DOCSLIB.ORG

The Theme of Protest in the Post- Independence Shona Novel

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Theme of Protest in the Post- Independence Shona Novel THE THEME OF PROTEST IN THE POST- INDEPENDENCE SHONA NOVEL by MICKSON MAZURUSE submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the subject AFRICAN LANGUAGES at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF D.E MUTASA NOVEMBER 2010 DECLARATION Student number: 4310-988-8 I declare that THE THEME OF PROTEST IN THE POST-INDEPENDENCE SHONA NOVEL is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ___________________ ____________________ (Mazuruse Mickson) i DEDICATION I dedicate this study to my wife Jowana and son Edmore for enduring loneliness and emotional constraints while I furthered my education. I also dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my late father, Samson Justinus Mucherowei Mazuruse, whose unforgettable inspiration helped me to realize the full potential of education. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I take this opportunity to thank my supervisor, Professor D.E.Mutasa whose constructive criticism and guidance gave direction and shape to this research. Special thanks also go to Dr.J. Mapara, who has been a constant pillar of support and encouragement when all seemed too difficult for me. My gratitude also goes to the University of South Africa which offered me a bursary that enabled me to pursue my post-graduate studies. iii ABSTRACT The study discusses selected Shona novels‟ depiction of the theme of protest in the post-independence era in Zimbabwe. The ideas that these novels generate on protest are examined in the context of socio-political and socio-cultural issues in post-independent Zimbabwe. The study is an investigation of the extent to which protest literature is indispensable in the struggle of African people to liberate themselves from imperialist servitude. Novels on socio-political protest show how the government has failed to deliver on most of its promises because of neocolonialism and corruption. Novels on socio-cultural protest show how cultural innovations in post-independence Zimbabwe brought problems .The study comes to the conclusion that for literature to be reliable and useful to society it is not enough to highlight weaknesses in criticizing, but it should go beyond that and offer constructive and corrective criticism. This shows that protest literature is a vital tool for social transformation in Zimbabwe. Title of Dissertation The theme of Protest in the post-independence Shona novel KEY TERMS Socio-political protest, socio-cultural protest, constructive criticism, cultural heritage, cultural assimilation, post-independence disillusionment, economic independence, neocolonialism, unfulfilled promises, women empowerment. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................ i DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Preamble................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Aims of the study ...................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Objectives .................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Research Questions .................................................................... 6 1.2.3 Definition of Key Terms ............................................................... 6 1.3 Justification of the Research ..................................................................... 9 1.4 Literature Review .................................................................................... 11 1.5 Research methodology ........................................................................... 15 1.6 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................... 17 1.7 Scope of study ........................................................................................ 20 1.8 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 22 CHAPTER TWO HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO POST-INDEPENDENCE PROTEST IN THE SHONA NOVELS IN ZIMBABWE ....................................................................... 23 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 23 2.2 Pre-independence protest ....................................................................... 23 2.2.1 Protest in oral literature ............................................................. 23 2.2.2 Protest in the pre-independence Shona novel ........................... 25 2.3 Background to post-independence socio-political protest ....................... 30 2.3.1 The land question as a source of protest ................................... 32 2.3.2 Neo-colonialism as a source of protest ...................................... 38 2.3.3 Corruption as a source of protest .............................................. 43 2.4 Background to post-independence socio-cultural protest ....................... 45 2.4.1 Protest against acculturation ..................................................... 46 v 2.4.2 Protest against the marginalization of women ........................... 50 2.4.3 Protest against contentious policies of marriage, family and gender relations ......................................................................... 52 2.5 The protest writer and his responsibilities ............................................... 55 2.6 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 59 CHAPTER THREE MANIFESTATIONS OF SOCIO-POLITICAL PROTEST IN SELECTED SHONA NOVELS............................................................................................................... 61 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 61 3.2 Manifestation of neocolonialism .............................................................. 62 3.2.1 Definition of neo-colonialism ...................................................... 62 3.2.2 The Lancaster House Agreement .............................................. 66 3.2.3 The policy of reconciliation ........................................................ 72 3.2.4 Conflict of ideologies ................................................................. 79 3.2.4.1 The demise of socialism in post-independence Zimbabwe ....... 79 3.2.4.2 War veterans and unfulfilled promises ....................................... 84 3.2.4.3 Political intolerance in post-independent Zimbabwe. ................. 87 3.3 Challenges of the land issue in post-independent Zimbabwe ................. 92 3.4 Manifestations of corruption in the post-independence era ..................... 99 3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................ 102 CHAPTER FOUR MANIFESTATIONS OF SOCIO-CULTURAL PROTEST IN SELECTED POST- INDEPENDENCE SHONA NOVELS ................................................................. 103 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 103 4.2 Manifestations of acculturation in selected texts ................................... 104 4.2.1 Protest against cultural integration .......................................... 105 4.2.2 Protest against Cultural assimilation ........................................ 114 4.3 Protest against the marginalization of women....................................... 119 4.4 Protest against Contentious policies of marriage, family and gender relations ................................................................................................ 129 4.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................ 142 vi CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................. 143 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 143 5.2 Conclusions and findings ...................................................................... 143 5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................ 150 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................ 152 Primary Sources ................................................................................................. 152 Secondary Sources ............................................................................................ 153 Thesis, dissertations, seminar and conference papers ..........Error! Bookmark not defined. Journals, magazines, newspapers and pamphlets .. Error! Bookmark not defined. Interviews ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Appendices..........................................................................................................159 vii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 PREAMBLE Literature contributes much to society if it is critical enough to stimulate debate
Load more

Recommended publications
  • From Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.Pdf
    THE S.A. ' "!T1!TE OF INTERNATIONAL AFi -! NOT "(C :.-_ .^ FROM RHODESIA TO ZIMBABWE Ah Analysis of the 1980 Elections and an Assessment of the Prospects Martyn Gregory OCCASIONAL. PAPER GELEEIMTHEIOSPUBUKASIE DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE INSTITUUT MN INTERNASIONALE AANGELEENTHEDE THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Martyn Gregory* the author of this report, is a postgraduate research student,at Leicester University in Britain, working on # : thesis, entitled "International Politics of the Conflict in Rhodesia". He recently spent two months in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, : during the pre- and post-election period, as a Research Associate at the University of Rhodesia (now the University of Zimbabwe). He travelled widely throughout the country and interviewed many politicians, officials and military personnel. He also spent two weeks with the South African Institute of International Affairs at Smuts House in Johannesburg. The author would like to thank both, the University of Zimbabwe and the Institute for assistance in the preparation of this report, as well as the British Social Science Research Council which financed his visit to Rhodesia* The Institute wishes to express its appreciation to Martyn Gregory for his co-operation and his willingness to prepare this detailed report on the Zimbabwe elections and their implications for publication by the Institute. It should be noted that any opinions expressed in this report are the responsibility of the author and not of the Institute. FROM RHODESIA TO ZIMBABWE: an analysis of the 1980 elections and an assessment of the prospects Martyn Gregory Contents Introduction .'. Page 1 Paving the way to Lancaster House .... 1 The Ceasefire Arrangement 3 Organization of the Elections (i) Election Machinery 5 (i i) Voting Systems 6 The White Election 6 The Black Election (i) Contesting Parties 7 (ii) Manifestos and the Issues .
    [Show full text]
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer
    Edinburgh Research Explorer “Through the Narrow Door” Citation for published version: Karekwaivanane, G 2016, '“Through the Narrow Door”: Narratives of the First Generation of African Lawyers in Zimbabwe’', Africa, vol. 86, no. 1, pp. 59-77. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0001972015000789 Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1017/S0001972015000789 Link: Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer Document Version: Peer reviewed version Published In: Africa General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Edinburgh Research Explorer is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The University of Edinburgh has made every reasonable effort to ensure that Edinburgh Research Explorer content complies with UK legislation. If you believe that the public display of this file breaches copyright please contact [email protected] providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 02. Oct. 2021 ‘THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR’: NARRATIVES OF THE FIRST GENERATION OF AFRICAN LAWYERS IN ZIMBABWE George H. Karekwaivanane ABSTRACT Given the important role played by lawyers in formal legal systems, the study of legal professionals can help us understand the efforts to maintain law and social order in Africa. This article examines the narratives of two Zimbabwean lawyers, Kennedy Sibanda and Honour Mkushi, about their experiences as legal professionals between 1970 and 1990, and makes three main arguments. Firstly, these narratives are revealing of the complex interplay between individual agency, politics and law across the two decades.
    [Show full text]
  • Re-Living the Second Chimurenga
    1-9.fm Page 1 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:57 PM FAY CHUNG Re-living the Second Chimurenga Memories from the Liberation Struggle in Zimbabwe With an introduction by Preben Kaarsholm THE NORDIC AFRICA INSTITUTE, 2006 Published in cooperation with Weaver Press 1-9.fm Page 2 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:57 PM Indexing terms Biographies National liberation movements Liberation Civil war Independence ZANU Zimbabwe RE-LIVING THE SECOND CHIMURENGA © The Author and Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, 2006 Cover photo: Tord Harlin The Epsworth rocks, Zimbabwe Language checking: Peter Colenbrander ISBN 91 7106 551 2 (The Nordic Africa Institute) 1 77922 046 4 (Weaver Press) Printed in Sweden by Elanders Gotab, Stockholm, 2006 1-9.fm Page 3 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:57 PM Dedicated to our children's generation, who will have to build on the positive gains and to overcome the negative aspects of the past. 1-9.fm Page 4 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:57 PM 1-9.fm Page 5 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:57 PM Contents Introduction: Memoirs of a Dutiful Revolutionary Preben Kaarsholm ................................................................................................................ 7 1. Growing up in Colonial Rhodesia ...................................................... 27 2. An Undergraduate in the ‘60s ............................................................ 39 3. Teaching in the Turmoil of the Townships ................................. 46 4. In Exile in Britain ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 – Heroes 10
    NATIONAL HEROES (10th Series) Issued 28th July, 2014 (Extracted from Philatelic Bureau Bulletin No 2 of 2016)2 40c: Victoria Fikile Chitepo Born on 28th March 1927 in Dundee Natal. Died on 8th April 2016 in Harare. Buried on 10th April 2016 at the Heroes Acre. Victoria was born to Alice and Enock Mahamba-Sithole. She was the third child in a family of six and her father was a minister in the Presbyterian Church while her mother was a teacher. Her father was one of those early Nationalists that joined the ANC in South Africa. Victoria attended Adams College and at 19 years she was appointed Deputy Head Girl. It is at this college that she met Herbert, her future husband. She became a teacher at Inanda Seminary near Durban until 1952. She later enrolled for a post-graduate degree in Social Work at Birmingham University and had three months of specialized study in Social Psychology at University College London. As at that time Africans were not allowed to be employed full time in South Africa. On her return to her country of birth she became the first Secretary General of the YWCA in 1954. With her experience in social work, she created self-help associations for women one of which was Zenzele Club which sought to improve African women's livelihoods. Victoria and Herbert got married on 29th October, 1955 and relocated to Southern Rhodesia. She was present when the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) was formed in 1961. She was able to hide political activists like James Chikerema at their house in Highfield.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe News
    Zimbabwe News LET \JS FIGHT AND Official Organ of ZANU(PF) Department of Information and Publicity, 14 Austin Road, Workington, Harare REBUILD ZIMBABWE Volume 21 No, ,1, J 989,,Reaistf red.at ttie G,P,0. asa N.e.^spafj^r... , , . "7QC (incl. sales tax) DAM CONSTRUCTION -r THE ONLY SOLUTION TO DROUGHT THE HISTORIC CONGRESS r Suppliers of Comet Trucks, Parts and Serv^ice Leyland (Zimbabwe) Limited Watts Road Phone: 67861 Soutlierton Telex: 26387 ZW •1th Tlje«aa»i)#tii» NBtioB is Sound and Itam tORstmction in Chivi - The Song-qonteit i Only Soiution to End Drou^t . Zimbabwe' has won the Common• In HIS Second State of the Mation ad• The drought and powwty stricken Ch^ wealth song contest against 55 other dress last December President Mugabe vl District in Masvingo may soon be entries. The young Zimbabwean mu• said the political and economic rescued fromthi s situation fcdlowmg sical group. Christians Against Racial atmosphere the construction of dams which would DisCnmination,(C/«lD), won the Com- of the nation is very soundy and supply water to this arid land which mwiwealth song competition with healthy and said Zimbabwe goe^ into falls under natural farming region tfjeir number, 'Our Rainbow' 1990 with hope and confidencei four page 40 ^-pagelS -page 31 CONTENTS ,|pN thre«t«a«d «s clampdown on Khool's costs bcf^s Editorial ... 2 ' Letter to the Editor . 3 • fMe general woAers at St Peters Editor's Message . ' XtAatana, aeKondary School are ^ * i^ir^i pay rise, the school's- Unity Accord ends Division .. ... 5 !Qf ttustees is waiting for an ap- President Afmoupces Presidium of National Congress _ .
    [Show full text]
  • Jacob Chikuhwa a Crisis of Go
    A CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE: ZIMBABWE A CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE: ZIMBABWE Jacob Chikuhwa Algora Publishing New York © 2004 by Algora Publishing. All Rights Reserved www.algora.com No portion of this book (beyond what is permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Act of 1976) may be reproduced by any process, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the express written permission of the publisher. ISBN: 0-87586-284-5 (softcover) ISBN: 0-87586-285-3 (hardcover) ISBN: 0-87586-286-1 (ebook) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Chikuhwa, Jacob W. (Jacob Wilson), 1940- A crisis of governance : Zimbabwe / Jacob Chikuhwa. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-87586-284-5 (trade paper : alk. paper) — ISBN 0-87586-285-3 (hard cover : alk. paper) — ISBN 0-87586-286-1 1. Zimbabwe—Politics and government—1980- I. Title. JQ2925.C47 2004 320.96891—dc22 2004006344 Printed in the United States This book is dedicated to all the people who were tortured and those who died for the liberation and for the democratic process underway in Zimbabwe. I also dedicate the book to those who are campaigning to make Zimbabwe a truly democratic society. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my wife Raisa, my son Tonderai-Wilson and his wife Assiati and my daughter Eleonora-Ngwarai, and all my friends and acquaintances who have directly or indirectly made the task of writing this book more easy, bearable and even pleasurable. These include pastors Doug and Jodi Fondell, who provided me with material and moral support when I had just returned to Sweden at the end of April 2002.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe News, Vol. 21, No. 3
    Zimbabwe News, Vol. 21, No. 3 http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuzn199003 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. Permission must be sought from Aluka and/or the applicable copyright holder in connection with any duplication or distribution of these materials where required by applicable law. Aluka is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating and preserving a digital archive of materials about and from the developing world. For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org Zimbabwe News, Vol. 21, No. 3 Alternative title Zimbabwe News Author/Creator Zimbabwe African National Union Publisher Zimbabwe African National Union (Harare, Zimbabwe) Date 1990-03-00 Resource type Magazines (Periodicals) Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) Zimbabwe, South Africa, China, U.S.S.R. Coverage (temporal) 1990 Source Northwestern University Libraries, L968.91005 Z711 v.21 Rights By kind permission of ZANU, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front. Description Editorial. Letters to the Editor.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuzn 1 9 8 5
    wis wis GHT AND MWBABWE we News of ZANU(PF) Road, Workington, (ird. sales tax) a Newspaper 70. The Candidates of ZANU (PF) Zvinangwa nezvirongwa zve-ZANU (PF): Chidadiso Murbusununguko The Policies and Programmes of ZANU (PFY A Proud Record of Achievement P' ze-ZANJ (PF): ngqub~laphambili Ebukek yo Pos er All Central Con t Membe m t ~F ( -/;;: R-- Contents ,,, May Day Address: Prime Minister Robert Gabriel Mugabe (see page 30) Editorial ................................................... 1 List of Candidates .......................................... 2 & 3 Zvinangwa neZvirongwa zve-ZANU (PF) Chidadiso Murusununguko ....... 4 The Policies and Programmes of ZANU (PF) A Proud Record of Achievement ...... 4 Izinqumo Lenhlelo ze-ZANU (PF) lngqubelaphambili Ebukekayo ...... 4 President Addresses Nation Independence Anniversary ............. 22 May Day - Labour Day PM On Pay Increase ................ 30 Independence Address: President Canaan Banana (see page 22) "I , I 111 General Election 1985. Worker of the Year: Vote ZANU (PF)! Comrade Phineas Makovere (seepage 32) Zimbabwe News is the official News Organ of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZAN U/PF) and is prociucedon the authority of the Central Committee by the Department of Information and Publicity, Jongwe Printing and Publishing Co., No 14 Austin Road, Workington, Harare. World Copyright, Central Committee (ZANUIPF). Pictures by Jongwe Archives, Herald and Ministry of Informallon noon= W1_ _.1.- _ - 11 Tj 0 N _QW E Zimbabwe News VolJ6 No. 5 MaylJune 1985 1 Editorial The Republic of Zimbabwe will shortly be holding its first Post Independence Elections five years after the Independence flame was lit. The Government has taken all constitutional measures necessary to hold free and fair elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Reforms in Turbulent Times : a Study on the Theory and Practice of Three
    REFORMS IN TURBULENT TIMES A study on the theory and practice of three irrigation management policy reform models in Mashonaland, Zimbabwe Promotor: Prof. Dr. Linden F. Vincent, hoogleraar in de Irrigatie en waterbouwkunde, Wageningen Universiteit Co-promotor: Dr. Ir. Alex Bolding, postdoc NWO Shifts in Governance programma, Irrigatie en waterbouwkunde, Wageningen Universiteit Samenstelling promotiecommissie: Prof. Dr. Paul Richards, Wageningen Universiteit Dr. Bruce Lankford, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK Dr. Bill H. Kinsey, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Zimbabwe Dr. Ruth Meinzen-Dick, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington D.C., USA Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd binnen de onderzoeksschool CERES REFORMS IN TURBULENT TIMES A study on the theory and practice of three irrigation management policy reform models in Mashonaland, Zimbabwe Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor op gezag van de rector magnificus, Prof. Dr. M.J. Kropff, in het openbaar te verdedigen op dinsdag 19 december 2006 des namiddags te vier uur in de Aula REFORMS IN TURBULENT TIMES: A STUDY ON THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THREE IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT POLICY REFORM MODELS IN MASHONALAND, ZIMBABWE. Wageningen UR. Prom./coprom.: Vincent, L.F., Bolding, J.A., - Wageningen: Conrade Zawe, 2006, p. 356 + xviii. ISBN: 90-8504-542-8 Copyright © 2006, by Conrade Zawe, Harare, Zimbabwe DEDICATION If you were here I am sure you would have praised the Lord and talked about it to your friends For you who passed away while I was struggling
    [Show full text]
  • Crp 3 B 1 0 0
    ..'~ On the Frontline Catholic Missions in Zimbabwe's Liberation War ii On the Frontline Catholic Missions in Zimbabwe's Liberation War Janice McLaughlin MM I .- Published by Baobab Books, (a division of Academic Books) P 0 Box 567, Harare, 1996 © Janice McLaughlin MM, 1996 Edited by John Conradie and John Reed Illustration on front cover by George Nene from painting entitled "Liberation War". Translations by Raphel Karombo and Patrick Mafuka Cartoon: Moto, June 1969 by kind permission of Moto magazine, Gweru: 16 Maps by Lorraine Mons: 9, 81, 110, 146, 194 and Buxton Mwandimudzira: 17, 88, 116, 148, 200 Charts by Laiwan Chung and Roger Stringer Typeset by Baobab Books Cover design by Paul Wade Printed by Mazongororo Paper Converters (Pvt.) Ltd., Harare All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 0-908311-79-6 The author and publisher are grateful to Missio (Germany), the J-Rene Ouimet Foundation (Canada), Development and Peace (Canada) and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (Zimbabwe) for their support and assistance in the publication of this book. Contents List of Figures vii Foreword ix Preface xi Place Names xv PART 1 The Weight of History 1 Chapter1 TakingSides:To1972 3 Chapter 2 Changing Sides: 1972-80 20 Chapter3 "TheCommunistMenace" 52 PART 2 The War and Four Missions 69 Chapter 4 War Games: St Albert's Mission,
    [Show full text]
  • Nuzn 1 9 9 0
    ZANU PF ZANU PF itv. Peace and Development ZimbabWe News Official Organ of ZANU PF Department of Information and Publicity, 14 Austin Road, Workington. Harare "7Ar _ (ind. sales tax) LEYLANE Suppliers of Comet Trucks, Parts and Service Leyland (Zimbabwe) Limited Watts Road Southerton Phone: 67861 Telex: 26387 ZW NTENTS E d ito ria l ... ......................2.... ............................ ................ ............................... 2 L ette rs .................................. 3 N a tio n a l A n th e m .............4...................................................... .................... 4 President Outlines Ten Years of Achievement . ......................... 7 President's Opening Address to the Ordinary Meeting of the C entral C om m ittee ........................................................................ 13 President Announces New Cabinet .............. ...... ............. .......... 16 Zimbabwe, Ten Years of Independence ....... .............................. 17 G overnm ent D rafting D isability Bill .......................................................... 19 Legal Reforms Usher New Era for Women ................................. 21 Coal Gasification to Meet Energy Requirements ........................... 24 Government in Prices Dilemma ................. ...... 28 Government Attaches Importance to Communication ....... 29 Land to the Peo p le . ....................................3...........................1........... 3 1 N eed for A cceptable H ouses ........................... ..................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1 Introduction
    Chapter 1 Introduction One of the greatest challenges facing independent post-crisis societies in Africa is that of structuring sustainable systems of political and economic governance. Many political science and international relations scholars concur that military intervention in countries experiencing economic or political crisis is common. The post-colonial political path in Africa, as noted by David Zounmenou; shows complex relations between the army and ruling civilian elites.1As such, there have been considerable military interventions in politics in some African countries. Independence in Africa was greeted with optimism and exultation. The first generation of nationalist leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Kamuzu Banda, Mobutu Sese Seko, Modibo Keita, Gamal Abdel Nasser and many others promised their people a new beginning. The citizens of these newly independent African states looked forward to enjoying the freedoms that colonial governments had denied them, however, such enthusiasm was quickly frustrated as the new leaders became despotic and personalised the national purse to benefit the ruling clique and their cohorts. Carlson Anyangwe writes that such behaviour by politicians put into motion systemic corruption that had culminated in military coups remaining an option in Sub-Saharan Africa 2(SSA). 1 For more information on this see Francis N. Ikome’s paper; “Good and Bad Coups,” Institute of Global Dialogue (2007): 1-60. 2 Carlson Anyangwe, “Revolutionary Overthrow of Constitutional Orders in Africa” (Professorial inaugural lecture, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa, 31 August, 2010). 1 It is a paradox but the legitimacy of civilian governments (CG) especially in Africa is arguably no longer being determined by the electorate but has become a prerogative of the military.
    [Show full text]