Poor turn-out for Mangoma rally

via Poor turn-out for Mangoma rally – The Zimbabwean 16.10.2015

Political parties are focusing on issues that make international news instead of addressing the issues of concern to grassroots members, says Elton Mangoma, leader of the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ).

Addressing a rally in Madondo village in Gutu last week, attended by about 100 people, Mangoma said it was important for opposition political parties to realise that grassroots support remains the corner stone to victory at the next elections.

“I do not mind being known by several people internationally when people who are supposed to vote for me do not know me. As a party we are focusing on the disadvantaged people who have been forgotten for a long time that is why we engage you to get grassroots support,” he said.

“I urge politicians who think that they are popular not to forget that they need grassroots support in order to get into power.” Mangoma said his party is working hard to make sure that it dislodges the ruling Zanu (PF) from power as it had reduced everyone to a vendor.

He said the unemployment rate had reached alarming levels and President Robert Mugabe and his party had no clue on how to tackle the problem. The RDZ party leader claimed there were over 30 political parties registered in the country, some of which were not even known by the people. In apparent reference to the MDC-T formation led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirayi, Mangoma said there were also big political parties with big names but without members. The RDZ   broke away from the MDC Renewal group, which had in turn broken away from the main formation of the MDC.

He was accompanied by the party’s  national organiser, Tichaona Munyanyi, and national organiser for women Noreen  Chiweshe. The RDZ  chairman in Gutu district, Pheneas Nyandoro, said Mangoma was the first party president to visit the village to listen to the people’s views.