In Zimbabwe daylight has broken after a long dim dawn – but they need our solidarity to finish the job

I sit here in shock. I’m reeling from the long loud celebratory shriek of delight down a dodgy WhatsApp line from my old friend Vimbai Zinyama, a senior officer at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.  Eight minutes ago Mugabe resigned! 

“I’m in a meeting with civil society, churches, NGOs, youth representatives, everyone,” Vimbai tells me.

"The mood in the country is for change – this is our biggest chance for democracy.  We are making plans for a people’s convention which we will launch on Friday.  It will set out key issues that must not be forgotten in the coming months”.

The ZCTU, with their slogan ‘It may be dawn, the struggle intensifies’ has bravely and consistently led the way.

In Zimbabwe’s darkest and most oppressive days, when the rest of civil society went quiet in fear of detention, beatings and murder, the ZCTU remained on the streets, led by their General Secretary Wellington Chibebe (now Deputy General Secretary of the world trade union movement, the ITUC.) They remained the only defiant voice demanding better for working people and their families.  

Before then, they created and then became independent from,the only opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, led by Wellington's predecessor at the ZCTU, Morgan Tsvangirai. 

And so, by breaking Mugabe’s one-party state, they began the chain of events that have led to today. Now they’re demanding people-led change: a transitional inclusive government to oversee timebound elections, a truth and reconciliation commission and a break with Mugabe’s neoliberal worker oppressive policies.

You can read their full reaction to Mugabe's resignation here.

Now they need our help to finish off the job – please give what you can to our new TUC Aid appeal.

While intense and justified criticism of the military coup and nervousness for the future exists, the trade union movement, workers and their families in Zimbabwe, more than deserve a period of jubilation. And they have the right to be optimistic that a bright democratic and just future is finally attainable. 

No one knows what will happen next but the ZCTU won’t rest and they are appealing to us for help again. 

Their plans are developing but for now they are asking us to fund them to consult with all their policy structures to develop a coherent policy and plan and to regularly collate and report on what’s happening all over the country.

This may seem like normal union business, but it is a large and very poor country. And the situation is not safe. They need to:

• Secure safe rooms
• Keep mobile phones topped up
• Secure safe, reliable transport
• Buy food and pay wages

So continuing with the British trade union movement’s consistent support to our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters, last week Friday TUC Aid launched an appeal to raise £5,000 to help the ZCTU achieve their plans. The trade union movement is built on solidarity and collectively – so please play your vital role and help us be part of Zimbabwe’s brighter future. 

Please give whatever you can to TUC Aid’s Appeal.