The event was well attended and graced by a high powered delegation of MDC executives which included the Chief Representative Mr Hebson Makuvise and Mrs Chido Makuvise, Provincial Chairperson Mr Jonathan Chawora and members of his Executive Mr Mathew Nyashanu, Mr Jaison Matewu, Mr Tendayi Goneso, Ms Jennifer Moyo, Mr Moses Chiwandamira, Ms Shelter Kasirori Mutasa, Mr Farai Maruzani, Women’s Assembly Secretary Ms Bettina Siwela and the Organising Secretary Mrs Judith Ngwenya. District executives included Mr Michael Mpofu, Nobuhle Mavindidze, John Banda, Owen Muganda, Mercy Mwakipisile, Lornar Chivandire and Julius Muguwe presiding over the elections.
Four branch executive positions were up for grabs and the following members were elected into susbtative capacities in a heavily contested and somehow tricky contest. Mr Edwin Dube was elected Chairperson, Washington Terera -Vice Chairperson, Rejoice Mahwada -Organising Secretary, and Nobuhle Mkonto Secretary. The post of vice chairperson went head to head with Tracy Sibanda refusing to be outclassed and the contest had to be decided by the uncharacteristic run-off save for two spoilt ballots. The following is now the full substantive Southampton MDC Branch Executive.
Chairman      Mr Edwin M Dube
Vice Chair      Washington Terera
Secretary      Nobuhle Mkonto
Treasurer       Munyaradzi Nhundu
Organising Secretary   Rejoice Mahwada
Women’s Chair      Loice Sibanda
Youth Chair      Linda Ncube
Committee members   Tracey Sibanda
         Dorcas Nkomo
         Marble Dangare
The day’s proceedings went on very well with the South West District Vice Chairman introducing the skills audit project. Branch chairs present were given forms for their members to complete and submitt. Mr Owen Muganda launched the new SMS text package that the district found to be effective in informing members of forthcoming programmes and events. The photostream package was also unveilled which means our members’ photos will be on the web timeously via the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/28756367@N08/
Mr Hebson Makuvise later addressed the members and more importantly phasing out the fears in most Zimbabweans when he told the house that repatriation is not going to be forced on Zimbabweans as they are currently talking with the British Government. The MDC
feels its members have been deskilled and have lost time during the redudancy periods. There is need for training if a true new Zimbabwe is to be rebuilt. Those members with pending asylum cases will still be heard and voluntary returns may be aided with an exit package- though not yet concluded. Mr Makuvise also reminded members that they need to be knowledgeable in as far as the party programmes and structures are concerned as this may jeopardise asylum claims in interviews.
The highlight of the day was the address by Special Guest and living hero Mr Shepherd Yuda who revealed the horrific and sad stories of ZANU PF’S brutalities as well as the rigging antics. For security purposes and confidentiality I will not comment any further but the truth is we won both elections but victory was denied and stolen. The sum of £143-00 was raised from the floor as part of his welfare for the day.
The question/suggestion time was this time only limited to three questions and two suggestions because of time constraints. I however salute the members for always managing so many questions in a short time. It is the South West District’s resolution that they want the leadership to be relevant to the aspirations of the members, and is why we have adopted this approach.
The South West Vice Organising Secretary Ms Lornar Chivandire, who had a busy afternoon with collating the ballots summed up the day’s programme with the vote of thanks.
On behalf of The Southampton MDC branch and The South West District I would like to thank everyone who supported the event. Last but not least a big thank you to members of the Southampton branch for a disciplined approach as well as hosting the event. We all wish them a very joyous and successful political future.
(for pictures visit the www.mdcukandireland.org and Southwest section or via the flickr link above)
Julius Muguwe
South West District Organising Secretary
MDC UK AND IRELAND
Post published in: News