Mliswa makes history, vows to unite province and salutes women

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By Elvis Dumba

Chinhoyi – The newly elected Mashonaland West ZANU (PF) Provincial Chairman Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, who is also the Province’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution has paid tribute to women across the province who demonstrated support for women emancipation by voting for her.

Following the overwhelming victory, Mliswa urged all party supporters to be united.

“I am overwhelmed by the support that I have received and the high level of confidence shown in me and would also like to thank fellow women who supported me, thereby breaking new ground by making history of a first elected female provincial chairman in me. This is evidence of women’s empowerment. I urge women to continue rising in all aspects,” she said.

Mliswa said she will work with everyone to make Mashonaland West one of the best-developed provinces.

“As reiterated by our National Political Commissar, the just-ended provincial elections were meant to rejuvenate and strengthen the party ahead of the 2023 general elections. There are no winners or losers but the party has won and it’s now hands on deck and no time to waste as we mobilise support for President Emerson Mnangagwa. To those who were in the race, I would like to say well done. You put up a great fight. It’s now time we come together and unite our great province as a team,” she said in a statement.

Mliswa called for respect and tolerance for each other as the party gears itself for the 2023 general elections and thanked those who participated in the provincial elections for exhibiting a high level of discipline and peace.

“Our Province should be the best at all levels both on the economical and governance sphere. To the other candidates, it’s now time to unite the party as the province can be only developed by its residents,” she said.

Mliswa polled 16 930 votes to land the post against Kindness Paradza who polled 8257 and Vengai Musengi who got 6246 whilst former ZBC boss Happison Muchechetere polled 346 votes.