By Regina Pasipanodya

As Zimbabwe gets ready for its 2025 National People’s Conference in Manicaland, a strong message has come from overseas.

On 21st September 2025, members of the ZANU PF UK District gathered in London to create a resolution that could change how the party interacts with its diaspora, shift its policy focus, and strengthen its commitment to Vision 2030.

At the core of the resolution is a reaffirmation of loyalty to the party’s leadership and constitutional values.

The members from the UK District promised to support any decision made by the First Secretary and President of ZANU PF, Comrade Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, about extending his term.

They noted that this support comes from a commitment to transparency, adherence to the constitution, and the party’s long-term development goals.

In a significant proposal, the UK District called for full representation of diaspora structures within the party’s central committee.

They argue that this step would put the party’s “leaving no one or place behind” principle into action and reflect the constitutional acknowledgment of diaspora structures.

The resolution asks the central committee to decide how many seats should be allocated to ensure fair and equal representation for Zimbabweans living abroad.

With remittances contributing about $2 billion each year—around 15 to 20% of Zimbabwe’s GDP—the UK District highlighted the strategic role of the diaspora.

By looking at global examples from places like Senegal and India, they suggested creating a separate Ministry or Directorate for Diaspora Affairs.

This new body would manage engagement, policy, and investment, tapping into the full potential of Zimbabweans overseas.

The resolution also pointed out the immediate need to improve Zimbabwe’s public health system.

The UK District urged the party to direct the government to focus on investing in general hospitals and polyclinics, ensuring that care is either low-cost or free at the point of need.

Citing the 2018 election manifesto, they reminded the party that these facilities are meant for the voters who put them in power.

In a broad final set of proposals, the UK District called for strong policies to reduce road traffic deaths, identifying unroadworthy vehicles and reckless driving as ongoing dangers.

They also pushed for the party to address exploitative banking practices, foster a saving culture, and stabilize the currency by restricting the use of foreign currency for daily transactions.

This resolution, approved by the UK District’s leadership, shows a more assertive diaspora voice—one that is not satisfied with mere symbolic inclusion.

As the National People’s Conference nears, the focus will shift from whether the diaspora is important to how its proposals will be received and put into action.

If these resolutions are accepted, they could signify a turning point in how ZANU PF connects with its global members, manages its institutions, and fulfills its commitments to the people.