Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
NEWLY appointed Vice President Ambassador Phelekezela Mphoko has said he will maintain an open door policy.
VP Mphoko told The Chronicle yesterday that he felt challenged by his new post which has been occupied by luminaries: The late Vice Presidents Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Joseph Msika and Dr Landa John Nkomo.

“Being a Christian I believe that anything that comes my way, including this new appointment is God-given but I feel challenged by the new post because of the people who have occupied it before. Their shoes are too big to fit in and it takes a lot for one to continue  from where they left,” said VP Mphoko, in an interview after meeting the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde Nomthandazo Moyo.
Ambassador Mphoko however said he wanted to assure the nation that he will maintain an open door policy.

“I’ll always be available for the people and I’ll strive to eliminate barriers. I’m a father, I go to church and I play golf. When I go to these places, I meet people and that makes me a man of the people. The moment one becomes a leader, they must be accessible and doors must always be open to the people,” he said.

Ambassador Mphoko said he was dedicated to working for the people.

“I can’t talk about what people can expect from me now because I believe it’s the people who determine what they want and we work together. With more dialogue and consultations I’m certain we can come up with solutions to the challenges we face as a country,” he said.

Turning to his new national healing and reconciliation portfolio, Ambassador Mphoko said it was important for Zimbabweans to realise they are one people despite their political differences.

He said it was possible to heal the wounds and address issues that bring conflict through dialogue.

“The solution to national healing lies with the people. When President Mugabe commissioned the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport and the late Dr Nkomo’s statue in Bulawayo last year, he called upon Zipra cadres to come forward and join Zanu-PF,” he said. “It pains me that some people who played big roles during the liberation struggle and made history, are not being recognised because they have been misled. I’m really concerned about people dying with no status,” he said.

Ambassador Mphoko said as the country commemorates Unity Day on Monday, it was imperative for the nation to cherish and nurture the unity that has brought about the prevailing peace in the country.

“Unity is crucial for development. The fact that it’s also enshrined in our Constitution shows that as a nation we take unity seriously,” said Ambassador Mphoko.

 

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