When the history of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle is told, attention often falls on the battles fought against the Rhodesian regime. Less examined are the internal crises, factional intrigues and failed unity projects that threatened to destroy nationalist movements from within. This article argues that at some of ZAPU’s most perilous moments, from proscription and underground resistance to the FROLIZI split and the ZIPA debacle, it was the resilience, discipline and military effectiveness of ZPRA that helped keep the movement alive.
Far from being merely ZAPU’s armed wing, ZPRA emerged as a critical pillar in defending the party against forces that sought to consign it to political oblivion. The quest for independence and freedom by nationalist movements in Rhodesia enraged the colonialists, who escalated the defence of their privileges with boundless, violent fury, despite the nationalists’ peaceful approach. Lobbying for racial equality and universal adult suffrage, which should have guaranteed one person, one vote, was contemptuously snubbed with absolute racial arrogance and considered subversive.
On this topic• How the Mogadishu declaration changed Zimbabwe’s liberation war• The Battle of Ngwana: ZPRA veterans recall defining 1977 victory• ZAPU’s Tsholotsho bid strengthened after rival pulls out • How the Mogadishu declaration changed Zimbabwe’s liberation war• The Battle of Ngwana: ZPRA veterans recall defining 1977 victory• ZAPU’s Tsholotsho bid strengthened after rival pulls out • How the Mogadishu declaration changed Zimbabwe’s liberation war • The Battle of Ngwana: ZPRA veterans recall defining 1977 victory • ZAPU’s Tsholotsho bid strengthened after rival pulls out This obscene political arrogance compelled the African people to organise themselves to form nationalist movements to wage a well-coordinated struggle against the colonial authorities. First formed was the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress (SRANC) on 12 September 1957. Ironically, this was the date the Pioneer Column raised the Union Jack in Fort Salisbury (Harare), with no resistance from local inhabitants.
[paywall]
The SRANC was banned on 29 February 1959. The ban motivated the leadership to found a more militant movement, the National Democratic Party (NDP), on 1 January 1960. Like its predecessor, the NDP was duly proscribed on 9 December, 1961.
Shortly thereafter, the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) was formed on 17 December 1961. ZAPU suffered the same fate and was proscribed in 1962. Unrestrained, brutal and repressive measures, imprisonment, detention without trial, and restrictions under the notorious Law and Order Maintenance and Unlawful Organisations Act (LOMA) of 1960 dominated the political theatre of Rhodesia during this period. As nationalist movements stepped up pressure, the colonial authorities grew more aggressive and repressive, with immeasurable fury.
[/paywall]
All Zim News – Bringing you the latest news and updates.
