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Participation, Citizen Journalism and the Contestations of Identity and National Symbols: a Case of Zimbabwe's Natio
Participation, citizen journalism and the contestations of identity and national symbols: A case of Zimbabwe’s national heroes and the Heroes’ Acre Shepherd Mpofu Department of Communication University of Johannesburg [email protected]@uj.ac.za/ [email protected] Abstract This article constitutes an examination on how citizen journalism has challenged Robert Mugabe’s authoritarian regime on issues pertaining to national heroes and usages of the Heroes Acre as central national identity markers. Under Mugabe’s ZANU‐PF, Zimbabwe has seen the public being limited from directly participating in salient national debates. ZANU‐PF’s control of the official public sphere has also constrained alternative views from ventilating the government‐controlled communicative spaces. The party’s narrative on heroes, the Heroes Acre and national identity has gained a taken‐for‐granted status in the public media. This has obtained against the backdrop of what has become known as the Zimbabwe crises, characterised by a declining economy, a constricted political space, a breakdown in the rule of law, and the subsequent flight of a number of Zimbabweans into the diaspora. The accompanying wave of technological advancements and the mushrooming of mostly diaspora‐based online media have opened up new vistas of communication, enabling a hitherto ‘silenced’ community of ordinary people to participate in national conversations. The conclusion reached here, is that citizen journalism has not only enhanced the culture of conversation among people (as espoused under democratic conditions) but has also covered up the democratic deficit experienced in the public sphere, mediated by traditional media, parliament and pavement radio. -
AC Vol 44 No 22
www.africa-confidential.com 7 November 2003 Vol 44 No 22 AFRICA CONFIDENTIAL KENYA 2 ZIMBABWE The best money can buy No chance, Mr President Party officials and military commanders are ignoring President ‘Why hire a lawyer when you can buy a judge?’ is a well-worn joke Mugabe’s orders to surrender their farms that the younger reformers in Several government ministers and senior military officers accused of grabbing farms are refusing to hand President Kibaki’s government want to make redundant. But their efforts them back to the state, according to a new report on land reform ordered by President Robert Mugabe. are being undermined by veteran Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo and 13 other politicians and business people who ministers have secured several farms in violation of the government’s ‘one man, one farm’ rule, the report are using the purge of the judiciary says. Details of ministers’ and officers’ holdings are contained in a confidential annexe to the main report, to destroy their opponents. which has been discussed in cabinet. Mugabe asked former Secretary to the Government Charles Utete to investigate the findings of an GHANA 3earlier land audit by the Minister of State in Deputy President Joseph Msika’s office, Flora Buka. This had found major abuses of the land resettlement programme by senior officials (AC Vol 44 No 4). Buka’s Politics get crude audit reported that some of the worst violations of the land reform policy were perpetrated by Mugabe’s The row over crude oil supplies to closest political allies, such as Air Vice-Marshall Perence Shiri, Minister Moyo and Mugabe’s sister, the state-owned Volta River Sabina Mugabe. -
Patronage and Military Entrenchment in the National Economy
Patronage and Military entrenchment in the national economy THE PRESIDENT’S MEN: Zimbabwe’s Service Chiefs are suspected to have played a key role during the election.-zimbabweinpictures.com This week, we continue with publishing and controlling ownership of the means as platinum and gold mining. This section edited excerpts from a report published hrough an elaborate patronage of production. The military, through po- examines the extent to which ZANU-PF’s by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition titled system established to reward OLWLFDOSDWURQDJHKDVEHFRPHDVLJQLÀFDQW political patronage has entrenched the The Military Factor in Zimbabwe’s Politi- SDUWLVDQ VHQLRU PLOLWDU\ RIÀ- part of the domestic bourgeoisie class and military in national economic affairs and cal and Electoral Affairs. Below is Chapter cials and keep them loyal to many top commanders have teamed up the likely impact on electoral processes. 5 of the report which looks at how service TZANU-PF and to President Mugabe, the with politicians and businessmen to form Retired and serving senior military chiefs are being handsomely rewarded for military has increasingly played central political and economic interest groups RIÀFHUVKDYHLQWKHUHFHQWSDVWEHHQDS their role in maintaining the status quo. and critical role in directing production venturing into lucrative businesses such Continued on Page 3 The Bottom Line is Economic Empowerment “I believe that if we solve the Now the issue is that Zimbabwe- see is for the South African gov- opment Chamber we tell people, are campaigning for elections. economic problems then other ans come to South Africa look- ernment to give the Zimbabwean ´<RXFDQEHWKHHPSOR\HUUDWKHU In Zimbabwe people are dying. -
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. -
A Week of Protests - from Beitbridge to The
A week of protests - From Beitbridge to the shutdown How was the conflict reported? 1 Contents 1.Background 2. The Beitbridge protest 2.1 The events 2.2 Who were the protesters? 2.3 Why did they protest? 3. The Monday Protests 4. The Shutdown 4.1 Who was behind it? 4.2 The ruling party's response 4.3 What happened on the 6th? 4.4 SADC and the protests 5. The official narrative 5.1 The Zimbabwe Republic Police 5.2 POTRAZ 5.3 The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe 6. Conclusion 2 1. Background The events in the seven days beginning 1 July 2016, starting with the protests in the border town of Beitbridge have been momentous in the history of Zimbabwe. The reportage of these events show that there is no one story on Zimbabwe, but several stories, told from various perspectives, and the citizen is found in the middle, battling to decipher the truth. These narratives presented by the traditional media houses, social and alternative (mainly online) media as well as official statements make truth a tenuous concept, as facts are sometimes lost in a sometimes-tinted view of the world. Questions that arise include, after all the stories have been told, does the world have a clear idea of the current crisis in Zimbabwe, its root causes, possible impact, key players and what the possible resolution will look like? Do we have a clear idea of what the Zimbabwean story is? What is the role of the media in all this? Professional journalism is called upon to be truthful, fair, accurate and balanced, playing a critical role in informing the public and promoting public accountability, two critical preconditions for democracy. -
MDC Outlines Election Benchmarks
Iz qula enzo u I G ze o n ir z it o a G M u q a j u n l i a h C C h o i r n i t j i a a M M a a i j t i n r i o h C The Real Change Times Movement for Democratic Change A Party of Excellence! The Official Mouthpiece of the MDC Tuesday 26 October MDC Information & Publicity Department, Harvest House, 44 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe Issue 055: 2010 MDC outlines election benchmarks HARARE – Zimbabwe needs critical Due to the abuse of the State security Independent election observers concur electoral reforms before holding sector, during the 2008 elections that the groundwork needs to be laid for credible elections in 2011, the MDC by Zanu PF, Hon. Biti reiterated a free and fair vote. Secretary–General, Hon. Tendai Biti that having police officers manning has said. inside polling station was likely to In a statement this week, the Zimbabwe intimidate voters. Election Support Network, (ZESN) said Hon. Biti said that there was need for far reaching reforms to the electoral “Hence the MDC calls for the it had not seen any meaningful attempt law, addressing key issues such as the deployment of police officers outside to identify the perpetrators of political shambolic voters’ roll and ensuring the polling stations and confining the violence of 2008 and bring them full independence of the discredited military to the barracks during the polls to book. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which will greatly reduce the chances (ZEC), its commissioners and of intimidation,” he said. -
OTHER ISSUES ANNEX E: MDC CANDIDATES & Mps, JUNE 2000
Zimbabwe, Country Information Page 1 of 95 ZIMBABWE COUNTRY REPORT OCTOBER 2003 COUNTRY INFORMATION & POLICY UNIT I SCOPE OF DOCUMENT II GEOGRAPHY III ECONOMY IV HISTORY V STATE STRUCTURES VIA HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES VIB HUMAN RIGHTS - SPECIFIC GROUPS VIC HUMAN RIGHTS - OTHER ISSUES ANNEX A: CHRONOLOGY ANNEX B: POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS ANNEX C: PROMINENT PEOPLE PAST & PRESENT ANNEX D: FULL ELECTION RESULTS JUNE 2000 (hard copy only) ANNEX E: MDC CANDIDATES & MPs, JUNE 2000 & MDC LEADERSHIP & SHADOW CABINET ANNEX F: MDC POLICIES, PARTY SYMBOLS AND SLOGANS ANNEX G: CABINET LIST, AUGUST 2002 ANNEX H: REFERENCES TO SOURCE MATERIAL 1. SCOPE OF THE DOCUMENT 1.1 This country report has been produced by the Country Information and Policy Unit, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, from information obtained from a wide variety of recognised sources. The document does not contain any Home Office opinion or policy. 1.2 The country report has been prepared for background purposes for those involved in the asylum / human rights determination process. The information it contains is not exhaustive. It concentrates on the issues most commonly raised in asylum / human rights claims made in the United Kingdom. 1.3 The country report is sourced throughout. It is intended to be used by caseworkers as a signpost to the source material, which has been made available to them. The vast majority of the source material is readily available in the public domain. 1.4 It is intended to revise the country report on a six-monthly basis while the country remains within the top 35 asylum-seeker producing countries in the United Kingdom. -
Zimbabwe News, Vol. 16, No. 6
Zimbabwe News, Vol. 16, No. 6 http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuzn198510 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. 16, No. 6 Alternative title Zimbabwe News Author/Creator Zimbabwe African National Union Publisher Zimbabwe African National Union (Harare, Zimbabwe) Date 1985-10-00 Resource type Magazines (Periodicals) Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) Zimbabwe, Southern Africa (region) Coverage (temporal) 1985 Source Northwestern University Libraries, L968.91005 Z711 v.14-16 Rights By kind permission of ZANU, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front. Description Editorial. First Secretary Holds Victory Press Conference. -
…As EU Puts the Record Straight
For feedback email The New Age Voices on [email protected] Issue 14 14 - 27 Mar 2011 Youths, civil society scoffs at anti-sanctions propaganda YOUTH leaders, civil society and political peoples' struggle as they have stood at the activists in Zimbabwe have scoffed at the road to democracy in Zimbabwe. Zanu PF anti-sanctions crusade that is being propped has found a smokescreen to shield its crimes up by Zanu PF which climaxed with a committed against the people and justify its petition campaign launch and outreach that looting and plundering of national is chaired by Zanu PF second secretary, John resources. Nkomo. “Zanu PF has intensified its war against The New Age Voices visited several high the people and this has been guised as a “war density suburbs on the day of the launch and against sanctions”. It is young people who saw that shop owners and roadside traders have been causalities of Zanu PF's “war had been forced to close shop and attend the against sanctions”. It is therefore important launch. for both the local political leadership and Some residents who spoke to The New international community to make Age Voices said that many people in their meaningful steps aimed towards removal of areas failed to report for work while others sanctions. The restoration of human rights got into town late for fear of being hauled and dignity is definitely a pre requisite and into trucks and buses that were ferrying when such reforms begin the international people to the event. community should also make steps towards At the launch, Zanu PF leader President reengagement,” Chamunogwa said. -
The Business-Security Complex and the Transition in Zimbabwe
The Security-military Business Complex and the Transition in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Institute Discussion Paper: June 2008 Abstract The military has over the last few years expanded and consolidated its position in both the politics and the economy of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe army now virtually controls the major institutions of the state and formal policy making structures and processes of the country. Through their role in the Joint Operations Command- a group of the Army, Police, Prisons and the Central Intelligence Organisation heads which meets regularly to coordinate military and security affairs, serving and retired military and other security officials have come to direct all key national and governance issues rather than the cabinet. On the economic front, the military has increasingly played an important role in both directing production and ownership of the means of production. The military has become a significant part of the domestic bourgeoisie class and many top commanders have teamed up with politicians and businessmen to form political and economic interest groups venturing into lucrative business ventures, such as platinum and gold mining. The military is now deeply engrained in the in political and economical affairs of the country that whatever transitional deal has to be undertaken has to take into consideration the political and economic interests of this important constituency. The increased role of the army in politics since the late 1990s strongly suggests that the military leadership would be an important power broker whose opinion will have to be sought on any political deal to be concluded. Equally, all other parties would need to get the army to underwrite any agreement if it were to be effective and lasting. -
ZIMBABWE COUNTRY of ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service
ZIMBABWE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service 25 March 2011 ZIMBABWE 25 MARCH 2011 Contents Preface Latest News EVENTS IN ZIMBABWE FROM 22 FEBRUARY 2011 TO 24 MARCH 2011 Useful news sources for further information REPORTS ON ZIMBABWE PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED BETWEEN 22 FEBRUARY 2011 AND 24 MARCH 2011 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 1.01 Public holidays ..................................................................................................... 1.06 Map ........................................................................................................................ 1.07 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 2.01 Remittances .......................................................................................................... 2.06 Sanctions .............................................................................................................. 2.08 3. HISTORY (19TH CENTURY TO 2008)............................................................................. 3.01 Matabeleland massacres 1983 - 87 ..................................................................... 3.03 Political events: late 1980s - 2007...................................................................... 3.06 Events in 2008 - 2010 ........................................................................................... 3.23 -
Fiddling While Zimbabwe Burns
Institute for Security Studies Situation Report African Security Analysis Programme Date issued: 13 October 2003 Author: Chris Maroleng Distribution: General Contact: [email protected] Fiddling While Zimbabwe Burns Introduction The death on 20 September 2003 of eighty-one-year-old Vice President Simon Vengesayi Muzenda- staunch ally of Mugabe and veteran nationalist- has intensified the battle about who will succeed President Robert Mugabe. It has emerged that the Vice President’s death has prompted the various factions in the ruling party to begin vying with each other for the vacant second-vice-presidential post. It is widely believed that the appointment of the new Vice President will indicate who Mugabe prefers as his successor in the party and the government. It is possible that Muzenda’s death has meant that Mugabe in particular and ZANU PF in general have had to consider seriously the question of succession sooner than expected - a situation that “could prematurely end the heated succession debate by giving glimpses into the candidate President Mugabe would want to occupy the most powerful office when he retires.”1 More ominous for the ruling party is the fact that Muzenda’s death has left a power vacuum in the deeply divided and province of Masvingo, where the veteran politician acted as a stabilising force, ensuring that infighting did not get out of hand. A permanent split in this key province would inevitably result in serious costs to the governing party. Muzenda’s death has increased the likelihood of the party splitting in this important province, as the two competing factions contest the vacant leadership of Masvingo.