Some, remembering the thousands killed when the Fifth Brigade swept across Matabeleland in a wave of destruction in the early 1980s, call it genocide. The excitement that goes with the anger hinges on the revival of the old Zimbabwe African People's Union as Zapu 2000, a challenge to Zanu-PF's hegemony and control of the national agenda and purse. Describing itself as a movement, not yet a fully fledged political party, it plans nonetheless to contest local elections next August, with good chances of winning some of Bulawayo's 29 councillor seats. In next year's elections, it will field MPs. Active in five provinces, it builds grassroots support through meetings in townships and rural areas.
People are hopeful, especially the young.
The young are the most disadvantaged with regard to access to jobs and education. Bulawayo, formerly Zimbabwe's industrial powerhouse, has steadily lost jobs and investment to Harare. After independence at least six major industries relocated to the capital, close to the decision-making and forex source. With the little there is, Ndebele people bitterly complain about systematic discrimination. He goes on.