Zanu PF to Spend $4 Million on Big Annual Meeting—Leftover Food to Go to Hospitals and Orphanages

October 13, 2025 4 min read

President Emmerson Mnangagwa arriving at the Zanu PF annual conference.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 83, will preside over the 22nd National People's Conference in Mutare this week.

The Zanu PF annual conference, a major yearly event for Zimbabwe’s ruling party, kicks off this week with a staggering US$4 million budget. As the party prepares for its 22nd national gathering in Mutare from October 14th to 18th, many citizens are questioning the extravagant spending at a time when ordinary people are facing severe economic struggles. The event is set to be a display of wealth and power, drawing both support from loyalists and criticism from the public.

This yearly feast is known for its pomp and fanfare, where top party leaders arrive in fuel-guzzling vehicles, dressed in designer suits. The contrast between the lavish celebrations and the daily reality for most Zimbabweans has become a major point of discussion.

Top officials gather for the Zanu PF annual conference to discuss party policy. — Top officials gather for the **Zanu PF annual conference** to discuss party policy.

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The Shocking $4 Million Budget Breakdown

Zanu PF National Chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, confirmed the massive budget to state media. She announced that the party had successfully mobilized nearly US4milliontohostthethousandsofdelegatesattending.Accordingtoherstatement,halfofthisamount,US2 million, was raised directly from the party’s own leadership.

“I would like to report that we have raised adequate resources… we have raised almost US4million,withUS2 million coming from the leadership,” Muchinguri-Kashiri stated, expressing satisfaction with the preparations. This funding covers transport, five-star accommodation, extensive catering, and security for the 5,000 delegates. While the party celebrates its fundraising success, critics point out that these funds could be used for failing public services. For more context on the country’s economic situation, you can read analysis from international sources like the BBC’s reports on Zimbabwe.

What is on the Agenda at the Zanu PF Annual Conference?

Beyond the celebrations, the Zanu PF annual conference is a critical political event where key decisions are discussed and endorsed. This year, expectations are high that a faction loyal to President Emmerson Mnangagwa will push to formalize a plan to extend his term in office. President Mnangagwa, who is 83 years old, is the party’s First Secretary and will preside over all major meetings.

The official itinerary begins in Harare with a Politburo meeting on Tuesday, followed by a Central Committee meeting on Wednesday, before the main events unfold in Mutare. These discussions will shape the future direction of both the party and the nation. You can learn more about the political landscape by reading our previous article on Emmerson Mnangagwa’s political career.

In a move the party presents as a charitable tradition, officials have announced that all leftover food from the conference will be donated to local hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions in need. Muchinguri-Kashiri noted that the food collected could feed 10,000 people, double the number of expected delegates.

However, this gesture is often viewed with cynicism. Critics argue that planning for such massive excess and then donating leftovers is a public relations stunt designed to soften the image of an otherwise extravagant event. They suggest that the $4 million could have provided direct and more sustainable support to these institutions rather than just offering them the party’s scraps.

President Mnangagwa’s Schedule and Key Events
During the conference, President Mnangagwa is also scheduled to engage in several high-profile activities designed to showcase development and government initiatives. These include:

Commissioning the Mega Market Milling Plant.

Opening the new National Pharmaceutical Warehouse.

Launching a national tree-planting initiative.

These events are strategically planned to coincide with the conference, ensuring maximum media coverage and reinforcing the party’s narrative of progress and development under its leadership.

The 2025 Zanu PF annual conference is more than just a meeting; it is a carefully orchestrated display of the party’s enduring power, wealth, and influence. While it serves as a platform to decide critical political issues, its US$4 million price tag remains a stark symbol of the disconnect between the country’s ruling elite and its struggling population. As the festivities begin, the nation watches on, divided between celebration and concern.