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Dr Obert Mpofu

Prosper Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter
THE Zanu-PF Matabeleland North province raised close to $100,000 during a fundraising dinner on Saturday in Victoria Falls as it prepares for the party’s congress to be held in Harare next month.Politburo member Dr Obert Mpofu chipped in with $70,000 during the function in which he was the guest of honour.

The province is optimistic it will meet the $200,000 target in three weeks time with increased support from the corporate world.

In attendance was Cde Cain Mathema who pledged $500 and a tonne of mealie meal while Professor Jonathan Moyo donated $2,000 in absentia.

Cde Sithembiso Nyoni pledged two beasts while Cde Thokozile Mathuthu and her family pledged $500.

Provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo and his friends from Clarion Insurance donated $1,000 while Zanu-PF MPs from the province donated $500.

Shearwater, ZPC, Hwange Colliery, African Sun group of hotels, China Jiangsu, Matate Environmental Conservation and Chilota Coal Mining donated $1,000 each.

Kanondo Safaris donated $1,500, Lucky Investments $500, Gwayi Farmers’ Organisation $200 and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge $3,000.

A group of parliamentarians who had visited Victoria Falls for the 2015 pre-budget seminar that ended on Saturday donated $425.

Dr Mpofu who leads congress preparatory processes in the province, said the support from the corporate world to the party was critical to economic development.

“The upcoming congress will among other things focus on the progress of the Zim-Asset economic blue-print, devising ways of accelerating its implementation. The congress is a typical platform in which the ruling party decides and gives further direction to government operations,” he said.

“It’s among other things the party’s policy making platform where government policies are strengthened and sharpened. It’s also the stage where economic policies are crafted as is the case with Zim-Asset, which was born out of party processes.”

Dr Mpofu, said politics and economics were inseparable and urged the business community to take advantage of the coming congress to input into the development strategies that speak to the generality of Zimbabweans.

“Zanu-PF is an accommodative party with an open door policy. It’s amenable to your constructive views bent on making the country better.

“The business community as an important institutional player is encouraged to take   advantage of this occasion to influence positive development of their businesses and the country at large,” he said.

The provincial fundraising coordinating committee head, Cde Stars Mathe, meanwhile applauded the business community and the party leadership for the support.

“We almost clocked $100,000 at the end of the launch and we’re optimistic we’ll achieve the $200,000 target in three weeks time.

“We’re still making follow ups on pledges and engaging corporates that we left out because of short notice,” said Cde Mathe.

“We’re overwhelmed by the response from the business community and our senior leadership. We have already been inspired by our guest of honour Dr Mpofu’s contribution and address.”