Unity Day in 2024

When is National Unity Day?

National Unity Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe and is observed on December 22nd.

This day commemorates the merger of two political parties, Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu on December 22nd 1987.

History of National Unity Day

In the 1960s, two main nationalist political groups emerged in Rhodesia wanting an end to the minority-led white rule. The Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) formed a political and military alliance.

After gaining independence in 1980, ZANU became the ruling party.

Ethic and political differences between ZANU and ZAPU led to violence and civil unrest and a series of massacres known as 'Gukurahundi', which claimed 20,000 lives between 1983 and 1987.

To stem the violence, ZANU leader Robert Mugabe and ZAPU leader Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord on December 22nd 1987. The Unity Accord formed a single united nationalist political party under the name Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu PF).

The accord ushered in an end to all hostilities by 1990. The political disturbances which started soon after Independence in 1980 have come to be known as Gukurahundi.

National Unity Day has been a public holiday since 1997 as a day to reflect on efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.

Speaking on Unity Day in 2019, President Mnangagwa said: "Zimbabweans must remain grateful to the late former president Mugabe and former vice president Nkomo for the epochal pact which will make the late national heroes live beyond their lifetime."

We thank them heartily, and will forever remember and honour them as founders and makers of our Nation," said the President.

Unity enabled Zimbabwe to defend its sovereignty, grow its economy, uphold peace, enhance democracy and work well with other countries in the region and on the continent," he added.