ZAPU leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo says the party’s leaders attended the anniversary celebrations of South Africa’s Umkhonto weSizwe party (MK) to rekindle their close relationship dating back to the liberation struggle.
Former South Africa president, Jacob Zuma, relaunched the MK as a political party on December 16, 2023.
The MK was initially founded on December 16, 1961 as a military wing of the ANC before the breakaway from the ruling party last year.
The MK went on to participate in that country’s general elections held this year, and denied the ANC a governing majority.
Nkomo said they attended MK’s anniversary celebrations last weekend as a reminder of their strong ties dating back to the liberation war.
“We had gone there to express our solidarity for their work and that of breaking away from the African National Congress which no longer represents the wishes of the people of South Africa,” Nkomo said.,
“This also reminds us of our breaking away from Zanu PF after the unity accord in 2008.
“There is a lot in common with the Zapu, Zipra and MK led by president Jacob Zuma that we can share.”
- Divisions rock Zapu
- Anti-sanctions marches a gimmick: Zapu leader
- Zapu on verge of split
- Calls for Ramaphosa to step aside are premature, says Presidency
Keep Reading
Nkomo said MK veterans and Zapu were in the trenches together in Zambia fighting colonialism, imperialism and apartheid.
“We came back to our respective countries hoping that we were going to give the nations their full independence,” he said.
“This did not happen even in South Africa. It is the same thing people are still in search of independence.”
Zapu had a military alliance with the ANC’s military wing.
Initially, the alliance came about because MK needed assistance to traverse Zimbabwe while on their missions to South Africa.
This necessitated making a joint military unit that would be battle-ready such as what was to become Luthuli Detachment at their new camp called Dan-nang base.
Initially, the camp commander of the base was the late former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko.
Upon deployment, the new commander of the unit became John Dube commonly known as Charles Ngwenya, deputised by the late Chris Hani.
