The MDC-T will tomorrow hold its 13th anniversary at White City Stadium in Bulawayo amid pressure for the party to consolidate its popularity in the region where rival parties are making serious inroads.
Report by Khanyile Mlotshwa/Silas Nkala
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party is now facing stiff competition from the rejuvenated MDC led by Welshman Ncube, which has been holding meetings almost every weekend in the city, canvassing for support.
There have also been reports of mass defections of MDC members to the rival formation although they have been dismissed as stage-managed by the MDC-T. Zapu, led by former Home Affairs minister Dumiso Dabengwa, also counts Matabeleland as its stronghold.
Gorden Moyo, the MDC-T provincial chairperson, said Bulawayo would repay the party’s leadership, which chose to host the celebrations in the city soon after the last congress was also held in Bulawayo at Barbourfields Stadium in April last year,by retaining parliamentary seats in the next elections.
“We in Bulawayo feel honoured by these decisions by the national leadership of the party, which we believe are decisions compelled by the province’s consistent and unwavering support for a successful execution of the democratic revolution,” Moyo said in a statement.
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“It is significant that Bulawayo has persistently continued to post a 100% parliamentary constituency record for the MDC since 2000.
“This is a record we wish to maintain until all our competitors finally accept that this is a no-go area for them.”
“As we speak, Bulawayo is a Zanu PF-free environment. However, we will not be complacent as we shall strive to improve our victory margins in the forthcoming elections.”
Meanwhile, the MDC-T national executive council will today hold a meeting in Bulawayo to discuss, among other issues, strategies ahead of the next elections, likely to be held early next year.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday confirmed that elections strategies would be top on the agenda at a meeting that would also discuss finer details of the anniversary celebrations.
Tsvangirai is expected to chair the meeting. MDC-T Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Mandla Sibanda said they were ready for the celebrations. “We are expecting 88 diplomats, 120 civic organisation members and are determined to get a crowd of between 40 000 and 50 000,” said Sibanda. He said the event would also see the MDC-T officially introducing Tsvangirai’s new wife Elizabeth Macheka to the nation.
