I begin by reminding all present that ZAPU had gone into the Unity accord in 1987, not by choice but as a way of saving innocent Zimbabwean lives. Let me remind all that the accord was signed under the great gloom of the moment that will forever remain the blot in our country’s history of 20 000 innocent lives massacred in the quest of dividing the people of Zimbabwe and perpetuating the rule and dominance of Zimbabweans over fellow Zimbabweans.
Although the basis of going into that accord was a negative one, nonetheless ZAPU members were in earnest in their approach and were determined to make the agreement work for the betterment of ALL Zimbabweans. ZAPU as a Party of honour and honesty went into the unity fostered upon us in good faith; the same could not be said of our erstwhile partners in government. The agreement was made to bring the two partners in the Patriotic front were of equal worth and thus ZAPU believed that our partners would be made to appreciate the great benefits to all of a truly independent and united nation.
After many attempts to bring about the change enshrined in the vision of ZAPU which is of giving the people of Zimbabwe the right to self-determination proved futile, it became a question of when ZAPU would see it opportune to disengage from the untenable alliance with ZANU. Even well before the final act was done, going back a far as 2000, the point of no return had been reached by members of ZAPU in the Unity accord.
The end of the relationship was not through lack of effort of those from ZAPU as many efforts were made to bring about the change to the governing party; this including through the 1999 constitutional referendum. Such a time came in 2008 after the Presidential elections when we felt that we could no longer be part and parcel of a government which fraudulently won an election using violence thereby continuing to frustrate the people’s wish to decide the manner of their government. The continued lawlessness by the government and the disdain for human life, all of which are inimical to ZAPU’s principles and values would have made ZAPU complicit in what could be termed crimes against humanity.
For ZAPU the lives of every Zimbabwean, irrespective of race, colour or any such outward difference is sacrosanct. Let me re-state that ZAPU has never and will never be involved in shedding of the blood of Zimbabweans. In true ZAPU spirit we had to consult our leader in the unity arrangement about the decision to pull out, Joseph Msika who advised that only a ZAPU congress could take the decision to pull out.
Therefore, the consultative congress was called in December 2008 and it was this that endorsed the decision to pull out but resolved that a special congress be called to endorse the decision. Thus the special congress was held in May 2009 and this came up with the overwhelming decision that the co-existence in government with ZANU was well past its time. An interim National Executive and a new structure for the Party, the Council of Elders were elected and tasked with to convene a full elective congress within 12 months. The said congress was thus held in August 2010.
The revived ZAPU had the same vision as of the founding visionaries but with an even greater ambition and determination to deliver the people’s aspirations. Of necessity the methods and approaches towards achieving those goals have changed in line with the prevailing circumstances. Our solemn pledge is that never will the shining star of ZAPU be eclipsed again.
All through the period, even the time in the unity government, ZAPU has remained loyal to and cherished its basic principles of individual freedom, respect for human rights which it shared with other like-minded sister liberation movements which in one form or another it continued to remain in contact with, notable among these are the ANC of South Africa, SWAPO of Namibia, MPLA of Angola and FRELIMO of Mozambique.
Likewise we will never forget and will always remain greatly indebted to those countries that provided us with bases from which we could execute our liberation struggle which ushered in independence in 1980, again most notably among those being the frontline states of Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and later Mozambique.
Much further afield we received invaluable friendship and support from a number of progressive socialist countries, again notably the Soviet Union, China, GDR, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Sweden, Algeria and Libya.
Much appreciate support also came from countries of the OAU, namely but not exclusively, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana. The West Indian states did also offer most valuable aid. Other states, even though not offering us aid directly, did contribute to our struggle for liberation by offering refuge and shelter to those of our countrymen and women that had to flee the minority regime. Among these were the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Norway, Germany and India.
