Staff Writer
Midlands Province Senator Sesel Zvidzai who recently rejected self-imposed CCC’s interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu’s offer of post of Deputy Chief Whip in Senate continues to pursue a political life of dedication and sacrifice.
Zvidzai was among more than a dozen CCC lawmakers who were appointed to various committees by Tshabangu, who claims to be the party’s Interim Secretary General.
The former Gweru mayor rejected the appointment, becoming one of few opposition stalwarts to stand against Tshabangu who wields power to recall any MP or Senator who defies his wishes.
“On a point of privilege Mr. President Sir… I would like to inform you and the House of my unavailability to serve as Deputy Chief Whip in the Senate. I thank you,” Zvidzai said in Senate.
In Senate, Zvidzai has been pushing work that benefits the ordinary citizens.
Recently he inspired members of the Senate to call on the government to swiftly enact legislation that lays the groundwork for provincial and metropolitan councils to function as soon as possible.
This was raised in Senate while members were debating Zvidzai’s motion to adopt a legal framework for the operation of provincial councils.
Zvidzai raised concerns that the elected provincial councils are unable to contribute to the national discourse, despite the cost of their election.
He argued that the delay in passing devolution legislation is contrary to constitutional mandates and hampers equitable development across provinces and called upon the Executive to expedite the enactment of the legal framework in accordance with Section 265 of Zimbabwe’s constitution.
Zvidzai joined politics at the age of 17 as he was “born to a political life.” In 1977 he spent three months in Bikita jail for organising people to meet freedom fighters.
After Independence Zvidzai joined the Zimbabwe Unity Movement led by Edgar Tekere as an ordinary member.
In 1994 he was among those who formed the Zimbabwe Integrated Party led by Professor Heneri Dzinotyiwei. He became Secretary for Information and Publicity.
He joined MDC-T at its formation. In 2001,he became the party’s secretary for Ward 3 in Gweru.
In 2003, Zvidzai was voted first MDC-T Executive Mayor of Gweru. The following year he became District Secretary for Gweru Branch.
By virtue of being mayor, he automatically became a member of the party’s provincial executive.
In 2006 he was elected National Executive Council member of the MDC-T and appointed Secretary for Local Government.
He was promoted to the post of Secretary for Elections in the party’s highest decision-making body and will lead the secretariat and staff on election strategy for the forthcoming polls. He also became Deputy Local Government Minister in the GNU.
He has served as late MDC icon Morgan Tsvangirai’s close lieutenant and also as Chief of Staff to Nelson Chamisa at the height of his opposition politics.
Now chairperson of the CCC under Professor Welshman Ncube, Zvidzai was born in Bikita on September 12 1961. He did his primary education at Bikita Primary school. He proceeded to Slveira Mission where he completed secondary education.
Between 1979 and 1980, Zvidzai did A Level at Fletcher High School in Gweru. In 1980 he joined other Zimbabweans at Gweru Teachers College voting for the first time after Independence.
Zvidzai then went to the University of Zimbabwe where he completed a degree in Chemistry and Bio Chemistry. Afterwards he acquired a diploma in Industrial Management from a UK based institution. He went on to acquire a certificate in Ceramic Technology from the Institution of Ceramic Materials based in Germany.
Back home he did a Diploma in Marketing Management.
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