some of the most enlightened and empowered women on the
continent.
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