National Unity Day: December 22
National Unity Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe.
On December 22, Zimbabwe celebrates the signing by Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo of the Unity Accord in 1987, done to end the nationwide conflict between the ZANU and ZAPU parties that had Zimbabwe divided since 1963.
History of National Unity Day in Zimbabwe
Gukurandi—literally translated as “the early rain that washes away the chaff before the spring rains”—was the name given to a conflict that caused the death or disappearance of almost 20,000 Zimbabweans. Most of the dead during the war were shot in public executions.
The Zimbabwe African People’s Union was the main liberation party in Zimbabwe during the Rhodesian Bush War, and in 1963, the ZAPU divided into two parties; the group that split away was later named the Zimbabwe African National Union, or ZANU. When Zimbabwe became independent, the two armies distrusted each other and could not be integrated together into the National Army.
Problems erupted with violent fights nationwide. In the 1980 elections, ZANU won 57 out of 100 seats, and Robert Mugabe became prime minister of Zimbabwe. On December 22, 1987, Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, the respective leaders of ZANU and ZAPU, decided to get together and put an end to the war. However, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the conflict was put to rest, bringing relief and peace to Zimbabwe. The parties would then merge, and Nkomo would later become vice-president of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s National Unity Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The historic Unity Accord that unified Zimbabwe is celebrated every year on December 22. There are political speeches from all parties and government officials, both congratulating the fact that they could move forward together with a unified Zimbabwe, a county that to this day still struggles with its wounds from the past. All over the country there are government-sponsored activities, yet most Zimbabweans don’t give much importance to the occasion since it seems more like a day for political propaganda.
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