Youthful candidates take ZANU PF primary elections by storm
Rutendo Mapfumo
The much awaited ZANU PF primaries have given birth to a crop of youthful aspiring candidates who are eager to challenge the heavy weights in the political arena.
In Hwange central constituency this year’s primary elections witnessed a number of youthful candidates eyeing the council and House of Assembly seats.
In ward 4, a youthful Titus Chiwaya challenged and defeated the heavyweight Absalom Kwenda, according to preliminary results yet to be confirmed by the politburo. He told Community Podium it is high time the youths take leadership positions in the party.
“The party leadership has been encouraging youth’s participation that is why I took up this challenge. I want to solve the recurring problems affecting the ward and empower youths in Hwange.
Nothing is for the youths without the youths, that is why I want to empower the youths by securing funding in farming, mining and construction so as to improve our economy,” he said.
The youthful candidate added that he wants to help eradicate corruption in the opposition led council. Over the years, the constituency has been dominated by the opposition.
Another youthful candidate who was an aspiring candidate for ward 14 claims he has matters of the youths at heart. Thabo Manene also known as “Cde fix it” however reportedly went on to lose the seat to Aaron Rundofa.
“There are a many investors within the town and we want to ensure that the youths and women have access to jobs through councilor initiative employment programs,” he said
Other youthful candidates who were contesting in the primary election include Shingirai Mupazviripo, Rosemary Moyo,Sandra Dube ,Jonathan Mathe ,Priscar Sibanda, Ephraim Mulawo (Youth Quota) and Alphas Dube who is an aspiring National Assembly candidate for Hwange Central Constituency.
A Hwange based youth led civil society organization has been encouraging youths to participate in politics as they are the future of the nation.
“As Youths, we are the future. We are encouraged to participate fully in politics and partake in decision making processes and even challenge the status quo. We are the majority in the Zimbabwean population,” says Tinashe Matika, an official from a youth-led Hwange Youth Empowerment Initiative.
