By Farai D Hove| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has been upstaged by ZANU PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. ED, as he is affectionately called, has launched a posh website, edmnangagwa.com.
The site, seen as part of ED’s campaign material, contains well polished published content on the man’s history from the liberation years up to the present Zimbabwe.
Its launch follows that of his Twitter, and Facebook pages where he occasionally engages the public using videos, and direct messaging while also updating his followers on his views and activities.
The site states that he: is a farmer, a politician and a constitutional lawyer. His reputation features an honest person who is hardworking and seeks innovative solutions to challenges, whether in the country or the community or the family. He is respected as a unifier who is results-oriented, principled, and dedicated to his country. His dedication to national unity, peace and stability is embodied in adherence to the National Constitution which he was intimately involved in developing.
Amendment (No. 20) Act 2013, Chapter 1, section 3(2)(h) obligates the “fostering of national unity, peace and stability, with due regard to the diversity of language, customary practices and traditions.” The Constitution of the party, ZANU PF, Article 3, section 21 subsection 5 states that “…every member of the Party shall have the duty to conduct himself/herself honestly and honourably in his or her dealings with the Party and the Public and not to bring the Party into disrepute or ridicule.”
He was elected party leader (President and First Secretary) by the Central Committee, the top decision-making body of the party between congresses, on 19 November 2017, on an interim basis pending confirmation at the party Congress in mid-December. In his first public statement following his election, he told Zimbabweans, “I pledge to be your servant.” He was sworn in as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe on 24 November 2017 at a public inauguration attended by more than 60,000 people. On this occasion, he said he was humbled to be invited to “serve our great nation”.
His inauguration speech was conciliatory and inclusive, addressing the country, the region, the continent of Africa and the international community, and espousing the values of unity and peace. “Events leading to this historic day attest to the fact that we are a unique nation, one that is clear about what it wants as well as what it does not want.”