Dancing, chanting in the streets

The Herald, 4 March, 1980

A CROWD of several hundred sang and chanted party slogans outside the ZANU (PF) office in Manica Road, Salisbury after learning that their party had won.

A crowd thronged around the car of a journalist who had his radio at full volume for the announcement. Laughs and jeers greeted the news that the UANC had gained three seats.

Many of the younger men and women outside the office imitated crowing cocks when they heard their party had won a majority.

When the result was announced the crowd broke away singing and chanting and followed camera crews on trucks down Manica Road.

Ten minutes later an impromptu dance was under way in the street with people chanting what was translated as “ZANU has refused the nonsense”, the nonsense being “Muzorewa, Nkomo, Chikerema, Smith”.

Black and white office workers watched from their windows and blacks leaving work swelled the growing numbers celebrating.

But at all times the crowd was well behaved and the people obeyed the orders of the Police and party organisers to remain on the pavement.

Just after 9am there was a small group of dejected people outside the ZANU office in Baker Avenue.

Although the crowd outside the UANC offices in Victoria Street was somewhat larger, with about 300 people there, there was also an air of dejection.

Hundreds of jubilant and chanting ZANU (PF) supporters in the Highfield shopping centre in Salisbury mobbed buses and cars soon after the announcement of Mr Mugabe’s election victory.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ March 1980 holds a special place in the history of the country as it heralded the ushering in of majority rule following the holding of general elections that ushered in the country’s independence.

◆ In any occasion there are always those who will celebrate while others will be sad, but it is important that those celebrating do so in a manner that does not provoke the other parties.

◆ Zanu PF has proved to be a resilient party as it remains the country’s ruling party since 1980.

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