The turbulent origins of Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU–PF, began with a bitter internal split.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it became the dominant force in Zimbabwean politics, ZANU–PF emerged from a fractured nationalist movement. Born from a 1963 breakaway against Joshua Nkomo’s leadership, the party’s early history was defined by intense ideological disputes, imprisonment, and a dramatic power struggle that eventually placed Robert Mugabe at the helm.

The roots of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) lie in the deep divisions within the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) during the early 1960s. Nationalist leaders, including Ndabaningi Sithole and Robert Mugabe, grew disillusioned with Joshua Nkomo’s leadership, particularly regarding his strategy for achieving black majority rule. While Nkomo focused on international support and external movements, his rivals pushed for a more direct, internal struggle within Rhodesia. This friction culminated in August 1963, when Sithole and several other prominent figures gathered at a private home in Highfield to establish ZANU as a new political entity.

ZANU’s platform, articulated by Sithole shortly after its formation, promised significant structural changes, including the repeal of land-related legislation and the implementation of a new constitution featuring an entrenched bill of rights. The party positioned itself as a nonracial organization committed to democratic majority rule. However, the movement faced immediate hostility from the white minority government. In November 1965, just days before Rhodesia declared itself a sovereign state, the government arrested key nationalist leaders, including Sithole, who was subsequently imprisoned for nearly a decade.

During his incarceration, Sithole’s leadership was challenged after he publicly renounced armed struggle during a court trial. He was eventually deposed as head of ZANU and replaced by Robert Mugabe. Following the party’s later merger with ZAPU, it became known as ZANU–PF. While Sithole attempted to remain relevant in the political landscape after his release in 1974—serving on a transitional council and winning a parliamentary seat in 1995—his influence waned significantly. He died in 2000, having spent his final years in the United States, while ZANU–PF solidified its long-standing control over the nation’s political life.

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