News / National
'Zapu not dead'
22 Dec 2021 at 04:50hrs | Views
ZAPU president Sibangilizwe Nkomo has dismissed the notion that the party had no support and could not win elections as it was stuck in the past and basking in yesteryear glory.
Nkomo, son of the late Vice-President Joshua, who was elected Zapu president recently, made the statements at an event held to celebrate the party's 60th anniversary, recently.
Zapu was launched on December, 17, 1961.
Despite its rich history, Zapu has performed badly in recent elections.
In 2019, the opposition party initiated a renewal and rebranding exercise that sought to retire the old guard to pave way for young blood.
"There is no doubt that there is no party with a past as glorious as that of Zapu. We have a rich history and that history is a serious heritage for our people.
"Some will tell us that we are stuck in the past when we tell the story of Zapu.
"It is not that we are stuck, we cannot afford to be," Nkomo said.
Nkomo said Zapu would continue celebrating its past without shame.
"Had they (Zanu-PF) not been jealous, they would not have confiscated our archives.
"They would not have killed the makers of that history in genocide. They would not be claiming the exploits of our fathers.
"They would not be embellishing their own history and they would not use the State media to tell a one-sided story of Zimbabwe."
Government seized properties and records belonging to Zipra, the military wing of Zapu during the liberation struggle, after accusing the opposition party of plotting to unseat it.
Among the seized records and materials are cassettes with original recordings of Zapu war songs.
Nkomo added: "Our history has been dwarfing theirs since the day we came back from the war. As a result, we will not keep quiet. Zapu history is our legacy. Zapu history is our heritage.
"We will speak about our history because it is a clear template of the values and ideals that we stand for.
"After fighting so hard for this country, it is a shame that the country is in this State."
Nkomo, son of the late Vice-President Joshua, who was elected Zapu president recently, made the statements at an event held to celebrate the party's 60th anniversary, recently.
Zapu was launched on December, 17, 1961.
Despite its rich history, Zapu has performed badly in recent elections.
In 2019, the opposition party initiated a renewal and rebranding exercise that sought to retire the old guard to pave way for young blood.
"There is no doubt that there is no party with a past as glorious as that of Zapu. We have a rich history and that history is a serious heritage for our people.
"Some will tell us that we are stuck in the past when we tell the story of Zapu.
"It is not that we are stuck, we cannot afford to be," Nkomo said.
Nkomo said Zapu would continue celebrating its past without shame.
"Had they (Zanu-PF) not been jealous, they would not have confiscated our archives.
"They would not have killed the makers of that history in genocide. They would not be claiming the exploits of our fathers.
"They would not be embellishing their own history and they would not use the State media to tell a one-sided story of Zimbabwe."
Government seized properties and records belonging to Zipra, the military wing of Zapu during the liberation struggle, after accusing the opposition party of plotting to unseat it.
Among the seized records and materials are cassettes with original recordings of Zapu war songs.
Nkomo added: "Our history has been dwarfing theirs since the day we came back from the war. As a result, we will not keep quiet. Zapu history is our legacy. Zapu history is our heritage.
"We will speak about our history because it is a clear template of the values and ideals that we stand for.
"After fighting so hard for this country, it is a shame that the country is in this State."
Source - NewsDay Zimbabwe
