Joshua Nkomo

Nkomo co-founded ZAPU as a nationalist movement opposing white minority rule in Rhodesia. The party became a major force in the liberation struggle, with Nkomo as its leader.

Nkomo was arrested and detained by the Rhodesian government without trial for 10 years. He was held at Gonakudzingwa restriction camp, becoming a symbol of the struggle against white rule.

Nkomo's ZAPU formed the Patriotic Front alliance with Robert Mugabe's ZANU to coordinate the armed struggle against the Rhodesian government. The alliance was fragile but crucial for the liberation war.

Nkomo, as co-leader of the Patriotic Front, signed the Lancaster House Agreement which ended the Rhodesian Bush War and paved the way for Zimbabwe's independence.

Nkomo was appointed Vice President of Zimbabwe by Prime Minister Robert Mugabe after ZAPU merged with ZANU. He served in this role until his death in 1999.

During the Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland, Nkomo's ZAPU supporters were targeted by Mugabe's North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade. Nkomo fled the country briefly but returned after a unity agreement.