The Original Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) was officially relaunched in a peaceful and spirited ceremony held at the Small City Hall in Bulawayo, marking a significant return of one of Zimbabwe’s oldest liberation movements. The relaunch is being spearheaded by a faction of former members who say they are reclaiming the party from individuals who have allegedly hijacked its leadership and abandoned its founding principles.
Interim President of the Original ZAPU, Mathew Sibanda, led the proceedings, making it clear that the revival was a response to what he described as a betrayal of democratic processes within the party. Sibanda criticized the recent imposition of Sibangilizwe Nkomo—son of the late Dr. Joshua Nkomo—as leader of ZAPU without proper consultation or adherence to party procedures.
“We agreed to revive the Original ZAPU after realizing that those who hijacked the party have no plans to build it. Instead, they are working hand-in-hand with the ruling ZANU-PF to destroy what our heroes fought for, using backdoor and clandestine means,” said Sibanda to a supportive audience.
He further announced that a national congress will soon be convened to formalize the leadership structure and craft a strategy aimed at addressing the political and socio-economic crises facing Zimbabwe today. “This revival is not about personal power—it is about rescuing our nation,” Sibanda emphasized.
Stylish Magida, the interim Deputy Organizing Secretary, echoed Sibanda’s sentiments, stressing the need for political courage in confronting lawlessness, corruption, and the current state of national decay. He accused the government of gross mismanagement and warned that without strong opposition voices, Zimbabwe would continue on a destructive path.
Original ZAPU Relaunched in Bulawayo Amid Growing Political Discontent
“Zimbabweans are suffering under the weight of a regime that has no interest in the people’s well-being. There’s no accountability, no vision, and no conscience. If we don’t stand up now, we will have failed future generations,” Magida said.
Also present at the event was ZAPU elder Gideon Dlamini, who voiced his frustration over the worsening economic conditions in the country. Dlamini lamented the widening gap between the elite and the general population, saying the majority of Zimbabweans are being left to starve while a few enjoy unchecked privilege.
“There’s no food, no jobs, and hospitals are in shambles. Yet we have a government that pretends everything is normal. There is no empathy, no sense of responsibility from those in power,” Dlamini stated with deep concern.
The relaunch event also drew support from members of the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), a regional political movement that shares similar concerns about the marginalization of Matabeleland. MRP officials in attendance pledged solidarity with the revived ZAPU, saying both parties are united by a common cause: confronting a system they believe thrives on division, oppression, and underdevelopment.
MRP representative Nkosilathi Khanye welcomed the move, saying, “We are highly delighted to see that ZAPU has regrouped and that strong men and women are standing up once more to challenge a corrupt and oppressive system. This is a step toward justice.”
Young people were also represented at the event, with Bulawayo-based youth activist Nkosilathi Tshuma making a passionate appeal to fellow young Zimbabweans to support the Original ZAPU. Tshuma criticized the government for sidelining the youth, despite their high levels of education and untapped potential.
“As young people, we’ve been forgotten. We’re educated but jobless. The so-called youth empowerment programs are only accessible to those connected to the ruling elite. It’s time for us to stand up and demand a future that includes us,” Tshuma urged.
The ceremony concluded with calls for unity among all progressive forces in the country. Speakers emphasized the need to move beyond rhetoric and start building sustainable, community-driven political structures that can challenge the status quo and offer hope to Zimbabweans.
Efforts to get a response from ZANU-PF were unsuccessful. ZimEye reached out to the party’s Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu, but he did not respond to calls or messages.
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with political and economic instability, the relaunch of the Original ZAPU may mark a new chapter in the country’s opposition politics. Whether the party can regain its former influence remains to be seen, but for many of its supporters, the relaunch represents a much-needed return to the founding values of the liberation struggle—justice, unity, and people-first leadership.
