President rallies Women’s League to intensify grassroots mobilisation

Source: President rallies Women’s League to intensify grassroots mobilisation – herald

Joseph Madzimure

 Zimpapers Politics Hub

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has described the Zanu PF Women’s League as the backbone and engine room of the party, saying it has a critical responsibility to popularise party policies, educate members on party decisions and raise awareness of constitutional and legal issues.

Addressing the Zanu PF Women’s League National Assembly meeting in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the League remained the party’s primary machinery for grassroots mobilisation.

“The Women’s League has a critical responsibility and duty to popularise and inform the membership about the policies and decisions of the party, along with constitutional and legal issues.

“I urge you to deliberately educate women on their obligations as enshrined in the party Constitution,” said President Mnangagwa.

He assured the League that the Zanu PF Government remained committed to reviewing, repealing and aligning laws to ensure they protect and promote the rights of all citizens.

“No one must be left behind. There is need to empower all our children, boys and girls alike, to guarantee that the Zimbabwe of the future benefits from the talents, skills and abilities of all our citizens.

“None of our young people must be deprived of opportunities because of gender.

“Any form of discrimination should not be permitted to take root in our society. Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe, ngabanikazi balo,” said President Mnangagwa.

He urged the Women’s League to remain vigilant, organised and innovative in executing its mandate.

“You are the mobilisers, educators and custodians of our enduring revolutionary values. Continue to evolve, innovate, modernise your strategies and be all-embracing towards the realisation of Vision 2030 and the growth of our party membership,” President Mnangagwa said.

As the party intensifies preparations for the 23rd Annual People’s Conference in Chinhoyi, the President challenged members of the Assembly to come up with resolutions and programmes that directly improve the lives of women at grassroots level.

“We are a people-centred party, and as leaders, we are here to wholeheartedly serve our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.

On political participation, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed his commitment to increasing women’s representation in Parliament, local authorities and party structures.

“I call on the League to identify, mentor and deploy more women to serve in leadership positions in all sectors of the economy.

“The future of our national politics and development must continue to be inclusive,” said President Mnangagwa.

He commended the Women’s League for successfully fielding women candidates in council by-elections and winning the contests.

“This achievement demonstrates your organisational strength, mobilisation capacity and commitment to advancing women’s representation.”

President Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of Zanu PF, said the Women’s League remained the nerve centre of the party.

“You have carried Zanu PF on your shoulders, signifying the important role you play in communities, within our colossal revolutionary mass party and, indeed, the nation as a whole.

“When the party calls, you answer first and loudest. Tinokutendai. Siyalibonga. Muri musvo wemusangano wedu weZanu PF,” he said.

The President also expressed gratitude to the Women’s League for its dedication and commitment to the party and the nation.

“You have consistently shown your respect for the party Constitution through your programming of activities and convening of meetings.

“Ndinorara hope kana ndikafunga Women’s League (I sleep well when I think of the Women’s League). Ndinoziva kuti hamutsauki mugwara redu remusangano. Makavimbika muzvisungo zvedu, semusangano (I know that you follow the party line. You are reliable when it comes to the resolutions of our party).Tinotenda, siyabonga ukuthembeka kwenu Women’s League. Your patriotism and loyalty to the party, its Constitution and leadership are exemplary; we thank you,” he said.

President Mnangagwa encouraged the Women’s League at all levels to continue convening constitutional meetings as stipulated in the party Constitution.

He said discussions at these forums should focus on sustainable social and economic development, the transformation of lives and livelihoods, as well as strategies to grow party membership.

President Mnangagwa added that the meetings should enhance transparency, accountability and collective decision-making while entrenching the Women’s League as a well-organised, ideologically sound and central actor in the country’s body politic.

“You have duties and responsibilities that extend beyond the parameters of the party and have far-reaching impacts on families, communities and our great nation.

“You should never take yourselves lightly,” he said.

President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to remain united and pray for peace.

“I urge you, the Women’s League, together with the nation as a whole, to remain in prayer for peace, prosperity, preservation and the well-being of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.

“Ndi Jehovah chete-chete anoita kuti mabasa emaoko edu abudirire. Ngatishandei nesimba. Mwari-Tenzi anehanya nenyika yedu yeZimbabwe. Halleluya (It is only God who ensures that our work succeeds. Let us work hard. God loves our country, Zimbabwe),” he said.

The National Assembly meeting was held under the theme: “Investing in Women, Transforming the Nation for Generations”, which organisers said was both a statement of fact and a call to action.

The meeting brought together 600 Women’s League members from all 10 provinces.

Zanu PF Women’s League provincial chairpersons commended President Mnangagwa for championing national development and women’s empowerment projects.

The women welcomed the construction of Semwa Dam in Rushinga, Kunzvi Dam in Goromonzi, Muchekeranwa Dam, which is already complete and located in Marondera, and Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Hwange District, which is under construction.

They said the dams were addressing water challenges that had affected women for years.

The women also commended the construction of major roads and bridges countrywide.

On the economy, the women applauded the stabilisation of the ZiG, saying it had brought relief and stability, particularly to women-led households.

The Women’s League congratulated President Mnangagwa on Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 period.