The Zanu PF national youth conference kicked off in Harare on Thursday with delegates from the country’s 10 provinces arriving for the four-day event.
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that the Youth League, through its secretary Absolom Sikhosana, endorsed the candidature of President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to take up the post of secretary for women’s affairs.
Sikhosana is said to have made the announcement at Mrs. Mugabe’s Mazowe Children’s Home where Zanu PF youths and guests had gathered to endorse her.
On Friday, the youths are expected to discuss various issues, including the economy, before holding elections to choose new members on Saturday.
Vice President Joice Mujuru attended the opening ceremony.
There is jockeying from all the provinces for the post of deputy secretary for youth with allegations that some senior party members are putting pressure on the youth wing to choose their favourite candidates.
Outgoing Zanu PF youth secretary for international affairs, Tongai Kasukuwere, is reported to have also raised the issue of senior members’ interference in the Youth League’s affairs.
Political analyst and Platform for Youth Development director, Claris Madhuku, said it is disappointing that Zanu PF is not giving its youth wing the freedom they deserve to run their own affairs.
