|
 |
|
Zimbabwe's ruling party elected longtime cabinet minister Joyce
Mujuru as the country's first woman vice-president at the end of a
party congress.(AFP) |
Zimbabwe's ruling party today elected long-time cabinet minister Joyce
Mujuru as the country's first woman vice-president.
Mujuru, the minister of water resources, was elected by six of
the country's 10 provinces, and confirmed in her new position as
vice president of the ruling Zimbabwe African National - Union Patriotic
Front party and of the country.
She will hold the post jointly with veteran nationalist Joseph Msika
and fill the post left vacant by the death of Simon Muzenda, who died last
year.
She was elected at the close of a ruling party congress being held in
the capital Harare. Her election however, comes as little surprise after
President Robert Mugabe said he and the party were behind her.
At the same congress Mugabe was unanimously confirmed as president of
the party, amid cheers from around 10,000 party delegates attending the
congress. Co-Vice President Msika was also confirmed in his position.
Her election is likely to be welcomed by women who make up more than 50
per cent of the country's 11.6 million people.
After the announcement of her election Mugabe's wife Grace rose from
her chair and embraced Mujuru.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-12-06 11:29