Zimbabwe First Party

Last updated

Zimbabwe First Party
President Maxwell Zeb Shumba
Founded10 April 2015 (2015-04-10)
Website
www.zimfirst.org

Zimbabwe First Party (ZimFirst) [1] [2] is a political party in Zimbabwe which was founded on 10 April 2015. [3] The party was founded by its current President Maxwell Zeb Shumba, who once served as the Chief Political Strategist [4] for the other opposition political party's leader Morgan Tsvangirai. [5] [6] According to the official statement posted on the party's website, ZimFirst 's main objective is to form the next government through the electoral process, [7] National elections in Zimbabwe are slated for 2018 [8] and the party states that it will contest the presidential and parliamentary election. According to the party's manifesto primary focus of its government would be to re build the economy [9] from an alleged US$4 billion to a "near US$1,5 trillion robust economy". [2] At the time, Morgan Tsvangirai's spokesperson said he was unmoved by Shumba’s departure to form a new party. [10] The Party slogan is Nyika Vanhu, Vanhu Ndiyo Nyika (Shona language version), Abantu Ilizwe, Yilizwe Ngabantu (Ndebele language version). Its ideology is enshrined in the three key principles of Honesty, Accountability, and Unity. [6]

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Susan Nyaradzo Tsvangirai was a prominent figure in Zimbabwean politics as a notable member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) political party, and was the wife of Morgan Tsvangirai, former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. She has been described as being a mother figure for the country, providing strength behind the scenes.

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2008 Zimbabwean general election

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2018 Zimbabwean general election

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Maxwell Shumba is the founding president of the Zimbabwe First Party. He is a chemistry educator and researcher, with publications in reputable journals. Shumba taught at Nyatsime College in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe, where he was Acting Vice Principal, Prince Edward School in Harare and Caprivi Senior Secondary School in Namibia.

The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance was an electoral bloc formed between seven political parties in Zimbabwe on 6 August 2017.

References

  1. "All set for ZimFirst party launch". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/04/22/zimfirst-now-fully-fledged-political-party/
  3. "New Zimbabwe Party Promises to Democratize Southern African Nation". VOA. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  4. "Tsvangirai hires new strategists". The Standard. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  5. "Zimbabwe has to start thinking about what the country should be like after its elderly president-for-life leaves power". Business Insider. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  6. 1 2 Daily, The Zimbabwe. "ZimFirst party: Party outlines what it stands for". The Zimbabwe Daily. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. "ZimFirst Party". ZimFirst Party. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  8. "Mugabe confirmed as Zanu-PF candidate for 2018 election - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  9. "What Can Opposition Parties Do in 100 Days if Elected in Zimbabwe?". VOA. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  10. "Tsvangirai adviser forms own party". Newsday. Retrieved 15 August 2017.