Zimbabwe African People's Union
Encyclopedia : Z : ZI : ZIM : Zimbabwe African People's Union
Zapu was founded by Josha Nkomo.It was banned in 1962 by the Rhodesian colonial government, and was later engaged in a guerrilla war against it. The armed wing of ZAPU was known as Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA).
In general ZAPU was of pro-Soviet orientation, whereas ZANU had a pro-Chinese orientation. This ZAPU affiliation with the Soviet Union was an axis of convenience,and should not be misconstrued to suggest that the former had a Marxist/Leninist philosophy.ZAPU was, for its entire history, a nationalist political organisation dedicated to pragmatic solutions to Zimbabwe's political, economic and social problems.
In 1980 it contested the first free elections in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe as 'Patriotic Front', but lost to its rival the ZANU. It merged into ZANU-PF in 1987.
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