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14:10 – That’s all folks. We are done here. Join us tomorrow in Bulawayo.

14:05 – Mathuthu informs us that: “First Lady done here, spoke for less than an hour today. Proceeds to Hwange National Park, she’s in Bulawayo tomorrow.”

13:45 – President Mugabe knows we need good roads, but sanctions have held us back. But we’re just getting started, let’s be patient – First Lady.

13:40 – Chronicle boss Mathuthu is back with an update, he says – “First Lady says Zimbabwe architects leave a lot to be desired. Uniform, uninspiring buildings all over the place.” Ouch!

13:33 – The youth were bound to come into Dr Mugabe’s cross-hairs. She says if youths are given jobs locally they won’t have to go job hunting in South Africa.

13:30 – Like all great leaders in Zimbabwe the First Lady believes in education. She says she will push for adult education to drive up the literacy rate among adults. This vow comes after she met women in Matabeleland North early today. She also pledges to assist women in various projects they undertake.

13:18 – Nduduzo Tshuma tells us that the First Lady has blasted people who are stampeding for the Vice President post. She said senior party officials should lead by example. Mathuthu, the Chronicle Editor, if you have just joined us says – “First Lady speaking now. Dealing with factionalism, no headlines first. Lots of ‘God’ references. It’s hot here.” The last part was about the weather not what the First Lady said, but of course you know that.

13:05 – Cde Thokozile Mathuthu (no relation to the Chronicle Editor), ex-Mat North governor, interpreting. She just jumped in, First Lady says “you scared me, but it’s OK”

13:00 – First Lady speaking now. Promises to learn Ndebele. Reveals her first language was Zulu. Mathuthu says – “I’m sure she wishes could swap her Chinese.”

12:57 – Mliswa brings down the tension – It’s calm again here. “Phidza is my muzukuru,” Mliswa says. “Chiyangwa buys everyone ice cream.” Follow the Chronicle Editor @Mathuthu and be entertained.

12:50 – Mliswa, finger pointed at Chiyangwa: “Today you call Mutasa ‘Gamatox’? We’ll meet in central committee.” Phidza (Chiyangwa): “So Mutasa is Gamatox?” – we envy the Chronicle Editor, he is getting all the fun. And he rubs it in – “Sitting arrangement: Obert Mpofu, Prof Moyo, Chiyangwa, Supa, Langa, Mliswa, then me. Great fun, the banter.”

12:43 – It seems Chronicle Editor Mduduzi Mathuthu has got the front row seat to all the exciting action. He says – “Chiyangwa clashing with Mliswa. Chiyangwa said ‘Pasi neGamatox,’ Mliswa fuming. ‘Phidza wakufarisa, ndiani akupidza musangano?”

12:30 – We are yet to get to the exciting part, which is obviously the part where the First Lady talks and the crowd listens in awe, punctuating her punchlines with cheers and shouts. Currently the Zanu-PF leadership is being introduced. Protocol, dear readers, protocol.

12:15 – Chronicle Editor Mduduzi Mathuthu is impressed by the Lupane crowd but believes the Gwanda one was bigger – “Not as big as Mat South but decent.”

12:08 – Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo takes to the podium and says there is no factionalism in his province and the crowd loves it.

12:00 – The mere presence of the First Lady has Somhlolo Stadium buzzing – there’s something about Dr Mugabe. We won’t even try to explain it because we might spend the whole day doing so but what we can say, in a nutshell, is that she’s charismatic.

11:50 – Traditional chiefs, Mathuphula, Mabhikwa and Gampu are part of the crowd that wants to meet Dr Grace Mugabe. It has also been announced that there are relatives to the First Lady in the crowd. It’s all eyes on her.

11:48 – First Lady has arrived at the stadium and the crowd goes wild – this girl is on fire!

11:38 – Yesterday the First Lady threw a cat among the pigeons when she said President Mugabe might appoint a second Vice President of his choosing instead of letting the ballot decide. What bombshell will she drop today? Stay with us to find out.

11:35 – A crowd of thousands – we won’t venture to estimate the actual number – has filled Somhlolo Stadium. They wait for the First Lady – the politician – to introduce herself to them.

11:19 – Temba Mliswa was in Gwanda yesterday, he is in Lupane today. The Grace-mania fever has infected him as well.

10:35 – The political bigwigs of Matabeleland North are here in Lupane – our man on the ground Nduduzo Tshuma has seen Dr Obert Mpofu, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, Cde Naison Kutshwekhaya Ndlovu and Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo.

10: 20 – Dr Mugabe has arrived in Lupane, Matabeleland North – first she will have two closed door meetings with Central Committee and Politburo members at Lupane State University. Her second meeting will be with members of the Lupane Provincial Women’s League

Preamble: Masvingo. Gwanda. Harare. Mutare. Gweru. Chinhoyi.

What do all these places have in common – they have been visited by the First Lady as part of her “Meet the People Tour”.

All of these places have confirmed one thing – Dr Grace Mugabe has arrived and her presence is being felt in the world of politics.

Ever since her nomination for the Zanu-PF Women’s League top post she has brought a refreshing dimension into the political landscape and her “Meet the People” tour has been oversubscribed.

At a time when Zanu-PF is riddled with factionalism, Umama Mugabe has preached the gospel of unity and has won the hearts and minds of people.

Today she is taking her gospel to Lupane and we will give you live updates of her rally here courtesy of Chronicle Senior Political Reporter Nduduzo Tshuma.