The First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe is currently addressing a rally at the City Sports Centre in Harare.
This is part of her campaign trail ahead of the Zanu PF elective Congress in December.
From the City Sports Centre, NewsDay’s Tapiwa Zivira, Aaron Ufumeli and Moses Matenga give you minute-by-minute updates of the event.
14:10 Grace ends her speech.
14:09 “I told Tsvangirai (MDC-T leader) to call off sanctions if he wants us to demonstrate.”
14:06 Grace donates 30 tonnes of seed for Harare.
14:05 Grace says council should not slash people’s maize crop, and respect and follow the law.
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14:03 Grace says she was just tired of staying at State House, that is why she started her own business. “As as woman you need to do your own things, unozoona kuti kana murume afa hupenyu hunooma (You will realise that when you’re husband dies, life will be tough).”
14:00 “Sanctions are hurting us, we are also in business and our products are not selling.”
13:58 Grace mocks her factional opponents, claiming that ‘factional leaders’ send party supporters to pretend to support her “. . . wotonzi unongonosekererai, askana?!” (You just go and smile!)
13:54 “If we take people for granted and neglect our promises, we will not reclaim any seats in Harare.”
13:48 Grace also says some people wanted to build them a house but they refused.
13:46 “Some white people came to me with 10 million (possibly Zim Dollar) asking me to stop the land reform and I told them 10 million imari kwandiri? Do you think I cannot work for that money?”
13:40 “People are angry because election promises are yet to be fulfilled. People are demanding our promises! Let’s not be a party of promises.”
13:37 “People in Harare are angry because they are not getting service delivery. We don not have water at our house and we had to drill a borehole.”
13:36 “It is because of factionalism that demolitions are going on,” she says, claiming there are infiltrators in Zanu PF championing the demolitions.
13:35 “We know there are people who lead people to build houses on underdesignated land,” she says, blaming MDC-T for that.
13:34 Grace calls on council to stop chasing vendors in the city.
13:30 Says Grace: “Tsvina yanyanya muHarare! We, including myself, are responsible for the dirt in Harare.”
13:25 Grace unites Gomwe and Midzi saying, “. . . this is our own mini-unity accord – myself, Midzi and Gomwe. God is here. From today we were moving with God.”
13:24 Grace calls Godwin Gomwe, who has been fighting Amos Midzi, to unite them and calls for them to stop fighting.
13:21 Grace claims there were some placards meant to denounce her and although they could not be allowed inside, she wanted to face her detractors.
13:20 Grace says today will change the face of politics in Zimbabwe.
13:18 Grace pleads for forgiveness and forgives Shadreck Mashayamombe who reportedly told Patrick Zhuwao to find her a place in Mashonaland West as she was not from Harare.
13:14 Grace pays tribute to Zimbabwe’s doctors and declares that factionalism ends today!
13:11 Grace, graces the stage with the Police Band playing ‘Musaputse Sangano’ (Don’t destroy the party).
13:08 Now Muchinguri introduces Grace as the “Queen mother, Queen of all Queens.”
12:57 “Factionalism had threatened to tear down the party as people were no longer seeing eye to eye . . . Now that there is Dr Mugabe, you will not be able to hold backdoor meetings, ndodhiri rakarongwa iri.”
12:52 She says Grace is not waiting for December (Zanu PF Congress) as she has already started undertaking her duties as the Women’s League boss.
12:45 Salutes Grace as “Her Excellency Dr Grace Mugabe . . .”
12:44 Oppah takes the podium.
12:38 Midzi confirms there is competition in Harare to please Grace from all party leaders, and pleads with Grace to unite Harare.
12:36 Says Midzi: “Isu sevana vese vanoda kuswedera padyo naamai . . .” (“We as children that want to be close to [our] mother . . .”
12:33 Zanu PF Harare Provincial Chairperson Amos Midzi addresses the crowd to institute discipline to the booing youths.
12:31 Also pleads with Grace to deal with MDC-T officials for chasing away vendors in the city.
12:30 Congratulates Grace for Doctorate and orphanage, and pleads with her to assist Harare orphans and widows.
12:28 Harare Women chairperson furnishes Grace with July 31 poll figures to prove how hardworking the Midzi executive is.
12:26 It’s a bootlicking contest as top officials take turns to chant slogans praising Grace during introductions.
12:15 Water minister Saviour Kasukuwere also present.
12:10 Olivia Muchena warns those booing and threatens to name and shame.
12:08 Factionalism at play as Kudzayi Chipanaga and others are booed as they chant party slogans.
12:06 Slogans mainly, “Pamberi naPresident Mugabe” and “Pamberi naDoctor Amai”, no mention of other senior officials or the presidium.
12:04 Mapostori occupy five sections of the arena.
12:02 Other provincial leaders being booed by the crowd.
12:00 Harare Youth Chairperson Godwin Gomwe receives applause as he sings the party slogan.
11:58 Wearing a Zanu PF Java outfit printed with the face of President Robert Mugabe on her chest, Grace Mugabe walks to the podium drawing cheers from the entire arena.
11:55 Grace arrives accompanied by Oppah Muchinguri, Olivia Muchena and other Zanu PF officials.
11:52 Grace is said to be still in a meeting.
11:40 Zanu PF Mashonaland West Provincial Chairperson Temba Mliswa, Makonde MP Kindness Paradza And Gokwe-Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena also present
11:30 Information minister Jonathan Moyo has arrived.
11:00 Grace is yet to arrive but the arena is already packed with Zanu PF supporters clad in party regalia. Some of the t-shirts carry praise slogans for the First Lady.
Gospel musician Mathias Mhere is perfoming live.
Outside the venue are 15 Zupco buses and hundreds of cars and minibuses
Notable guests who have come so far include Information deputy minister Supa Mandiwanzira, Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga’s former wife Jocelyn, Owen Ncube and Annastacia Ndlovu.
