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NewsDay

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National Convergence Platform date set

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THE National Convergence Platform (NCP), which is expected to bring together all political parties and civic society groups to deliberate on key issues affecting the economy, is now set to be held on October 24.

THE National Convergence Platform (NCP), which is expected to bring together all political parties and civic society groups to deliberate on key issues affecting the economy, is now set to be held on October 24.

BY RICHARD CHIDZA

The convergence is being co-ordinated by retired Anglican Bishop Sebastian Bakare.

In a statement yesterday, Bakare said the NCP stakeholders would meet with a view to coming out with a decision that would “extricate Zimbabwe” from its current situation.

“The convention, to be held in Harare on Saturday October 24, is expected to attract about 2 500 delegates, who will consist of representatives of political parties, trade unions, youths, students, women, business, churches, individuals, traders and non-governmental organisations, among other relevant organisations, that will be invited,” he said.

Bakare said thematic committees were expected to produce sectorial reports of proposed solutions, which would be tabled and discussed at the convention.

Bishop Sebastian Bakare

The convention will, according to Bakare, bring together the diverse opinions of all concerned Zimbabwean citizens regardless of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or age.

“[The NCP will] motivate and encourage the need for Zimbabweans to participate in addressing our socio-economic challenges as a matter of urgency and map the way forward with regard to how we can find solutions together as Zimbabweans,” the statement read.

Bakare said among its aims, the NPC sought to come up with an “agreement by all Zimbabweans on the urgency of extricating our nation from the current social and economic quagmire . . . establish a roadmap through specific resolutions on how to urgently address our problems and the establishment of a representative body that will be given the mandate to implement the resolutions taken at the convention.”

Over the past few months, the NCP has been beset by funding and organisational problems, but spokesperson Vince Musewe two weeks ago told NewsDay that these issues were in the past and all was now set for the convening of the indaba.

Early this year, Bakare was involved in a spat with MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai after the former Prime Minister announced that his party was working towards convening the NCP.

Tsvangirai was forced to retract his statements after he was roundly condemned for allegedly seeking to hijack the project, with Bakare reportedly calling the veteran trade unionist to air his displeasure at the announcement.