By Promise Dube
The Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) recently held a strategic meeting at its headquarters in Bulawayo to chart a new path for the opposition party.
Led by ZAPU National Chairman John Zolani Dlamini, the meeting aimed to develop policies that would strengthen the party.
Dlamini stressed the need for introspection, and the need to come up with strategies to ensure ZAPU remains true to its foundational principles and goals.
“It’s essential to reflect on where we are, where we come from, and where we want to go,” he said.
A key focus of the discussions was the party’s approach to leadership, particularly the engagement of youth and women.
Dlamini expressed concern about the disconnect between political parties and young people, noting that they are often used merely for political support rather than being developed as future leaders.
“Most parties use youth to gather support instead of building them up to become better leaders for tomorrow,” he observed.
He also highlighted the troubling trend of political violence, with young people often being exploited for the agendas of others. In contrast, he said, “ZAPU is committed to nurturing and empowering youth, ensuring they are equipped to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
The meeting also focused on the need to update outdated policies. Dlamini acknowledged that many issues have evolved, rendering some policies irrelevant.
“We must review our constitution and policies to see if they still serve our party’s mission,” he said.
Leadership diversity was another central theme, with Dlamini advocating for greater representation of youth and women in senior roles.
Dlamini also condemned tribalism and regionalism, which he said are often exploited by rival parties. “ZAPU is not a tribal party,” he noted, criticising the practice of hiring based on tribal or regional affiliations.
He pointed out disparities in budget allocations, particularly in healthcare, where he noted that essential drugs are often unavailable despite allocated funds.
“People are dying every day due to a lack of vital medication, even though there is a budget for it,” he lamented.
