Zimbabweans Come Together for a Fun Filled BBQ in Canada's capital

Canadians, Malawians and West Indians are some of the nationalities who joined a diverse crowd of Zimbabweans for a fun filled BBQ in Ottawa, Canada's capital last weekend.



Students, academics and ordinary Zimbabweans were among the dozens who turned up  to mingle with others in a social setting which the organizers hope will be an annual event in the city. Music, games and the tasting of a variety of Zimbabwean food  were all part of the afternoon menu of social activities.

Ottawa is home to perhaps hundreds of immigrant Zimbabweans many of whom are students and professionals who work hard to support their families and relatives back home.

The BBQ last Saturday at Britannia Park in Ottawa's West End District was sponsored by the Zimbabwe African People's Union, ZAPU as part of it's summer mobilization campaign.

The  Canada Province of Zimbabwe's opposition party's mobilization campaign normally picks up speed in the summer months  when the weather conditions are suitable for outdoor activities.

So far Zimbabweans in cities such as Toronto, Kitchener, Oshawa and most recently Ottawa in  Ontario Province have witnessed a flurry of activities sponsored by the party and aimed at drawing people's attention to its return to the political scene in Zimbabwe.



The revived ZAPU, Zimbabwe's oldest liberation movement and opposition party is working tirelessly to promote its flagship policy of devolution of power to 5  provinces; Masvingo, Matebeleland, Mashonaland, Midlands and Manicaland.

The party would like to usher in a new dispensation in Zimbabwe's politics characterized by the devolution of power, rule of law, the respect , protection and promotion of human rights.

Party members point to recent reports of the arrest of some of its members in the southern Zimbabwean town of Gwanda for merely having worn their party regalia at a public function as a typical example of some of the injustices suffered by ordinary Zimbabweans on a daily basis that shouldn't go unchallenged. 

To address such problems ZAPU believes that by transferring power to the people, the country will empower communities to govern themselves determine their own future while lessening interference from the central government.  

An overwhelming majority of Zimbabweans including other opposition political parties are generally known to support the idea of devolving power to the provinces. However, it is only ZAPU that has put forward the most distinct, detailed and compelling plan for devolved governance.

Under the plan, provinces would have their own Provincial Houses of Assembly where their laws would be tabled, discussed and enacted as they deem fit. The plan also calls for governors to be elected, not appointed as is the case under the current constitution.

Since the beginning of its revival two years ago, ZAPU has reconstituted its structures in all of Zimbabwe's ten provinces, and additionally, in  four diaspora provinces namely  Canada, Europe, South Africa and USA. "We hope to tackle the scourge of ethnic intolerence through promotion of the concept of multi-culturalism," said one Ottawa Branch member who chose to remain anonymous.

"We also plan to hold open discussion forums aimed at defusing ethnic tensions brought on by years of recklessness and marginalization of ethnic minorities in our country," he continued. Another member, vowed that his branch will  host another  event to promote 'unity' in the Zimbabwean Community before the end of summer. ZAPU Canada is engaged in building political communities which it hopes will result in the creation of permanant party structures across the country. Membership is not limited to Zimbabweans but open anyone who sympathises with its ideals ands shares its vision.

 The BBQ  held last weekend is a shining example of how Zimbabweans from different backgrounds are beginning to warm up to ZAPU's return to their counry's political landscape. With former ZIPRA intelligence chief, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa at the helm, deputized by the eloquent Ms Emelia Mukaratirwa, the former liberation movement is  well on its way to reclaiming its popularity with the masses and becoming a force to rekon with.