By Staff Reporter
CITIZENS Against Economic Sanctions (CAES) leadership has embarked on a provincial tour of Manicaland, engaging provincial structures and promising community empowerment projects aimed at improving members’ livelihoods.
The tour saw the national leadership meeting provincial representatives, listening to their concerns and distributing branded T-shirts to enhance the organisation’s visibility and make it easier for members to identify one another.
CAES chairman Ellison Samuriwo Muchenje urged members to remain committed to the organisation’s programmes, promising to introduce projects that would improve their economic well-being.
“Let us remain united and committed to the struggle. Our organisation must go beyond meetings and statements. We want to see our members benefiting from practical projects that improve their livelihoods. We are here to listen to your concerns and work together towards finding lasting solutions,” said Muchenje.
Manicaland provincial chairlady Chipo Mhlanga welcomed the national leadership’s visit, saying the engagement had strengthened relations between the provincial and national structures.
She also expressed gratitude for the T-shirts, saying they would help members identify themselves and promote the organisation’s visibility.
“We are grateful to the national leadership for remembering Manicaland and taking time to engage us. The T-shirts will make it easier for our members to identify themselves and raise the organisation’s visibility. We hope this engagement will translate into tangible benefits for our members,” said Mhlanga.
CAES vice-chairman Wallace Matavire echoed the chairman’s sentiments, assuring provincial structures that the national leadership would maintain regular contact with members.
“We believe in continuous engagement with our structures. This visit is not a once-off exercise, but part of our commitment to staying connected with members, understanding their challenges and ensuring that their concerns reach the national leadership,” said Matavire.
Another provincial chairman, Moses Mujaji, hailed the visit but called for transparency and accountability in the implementation of the organisation’s programmes.
“We appreciate the leadership’s efforts in reaching out to provincial structures. However, transparency must remain at the centre of everything we do. Members need to understand how programmes are implemented and how opportunities and projects are distributed,” said Mujaji.
Youth chairperson Fanuel Mandiringa also welcomed the engagement, urging the national leadership to prioritise youth empowerment through projects and skills training.
“We are excited by this visit because it gives young people an opportunity to interact directly with the national leadership. We want to see more projects and training programmes that equip youths with practical skills and enable them to become economically independent,” said Mandiringa.
The Manicaland tour is part of CAES’ efforts to strengthen its provincial structures, improve communication and promote economic empowerment among its membership.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of leadership divisions within CAES, following the separation of Martin Zharare from the faction led by Muchenje, popularly known as Cde Samuriwo.
The split has created distinct leadership structures within the organisation, with Muchenje continuing to lead his own CAES grouping.
The divisions have also raised questions about the organisation’s leadership, accountability and representation, making efforts to strengthen provincial structures and maintain direct engagement with members particularly important.
The latest Manicaland tour appears aimed at consolidating Muchenje’s provincial structures while advancing the organisation’s stated focus on member empowerment and grassroots mobilisation.