ZAPU is a strong political party with proactive policy platforms which make it better able to take on a leadership role in governance and provide for the sustainability of democratic development in Zimbabwe, as well as in the regional context. This documents outlines the face, the stand and the aims of ZAPU with reference to the current political situation in Zimbabwe.
ZAPU has, until recently when another political party in Zimbabwe followed suit, been the only political party to have a Council of Elders in its structures. The functions of this Council are, inter alia:
- Advising and offering guidance to Party leaders at each level.
- Supervising and running intra- party elections and participating in choosing candidates for national and local authority elections.
- Conducting disciplinary hearings within the party and counselling those involved in wayward behaviour to be better and more mature cadres of the Party.
Some sister political parties outside Zimbabwe have commended the creation of this organ and have indicated they intend, at the opportune time, to sell it to their own parties. ZAPU is thus a trail blazer in the creation of this organ.
Apart from the above organ and ZAWU (Zimbabwe African Women's Union), ZAPU has an unusual Youth Front. What makes the ZAPU Youth Front unique is that it is to the Youth Front that ZAPU will, in coming elections, look to first for national leaders, not just for future national leaders. ZAPU is encouraged by the number and quality of youthful leaders joining its ranks and opens up its welcoming arms to those others who contemplate joining it. The elders are determined, not by dictat, but by open discussion, to assist them to attain their optimum leadership qualities, in co-operation with friendly sister political parties in the immediate Diaspora.
ZAPU is arguably the only political party in this country that:
- limits the terms of office of office bearers to a maximum of two terms.
- requires its deployees into the legislature and the executive of central and local government to relinquish their party positions once elected or appointed to such office.
The above measures are meant to ensure that our Party cadres avoid careerism in politics and will also eliminate, at least within our Party, the prospect of a ruling elite and of the creation of political dynasties.
Despite hostile pronouncements to the contrary by tribalists, ZAPU is a national, not a tribal political Party. It exists throughout Zimbabwe.
