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From left VP Emmerson Mnangagwa, President Mugabe, Cde Grace Mugabe and VP Phelekeza Mphoko at a Politburo meeting yesterday

Felex Share Harare Bureau
THE First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe yesterday attended her first Zanu-PF Politburo meeting since being appointed secretary for Women’s Affairs at the revolutionary party’s 6th National People’s Congress last December.

Cde Mugabe did not attend the two Politburo meetings the party held since the Congress as she was recovering from a minor operation she had in the Far East.

The First Lady entered the boardroom where the meetings are held in the afternoon together with President Mugabe and secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, before going around greeting all members of the Politburo. She then proceeded to take her seat at the top table besides President Mugabe.

Zanu-PF secretary for information Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said President Mugabe had welcomed Dr Mugabe into the Politburo.

“In the beginning the President welcomed the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe to the Politburo meeting in her capacity as Secretary for Women Affairs. Of course, the same welcome was extended to us.”

The First Lady made the grand entrance into mainstream politics in July last year when the Zanu-PF Women’s League recommended to the President her appointment as secretary for Women Affairs.

Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is now secretary for transport, relinquished her post to the First Lady.

The resolution received unanimous endorsement from youths, traditional leaders, war veterans, churches and students.

It was the First Lady’s entrance into politics that killed factionalism, which had been created by former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru and her cabal.