The First Lady and Zanu PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs Amai Dr Grace Mugabe has urged President Robert Mugabe to name his successor saying this has been the trend in other countries.
Addressing the Women’s league National Assembly meeting at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare this Thursday, Dr Mugabe said there is nothing wrong with Cde Mugabe naming his successor, adding that the move will enable all members to rally behind one candidate.
Using the biblical story of Adonija who organised a feast to crown himself because his father the king was sick, Amai Mugabe said the President has the right to be involved in naming his successor, saying the President’s word is final.
The Zanu PF Women’s League boss also took a swipe at those who have no respect for seniors in the party who are swaying other cadres using money from their foreign bases.
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| First Lady Urges President Mugabe To Name Successor |
Earlier on, Amai Dr Mugabe highlighted several projects that the Women’s League has been working on that included the rehabilitation of the Mbuya Nehanda Training Centre in Melfort which has been renovated into a skills training institution for entrepreneurial projects, the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga, the Marlborough House which is being rented out after renovation, chicks programme, Hippo Valley Sugar Cane Project and provincial women’s league farms, all of which are aimed at generating income.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Women’s League earlier, Cde Joyce Kasinamunda declared President Mugabe the Zanu PF presidential candidate for 2018 and that the First Lady should also remain Secretary for the Women’s League.
Cde Kasinamunda expressed gratitude to Amai for Command Agriculture and requested that the First Lady conducts interface rallies in the provinces to meet the women.
Notable figures who attended the women’s league assembly include Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, National Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, Secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, Secretary for War Veterans Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Kudzanai Chipanga, Secretary for Security Cde Kembo Mohadi and Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe.
‘One of the VPs should be a woman’
Amai Mugabe called for the amendment of Article 7.1.b of the Zanu PF constitution to reinstate the provision that one of the two vice presidents and second secretary shall be a woman.
She also raised a number of concerns including the call for 50 -50 gender representation in key decision-making positions in public institutions.
She said the Zanu PF constitution should be aligned to the national constitution to allow for the 50-50 representation in the party positions.
The issue was raised during the 15th and 16th National Annual People’s Conference and that it should be done in time for the 2019 National People’s Congress.
She implored the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF to ensure that the girl child is empowered, especially through STEM to allow her to undertake science subjects.
The Zanu PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs expressed gratitude to the President for the policies and programmes the government under President Mugabe’s leadership has taken to empower women of Zimbabwe, making Zimbabwean women some of the most enlightened and empowered women on the continent.
