MDC delegates arrive in Harare for three-day congress

By Tichaona Sibanda
17 March 2006

Thousands of MDC supporters are reported to be in an upbeat mood as they gather in the capital for the party’s three day national people’s congress, which is held every five years.

From the rich to the poor to intellectuals and students, they all began to gather under one roof at Harare’s National Sports Centre.

Despite a heavy police presence, delegates to the party’s second congress seemed oblivious to Mugabe’s security men, there to check on their movements and ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.

According to figures released by the party’s information department, about 13 000 delegates had been accredited by noon on Friday, with more expected as the day progressed.

Paul Madzore MP for Glen View said the City Sports Centre was a hive of activity with the colour red and posters of the party’s open palm symbol dominating every corner of the venue.

On Saturday, party chairman Isaac Matongo will set the ball rolling by welcoming the delegates with a speech entitled ‘celebrating six years of resistance’

Thereafter there will be solidarity messages from all provinces before party President Morgan Tsvangirai takes to the stage for his report on the national council, followed by what an analyst described as a rousing address on the future of the ‘MDC’ vision, and the building of a new Zimbabwe’.

The contentious issue of the split will be the subject of discussion during an open session of the party’s disciplinary committee. This will be followed by a closed door session in the afternoon at which institutional reforms of the party would be dealt with.

The eagerly awaited party elections will dominate proceedings during the third and final day of the congress. Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to bring the congress to a close with another speech - ‘The power in your hands’.