Zimbabweans need a Second National Working People’s Convention to map solutions for the country’s political and socio-economic problems.
By Chipo Chabarwa and Claudia Chimbo
Addressing a press conference to commemorate the decisive Save Zimbabwe Campaign prayer meeting on 11 March 2007, representatives of the leadership of civil society organizations and political parties, concurred that Zimbabwe is in a deepening political and socio-economic crisis that is emanating from corruption, natural resource plunder, adoption of neo-liberal economic policy prescriptions and disrespect of human rights.
Peter Mutasa, president of the Zimbabwe Congress Trades Union (ZCTU) called for the convening of Second National Working People’s Convention at which citizens from different socio-economic and political persuasions need to be allowed to freely map a way forward for democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.
“We, from the labor movement, are calling for a SWPC to re-define the Zimbabwean question. The national question needs to be re-defined by way of getting input from various segments of the Zimbabwean society” said Mutasa
Nelson Chamisa, president of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-Alliance) concurred with the SNWPC idea urging Zimbabwean citizens to support efforts to the holding of the convention.
“The idea of the convention is a noble one, which needs to be supported by Zimbabweans in their diversity. We need all people including ZANU PF, youths, women, and students to be part of a citizen convergence platform whose activities must culminate in the convention where Zimbabweans must negotiate, discuss and share ideas that are critical in shaping the national narrative.
Nancy Njenge, Gender Secretary for the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) said the convention is necessary to map lasting solutions to Zimbabwean problems.
“The SWPC is the way to go in terms of addressing Zimbabwe’s problems; we cannot deliver change without understanding the actual problems currently affecting the country. Zimbabwe needs a new beginning and for this new beginning to be realized, there must be an all citizen’s convention,” she said
Calls for the SNWP come against the background of the First National Working People’s Convention (FNWPC) convened by the ZCTU in 1999.
