After suffering setbacks in national elections and subsequent by-elections, ZAPU says it now recognises the importance of improving mobilisation and electoral readiness to gain political power.
The mother party, which celebrated its 62nd anniversary on December 17, 2023, stated that while the electoral outcomes were not what ZAPU had hoped for, the organisation was ‘proud’ to have embarked on a mission to kick Zanu PF out of Zimbabwe’s governance structures.
“We have since learned a lot from the August elections and the December by-elections, valuable lessons that demand that we should organise better and strengthen the readiness of our party ZAPU,” said party leader, Sibangilizwe Nkomo in his end-of-the-year message.
Nkomo said ZAPU faced electoral defeat in the 2023 harmonised general elections and in several by-elections before and after the August 23 national elections but it was in that loss where their true character is revealed.
“It is not about how we handle victory but how we deal with defeat; that is crucial! Let us remain united, steadfast, resilient and hopeful for the future that lies ahead. As your President, I know that some of you did not want us to participate in the just-conducted by-elections. However, I allowed us to get into them so that we could get an opportunity to learn our strengths and our weaknesses since there’s no straight road in politics.”
In the face of the oppressive nature of the Zanu PF regime, Nkomo stated that ZAPU has fulfilled its democratic duty by participating in elections, in which people are supposed to freely express their opinions and choose their representatives.
“The electoral outcomes may not have been what we had hoped for, but we must stand proud knowing that we embarked on a journey fuelled by our desire to serve our nation and to kick Zanu PF out of the governance of our beloved country,” said the ZAPU leader.
“We have fought hard and will continue doing so to bring about positive change and to create a brighter future for all Zimbabweans. We fought with passion and conviction believing in the power of ZAPU, our ideas and our ability to make a difference no matter the incredible odds against us.”
The ZAPU president also thanked party members and supporters for their tireless efforts, unwavering dedication and undaunted spirit they showed.
However, Nkomo said ZAPU remained concerned about their opponents’ “ perpetual and perennial dubious victories” and demanded that the perpetration of violence and fear spreading must stop before Zimbabweans lose their patience.
“As a peace-loving organisation and people, we shall forever call for peace. We deserve a peaceful country and a caring, people-centred government,” said Nkomo, who assured voters that ZAPU would regroup, refocus and emerge stronger from electoral defeat.
Nkomo noted how during ZAPU’s formation in December 1961, their parents, forefathers and foremothers from across the country organised themselves and gathered at Cold Comfort Farm, a place outside Harare to start a vision to free people from oppression.
“All the ethnic groups of Zimbabwe were represented at that landmark gathering, and it was on this day that ZAPU was born. It was through resilience and determination, that our forebears formed ZAPU after the banning of its forerunners, SRANC (Southern Rhodesia African National Congress) and NDP (National Democratic Party),” he said.
“Their resolve to bring about our liberation was strengthened by the formation of ZAPU. Today we are living in a liberated but not-so-free Zimbabwe, and we say kudos to our progenitors for laying the foundation. To ZAPU we say happy birthday.”
Nkomo stated that Zimbabweans had earned their right to vote after a bloody and protracted liberation war in which ZAPU looked forward to a culture and systems of free and fair elections beginning in 1980.
He lamented, however, that this had not been the case.
“We have been burdened by-elections that have never been free nor fair right from the very first violence-ridden elections in 1980, up to the harmonised general elections of August 23 and 24, 2023,” said the ZAPU leader.
Zimbabweans have always spoken for the past 43 years through the ballot but according to Nkomo, “somehow their voices have always been muzzled by those who have perfected the skill of stealing our votes.”
“The people of Zimbabwe have always expressed their will through the democratic process of voting but have always been short-changed,” Nkomo said.
