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Writes Tom Ncube
Amidst turmoil in the opposition camp, currently mired in confusion and riddled by multiple splits, the United African National Council – one of the country’s oldest political parties – convened its first executive meeting of the year on 29th January 2024.
The UANC president, Rev Dr Gwinyai Muzorewa, addressed his National Executive Committee (NEC) at the occasion held at one of Harare’s main hotels, eloquently outlining the way forward for opposition politics at a time the ruling Zanu PF is strengthening its grip on Parliament while the Citizens Coalition for Change disintegrates.
Flanked by the UANC vice-president, Bekezela Nyathi; and Michael Nyamande, the secretary-general, Rev Dr Muzorewa enunciated party policy saying all eyes are fixed on the next general elections.
“Let us form solid structures across all wards and districts and drive our message of peace and prosperity in Zimbabwe to all,” the UANC supremo stressed.
In attendance were the former ruling party’s NEC officials drawn from Harare and as far as Bulawayo, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, West, and Central.
The party officials were briefed on recent meetings attended by the UANC at the revived National Elections Reform Agenda (NERA) in which SG Nyamande stood in for Rev Muzorewa.
NEC delegates authorised the party leadership to participate in the civic group underscoring the importance of genuine electoral reforms to enable a level playing ground on the political stage.
Participation in the Political Actors’ Dialogue (POLAD), if the invitation is extended, was also approved as delegates pointed out the necessity for the UANC to remain visible on all available political platforms to push its well-meaning agenda at every opportunity.
Rev Dr Muzorewa said the UANC would enter into a coalition with like-minded and, in particular, non-violent parties to bring about a true government of the people.
“We are a unique party with a strong set of values that we will never compromise on which include people-centred policies and God-fearing leadership,” asserted the president.
Meanwhile, the party appointed a marketing official to, among other objectives, work on a resolution to counter the persistent negative stereotype surrounding the party’s name blamed on former President Robert Mugabe’s propaganda in the 1980s.
At the same meeting, the party instituted its first Finance Committee to be led by a newly installed Treasurer-General.
The 11-member committee, chosen in terms of the UANC constitution, will design a financial plan to fund party programs.
The UANC governed the country during a still-talked-about prosperous era between 1978 and 1980, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Bishop Abel Muzorewa.