Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Renewal’s Tendai Biti says all is going well at the first congress of the People’s Democratic Party being held in Harare.
Biti told VOA Studio 7 they are currently crafting a comprehensive agenda for Zimbabwe, which is crippled by lack of foreign direct investment, massive job loses and other issues.
He said the MDC Renewal, now known as the People’s Democratic Party, is the only viable option for rescuing Zimbabwe’s economy from imminent collapse.
Jacob Mafume, who has been the spokesperson of the party, said the People's Democratic Party believed that another Zimbabwe was possible.
Mafume noted that the congress introduced two new polices for the country - Hope and Arrest.
Dominic Nyikadzino, provincial secretary general for Chitungwiza province, said he was elated that the congress was convened despite police pressure to call it off due to lack of manpower to monitor the event.
Nyikadzino said he hopes that the policies launched by the party will address the deteriorating economic situation in the country and usher in a democratic Zimbabwe.
Tineyi Mukanana, a delegate from Dangamvura, Manicaland province, said the political party is expected to offer a platform to correct all the blunders that have been made over the years by some of the top political parties in the country.
According to the party’s register, 5,000 delegates are attending the congress that will tonight elect its youth president and tomorrow usher in the party’s new leadership.
Some of the delegates say Tendai Biti is set to lead the party as there is no other person who is contesting the presidential post while Samuel Siphepha Nkomo is tipped to land the post of vice president.
The two Madzore brothers, Paul and Solomon, are expected to battle it out for the post of organizing secretary.
Vendors selling various goods outside the venue of the congress appeared to be happy with the money they are generating at the Sports Center.
Elina Chikanya told Studio 7 she has been making brisk business since the start of the congress.
Zimbabwe now has several blue prints, including Zimasset, produced by the ruling party Zanu PF, Juice by the MDC-T, Build by former Vice President Joice Mujuru and Zimsmart that will be produced by an NGO, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
It remains to be seen whether some of these blueprints will address Zimbabwe’s declining economy.
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MDC Renewal Report Patricia Mudadigwa