*MDC HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE PAST WEEK* The Movement for Democratic Change President The Hon Senator Douglas Mwonzora addressed the nation on a number of issues. He first congradulated the Catholic Church for electing a new Pope, Pope Leo, the 14th. The MDC leader pointed to the serious and sorry state Zimbabwe is in. *ECONOMY AND SOCIAL SERVICES* 1) *Access to health* - has become a privilege of a few powerful elites. Hospitals have become death traps, without medicines, and specialised qualified man power. 2) *The Right to Education*- which is well enshrined in our constitution as right now exists only on paper, with 500 000 pupils dropping out of school in 2024 and a further 840 000 more in the year 2025. It is also ironic that even teachers are also unable to send their children to school. 3) *Conditions of service of the Zimbabwean workers* - Whether in Private or Public Sector, the conditions of service are extremely poor. Adding to that, workers have to endure great difficulties in commuting to work every day. 4) *State of Pensions* - Our Pensioners can not live off the paltry sums that they are currently getting. As the MDC we we call upon the calibration of pensions to match the poverty datum line. 5) *Minerals*- Our minerals are being siphoned in their raw form by foreigners to benefit far-off lands with no social responsibilities being carried out by these exploiters. They even bring in foreign cheap labour from their countries at the expense of Zimbabweans. _Our Milk and honey is feeding other nations instead_ *To that end, the MDC Government promises:* 1) Calibrate pensions to match the poverty datum line. 2) Free Education from grade one to form 4. 3) Health Care must be free. 4) Maternity health must be free. 5) Young people and women must be given interest-free loans to start their small businesses. 6) There must be access to credit for our farmers and others. 7) The conditions of service of our workers must be such that they earn wages, which are competitive and above the poverty datum line. They must also be allowed to form workers' committees and join trade unions of their choice. *POLITICAL FRONT* The integrity of our constitution must be maintained, and any wanton amendments to the Constitution to increase the years of the incumbent President is uncalled for, and the MDC promises to lead peaceful demonstration against this move. There must be fundermental human rights, and the persecution of journalists who are doing their job must stop. Zimbabweans must be allowed to exercise the freedoms of expression, the freedom to peacefully demonstrate, and the freedom after self-expression. We demand Electoral Reforms as we prepare for elections in 2028. The MDC, therefore, demands genuine and inclusive dialogue to redress Zimbabwe's political, social, and economic conundrum. *END*