Share

Scarves from China, tech-savvy youths: Zim ruling Zanu-PF party readies for polls

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party will dish out eight million T-shirts and caps from China, erect hundreds of billboards and restaff its communication department in a bid to win this year's polls, a newspaper reports.

The party will also send out campaign teams comprising party officials and war veterans to operate throughout rural voting constituencies, reports the Zimbabwe Independent.

Surpass Mugabe

"This is one of the best campaign strategies, which will be implemented for the first time and promises to rally support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is aiming to surpass former president Robert Mugabe’s 2013 victory which was at 62% (of the vote)," a party source told the paper.

More than 600 billboards will be erected across the country, one in each constituency, bearing the president’s face "and a clear campaign message in various languages", the source added.

* Sign up to News24's top Africa news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook. 

Party regalia, including eight million t-shirts, scarves and caps are due in the country soon from China. These will be dished out to supporters at Mnangagwa’s campaign rallies.

Mnangagwa has popularised a scarf in the colours of the Zimbabwe flag during recent foreign trips.

On social media, Zanu-PF has already come up with the hashtag #EDHasMyVOTE, using the president’s initials and tapping into the goodwill that still exists after he and his supporters backed by the army ousted long-time president Robert Mugabe last November.

Entice young voters

But it’s thought Mnangagwa will face a formidable challenge from MDC leader Nelson Chamisa. The 40-year-old lawyer is expected to appeal to younger voters who make up 60 percent of those registered. 

The Independent said Zanu-PF had revamped its communication department and "recruited tech-savvy youths who will be creating digital content in order to entice young voters".

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do airplane mishaps have any effect on which airline you book your flights with?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, these things happen. I pick based on price
49% - 959 votes
Yes, my safety matters. I don't take any chances
51% - 1001 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.21
-0.5%
Rand - Pound
23.88
-0.4%
Rand - Euro
20.55
-0.5%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.48
-0.7%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-0.4%
Platinum
914.20
-0.6%
Palladium
1,006.00
-2.0%
Gold
2,321.15
-0.0%
Silver
27.21
-0.3%
Brent-ruolie
88.42
+1.6%
Top 40
68,647
+0.9%
All Share
74,567
+0.8%
Resource 10
60,223
+1.0%
Industrial 25
104,092
+1.3%
Financial 15
15,912
+0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE