THE Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Province has unanimously
endorsed the candidature of Cde Mbongeni Dube (31) the current National deputy secretary for
education from the Youth League to represent the party in the forthcoming
by-election for Lupane East constituency set for 3 August.
The seat fell vacant after the death of Cde Sithembile
Gumbo earlier in the year. Provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo told a party
meeting in Lupane yesterday that the party agreed they needed to give the
youths a chance to represent the party.
“As a party we are very happy with the manner that members
debated the issue during our meeting as the Electorate Directorate in
Matabeleland North. There were other candidates who had submitted their CVs for
the primary election but we saw that it was noble to have one person going than
sending six people. That is why Cde Dube was nominated. There is time
limitation too. The Nomination Court will sit next week so we realised that we
must engage each other and take the person who came second in the last primary
elections. He had the second highest votes after the late Cde Gumbo,” said Cde
Moyo.
He said Cde Dube was young and energetic and fit to stand
for the party in the by-election. Cde Dube is a former Youth League chair for
the province and member of the national executive. Cde Moyo said the party was
taking concerns raised by the youths on board as they have also wanted a chance
to represent the people.
“In Matabeleland North out of our 13 MPs we only have one
youth representative so we found it fit to give them a chance too. Even from
the Women’s League they all agreed to take a step back and not have a candidate
but rally behind the youths instead. Central Committee members who were here
all concurred that we must have Cde Mbongeni Dube as our candidate for the
by-election,” he said.
Cde Moyo said the people of Lupane have always supported
Zanu-PF. He said the party was confident of retaining the seat.
“This is a by-election where one is supposed to complete
the term of office which was left by the late Cde Gumbo, so these other
candidates have an opportunity during a general election to contest if they
wish but now let’s give the youth a chance and support them as one. I am very
happy that the other candidates agreed peacefully to step down and give the
young man a chance,” he said.
Nkayi North MP Cde Sithembiso Nyoni also reiterated that
the youths needed space in the political arena and that there would be more
elections to come that could be contested. She said leaders of the province
should ensure that they tell their constituencies that President Mnangagwa was
making efforts to ensure the economy stabilises.
“The President is not sleeping on the job, he is busy
making efforts to ensure we have food on the table so people must be patient
with him as he turns around the economy for our good,” she said. Sunday News
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