The Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) is a political party in Zimbabwe, founded in 1963. It emerged as a key player in the struggle against colonial rule and white minority governance. ZANU aimed to represent the interests of the African majority and sought independence for Zimbabwe, which was then known as Rhodesia. In 1980, ZANU, led by Robert Mugabe, won the first democratic elections in Zimbabwe, leading to the country's independence. The party later merged with its rival, the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), to form the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), which has dominated Zimbabwean politics since.