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In a first for Zimbabwe, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services is now the new Chairman of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) – an African Union Institution. Chief Sifundo Moyo is now the new Secretary-General of PAPU. He is the first Zimbabwean and Southern African Development Community (SADC) national to be elected to the position in the 41 years of the African Union affiliated institution’s history.
In his closing remarks at the just-ended PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference in Victoria Falls, Minister Muswere expressed his sincere gratitude to the delegates and participants for the opportunity bestowed on him to serve as the PAPU Chairperson during the coming cycle. He also thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the guidance and support he extended to the Zimbabwean team ahead of the conference and beyond.
“I am mindful of the importance of the office and of our Union as one of the pillars constituted by the African Union for the emancipation of the Pan African community and for the development of the African continent postal sector.
“Your Excellencies, Esteemed Guests, ladies, and gentlemen, it is a privilege to serve Africa in such trying times, taking into cognisance the upcoming Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to thank you all for the trust that you have bestowed upon the Government of Zimbabwe. Our predecessor, Cameroon has provided guidance to PAPU and we are particularly grateful to Her Excellency Madame Libon Li Likeng Minette for the great leadership exhibited during her tenure,” Minister Muswere said.
The newly-inaugurated PAPU chairman expressed his commitment to working with other members of the Bureau, together with the highly professional team at the PAPU Secretariat.
“Ladies and gentlemen as we embark on this new cycle, let us reflect together on what we stand for and what is our collective vision as a people. We stand for the protection of the sanctity of the Pan African vision that underlines our constitutional order and existence. I implore us all as the PAPU family to remain vigilant to ensure the relevance of the post in the ultimate goal of a digital economy for Africa as enunciated in the AU Agenda 2063 blueprint. Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends we need to remind ourselves that what we do every day is a reflection of our poise to achieve our vision as a Union,” Dr. Muswere added.
Mr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, the newly-elected PAPU Secretary-General assured delegates that he will diligently and whole-heartedly execute his functions and duties.
He alluded to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s famous rallying statement that goes thus: “I will support all countries and all regions equally but with emphasis on those that are lagging behind, needing to reach higher levels of achievement and viability. PAPU, like other specialised agencies of our august African Union, has an inherent obligation to advance and propel the founding vision of a united, peaceful, developed, and integrated Africa. Furthermore, the onus is on us all agencies of the AU to be a catalyst to the realisation of Agenda 2063.”