… now we are an unstoppable train, says President
By Tinotenda Afarasi
History has been made following the establishment of the Zanu PF War Veterans League. With all other leagues; the Youth, Women and Main Wing in place, the War Veterans League was the only missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
But after so much lobbying and pushing, the War Veterans League is now in place.
It was jubilation when the League held its inaugural conference in September.
President Mnangagwa, his deputies and the rest of the Zanu PF leadership, could not hide its joy at the formation of this critical party wing.
“All of you delegates here present as well as other comrades who constitute part of our membership have made history,” said President Mnangagwa in his closing remarks during the conference.
“We established this long awaited strategic League of our party from scratch. You persevered, worked through challenges, and through unity, dialogue and a common vision we have come this far, where we now take pride in a fully constituted War Veterans League, right up to the national level. Makorokoto. Amhlophe ma Comrades!
“I congratulate the party, Zanu PF, and the structures from across all the provinces and districts that facilitated the realisation of this remarkable milestone. As the war veterans, you were the missing piece in our party architecture.”
Now that the League has been properly constituted, said the Zanu PF First Secretary and President, the party is now complete.
He added that along with affiliate organisations, the ex-political prisoners and detainees, and war collaborators, the “political web of our colossal revolutionary party is closely knit and impenetrable”.
“As the War Veterans League you have now been immersed within the party that you have always belonged to, as a fundamental part of the whole party.
“Together, in unity, as one mass revolutionary party, we are an unstoppable train, moving towards a better and brighter future for the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
“This is what we fought for; this is what we sacrificed life and limb for; this is what we are delivering. It has always been about the people of Zimbabwe, it will always be about the people of Zimbabwe. This is what Zanu PF stands for,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa added that Zanu PF is a “People Party”, from the people, by the people and for the people.
He congratulated the delegates to the inaugural conference for successfully conducting their elections for heads of departments and their deputies.
Leaders of the War Veterans League were challenged to be servant leaders since their power is derived from and resides with the general membership.
“We must never lose sight of this. I, therefore, call upon the new National Executive of the War Veterans League to commit, from the onset, to serve the members of the League and our party in general, wholeheartedly, consistently and with unflinching loyalty and patriotism.
“There can be no vacillation. Both during the day and at night, we must be loyal to the party and its leadership. As trained and disciplined comrades, I am confident that you will always toe the correct line of the revolution,” said President Mnangagwa.
He added that the mandate before the League demands a greater sense of urgency, selflessness and a sense of responsibility.
As war veterans, these values are embedded in their DNA, which they proved during the execution of the protracted liberation struggle, said President Mnangagwa.
“I know fully well that with you, no challenge is insurmountable, no situation is hopeless and no enemy is too great.
“You are fearless and can achieve victory against all odds. That is just who we are as veterans. Hence, I know that this War Veterans League will be trailblazers as, “The Force of the Past; Power of the Present and Inspiration for the Future” so that our nation accelerates the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.
Riding on the organisation philosophy “Musangano kuma Cell/Village, the War Veterans League was challenged to collaborate and work closely with other wings towards ensuring that the revolutionary party has comprehensive structures, which are constituted by active members who are registered as voters.
All the party’s Leagues must be politically agile and versatile, said the President.
“Being stagnant is not an option, but instead adapt and evolve, taking into account the present socio-political realities. To this end, the modernisation approaches and strategies in our grassroots mobilisation work should be further improved.
“This is important especially as we are facing detractors who are crafty, devious and desperate to destabilise our country and divide our people for their own ends.
“Our detractors must never ever be allowed a foothold in any part of our country. The party and in particular you the war veterans, have the onus to be vigilant and alert,” President Mnangagwa said.
The War Veterans League was directed to focus energies towards the immediate sacred task of mobilising and galvanising the revolutionary party towards a resounding victory in the 2023 harmonised general elections.
