NS: What made you join politics?
DD: My interaction with people. Visiting the relatives of politicians detained at Khami Maximum Prison in 1959 made me appreciate the objectives of the liberation struggle. I was a social worker with the Bulawayo City Council assigned to process prison visits.
This was the Rhodesia and Nyasaland era when seeds of the struggle for Zimbabwe were being sown among the people. I had already attended some meetings organised by the African National Congress of Zimbabwe before it was banned.
As an avid reader I used to read a lot about politics of the African National Congress of South Africa. I had a keen interest in how the Nelson Mandelas of S.A would organise their struggle for independence.
I got involved in politics at the formation of the National Democratic Party in 1960 under the leadership of Joshua Nkomo, which was born as a replacement for the banned ANC. In 1963 I was among the first group of youths who left the country for military training outside the country in preparation to wage the armed struggle for Zimbabwean independence. I received military training in countries such as Cuba, China and Nigeria among others.
After training I was among the cadres assigned to form the first military arm of Zapu, popularly known as ZIPRA. I was responsible for intelligence from 1965 when I completed military training until the cease-fire of 1979.
NS: What became of you after independence?
DD: I became a member of the Joint Military Command for a year before retiring. Together with some colleagues we formed a business venture known as the Limpopo Enterprise and became involved in a number of commercial activities.
NS: What were your worst moments in independent Zimbabwe?
DD: 1982-1986 when I was arrested and detained for several years together with other Zapu top officials by Mugabe’s security agents. We were accused of plotting to overthrow government by military means after the so called Matabeleland arms catch. I felt so bad, since it was unfair for someone to treat us like enemies of the people, for whose rights we had sacrificed our lives.
NS: What do you think was the motive behind the arrests and prolonged detention?
DD: To humiliate Zapu cadres and officials and throw the party leadership out of the 1987 unity accord with Zanu, which expected the events to lead into its desired one party state.
NS: What do you make of the unity accord?
DD: It was an unholy and unfair partnership as Zanu (PF) grabbed the bigger portion of the cake.
NS: So why did you get into the coalition in the first place?
DD: Negotiations were initiated and deliberated upon for the bigger part while I was detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. Had I been out events would have taken a different completion.
NS: What made you pull out of the accord in 2010?
DD: True Zapu cadres pulled out of the unity accord since we realised that the project was a flop as it failed to serve its intended purpose, which was to improve the welfare of all Zimbabweans and fulfil objectives of the liberation struggle. People were supposed to be given their rights and fair distribution of wealth among others issues.
NS: Do you fit in the shoes of father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo and have what it takes to turn fortunes of Zimbabwe?
DD: Of course. All the same, people chose me as the party presidential candidate after appreciating my leadership qualities and capability. Your question will be fully answered by how I will perform as head of state if the electorate give me the mandate.
With my presidency, all founding values of the Zimbabwe liberation struggle will be fulfilled for the benefit of the nation, despite one’s race, tribe and political affiliation. People will be truly empowered politically, socially and economically. In fact, Zapu will deliver to the people across the country what Zanu (PF) failed in the past 33 years.
NS: As a statesman what would be your strategy to make Zimbabwe benefit from the global economy?
DD: Top of my government’s priority would be to help the Zimbabwe rejoin the world family and enjoy all the benefits that come with such a position.
Government policies should be investor friendly since the ailing economy needs to be speedily put back on its feet. Jobs must be created for those willing to be employed and the economy should turn into a processor and exporter, not the current situation whereby Zimbabwe is the supermarket nation for neighbouring countries.
As a civilised country we should respect the rule of law and give people their rights in totality. All regions of the country should receive equal share of the country’s natural resources and opportunities to empower their people.
NS: What chances do you have as an individual and party to win the presidential, parliamentary and local authority seats at stake?
DD: 100 percent. For your information, Zapu will be in the next government either as an exclusive party or in coalition with some other parties. Zapu is prepared to form a united front with likeminded political parties, provided the unity of purpose does not tamper with identities of involved parties as separate institutions. The main objective of the united front should be to emancipate Zimbabweans from tyranny, in the best interests of all citizens.
NS: If you happen to become the next president, for how long would you want to be at the helm?
DD: One five year term is enough since I believe in leadership renewal.
Biography
Dumiso Dabengwa was born on December 6, 1939 in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland. His father was a teacher at Ntabla.
He did his primary school at Macheche School and Ngwenya Mission before proceeding to Kutama Mission for his junior certificate. For his matriculation he attended Tegwana Secondary School.
He later studied for various tertiary education qualifications, including doctorate. Among other aspiring state presidents, Dabengwa submitted his candidature to the nomination court last Friday.
Post published in: News