ZAPU-Canada province launches its summer mobilization campaign

The city Kitchener, located in the Southwestern corner of Canada's Ontario Province played host to the launch of ZAPU-Canada Province's massive mobilization exercise last Saturday. Responding to an invitation to an outdoor social event by a local community based initiative which is operating under the banner of 'Today's Children, Tomorrow's Leaders,' the Canadian chapter of the Zimbabwe opposition party, ZAPU seized the opportunity to engage in face to face dialogues with diaspora based Zimbabweans to mobilize support for its policies and ideology. Equally undeterred by the intermittent rains on Saturday, dozens of Zimbabweans from Kitchener, Waterloo and the surrounding areas thronged to take part in Saturday's activities which took place at Kingsdale Community Centre on Wilson Avenue.

The event got underway only after the rains had relented in late afternoon. To begin with, there was a game of soccer between a local team and a Toronto based squad which goes by the name 'Toronto FC,' according to Mr Lungile Ncube, one of the players. Also entertaining the crowd that had gathered on the sidelines of the soccer field was a local drum and dance troupe 'Oshungo,' led by Ms Tatiana. The event organizers sold the Zimbabwe's favorite dish 'isitshwala/sadza' which was served with meat that was barbecued on the spot.  Many people, some from the neighborhood trickled in to watch soccer and take part in the day's activities which the organizers had advertised as 'open to everyone.' The soccer game, the sound of the drumbeat and the inviting aroma from the bbq grill all contributed to the swelling of the numbers of people, the majority of whom were Zimbabwean natives. Even towards the end of the day people were still trickling in. It was with this background that ZAPU-Canada mobilization crews sought to engage Zimbabweans, on individual basis and asking them to pay a closer attention to the party's policies which they see as a viable alternative to the authoritarian rule in their homeland. The regime's iron grip on power along with the near collapse of the economy has led to the exodus of millions of Zimbabweans to seek better opportunities in the Diaspora.

With many concerned about the lack of progress in the ongoing efforts to craft a roadmap for general elections in their native country, many Zimbabweans are growing impatient with the current political stalemate and wish for a people driven constitution to be adopted as soon as possible to pave the way for elections so that they can go back and live their normal lives. Most Zimbabweans bear physical and/or emotional scars from the internal political conflicts that have punctuated Zimbabwe's turbulent political life since independence in 1980. Political discussions among Zimbabweans normally become highly charged and are usually characterized by mistrust of one another brought on by years of intimidation, and outright violence meted out by agents of the regime. Organizers of Saturday's event intended this event to be used to diffuse ethnic tensions and to build trust in order for Zimbabweans to open an honest dialogue and chart the course for their country's future.

At the end of the afternoon activities, the organizers ushered their guests inside the Community Centre for a more controlled program where the local Pastor Maupa led the benediction with an impassioned plea for unity. Immediately after the prayer, under the theme of 'Ubuntu,' in Ndebele language or 'Chivanhu' in the Shona language, Ms Thandi Msimanga of 'Today's Children, Tomorrow's Leaders' led the discussions and urged Zimbabweans to shun ethnic intolerance and  work hard to shape the future  of Zimbabwe by inculcating African values in their children. 'Ubuntu' or 'Chivanhu' is a traditional African philosophy which has been translated loosely as 'I am because you are,' in the English language. It has been, since time immemorial, the guiding principle in African culture. Ms Msimanga told the crowd that ethnic intolerance and departure from African values was a serious threat to the fabric of Zimbabwean society. One youth from Toronto, Charles Chipato, originally from Chivu, in Zimbabwe's Masvingo Province said that his generation often get frustrated by the ethnic divisions because most historical injustices occurred before their time and now they are taught to 'hate' each other's ethnic groups for reasons that they know little or nothing about. At that point, Ms Msimanga interjected to introduce a project of 'mentoring' by her organization intended for youngsters like Charles where older Zimbabweans would volunteer their time to mentor and/or counsel the youth. There was an overwhelming response from the audience when asked to become volunteers in this program.
 
The last item on the program was an appeal to Zimbabwean political parties to come forward and talk about their policies in order for voters to make an informed decision. Diaspora Zimbabweans cannot vote under the present constitution but they wield considerable influence over their families and relatives back home because they get somewhat balanced media coverage. The event organizers assured the audience that an invitation had been extended to as many parties as they could contact including the MDCs, ZANU PF and ZAPU. However, it was only the Zimbabwe African People's Union, ZAPU that responded, and sent its representatives. To present their party's vision were a few of the party's leadership in Canada, such as Mr Felix Silundika, coordinator for the Provinces of the Diaspora, Mr Nephat Siziba  the Provincial Chairperson and the most senior figure in the province Mr Ocean Mlaga , a member of the party's NEC responsible for Education. Answering a question from the audience about prospects of forming a united front to remove ZANU PF from power, Mr Silundika said his party welcomed the idea of working with all 'pro-democracy forces in the country' to bring a lasting solution to Zimbabwe's political problems. He noted however that most people seemed to be more obsessed only with the 'removal' of President Mugabe from power yet his party was more interested in the overhaul the entire system and replace it with a 'more just and democratic' one where people in their local areas would have the power to make decisions and regulate their  own economy. Mr Mlaga spoke about the constitutional reforms to change current electoral laws that have lead to the marginalization of many regions in the country.  Also present was Mr Thabani Moyo, the provincial Education Sectretarty and Mr Bango of the National People's Council. Earlier on, a pamphlet containing a statement initially presented by the ZAPU Vice President, Ms Emilia Mukaratirwa in Harare, Zimbabwe recently had been distributed in the room for all to read. In it, the party clarifies in detail its main object of building a democratic state through meaningful devolution of power to the provinces. The statement came as a direct response to recent outbursts by the country's President Mugabe and his ZANU PF that they don't want a constitution with devolution of power. "The President and his Politburo have no authority to impose on the issue of devolution because they are not the owners and the supreme authority of Zimbabwe." the statement reads.
 
There is evidence of overwhelming support for the idea of devolving power to the provinces in Zimbabwe. The recently completed constitution drafting exercise through community outreach programs shows that more provinces are in favor of devolution. Guided by the ideology of 'Human Rightism,' ZAPU feels it has the best policies to bring about meaningful change in the lives of Zimbabweans. Its leaders at Saturday's event spent quite a considerable amount of time outlining in detail the party's vision as well as explaining its organizational structure. The event dragged on for much longer than expected as the audience kept the ZAPU cadre on their feet by firing questions continuously. A gentleman in the audience, Tichaona who recently returned from a trip to Zimbabwe said that most people he had talked to during his visit were 'undecided' voters and that therefore if the elections were held under normal and acceptable conditions, ZAPU had a 'fair' chance of winning. While others spoke of being 'tired' of Zimbabwe politics, many see the upcoming elections as a golden opportunity to rebuild their country.

It was exactly ten o'clock at night when the day-long event drew to a close with ZAPU-Canada having won over a few new members, some of whom paid their membership fees and were processed on the spot.  The organization is planning to hold many information sessions coupled with informal discussions and social events in various cities across Canada.