Hosia Mviringi
In yet another historic display of loyalty and commitment to its own lieutenants, ZANU PF has surprisingly brought back some of its finest cadres, straight from the wilderness into the top decision-making organs at Jongwe building.
The nation may not remember the unfortunate circumstances that saw former broadcaster, top businessman, and philanthropist, Dr. James Makamba, quietly retreating from active participation in national politics.
Water under the bridge it is!
Dr. Makamba nonetheless has remained a loyal and active member of the party, playing a prominent role in Mashonaland Central socio-political activities, especially as a major facilitator and benefactor of such important programs as the reburial of fallen liberation heroes at the Provincial shrine.
Dr James Makamba is an experienced former broadcaster with the then Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation Channel 2, becoming one of the very first and finest black commercial broadcasters in the pre-post independence era.
During this period he traversed the length and breath of the country for events, earning himself endorsements while establishing himself as the listeners’ favourite broadcaster of all times.
Dr Makamba was an active participant during the restructuring exercise in Mashonaland Province culminating in his brave attempt at the Provincial Chairmanship.
Acting on sound judgement as well as advice from senior politicians nationally and in the Province, Dr. Makamba became the biggest supporter and cheerleader to the current ZANU PF Provincial Chairman for Mashonaland Central Cde Kazembe Kazembe, giving impetus to one of the most organised Provincial elections nationally.
Critically this action proved his mettle as a reasonable politician and a respectable unifying figure in the Province.
Dr Makamba’s loyalty and dedicated contribution to the party did not go unnoticed as he would later be rewarded with the coveted Central Committee nomination as well as the Politburo appointment as Deputy Secretary for Transport.
There is no doubt that his exceptional organisational prowess and experience in Mashonaland Central will come handy as he assists the ever busy Cde July Moyo in the Politburo’s transport portfolio.
The return of Cde Webster Shamu to the critical position of Deputy National Political Commissar is as refreshing as morning dew. There is no doubt that Cde Shamu remains one of the most gifted strategists ever to emerge from the ruling party. Cde ‘Cremora’, as he was fondly nicknamed in the First Republic, is gifted with rare organisational abilities to see opportunities where most would not find a hint.
As such he comes in at a crucial time in the history of the party when all hands are needed on the deck to deliver a decisive blow to the opposition and retain the mandate to continue governing.
Cde Shamu, himself a former freelance broadcaster during the Smith era, would then endear himself with the African listeners while beaming messages from across the border in Maputo as the Voice of Zimbabwe.
Yet his inherent value to the party could not be forgotten, having been the long-time editor of the party’s internal weekly publication, The People’s Voice, hence his timely return to the fold.
Supa Mandiwanzira, a former news caster and host with the national broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), rose to prominence with such TV shows as “Talking Business with Supa”.
Mandiwanzira is a renowned media entrepreneur, being the founder of Zimbabwe’s only private radio station ZiFM Stereo through his company AB Communications. The flamboyant member of the House of Assembly for Nyanga South has earned himself a place in the new Politburo line-up that was announced on Christmas eve by the President Cde E.D Mnangagwa as Secretary for Local Government, completing the line-up of former broadcasters that have scaled the dizzy heights up the decision-making ladder in ZANU PF.
