Own Correspondent|President Mnangagwa yesterday lauded leaders of opposition parties under the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) for what he called “their zeal and commitment towards nation-building and unity.”

The President said this while addressing thousands of congregants during the third edition of the annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Grounds in Bulawayo.

“I find it most refreshing to be working with leaders who do not keep good ideas in their back pockets as political capital for later, but who come forward with those ideas for the sake of our beloved country and that is patriotism. The spirit of unity among us while still respecting and accommodating our rich diversity, views and opinions must be a part of all of us,” said the President.

“Let us continue to love one another as one people united by one flag, national anthem and by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

President Mnangagwa met leaders of opposition parties at his farm outside Kwekwe in the final Polad meeting for the year to review progress as well as mark National Unity Day on December 22.

Polad, a platform for political parties that fielded presidential candidates in the 2018 harmonised elections to contribute to social, economic and political progress, was launched in May this year and 18 political parties were represented.

President Mnangagwa advised parties that continue to undermine Polad that there was power in unity.

Main opposition, the MDC, led by n Nelson Chamisa has rejected POLAD preferring to talk exclusively to Zanu PF, claiming other parties were not necessary.