During the Rhodesian Bush War two rival nationalist parties , Robert Mugabe 's Zimbabwe African National Union ( ZANU ) and Joshua Nkomo 's Zimbabwe African People 's Union ( ZAPU ) , had emerged Coming_to_be to challenge Rhodesia 's predominantly white government .

Following Mugabe 's ascension Change_of_leadership to power , his government remained Presence threatened by `` dissidents '' – disgruntled former guerrillas and supporters of ZAPU .

ZANU recruited Becoming_a_member mainly from the majority Shona people , whereas ZAPU had its greatest support Supporting among the minority Ndebele .