BY Neil Chamisa (LEAD President Spokesperson)
When we embarked on the Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) project three months ago, we never guessed that by this time we will be engaged in an election campaign. The challenge presented itself in the form of Lupane East and Bubi RDC ward 22 by elections. It’s been a month now and we have been making slow progress. The major issue being the challenge of getting funding and changing perceptions on the ground. Bubi ward 22 is our test case. This happens to be a constituency where the Secretary General LEADer Muyambi resides.
We were able to get a LEADer who volunteered to jump into the ring from our Bubi structures, LEADer Sylvester Zodziwa a supervisor at Turkmine mine is our candidate.
For the past three weeks he has been working with SG Muyambi to set up a campaign team and mobilise support.
On the 20th of July 2019 the President of LEAD, Mrs Linda Masarira-Kaingidza visited the ward accompanied by the VP Mr Patrick Ndlovu. When they arrived only a handful of party supporters had gathered to welcome them at LEADer Zodziwa’s residence. In no time what had been intended to be a small familiarisation meeting turned into a mini rally.
Word of the President’s presence spread around the mine compound and people began to stream in. Everyone wanted to get a glimpse of the LEAD President. In no time a crowd of over 100 LEADers had formed.
This ward has 1900 voters and LEAD can safely say it has passed the 50% mark in terms of supporters. The planned activities in the following week are likely to ensure a massive win for LEAD.
The crowd was fired up and determined to ensure victory for LEADer Zodziwa. LEAD has surely taken off and there is no looking back.
Next week there shall be a rally in Lupane East Constituency and a tour by the Presidium of Lupane East Constituency a day before the rally. Rural development is our business and as a party which is passionate about rural development and devolution of power, we are going to focus mainly on identifying key areas to develop in our rural areas and implement programs that ensure sustainable human development of our brothers and sisters who live in rural areas.