Though Mawere did not show up at the event held at Vashandiri Centre, a training institution for technical studies, Organising Secretary Ashwell Mutiriki-Mawere told attendants that the former Shabanie-Mashava Mines owner is president of the party. At present his deputy is yet to be appointed while the position of National Chairman is still unfilled.
The meeting saw the new party unveiling its party slogan- “Simunye, We are one; Tirivamwe, We are one.” The slogan is chanted with one’s raised forefinger pointing into the sky. No-one was clothed in the party regalia but sources said their symbol consists of the Great Zimbabwe ruins. Executive members from Harare, Chitungwiza, Chinhoyi, Masvingo and Gweru attended.
The gathering saw party supporters singing songs in praise of Mawere like “Mutumwa akauya ndoenda naye” (If Mutumwa comes I will go with him) which is a Christian verse. In Christianity, Mutumwa refers to Jesus.
Addressing the gathering, Mutiriki-Mawere who refused to confirm or deny reports that he is Mawere biological son, said the formation of the UMDP was inspired by the failures of the present inclusive government.
“Five years after the inclusive government was formed, companies are still battling for survival; unemployment is still too high and our economy weak as shown by continued abandonment of our local currency. Corruption is rampant and the education sector is in doldrums as exhibited by last year’s national pass rate of 18 percent at Ordinary Level,” he said.
“We are spearheading an economic revolution. We believe a better future of Zimbabwe lies with us and come next elections, Mutumwa Mawere should be given the mandate to occupy state house,” said Mutiriki-Mawere.
Responding on the reasons why Mawere who holds a District Chairperson’s post in South Africa’s former liberation movement party ANC has in the past distanced himself from reports that he is leader of UMDP, Mutiriki-Mawere said at that time he was not.
“The last media comment he gave was that if he was nominated by any party to lead it, he could even contest in England. During the time he was disassociating himself from UMDP, he was not yet our leader. But he now is. He should have come for the launch. However, it happened that he became held up in South Africa,” said Mutiriki-Mawere.
In 2004, the then Zanu (PF) government grabbed Mawere’s Shabanie-Mashava asbestos mine and put it under “reconstruction, a development that has made the empire collapse. At its peak the firm alone contributed 10 percent to the Gross Domestic Product while employing thousands of people in Zvishavane. Though he was despecified last year, Zanu (PF) has refused to give him his mine back.
Post published in: News
Mutumwa, were you sent by Zanu PF to split their vote or its your own making. it was good if you joined MDC – T and make up a formidable campaign against the sitting president. You are now facing your downfall.
I’m sorry but I doubt your seriousness Mr Mawere. Do you really feel this is the best time to launch a new party?
We will take Mawere’s party seriously only when we hear Mawere’s voice in any one of the stories to do with the ‘new’ party. Mawere is on record distancing himself from the political project. Is he a political and opportunistic coward?
Zvatanga, zvimaparty zviya zvinouya during election year and disappear thereafter.
Zvatanga, zvimaparty zviya zvinouya during election year and disappear thereafter.
Zvatanga, zvimaparty zviya zvinouya during election year and disappear thereafter.
Zvatanga, zvimaparty zviya zvinouya during election year and disappear thereafter.
Zvatanga, zvimaparty zviya zvinouya during election year and disappear thereafter.
Zvatanga, zvimaparty zviya zvinouya during election year and disappear thereafter.