ZAPU UK Elections Committee Ends Its Work

I send my greetings to you all comrades, leaders, members, friends and associates of ZAPU. I would have loved to be in attendance to witness this momentous occasion in the aftermath of the Zimbabwe General elections to share my experiences, disappointments and most importantly my optimism of what great future ZAPU has despite all odds. However due to circumstances beyond my control, I couldn't make it.

On behalf of the Elections Campaign Support Committee, I would like to start by thanking the ZAPU Europe province leadership for being so visionary by creating the committee, which could not have come into existence at a more opportune time. We feel honoured and humbled to have been entrusted with such an enormous task. The committee completed its six months term on 27th July, which to a large extent fitted in perfectly with the holding of the Elections (call it good timing). We embraced the task not because we felt any wiser than anybody else, but because of our commitment to seeing ZAPU take its rightful place in Zimbabwean politics. (Somebody had to do it).

Composition of Committee
At inception the committee had only five members; I as chair, our courageous foot Soldier Cde Lawrence Siziba (Nkayi North election Candidate), renowned and articulate writer, Cde Thulani Nkala, held the fort in the Publicity and Marketing subcommittee. The Finance and Resource mobilisation committee was in the capable hands of our vibrant, ever green ZAWU Chair (Cde Susan Ndlovu), and the NPC stalwart, voice of reason Cde Sikhumbuzo Mpande. Everybody hit the ground running as we all realised every hour and minute was crucial and started working from day one. We quickly realised more brains and hands were needed and called for backup troops. Cdes Bokani Vundla and Gladys Mabvira quickly responded to the distress signal of our finance and resource mobilisation subcommittee and joined the trenches. The publicity and marketing subcommittee cast the net far and wide and in no time we had Cde Msongelwa Ndlovu  working on the ground in Zimbabwe, Cde Felix Silundika (Diaspora Reg. Co) responded from deep down in Saudi Arabia and Cde Nephat Siziba (PEC chair Canada) all came on board. Ladies and gentlemen, to say these sons and daughters of the soil were a formidable team would be an understatement. They saw "possibilities in the midst of the impossible", worked day and night, attending conferences, organising events, pursuing agreed tasks, contributed financially, materially and never complained. I therefore salute them all, they did ZAPU proud. These are true selfless cadres which ZAPU needs and there are many of such amongst you as shown by the support you gave us.

Operations
We knocked on every door within our reach, spoke to anyone and everyone, liaised with office of the SG, PECs in Diaspora region, Elections directorate, including the president's office to raise the profile of ZAPU as a party and its candidates. I would like to applaud all organs for their support and guidance. There were instances when immediate action was required and our PEC rose to the occasion. In times of disagreement or conflict, we all remained civil and worked together to find way forward and the overriding factor was always, what would be best for the party to achieve desired outcome. Ladies and gentlemen, disagreements are a part and parcel of every progressive organisation and the test is on how they are handled or resolved without suffocating the existence of the very entity we are all trying to protect. Various ideas and strategies were generated, some (e.g. face book, YouTube, publications, fund raising events, etc) were pursued/implemented by the committee and others (e.g. long term election campaign strategies, leads for potential backers) were passed on to other organs of the party including Europe PEC to pursue. There were challenges in some instances, but we were never deterred. Fund raising events were held in various ways and special thank you to all those who contributed and spurred us on with words of encouragement. Birmingham and Newcastle branches positively responded to requests to host fund raising events and their efforts are greatly appreciated. All funds raised through these initiatives were used for Election purposes to acquire equipment or sent home as cash by Treasury.

The future
ZAPU has a unique brand, with great potential which no other political party in Zimbabwe has. All we need to do is to market our product with zeal, as if our lives depend on it without fear, or prejudice. Let's not wait for 2018, as doing so can only spell doom. We need to appreciate those who voted for our candidates and say thank you, galvanise them to stay with us, seek those who didn't, not as a retribution exercise like what ZANU does, but to understand what they want us to do better to win their hearts and we will endeavour to do it. That work comrades has to start today and all of us should play our part. If we stick together and work with a common purpose, the tests we stood yesterday can be turned into testimonies of tomorrow. "Yes we can". Malcolm X once said, "There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time". Elections have come and gone and what we achieved or did not achieve is now part of history, which will enable us to understand why we are where we are and help us prepare for the future. Let's not keep focusing on closed doors, lest we miss out those that are opening.

Our main handicap as a party is lack of resources (both financial and material), however to unlock the jam we need to demonstrate our capabilities by focusing on what matters to the people. Our strength is in our human capital, we have a pool of talented and committed individuals who are keen on taking the party forward, but unless we all stand up and be counted, work for the party, we will take those bright ideas, skills and abilities to the cemetery the day we depart. We do not need to be in leadership positions to work for the party, let's do our best where ever we are. Remember, the ZAPU properties (farms, buildings like magnet house etc) which are still held by our oppressors were not acquired through donations or hand outs, but were amassed though sacrifices by our comrades from their meagre $50 demobilisation gratuities. We need to have well equipped (in skills and experience etc) resource mobilisation committees with the mandate to seek financial and material resources, but as they say, charity begins at home we need to start from the basics. Let's go out to every town, district or village and organise our people, educate them that no one other than themselves can help them to be self-sufficient and stop being held captive by dangling of food and other things and yet being deprived of their true freedom. If we can demonstrate that, some people will recognise our potential and some well-wishers can actually complement those efforts and take them to greater heights. Those candidates that participated are now known by the locals and if they continue to be visible, working with communities, they would stand a good chance come election time.