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Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial fundraising committee chairperson Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube addresses fundraising committee members at Mhlahlandlela in Bulawayo yesterday. On his left is a committee member, Cde Charles Chiponda

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province yesterday held its first fundraising meeting as preparations for the party’s national congress in December gather momentum.The provincial fundraising dinner is expected to be held on November 28 at a venue yet to be announced.

The provincial fundraising committee, which includes senior party members and local businesspeople yesterday deliberated on how to raise the required amount.

Each province is expected to raise $150,000, eight beasts and five tonnes of mealie-meal towards the congress.

The chairperson of the fundraising committee, Rtd Col Tshinga Dube pledged one beast and half a tonne of maize.

He said the committee was under pressure to raise the required funds but was optimistic that the target would be met.

“We only have two weeks left to raise the money and we have just started our fundraising programme. I have pledged one beast and half a tonne of maize and I hope more people will chip in and donate towards our congress,” said Rtd Col Dube.

“We are impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the members of the committee and I have no doubt that the exercise will be a success. Everyone in the committee is determined to bring results.”

Rtd Col Dube, however, expressed concern that businesses in Bulawayo were not forthcoming with donations as most of the companies were headquartered in Harare.

“It’s going to be very hard but we’ll try. We’re pinning our hopes on the corporate world but the challenge that we have is that most companies in Bulawayo are subsidiaries and they are reluctant to donate. Some of them would have donated to other provinces, especially Harare through their head offices,” he said.

“We’re therefore going to divide the committee into groups that will approach different companies and try to convince them to assist us. We also expect party members at all levels to be part of the   process.”

He warned committee members to desist from misappropriating donated funds and goods to ensure the success of the party’s congress.