Zimpapers Logo

Peter Matika, [email protected] 

ZANU-PF Council of Elders member Cde Angeline Masuku yesterday hosted belated Africa Day commemorations for female senior citizens in Bulawayo and urged them to participate in the forthcoming harmonised elections to restore Bulawayo’s legacy as a clean city.

 

The celebrations were held at White City Stadium, with multitudes of elderly women attending.

Cde Masuku said the celebrations were held to unify the people of Bulawayo.

“There is no regard for culture, creed or tradition. We are a people and we need to uphold ourselves as a unity. Every year 54 countries across the continent come together to celebrate Africa Day. We celebrate this day as a day of African independence and unity. This is a very special and important day that we as Zimbabwe should uphold profoundly. We have countries that seek to divide and conquer but let us be a unit, as President Mnangagwa always preaches,” she said.

“We have a lot going on in the city and we need to uphold what the late vice president Dr Joshua Nkomo taught us. He left a message the President himself upholds and preaches every single day. That message is unity.” 

She said the city has lost its status, owing to the migration of youths to neighbouring countries.

“Our youths are our future. But now they are all gone. Who will restore our legacy? Urge them to return! They are the only ones who can turn the country’s fortunes around. Long back when entering Bulawayo, you were greeted with the sweet aromas of confectionery and other edible delights, while watching the masses happily working. Now you are greeted with the putrid stench of burst sewers and poor road infrastructure. This is because of wrong leaders that are running our council,” said Cde Masuku.

She said women play an integral part in the country’s restoration and encouraged people to vote for female candidates within Zanu-PF for equal representation.

She also spoke about the alcohol, drug and substance abuse that was bedeviling the country.

“We have a serious crisis right now that our country is facing. Youths are abusing drugs and this is ruining their lives. It is not just their lives but the country. We cannot have a country that is led by drug and alcohol induced youths,” said Cde Masuku.

She said as the country is now geared for the harmonised elections citizens should maintain peace and sanity.

“We are people that love each other and we should always know that we are all human beings. Let us avoid violence and despondency at all costs as we go for our harmonised elections. We want peace and that is what we always preach and uphold,” she said.

Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube was part of the belated celebrations and echoed the same sentiments.

“We have heard what our beloved mother has said. Let us adhere to her word and be wise. We are a free generation and let us uphold that while restoring our legacy as a city. We need to restore our smart city status, thus let us go and vote wisely during the harmonised elections. Our President is the key to the country’s development as we can all see from the infrastructure and partnerships that he has secured,” said Cde Ncube.ulaw