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Interface of Music and Politics: Versions of Patriotic Consciousness in Zimbabwean Music, 1970-2015

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Interface of Music and Politics: Versions of Patriotic Consciousness in Zimbabwean Music, 1970-2015 INTERFACE OF MUSIC AND POLITICS: VERSIONS OF PATRIOTIC CONSCIOUSNESS IN ZIMBABWEAN MUSIC, 1970-2015 by REGGEMORE MARONGEDZE Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the subject of LANGUAGES, LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR D.E. MUTASA CO- SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR I. MUWATI JANUARY 2019 DECLARATION Student number-5855-401-7 I, Reggemore Marongedze, declare that Interface of Music and Politics: Versions of Patriotic Consciousness in Zimbabwean Music, 1970-2015 is my work and that the sources used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. January 2019 ………………………………………….. …………………………………………….. Signature Date i ABSTRACT Music is an inviolable imaginative litmus diagnosis on a constellation of ideational and conceptual contestations which elicit mutually exclusive and inclusive versions of patriotic consciousness in the Zimbabwean polity. The study specifically analyses the renditions of patriotic consciousness as expressed through selected musical compositions in Shona, Ndebele and English conceptualised as Zimbabwe-centred musical texts. It unfurls in the context of the interplay between music and politics in which music is seen as intricately interwoven with national politics causing shifts of realities. The research approaches and conceptualises patriotic consciousness as a heuristic construct and a measure of development that constitutes an instrument for ideological and conceptual contestations in specific political argumentative settings within the period 1970 to 2015. It deploys the critical tenets of Afrocentricity and the Socio-semantic theory of music to advance the contention that patriotic consciousness as a concept for political analysis enables the criticism and explanation of existing rival sentiments, different wants, competing needs and opposing interests in the Zimbabwean polity. Musicians who contribute to Zimbabwe-centred musical texts also (un)consciously become part of the ideological and conceptual battlefield for political legitimacy. The study pays attention to the lyrics’ content, the historical epoch from which the lyrics respond to and ideological influences embedded in the lyrics, which potentially trigger ideational and conceptual clashes. It engages the song lyrics of musicians, whose music constitute Zimbabwe-centred musical texts, as a mode of art that (in)directly conveys political ideas, identities and interests on the notion of love and object of allegiance in national politics thereby engaging in ideational and conceptual contestations. Key words: Patriotic consciousness, Zimbabwe, music, politics, discourse, ideology, democracy, governance, nationalism, jingoism. ii DEDICATION To my wife, Vimbai, my daughter, Delight and my son Dignity who was born towards the end of this journey. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study is an outcome of the voluntary endowments, as of money, service or ideas, made to the worthwhile cause by Promoters, financiers, colleagues and relatives who urged me to scrutinise the matters discoursed herein. I therefore express my profound gratitude to my Promoters Professor Davie E. Mutasa and Professor Itai Muwati for scholarly counsel, diligent steering and thoroughgoing criticism in the maturation of this research. I am thankful to the University of South Africa for the Bursary which enabled me to pursue this thesis. My sincere appreciation also goes to my mentors in my undergraduate and postgraduate academic years Professor Itai Muwati (University of Zimbabwe), Dr. Tavengwa Gwekwerere (who is now at California State University) and Dr. Bridget Chinouriri (University of Zimbabwe), for introducing me into the discourses in which this inquiry is grounded. I am also indebted to the colleagues at University of Zimbabwe in the Department of African Languages and Literature for their various kinds of support. Mr Enock Machanja: friend and comrade-in-arms: thank you for the invaluable discussions, the editing and the encouragement! The same to my colleague Dr. Wellington Gadzikwa who also edited one of the chapters. I am also indebted to Professor Jeffrey Wills for funding my visit to Stellenbosch University and Cape Town University libraries. My gratitude also goes to my long-time classmate Admire Phiri for hosting me when I visited Stellenbosch University library. My selfless brother Ian Mwerahari inexhaustibly assisted me in computer technicalities. The same to my colleague Ms Sanelisiwe Sayi (University of Zimbabwe) who edited my Ndebele translations. I appreciate the assistance which I got in registering this degree from my brother Mr. Believe Mubonderi (Catholic University of Zimbabwe). I also thank the colleagues whom I had useful discussions with Mr. Memory Chirere, Mr. Munyaradzi Nyakudya, Mr. Ignatius Mabasa, Dr. Tanaka Chidora, Dr. Munetsi Ruzivo, and Mr Aaron Mupondi all from the University of Zimbabwe as well as Dr. Allan Tapiwa Maganga (Midlands State University). My gratitude also goes to the musicians which I interviewed. I am profoundly grateful to my wife Vimbai and my daughter Rutendo Gracious Sigauke for assisting me in compiling the references and discography, my mother Enges Chikovo, my father-in-law, Casper W Sango, my brothers, Tichaona and Mackline and my sisters, Pretty and Chipo for various kinds of support and my late father, Lebson for laying the foundation on which I derive inspiration to achieve greatness in this life. But most of all, to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave me the divine revelation, wisdom and strength to pursue this study. iv ACRONYMS AIDS: Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome AIPPA: Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act ANC: African National Congress or African National Council BSAC: British South African Company COPAC: Constitutional Parliamentary Committee DRC: Democratic Republic of Congo ESAP: Economic Structural Adjustment Programme EU: European Union FRELIMO: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique FLORIZI: Front for the Liberation of Zimbabwe FTLRP: Fast Tract Land Reform Programme GNU: Government of National Unity GPA: Global Political Agreement G40: Generation 40 HIV: Human Immuno Virus IMF: International Monetary Fund JOC: Joint Operation Committee LMG: Light Machine Gun MDC: Movement for Democratic Change MDC-T: Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai MDC-M: Movement for Democratic Change-Mutambara MDC-N: Movement for Democratic Change-Ncube NCA: National Constitutional Assembly NDP: National Democratic Party PAC: Pan African Congress PF: Patriotic Front PF-ZAPU: Patriotic Front-Zimbabwe African People’s Union v POSA: Public Order and Security Act RBZ: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe RF: Rhodesian Front SADC: Southern African Development Community SWAPO: South-West African People’s Organisation UANC: United African National Congress UDI: Unilateral Declaration of Independence UN: United Nations US: United States WHO: World Health Organisation ZANLA: Zimbabwe National Liberation Army ZANU: Zimbabwe African National Union ZANU-PF: Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) ZAPU: Zimbabwe African People’s Union ZCTU: Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions ZIDERA: Zimbabwe Democracy Recovery Act ZIMASSET: Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation ZIPRA: Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ....................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................. ii DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... iv ACRONYMS .............................................................................................................................v CHAPTER ONE .......................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................1 1.0 Context and statement of purpose ......................................................................................1 1. 1 Statement of the problem ...................................................................................................6 1.2 Aim of the study ..................................................................................................................7 1.3 Research objectives .............................................................................................................7 1.4 Research questions ..............................................................................................................8 1.5 Justification of the research ................................................................................................8 1.6 Definitions of key terms .................................................................................................... 10 1.7 Literature review ............................................................................................................... 11 1.8 Theoretical framework...................................................................................................... 16 1.9 Research methods .............................................................................................................
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