ZANU–PF facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front
Abbreviation	ZANU–PF
First Secretary	Emmerson Mnangagwa
Second Secretaries	Constantino Chiwenga Kembo Mohadi
National Chairperson	Oppah Muchinguri
Founder	Ndabaningi Sithole
Founded	8 August 1963; 61 years ago (1963-08-08)
Headquarters	ZANU–PF Building Harare, Zimbabwe
Youth wing	ZANU–PF Youth League
Women's wing	ZANU–PF Women's League
Membership (2022 est.)	3,900,000
Ideology	Populism Anti-imperialism Pan-Africanism African nationalism
Political position	Big tent
Regional affiliation	Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa
International affiliation	None (prev. Socialist International)
Colours	Green, yellow, red, black
National Assembly	190 / 280
Senate	33 / 80
Party flag

The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) is a political party that has been in charge of Zimbabwe since it became independent in 1980. For many years, Robert Mugabe led the party. He was first the prime minister and then the president from 1987. He remained leader until 2017, when he was removed.

In the 2008 election, ZANU–PF lost its full control of parliament for the first time. They then made a power-sharing agreement with the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC). ZANU–PF won the 2013 election, gaining a large majority. The party kept its strong majority in the 2018 election.

On 19 November 2017, after a military takeover, ZANU–PF removed Robert Mugabe as party leader. He resigned two days later. The party then chose former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to take his place.

How ZANU–PF Started

Early Nationalist Groups (1955–1963)

The first group fighting for African rights in Southern Rhodesia was the City Youth League (CYL). It started in 1955 in Salisbury. In 1957, the CYL joined with the African National Congress to form the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress (SRANC). This new group wanted "one man, one vote" and elected Joshua Nkomo as its leader.

The SRANC became very popular but was banned by the government in 1959. So, in 1960, the National Democratic Party (NDP) was formed. It also fought for African rights and was banned in 1961. That same year, Nkomo formed the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU). ZAPU had similar goals. In 1962, ZAPU was also banned, and many of its leaders were arrested.

Forming ZANU (1963)

In the 1960s, African nationalist groups in Rhodesia had many disagreements. In April 1963, problems within ZAPU became clear. Joshua Nkomo, the leader, was criticized for some of his decisions. Some leaders, like Ndabaningi Sithole and Robert Mugabe, wanted to fight for change inside Rhodesia. Nkomo preferred to work from outside the country.

Ndabaningi Sithole, the first president of ZANU, in 1955.

When Nkomo returned to Salisbury in July 1963, some ZAPU leaders voted to remove him. In response, Nkomo suspended these "rebels." So, on 8 August 1963, Sithole, Herbert Chitepo, Leopold Takawira, Edgar Tekere, Henry Hamadziripi, and Mukudzei Midzi formed their own group. They called it the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU).

Nkomo then formed a new group called the People's Caretaker Council (PCP) to replace ZAPU. Most of Nkomo's old friends stayed with ZAPU. Many newer nationalist leaders, like Sithole and Mugabe, joined ZANU.

ZANU held its first press conference on 22 August 1963. Sithole announced that ZANU would change land laws and guarantee rights for all citizens. He said ZANU was "nonracial" and would include people of all backgrounds. ZANU's ideas were quickly shared by the news. ZAPU, on the other hand, attacked ZANU leaders.

Soon after the split, fights broke out between supporters of both parties in cities. ZANU meetings needed police protection. Nkomo's supporters were very strong in some areas. Both Sithole and Nkomo asked for the violence to stop, but it didn't help much.

ZANU gained support, especially in the eastern parts of the country. ZAPU remained strong in Bulawayo and Matabeleland. ZAPU had more support from the Ndebele people. ZANU got most of its support from the Shona people. ZANU said it would be tougher against white-minority rule. It said Nkomo was weak. Nkomo, however, blamed the split on tribal differences.

The Bush War (1964–1980)

ZANU held its first big meeting in Gwelo from 21–23 May 1964. Ndabaningi Sithole was chosen as the first president. Robert Mugabe became the secretary-general. Sithole said ZANU stood for democracy, socialism, and freedom for all.

The Patriotic Front (PF) was formed as a team between ZAPU and ZANU. This was during the war against white minority rule in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). ZAPU was led by Joshua Nkomo and got help from the Soviet Union. ZANU was led by Robert Mugabe and got help from China. ZAPU had a military group called the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). ZANU's fighters were called the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army. The goal of the PF was to remove the white minority government led by Prime Minister Ian Smith. They used political pressure and military force.

After Independence

Forming ZANU–PF (1980)

Their shared goal was achieved in 1980. This happened after the Lancaster House Agreement in December 1979. The United Kingdom gave Zimbabwe its independence. In the 1980 election, ZAPU and ZANU ran separately. Robert Mugabe and ZANU won the election. Nkomo and ZAPU remained strong in the Matabeleland provinces.

In December 1987, ZAPU and ZANU joined together. This happened after five years of a small civil war called Gukurahundi. The new party was officially named ZANU–PF.

From 1999 to 2017, Mugabe faced a big challenge from the Movement for Democratic Change. Mugabe won the presidential elections in 2002 with 56% of the votes.

In December 2004, Joice Mujuru became the party's vice president. She was the first woman to hold that position.

Recent Elections and Changes

The 2005 parliamentary elections were held on 31 March 2005. ZANU–PF won 59.6% of the votes and 78 out of 120 seats. Later that year, they won 43 out of 50 elected senators. Some people said the election was not fair. The opposition party leader said there were "fraudulent activities." Human rights groups reported many "ghost voters."

In the 2008 election, ZANU–PF lost its majority in parliament for the first time. They held 94 out of 210 seats. Some groups said this number would have been lower without unfair practices.

ZANU–PF party clothes with Robert Mugabe's picture during the 2008 election.

In the 2008 presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC got the most votes. But he did not get enough to win outright, so a second vote was needed. The election process was marked by more violence. Morgan Tsvangirai decided not to run in the second round. He said a fair election was not possible. So, Robert Mugabe was re-elected on 27 June.

Many people blamed ZANU–PF for not dealing with Zimbabwe's 2008 Zimbabwean cholera outbreak. This outbreak killed many people by December 2008.

Former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki helped create a Government of National Unity in 2009. This government included ZANU–PF and two MDC groups.

After Mugabe's Leadership

Robert and Grace Mugabe at a ZANU–PF meeting in 2013.

In 2014, there was a struggle for who would take over from President Robert Mugabe. This was between Vice President Joice Mujuru and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. The First Lady, Grace Mugabe, was also involved. A party meeting was planned for December 2014 to choose new leaders.

Many thought Joice Mujuru would be the next leader. She had support from party leaders and the public. Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa had support from security officials and some business people. He had been with Mugabe since independence. Many saw him as a leader who could keep things stable.

Mujuru lost the power struggle and was removed from the party in 2015. A new fight began between Mnangagwa's group and Grace Mugabe's group. This became violent by 2017. On 15 November 2017, the military took control in Zimbabwe. President Robert Mugabe was placed under house arrest. ZANU–PF then voted to remove Robert Mugabe as party leader. They chose Emmerson Mnangagwa as the new leader. Mugabe resigned on 21 November 2017. Mnangagwa became the new President of Zimbabwe on 24 November 2017.

Robert Mugabe died on 6 September 2019, at age 95. Emmerson Mnangagwa became President.

In the March 2022 elections, ZANU–PF did not do as well as the Citizens Coalition for Change. However, ZANU–PF won the 2023 Zimbabwean general election.

ZANU–PF's Beliefs

ZANU–PF officially follows a left-leaning political idea. The party has a Politburo and a Central Committee.

Land Changes

In the 2000s, Mugabe supported taking commercial farms, often owned by white people. This was to give land to the "landless black majority." When President Mnangagwa took office, he said the government would work on a plan to pay former landowners. Taking commercial farmland without payment stopped in early 2018. In 2018, Mnangagwa said that "all foreign investments will be safe in Zimbabwe." He also asked for more production and new investments in the country.

How ZANU–PF is Organized

The ZANU–PF party has a clear structure. It includes:

• The National People's Congress
• The National People's Conference
• The Central Committee
• The National Consultative Assembly
• The Women's League National Assembly
• The Youth League National Assembly
• Provincial and district committees
• Branch and village committees

The current first secretary of ZANU–PF is President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He was re-elected in October 2022. The other three top leaders, chosen by Mnangagwa in October 2022, are Second Secretaries Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, and National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri.

The party has a Women's League and a Youth League. A third group, the War Veterans' League, was started in 2022.

Party Meetings

ZANU–PF holds regular meetings called National People's Congresses:

• 1st Congress: December 1989
• 2nd Congress: December 1994
• 3rd Congress: December 1999
• 4th Congress: December 2004
• Extraordinary Congress: December 2007
• 5th Congress: December 2009
• 6th Congress: December 2014
• Extraordinary Congress: December 2017
• 7th Congress: December 2022

ZANU–PF's International Connections

Young people from Zimbabwe and the ZANU–PF Youth League dancing at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Johannesburg, 2010.

ZANU–PF is part of the Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa. This group includes six political parties that fought for independence in Southern Africa. ZANU–PF used to be connected with the Socialist International (SI). They sent people to SI meetings in 1980, 1992, and 1996. They were also at a meeting in Maputo, Mozambique, in 1999.

ZANU–PF has not attended any SI meetings since then. Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai, joined the SI in 2008. The Socialist International has criticized the actions of Zimbabwe's government, which is led by ZANU–PF.

Election Results

Presidential Elections

Election	Party candidate	Votes	%	Votes	%	Result
		First Round		Second Round
1990	Robert Mugabe	2,026,976	83.05%	—	—	Elected Y
1996		1,404,501	92.76%	—	—	Elected Y
2002		1,685,212	56.20%	—	—	Elected Y
2008		1,079,730	43.24%	2,150,269	90.22%	Elected Y
2013		2,110,434	61.88%	—	—	Elected Y
2018	Emmerson Mnangagwa	2,460,463	51.44%	—	—	Elected Y
2023		2,350,711	52.60%	—	—	Elected Y

National Assembly Elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Result
1980	Robert Mugabe	1,668,992	62.99%	57 / 100	57	1st	Majority government
1985		2,233,320	77.19%	64 / 100	7	1st	Majority government
1990		1,690,071	80.55%	117 / 120	53	1st	Supermajority government
1995		1,143,349	81.38%	118 / 120	1	1st	Supermajority government
2000		1,211,284	48.47%	62 / 120	56	1st	Majority government
2005		1,569,867	59.59%	78 / 120	16	1st	Majority government
2013		1,110,649	45.84%	99 / 210	19	2nd	ZANU PF–MDC coalition government
2013		2,116,116	63.16%	196 / 270	97	1st	Supermajority government
2018	Emmerson Mnangagwa	2,477,708	52.35%	179 / 270	17	1st	Majority government
2023		2,515,607	56.18%	177 / 280	2	1st	Majority government

Senate Elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Result
2005	Robert Mugabe	449,860	73.71%	43 / 66	43	1st	Governing majority
2008		1,101,931	45.79%	57 / 93	2	1st	ZANU PF–MDC governing coalition
2013		2,120,634	64.27%	37 / 80	20	1st	Governing minority
2018	Emmerson Mnangagwa	—	—	34 / 80	3	1st	Governing minority
2023		—	—	33 / 80	1	1st	Governing minority

See Also

In Spanish: para niños

• List of political parties in Zimbabwe
• List of ruling political parties by country
• Politics of Zimbabwe