The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF candidate for Makoni South Cde Misheck Mataranyika has promised to focus on pressing needs revolving around infrastructural development encompassing roads, boreholes, dams, clinics and schools.
These are critical to job creation and the resultant industrialisation of rural and peri-urban economies.
Cde Mataranyika has embraced foes and allies as potential partners to create a strong support base as the party gears for a resounding victory for Presidential candidate Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa in elections set for either July or August this year.
Cde Mataranyika said President Mnangagwa has had and continues to have a busy schedule to entice potential investors to treating Zimbabwe as a serious investment destination, and must be commended for his efforts.
He said this while addressing this campaign team at Mataranyika Lodges at Rukweza on Saturday.
“President Mnangagwa’s prescription for reengagement in the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ is a strategic statement as it offers correct reading of what Zimbabwe is expected to do to attract not only foreign direct investment but also reshape attitudes of Zimbabweans in conducting business both at home and abroad.
“The President has avoided the isolationist ‘Look East Policy’ in favour of ‘Look Everywhere Policy’ – a stance that endears him to the international community as well as Zimbabwean nationals,” he said.
Mr Mataranyika said the President’s resolve to ratify protocols and conventions as they relate to domestic, regional and international requirements will further boost the image of Zimbabwe.
He said Zanu-PF must point to deliverables and the $11 billion or so worth of investment agreements that have been entered into so far are clearly a remarkable feat in such a short time.
“The 2018 elections are going to be fought on the basis of the performance of our seven month old Zanu-PF Government. Our chances of winning the elections revolve around the implementation of policies and relevant, desirable and credible pledges that seek to impact on the various community settings. The President is a hard worker and needs competent, dynamic and workaholic foot soldiers,” said Cde Mataranyika.
Cde Mataranyika has managed to unite behind him all those who competed against him in the primary election as well as their supporters and warned against the alienation of former rivals saying those who have not fallen today may also fall tomorrow and those who have risen now may also fall in future.
He warned Zanu-PF against complacency built on the tricky doctrine of invincibility, adding that the party must be driven by competitive ideas and real substance as opposed to whims and parochialism.
“We must campaign fiercely for His Excellency President Mnangagwa and the best way to do that is to look at and address the developmental needs of Makoni South. Infrastructure is the major and core issue. Once we have the key infrastructure, everything else will fall in place. We need good roads, clinics, water, good schools and once we have these in place, then the rest can follow. We can then move to individual and group projects. The first thing is to bring development that affects the whole community, and this places infrastructure at the centre of my developmental approach,” said Cde Mataranyika.
“I am prepared to work with everyone and I am calling on all those who participated in the election to bury the hatchet so that we start to work together again. I am prepared to accommodate everyone and some of them have expressed their willingness to work for the party. I will extend an olive branch and am hopeful they will accept,” he said.
Cde Mataranyika urged his supporters to campaign peacefully and shun violence.
“President Mnangagwa’s stance on free, fair and credible elections is in tandem with my philosophy. My gospel is that we do not need violence, and that is exactly what the President is saying. Violence is not necessary, it is yesteryear politics. We have to persuade the people. The people should be persuaded by the good we do,” said Cde Mataranyika.
