By Naledi Nyoni
HARARE — Zanu PF’s Mashonaland West province has raised more than US$500,000 in cash and pledges, well above its US$300,000 target, as it prepares to host the ruling party’s annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi in October.
Mashonaland West raised the money at a fundraising dinner held at a Harare hotel on Friday, attended by business executives, farmers, mining companies and other stakeholders.
Zanu PF will hold its 23rd National People’s Conference from October 12 to 17 at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT).
Held annually, Zanu PF’s National People’s Conference brings together delegates to consider Central Committee reports and review the implementation of resolutions and programmes adopted at previous conferences and congresses.
The 2026 conference is expected to draw thousands of delegates and will be held under the theme “From Resolutions to Results: Consolidating Economic Development and Deepening Economic Empowerment Towards Vision 2030.”
Mashonaland West’s latest fundraising haul comes as provinces across the country mobilise resources for the conference.
Zanu PF had earlier directed each province to raise US$50,000 and five cattle towards the event, while the host province has set a higher target as it prepares to accommodate and cater for delegates.
Central Committee member and senator-designate Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who was guest of honour at the dinner, pledged US$100,000.
Politburo members and senior provincial leaders Ziyambi Ziyambi, Christopher Mutsvangwa, Douglas Mombeshora, Polite Kambamura and Vangelis Haritatos collectively contributed US$50,000.
Monica Mutsvangwa donated another US$10,000 in cash.
Companies including Pinnacle Holdings, owned by businessman Philip Chiyangwa, Geo Pomona and CAG also contributed, with CAG pledging 50 cattle.
Tagwirei, in a speech read on his behalf by Bridging Gaps chief operations director Charles Chitambo, said Zimbabwe’s economic development required cooperation between government, business, communities and professionals.
“The party cannot build the economy on its own, Government cannot build the economy alone, business, professionals and communities cannot build the economy alone. We must build together,” he said.
Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa said Mashonaland West had a history of leading the party’s programmes and would deliver a successful conference.
“We are going to host the best conference ever in the history of the ruling party.
“Mashonaland West has a history of leading by example.
“Renowned heroes and heroines of the First and Second Chimurenga hailed from Mashonaland West,” he said.
Provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the province’s links with business and industry had helped drive its preparations.
“Across mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, construction, financial services and many other sectors, we have strategic partners whose investment and activity contribute enormously to the development of this province,” she said.
Mashonaland West has been stepping up preparations for the conference since April, with committees established to oversee logistics, transport, accommodation and resource mobilisation.
The province has also adopted 26 resolutions for consideration at the conference, including a call for the review of the Zanu PF constitution and a resolution endorsing President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the party’s preferred candidate for First Secretary and President at the next congress.
