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President Mugabe and First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe arrived in Bulawayo last night enroute to Lupane today for the Matabeleland North Presidential Youth Interface rally. In the picture they greet party members at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport

Nduduzo Tshuma/Leonard Ncube, Chronicle Reporters
PRESIDENT Mugabe arrived in Bulawayo last night ahead of the Presidential Interface Rally at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, Matabeleland North today.

The President was accompanied by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo among other Government and ruling party officials.

He was welcomed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Cde Dennis Ndlovu, service chiefs, senior party and government officials.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Kudzanayi Chipanga said all was set for the interface rally, as delegates from districts such as Binga and Hwange had started arriving in Lupane by yesterday afternoon.

“Tents are already in place and some delegates have started arriving. We have secured accommodation and food for those who will sleep over in Lupane and our transport department is working 24/7 to make sure all delegates wishing to attend are catered for,” said Cde Chipanga.

He called on party members and those wishing to attend the interface to get in touch with their respective districts for logistics.

Cde Chipanga urged those who will be travelling in different modes of transport for the rally to be disciplined, adding that there will be tight security at the venue and along the roads to protect people.

“We want to urge members to exercise discipline. Discipline on its own is an important component which we prioritise in the party. Members should help through their discipline to safeguard against some infiltration from people who may want to put the name of the party into disrepute.

“There will be high security at the venue so that everyone is safe as we want to have a peaceful and successful interface,” said Cde Chipanga.

On Wednesday the party’s Matabeleland North youth and other stakeholders embarked on a clean-up exercise where they tidied up the venue, bus terminus, business centre as well as areas around the local Zimpost outlet where President Mugabe will today officially open a provincial communication information centre.

Yesterday it was party time in the usually quiet Matabeleland North capital.

Party members were joined by scores of other people and delegates on a colourful carnival that was characterised by song and dance.

The carnival was meant to lighten up the mood ahead of the big day as well as mobilise people into attending the rally.

The party’s provincial chairman for the Youth League Cde Mbongeni Dube said the local organising committee was still busy capturing registration numbers for all vehicles to monitor members and ensure they are safe as they travel.

He said all logistics were being handled with the PA system having been delivered yesterday.

“We are working together as provincial and local members and people are busy with the carnival. It’s all systems go and we are geared for the big day as we finalise preparations,” said Cde Dube.

People are urged to be seated by 6AM and will be kept entertained by several groups from the province, he said, adding that T-Shirts donated by the Youth League will be given on a first come first served basis.

President Mugabe has already met youths in Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.