By Bulawayo Correspondent

ZAPU’s elective congress kicks off this Friday (today) at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, the party’s acting president, Isaac Mabuka said a youth conference will precede the congress before the main congress set for Saturday.

“We are going to have a youth conference on Friday. In the afternoon, we are also going to have a closed door discussion session before the congress which will be held on Saturday. The elections will also be held on the same day,” he said.

However, Mabuka could not be drawn to mention how many delegates will be attending the congress.

“The number of delegates attending the congress will depend on a number of issues. We are aware that some delegates are having transport challenges, but we will only be able to know the exact number of delegates by Friday,” he said.

He added the party has done all it can to make sure the delegates are properly accommodated and fed.

“Zapu solely survives through donations from its members,” he said.

Six candidates namely: the incumbent secretary-general Strike Mkandla, treasurer Mark Mbayiwa, former Zapu Matabeleland South chairperson, Matthew Sibanda, Bernard Magugu, United Kingdom-based Sithembiso Mpofu, and Sibangilizwe Nkomo, the son of the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo will contest in the elections.

Treasurer Mark Mbayiwa, who had previously also eyed the presidential post, withdrew at minute and is now contesting for the chairperson’s position.

The congress has been postponed several times since last year due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.