The Portrayal of Politics and Christianity by the Zimbabwean Print Media During the Socio-Economic and Political Crisis (2008–2013)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Portrayal of Politics and Christianity by the Zimbabwean Print Media During the Socio-Economic and Political Crisis (2008–2013) The portrayal of Politics and Christianity by the Zimbabwean print media during the socio-economic and political crisis (2008–2013) Muromo Beauty Student Number: 720475 Doctor of Philosophy A Doctoral Thesis submitted to the School of Language, Literature and Media Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of PhD in Media Studies 2018 Declaration I Beauty Muromo, declare that this thesis is my own original work. It is being submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. This work has not been, in substance, submitted previously nor concurrently, in candidature for any degree at any other University. .................................................................... This................day of ………………….2018 i Acknowledgements First and foremost, I thank the God Almighty who has taken me this far (Ebenezer). Through His grace which is sufficient for me, I managed to do this much. I worked with Jeremiah 29 verse 11 in mind. I owe this thesis to His protection. I also extend gratitude to my Pastor, Enios Musindo for your counselling and prayers. I also thank my supervisor, Professor Nicky Falkof for her guidance and mentorship. Her patience helped me gain insight into the world of academia. My gratitude goes to my husband Francis and children; Ruvimbo Lorraine, Takudzwanashe Leon and Ruramai Lesley. Francis was my advisor and my editor. You went without a wife and mother for times on end as I tried to put this document together. My grandson, Tawananyasha Dylan, you made me continue working. To my colleagues in the Media and Society Studies Department at the Midlands State University, I thank you. Special thanks go to Elikana Shoko for appraising me on historical aspects of media and religion in Zimbabwe as well as brainstorming ideas with me. To Doctor Alacate- Lyton Ncube, thank you Chiremba for guidance and corrections offered in the process of writing this thesis. Sister, officemate and colleague – Tariro Ndawana, be blessed! To Doctors Albert Chibuwe and Oswelled Ureke; thank you for reading some of my chapters. To Pamela, thank you for editing this work and making it readable. Your sterling work is greatly appreciated. Lastly, I thank my sister and friend, Leticia Tendai Letwin Njanji, we prayed for this kuGotekwa to manifest. My sisters; Roselyn Bhibhie, Rumbidzai Fambai, Tracy and Marvellous Chapwanya and Vivian Mubayiwa, thank you for the prayers. My brothers, Elliot and Lloyd, thank you for standing by me! Be blessed. ii Dedication To my late father, Edward Gwauya Chapwanya, I know you would have celebrated with me. To my mother, Lydia Chapwanya, your prayers and blessing made this possible. iii Abstract The use of Christian biblical discourses by the African ruling elite to negotiate hegemony remains a site of contention in African politics and the academic space. This study examines how the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) government and politicians especially former president Robert Mugabe appropriated and deployed Christianity Biblical discourses to negotiate and renew a waning hegemony against a backdrop of rising political opposition, mainly from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), in the post-2000 epoch. While significant studies have examined intersections of religion and politics in post-colonial Africa at large, studies employing a media studies approach in contemporary Zimbabwe are few and far between. This study employs an eclectic approach, drawing insights from Gramscian hegemony, Althusserian Ideology and Bateson’s framing theory to examine the nexus of ZANU PF political discourse and Christianity religion as reflected in selected media. The study is qualitative employing an interpretive approach. A total of 79 purposively selected newspaper articles from both state controlled and privately owned media organisations published from 2008-2013, were subjected to Discourse Analysis in an attempt to gain insights on the relationship between Christianity and ZANU PF politics in Zimbabwe. The study shows that to save a dwindling hegemony, former president Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF government at large turned to the pulpit for political ‘salvation’ and legitimacy. In essence, the state controlled media portrayed Mugabe as a ‘God-ordained’ leader and a Messiah to Zimbabwe’s economic, social and political problems. iv Table of contents Declaration ................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. ii Dedication ................................................................................................................ iii Abstract .................................................................................................................... iv Table of contents...................................................................................................... v Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 1.1 Statement of the problem ................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background of the study .................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 History of ZANU PF ................................................................................. 4 1.2.2 ZANU PF ideologies and formation of MDC ............................................ 6 1.3 Study aim ......................................................................................................... 10 1.3.1 Objectives of the study .......................................................................... 10 1.3.2 Research questions ................................................................................ 10 1.4 Rationale .......................................................................................................... 11 1.5 Scope of study ................................................................................................. 11 1.6 Limitations ........................................................................................................ 12 1.7 Chapter outline ................................................................................................ 12 1.8 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2: Literature review and conceptual framework .................................... 14 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 14 2.2 Literature review .............................................................................................. 15 2.2.1 Spirituality in Zimbabwe .......................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Religion, politics and power ................................................................... 21 2.2.3 Missionary press and colonial politics in Zimbabwe ................................ 28 2.2.4 Operations of the media after independence ........................................ 32 2.2.5. The connections between Christianity and politics ................................ 38 2.3 Conceptual framework ..................................................................................... 50 v 2.3.1 Framing ................................................................................................. 51 2.3.2 Hegemony, ideology and discourse ...................................................... 52 2.3.3 Links between framing and hegemony ................................................... 61 2.4 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 62 Chapter 3: Research methodology ........................................................................... 64 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 64 3.2 Research approach: qualitative research......................................................... 65 3.3 Research design: case study ........................................................................... 66 3.4 Unit of analysis ................................................................................................... 67 3.5 Sampling .......................................................................................................... 68 3.5.1 Purposive sampling ................................................................................. 69 3.6 Data collection method: archival research ....................................................... 71 3.7 Data analysis methods..................................................................................... 75 3.7.1 Discourse analysis ................................................................................ 75 3.8 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 79 Chapter 4: Prophecy as an endorsement of political leadership and justification of clinging onto power ........................................................................................... 80 4.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Canada Sanctions Zimbabwe
    Canadian Sanctions and Canadian charities operating in Zimbabwe: Be Very Careful! By Mark Blumberg (January 7, 2009) Canadian charities operating in Zimbabwe need to be extremely careful. It is not the place for a new and inexperienced charity to begin foreign operations. In fact, only Canadian charities with substantial experience in difficult international operations should even consider operating in Zimbabwe. It is one of the most difficult countries to carry out charitable operations by virtue of the very difficult political, security, human rights and economic situation and the resultant Canadian and international sanctions. This article will set out some information on the Zimbabwe Sanctions including the full text of the Act and Regulations governing the sanctions. It is not a bad idea when dealing with difficult legal issues to consult knowledgeable legal advisors. Summary On September 4, 2008, the Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations (SOR/2008-248) (the “Regulations”) came into force pursuant to subsections 4(1) to (3) of the Special Economic Measures Act. The Canadian sanctions against Zimbabwe are targeted sanctions dealing with weapons, technical support for weapons, assets of designated persons, and Zimbabwean aircraft landing in Canada. There is no humanitarian exception to these targeted sanctions. There are tremendous practical difficulties working in Zimbabwe and if a Canadian charity decides to continue operating in Zimbabwe it is important that the Canadian charity and its intermediaries (eg. Agents, contractor, partners) avoid providing any benefits, “directly or indirectly”, to a “designated person”. Canadian charities need to undertake rigorous due diligence and risk management to ensure that a “designated person” does not financially benefit from the program.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Theological Synthesis of Christian and Shona Views of Death and the Dead: Implications for Pastoral Care in the Anglican Diocese of Harare, Zimbabwe
    TOWARDS A THEOLOGICAL SYNTHESIS OF CHRISTIAN AND SHONA VIEWS OF DEATH AND THE DEAD: IMPLICATIONS FOR PASTORAL CARE IN THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HARARE, ZIMBABWE. by WILSON T. SITSHEBO A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts of the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Theology Faculty of Arts The University of Birmingham August 2000 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT In this contextual study I investigate why and how the traditional approach to mission, engaged by Anglican missionaries, gave rise to a dual observance of ritual among Shona Anglican Christians. I begin by establishing the significance and essence of Shona views of death and the dead, then investigate the missionaries' historical background. I highlight that Christian arrogance, in the guise of racial superiority, underlies the confrontational and condemnatory approach. Traditional views were considered evil, in their place, Shona converts were forced to adopt western Christian views as the only acceptable and valid way of coping with this eschatological reality. These views did not usually fit the Shona worldviews and religious outlook, hence the adoption of dual observance.
    [Show full text]
  • Alternation Article Template
    University of Groningen An Emergent Consciousness of the Role of Christianity on Zimbabwe’s Political Field Tarusarira, Joram Published in: Journal for the Study of Religion IMPORTANT NOTE: You are advised to consult the publisher's version (publisher's PDF) if you wish to cite from it. Please check the document version below. Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Publication date: 2016 Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database Citation for published version (APA): Tarusarira, J. (2016). An Emergent Consciousness of the Role of Christianity on Zimbabwe’s Political Field: A Case of Non-doctrinal Religio-political Actors. Journal for the Study of Religion, 29(2), 56-77. Copyright Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). The publication may also be distributed here under the terms of Article 25fa of the Dutch Copyright Act, indicated by the “Taverne” license. More information can be found on the University of Groningen website: https://www.rug.nl/library/open-access/self-archiving-pure/taverne- amendment. Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Downloaded from the University of Groningen/UMCG research database (Pure): http://www.rug.nl/research/portal. For technical reasons the number of authors shown on this cover page is limited to 10 maximum.
    [Show full text]
  • History Timeline from 13.7 Billion Years Ago to August 2013. 1 of 588 Pages This PDF History Timeline Has Been Extracted
    History Timeline from 13.7 Billion Years ago to August 2013. 1 of 588 pages This PDF History Timeline has been extracted from the History World web site's time line. The PDF is a very simplified version of the History World timeline. The PDF is stripped of all the links found on that timeline. If an entry attracts your interest and you want further detail, click on the link at the foot of each of the PDF pages and query the subject or the PDF entry on the web site, or simply do an internet search. When I saw the History World timeline I wanted a copy of it for myself and my family in a form that we could access off-line, on demand, on the device of our choice. This PDF is the result. What attracted me particularly about the History World timeline is that each event, which might be earth shattering in itself with a wealth of detail sufficient to write volumes on, and indeed many such events have had volumes written on them, is presented as a sort of pared down news head-line. Basic unadorned fact. Also, the History World timeline is multi-faceted. Most historic works focus on their own area of interest and ignore seemingly unrelated events, but this timeline offers glimpses of cross-sections of history for any given time, embracing art, politics, war, nations, religions, cultures and science, just to mention a few elements covered. The view is fascinating. Then there is always the question of what should be included and what excluded.
    [Show full text]
  • JOHANNESBURG, South Africa a Politically Vulnerable President
    POSTED JUNE 23, 2008 JOHANNESBURG, South Africa A politically vulnerable President Robert Mugabe and his administration have unleashed the harshest news media crackdown in their notoriously repressive tenure. Startled by March 29 election results that favored the opposition, Mugabe’s government has arbitrarily detained at least 15 journalists and media workers, intimidated sources, obstructed the delivery of independent news, and tightened its grasp on state media. “This is the worst time for journalists in Zimbabwe’s history,” Geoff Hill, an exiled Zimbabwean reporter and author, told the Committee to Protect Journalists. Several other veteran journalists, both local and foreign, offered the same characterization during interviews conducted here and in areas bordering Zimbabwe. The press crackdown comes as police, soldiers, and militants with the ruling ZANU-PF party have orchestrated a campaign of violence aimed at crushing the opposition and ensuring that Mugabe, 84, will remain in power as he has since 1980. On Sunday, opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) withdrew from a runoff scheduled for Friday, saying he could not ask supporters to cast a ballot when “that vote could cost them their lives.” A spike in journalist arrests immediately after the March 29 election—among them the detention of Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Barry Bearak—drew worldwide attention. But CPJ’s investigation has found that throughout the run-off election period, Mugabe’s government has engaged in an ongoing pattern of press harassment. Police have arrested journalists without basis and charged them under nonexistent laws. State radio has been filled with pro-Mugabe propaganda.
    [Show full text]
  • THE RESPONSE of the ROMAN CATHOLIC, ANGLICAN and UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES to HIV and AIDS in MANICALAND, ZIMBABWE (1985-2007)
    THE RESPONSE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC, ANGLICAN AND UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES TO HIV and AIDS IN MANICALAND, ZIMBABWE (1985-2007) BY MICHAEL MBONA Student Number: 207511186 Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY History of Christianity Programme School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics College of Humanities University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa SUPERVISOR PROFESSOR PHILIPPE DENIS 26 November 2012 0 DECLARATION - PLAGIARISM I, Michael Mbona, declare that 1. The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original work 2. This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. 3. This thesis does not contain other persons‘ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. 4. This thesis does not contain other persons' writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced b. Where their exact words have been used, then their writing has been placed in inside quotation marks, and referenced. 5. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the Bibliography sections. ______________________ __________________ Michael Mbona Date As the Supervisor, I have agreed to the submission of this thesis. ____________________ __________________ Prof. Philippe Denis Date ii DEDICATION To my beloved parents John Nyazvita and Marian Zvoitwawani, my bothers, sisters and friends who died of the HIV and AIDS pandemic iii ABSTRACT This study focuses on the history of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and United Methodist churches reaction to HIV and AIDS in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe between 1985 and 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mortal Remains: Succession and the Zanu Pf Body Politic
    THE MORTAL REMAINS: SUCCESSION AND THE ZANU PF BODY POLITIC Report produced for the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum by the Research and Advocacy Unit [RAU] 14th July, 2014 1 CONTENTS Page No. Foreword 3 Succession and the Constitution 5 The New Constitution 5 The genealogy of the provisions 6 The presently effective law 7 Problems with the provisions 8 The ZANU PF Party Constitution 10 The Structure of ZANU PF 10 Elected Bodies 10 Administrative and Coordinating Bodies 13 Consultative For a 16 ZANU PF Succession Process in Practice 23 The Fault Lines 23 The Military Factor 24 Early Manoeuvring 25 The Tsholotsho Saga 26 The Dissolution of the DCCs 29 The Power of the Politburo 29 The Powers of the President 30 The Congress of 2009 32 The Provincial Executive Committee Elections of 2013 34 Conclusions 45 Annexures Annexure A: Provincial Co-ordinating Committee 47 Annexure B : History of the ZANU PF Presidium 51 2 Foreword* The somewhat provocative title of this report conceals an extremely serious issue with Zimbabwean politics. The theme of succession, both of the State Presidency and the leadership of ZANU PF, increasingly bedevils all matters relating to the political stability of Zimbabwe and any form of transition to democracy. The constitutional issues related to the death (or infirmity) of the President have been dealt with in several reports by the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU). If ZANU PF is to select the nominee to replace Robert Mugabe, as the state constitution presently requires, several problems need to be considered. The ZANU PF nominee ought to be selected in terms of the ZANU PF constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe's Liberation Struggle Era Conflicts and the Pitfalls Of
    TITLE: Zimbabwe’s Liberation Struggle Era Conflicts and the Pitfalls of Reconciliation after Independence: A Case Study of Bikita District 1976-2013. By Dorothy Goredema A Thesis submitted to the Midlands State University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History. Faculty of Arts Midlands State University 2015 i Declaration I Dorothy Goredema, hereby declare that this thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy in History at the Midlands State University, hereby submitted by me, has not been previously submitted for a degree at this or any other institution, and that this is my work in design and execution, and all reference materials contained herein have been duly acknowledged. ………………………………………… …………………………………….. Signature Date I hereby certify that the above statement is correct. Main Supervisor, Prof. N.Bhebe………………. …. ………………………… Signature Date Co-Supervisor, Dr.T.M Mashingaidze…………….. …………………………… Signature Date i Acknowledgements I owe a special debt of gratitude to my main supervisor, Professor Ngwabi Bhebe, and Dr. T.M Mashingaidze. Firstly, Professor Bhebe, I will be forever indebted to you. Despite your busy schedule as Vice-Chancellor of a university, you would always make time for me as a student and for my work. You took an interest in my topic and gave direction to many of my disjointed ideas that marked the genesis of the study. You continuously assessed my work, giving me feedback on time and went an extra mile to facilitate co-supervisors and funds that supported my work. I will forever be indebted to your efficiency, wise counsel and critical mind. Thank you Professor for your mentorship and intellectual support.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture and Customs of Zimbabwe 6596D FM UG 9/20/02 5:33 PM Page Ii
    6596D FM UG 9/20/02 5:33 PM Page i Culture and Customs of Zimbabwe 6596D FM UG 9/20/02 5:33 PM Page ii Recent Titles in Culture and Customs of Africa Culture and Customs of Nigeria Toyin Falola Culture and Customs of Somalia Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi Culture and Customs of the Congo Tshilemalema Mukenge Culture and Customs of Ghana Steven J. Salm and Toyin Falola Culture and Customs of Egypt Molefi Kete Asante 6596D FM UG 9/20/02 5:33 PM Page iii Culture and Customs of Zimbabwe Oyekan Owomoyela Culture and Customs of Africa Toyin Falola, Series Editor GREENWOOD PRESS Westport, Connecticut • London 6596D FM UG 9/20/02 5:33 PM Page iv Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Owomoyela, Oyekan. Culture and customs of Zimbabwe / Oyekan Owomoyela. p. cm.—(Culture and customs of Africa, ISSN 1530–8367) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–313–31583–3 (alk. paper) 1. Zimbabwe—Social life and customs. 2. Zimbabwe—Civilization. I. Title. II. Series. DT2908.O86 2002 968.91—dc21 2001055647 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2002 by Oyekan Owomoyela All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001055647 ISBN: 0–313–31583–3 ISSN: 1530–8367 First published in 2002 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984).
    [Show full text]
  • Sr. Janice Mclaughlin Office: (202) 546-7961 Home: (202) 265-3266
    THE AFRICA FUNDm 305 E. 46th St. NewYork, N.Y. 10017m(212)838-5030 HOLD FOR RELEASE IN THE AM MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1978 Contact: Sr. Janice McLaughlin Office: (202) 546-7961 Home: (202) 265-3266 RHODESIA TO BEGIN TRIAL OF CATHOLIC COMMISSION MEMBERS New York, N.Y. March 6, 1978 ----A Catholic Church report documenting the use Of torture, repressioh and propaganda by the white Minority regime of Ian Smith in Rhodesia is being published in the U. S. Its American release coincides with the trial scheduled for March r of three members of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Rhodesia, who are charged with subversion for the pre paration and publication of this report. A fourth member of the Commission, Sister Janice McLaughlin of Pittsburgh, Pa., was arrested for three weeks and deported September 21, 1977 for her role in assembling the controversial document. "Rhodesia: The Propaganda War" helps to illustrate why Smith's internal settlement, which leaves the oppressive army and military forces intact, will not be acceptable to the majority of the population who have suffered at the hands of these forces. The orginal papers comprising the report were circulated within Rhodesia in mimeographed form during July and August, 1977. On August 31 a team of eight police officers searched the Commistion's office, confiscated the files, detained Sr. Janice at Chikurubi prison outside Salisbury and charged three other members with publishing material "likely to cause fear, alarm or despondency," and of violating the Official Secrets Act. The Catholic Institute for International (more) Page 2 Relations in London compiled the papers and published them in booklet form on September 21 after long deliberation between lawyers and church officials whether the publication would further endanger the four Commission members charged with its preparation.
    [Show full text]
  • Dzimbahwe J.Multidiscip.Res. Vol. 1 No.1, 2016 Dzimbahwe J.Multidiscip.Res
    Dzimbahwe j.multidiscip.res. Vol. 1 No.1, 2016 Dzimbahwe j.multidiscip.res. Vol. 1 No.1, 2016 EDITORIAL PAGE Editor Prof. Regis Chireshe Great Zimbabwe University Deputy Editor Prof. Pilot Mudhovozi Great Zimbabwe University Consulting Editors Prof. John Okechi Kyambogo University Prof. Gilbert Pwiti University of Zimbabwe Prof. Johnson Masaka Midlands State University Prof. Soul Shava University of South Africa Prof. Pesanayi Gwirayi Great Zimbabwe University Prof. Bhekimpilo Sibanda Lupane State University Prof. Lawrence Ugbo Ugwuanyi University of Abuja Dr. Gamuchirai Ndamba Great Zimbabwe University Language Editor Mr Josiah Sithole Great Zimbabwe University © Great Zimbabwe University 2016 ISSN 2518 - 4334 Disclaimer Opinions expressed in the journal are those of the authors, and not necessarily the Editorial Board or publisher. The journal does not guarantee the appropriateness, for any purpose, of any method, product, process or device described or identified in an article. Ultimate responsibility in interpretation of published material lies with the authors concerned. Neither the Editorial Board nor the publishers can accept any liability whatsoever in respect of a claim for damages arising from any publication. Publisher Contact details Great Zimbabwe University Telephone: +263 39254085 P. O. Box 1235 Fax: +263 39266650 Masvingo E-mail: [email protected] Zimbabwe Dzimbahwe j.multidiscip.res. Vol. 1 No.1, 2016 Dzimbahwe Journal of Multidisciplinary Research © GZU 2016 Dzimbahwe j.multidiscip.res. Vol. 1 No.1, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS
    [Show full text]
  • Elections in Zimbabwe: the ZANU (PF) Hegemony and Its Incipient Decline Masipula Sithole and John Makumbe*
    The African e-Journals Project has digitized full text of articles of eleven social science and humanities journals. This item is from the digital archive maintained by Michigan State University Library. Find more at: http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/africanjournals/ Available through a partnership with Scroll down to read the article. Afr.j. polit. sci. (1997), Vol. 2 No. 1, 122-139 Elections in Zimbabwe: The ZANU (PF) Hegemony and its Incipient Decline Masipula Sithole and John Makumbe* Abstract This contribution seeks to explain the ruling ZANU (PF) party's electoral hege- mony by outlining and analysing Zimbabwe 'sfive general elections since 1979 and the two presidential elections since 1990. In this regard, the paper argues that the ruling party is experiencing a gradual decline in elite cohesion which is manifested in the electoral challenge of independent candidates coming from the ruling party itself. This phenomenon of independent candidates could have far-reaching consequences in overcoming the present state of weak political opposition in Zimbabwe. The paper therefore suggests a scenario in which a viable opposition could come from a splinter group inside the ruling ZANU (PF) itself not unlike the major ZAPU/ZANU split of 1963. Introduction Observers of the Zimbabwe political scene are likely to assume that Zimbabwe was, until the 1990s, a one-party state. This is because for the better part of the 1980s Zimbabwe's political leadership and the ruling party aggressively advo- cated a one-party system. The socialist ideology which the leadership proclaimed during this period also reinforces this view. The fact, however, is that Zimbabwe has never been a one-party state, before or after independence in 1980.
    [Show full text]