#OnThisDay in 1987, the two main nationalist political parties 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 Patriotic Front (ZANU) formed a political and military alliance.

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 PF leader Cde Robert Mugabe and ZAPU leader Cde 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).

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

Happy National Unity Day, Zimbabwe.