Zanu-PF Second Secretary and Vice President Joice Mujuru has urged party members to emulate sacrifices made by their forebearers by selflessly working for the betterment of ordinary people and development of the country.

Cde Mujuru said this on Thursday during a fundraising dinner for the 13th Zanu-PF Annual National People's Conference to be held in Gweru next week.

"Zanu-PF has a rich and long history since the times of the liberation struggle. Those who fought during the struggle did not do so for personal benefit and did not even know that the country is endowed with diamonds or platinum.

"It is this commitment that we should emulate today because most of us have gained a lot from Zanu-PF," she said.

VP Mujuru said the forthcoming conference was critical in mapping the future of the country and the party.

"I urge you all to contribute towards the success of the conference because the generality of the population are expecting a lot from us at this conference.

"The conference comes at a time we are pursuing programmes to benefit our people and future generations," VP Mujuru said.

She said Zanu-PF was founded on strong principles and had stood the test of time and called on party members to value past experiences as they planned for the future.

"His Excellency President Mugabe always takes his time to tell us (about our history) because it is our identity. We are Zimbabweans and we are incomplete if we do not identify with our past," she said.

VP Mujuru said knowledge about Zimbabwe's past struggle would help in mapping the future of the country.

The fundraising dinner was attended by a cross section of society and is part of efforts to raise the US$2 million needed for the successful hosting of the conference.

Meanwhile, accreditation of delegates to attend Zanu-PF conference began in Harare yesterday.

Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo expressed satisfaction with the progress of the preparations.

"Everything is going on smoothly and we successfully hosted our annual dinner while accreditation for delegates from Harare began today and has been going on smoothly.

"The venue is ready and they are just putting one or two final touches and would be ready by the time the conference begins next week," he said.