ZAPU street mobilisation in a South Africa township

On Saturday May 26th the Alexandra Township ZAPU branch took to the street of Alexandra in a massive mobilisation campaign to encourage resident Zimbabweans join ZAPU. Clad in their characteristic yellow T-shirts members handed out pamphlets carrying the message of Devolution of Power and answered questions from curious bystanders, both Zimbabwean and South African.

The Alexandra ZAPU branch has been involved very closely with the Alexandra community organisations including among others, the community policing forums, resident's associations as well as the South African police in the area. ZAPU has in the recent past mediated in potentially bloody confrontations involving Zimbabweans and some sections of the South African community especially those involving housing. So impressed has been the Alexandra community that whenever there are incidents involving Zimbabweans, they always call ZAPU first. ZAPU is now recognised one of the major community organisations in the township. "The situation is tough and jobs are now scarce here in South Africa. The sooner we address the situation in Zim the better, so as avoid xenophobic attacks on our people", said one ZAPU member who is an active community activists who mediates for Zimbabweans in the area.

During the street mobilisation drive, many Zimbabweans came forward and expressed interest in and support for ZAPU. Many expressed excitement saying they have overstayed their welcome in South Africa would want to go back home and vote the current government out. Among the interested people were ex-ZIPRA combatants who had left Zimbabwe as far back as in 1982 and were pleased to see ZAPU alive again. One lamented the fact that all their war efforts were in vain because they fought for people to be free but up to today the majority of the people are still suffering and some cannot even go back to their own homes.

"We are taking the time to talk to the people and hear their views because ZAPU is for the people. People want change and they believe ZAPU can bring about that change" said one of the ZAPU members participating in the street campaign. More than 100 people gave their contact details and said they would be willing to be part of the ZAPU moving train. Devolution of Power was the subject that almost all the interviewed people impressed a deep interest in.

The mobilisation started outside the Alexandra Magistrate's court and proceeded inside the township up to Malboro at the outskirts of the township.