PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday convened his first meeting with political opponents at State House in an event that marked the beginning of the long demanded national dialogue among Zimbabweans.

Participants were politicians who challenged the Zimbabwean leader in the July 30, 2018 presidential race with nearly all of them performing dismally. They were all accompanied by few individuals from their respective parties.

MDC Allliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who came a close second in the race, as well as former State Vice President and now opposition leader, Joice Mujuru, both did not attend the meeting.