Rewriting post-colonial historical representations: the case of refugees in Zimbabwe’s war of liberation Blessed Magadzike Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the Department of Historical Studies University of Cape Town 12 July 2019 Supervisor: Associate Professor S. Field Co-Supervisor: Dr. M. Mulaudzi University of Cape Town i The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town DECLARATION I Blessed Magadzike declare that Rewriting Postcolonial Historical Representations: The case of Refugees in Zimbabwe’s war of Liberation is my own work and has not been submitted for any degree or examination in any other university, and that all sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by complete references Blessed Magadzike Signed ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the memory of my mother, Philippa Magadzike nee Karaaidze and my son Regis Tinomudaishe Magadzike who couldn’t wait to see me to complete this work. I say zororai murugare Vhudzijena nemi Nyati iii ABSTRACT ‘Rewriting postcolonial historical representations: The case of refugees in Zimbabwe’s liberation war’ focuses on the historicisation of the experiences of people who were refugees during Zimbabwe’s liberation war, fought between 1966 and 1980. It uses the narratives of former refugees from Mutasa and Bulilima Districts as a way of capturing their histories of the war period. When Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980, the country embarked on a historicisation project that was ably supported by a memorialization one. The aim of these twin projects was to capture the experiences of people who had either participated in the war or had been affected by it. Whilst all the other key players in that war such as the political leadership, the war veterans, the former detainees and even the ordinary peasants’ experiences have been captured in these projects, there has been an absolute silence on those of people who were refugees. The same also applies to the omission of the refugee’s voice in the continued regeneration of such histories that has been taking place since the year 2000 in Zimbabwe. Using the central question that asks about the experiences of displacement in Zimbabwe’s liberation war, the research argues that we can only understand the totality of that war, the interactions that took place and the identities it created if the refugee figure and voice are represented on the historical record. Key words Refugees, liberation, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, representations iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writing of this thesis would not have been possible without acknowledging theFirst generosity and contribution of several organisations and individuals. Firstly, the financial assistance of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NIHSS and CODESRIA Secondly, I am also grateful to the University of Cape Town (UCT) for awarding me an International and Refugee students’ scholarship that made my registration for each academic r easy. I am indebted to the Social Sciences Research Council (SSRC) who advanced me a dissertation proposal development scholarship through their Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa program. Through the SSRC grant, I was able to conduct preliminary field investigations in 2016. I also attended two seminars that were organised by the SSRC in Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana where I presented my proposal. I am also grateful to the Faculty of Humanities at UCT who awarded me a Dean’s dissertation completion grant in 2019, without which I would not have been able to complete this work. A sincere appreciation also goes to my supervisors, Associate Professor Sean Field and Dr Maanda Mulaudzi for guiding me through the course of this work. Starting with the proposal writing stage and moving to the thesis itself, the two gentlemen read numerous drafts that I prepared before passing insightful comments through which I was able to shape this dissertation. These two gentlemen did not only offer guidance in academic matters. In 2018 when I lost my son Regis Tinomudaishe Magadzike and my mother, Philippa Magadzike nee Kaaraidze within a week of each other, the two offered me counselling through which I was able to get back on my feet upon my return to Cape Town. Prior to that, when I had taken long to return to Cape Town, Sean sent me an email to check on what was happening. Further, the two also wrote recommendation letters for scholarship renewals and other scholarship applications that I made. It was through their efforts that I was able to get my scholarship renewed each academic year. Maanda also gave me an important book to use as secondary literature for my study. I shall always cherish that gift. In Cape Town, I wish to thank the support that I got from Robert Nyamushosho who accommodated me during my early months of settlement in the city. At the University of the v Western Cape, I will forever remain indebted to Professor Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie who maintained a keen interest in my academic development. When NIHSS announced its call for applications, it was Uma who alerted me on this development through a Facebook message with the words “Blessed this is for you”. She then proceeded to write a reference letter in support of my application for the scholarship. Still at UWC, I am also grateful to Professor Leslie Witz for offering me guidance when I enrolled for the PhD program. It was Leslie who advised me to relocate from the place that I was residing as he deemed it to be too far from UCT. Alongside Uma, Leslie also continued to write reference letters for me each time that I wanted one. At UCT, I would like to thank Emeritus Associate Professor Andrew Mugsy Spiegel for the support he rendered me in his capacity as NIHSS mentor for UCT students. Each time that I encountered some challenges with my NIHSS scholarship, Mugsy never hesitated to make follow ups on my behalf. I am also grateful to Zam Ndzotyana for facilitating my registration in 2019. In the Historical Studies Department at UCT, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the HOD, Dr. Bodhisattiva Kar for his unwavering support on my academic progress. Bod also supported my application for a Humanities Dissertation Completion grant. I am also grateful to his predecessor, Associate Professor Lance Van Sittert for maintaining a keen interest in my progress. I am also grateful to Colleen Peterson and all the administrative staff in the Historical Studies Department for making sure that my scholarship and other documents were processed and signed expeditiously. I am also grateful to the Department for offering me tutorship positions. In Harare, Zimbabwe, I am extremely grateful to the Executive Director of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), Dr Godfrey Mahachi for believing that I can make it in the academic world and offering support thereafter. I am also grateful to the Regional Director and Staff of the Northern Region (NMMZ) for supporting me during the above mentioned bereavement that took place during the course of this study. Still in Harare, I will forever remain grateful to Ms Rufaro Mahonde for the counselling that she gave me during the bereavement. When Rufaro heard that I was planning to withdraw from my PhD studies due to the loss that I had suffered, she sought me out and used her own experiences to counsel me. I am also grateful to Senzeni Khumalo, Biggie Chikwiramakomo and Takudzwa Pasipanodya for assistance rendered during fieldwork for this study. Still in Zimbabwe, I will forever remain indebted to Dr Ngonidzashe Marongwe of Great Zimbabwe University for friendship and academic mentorship. Ngoni read drafts of my first two chapters before passing useful vi comments and also directing me to academic literature which he thought would be useful to my study. My stay in Cape Town during my fourth year would not have been possible without the financial support of several individuals through which I was able to pay my rentals. These individuals are Reverend and Engineer Augustine Gwashavanhu, Dr Njabulo Chipangura, Peter Mata, Phindile Sizane, Hlengiwe Patricia Ndlovu and Netsai Margarate Machingambi Mhlanga. Phindile Sizane’s family alongside Lindeka Asanda Jevu became my family away from home. I am also grateful to other various forms of support that I received from Professor Shadreck Chirikure, Dr Joseph Chikumbirike, Mr Lovemore Mandima and Mr Ferdinand Mwanjewa Mbwangi. I am also grateful to other individuals who kept on enquiring on the progress that I was making in my studies. These are, Destino Kazika, Abdul Gharieb, Shureh Mohamed, Esther Chipashu, Godfrey Nyaruwanga, Farai Chabata, Lawrence Makusha and Naome Chiruka. I would also like to acknowledge the support that I received from my siblings and other family members. Of these family members, special mention goes to my partner Ruth Bepete, my eldest brother William Magadzike, younger brother Ishmael Magadzike, and cousin brother Talkmore Kubuya, nephews Charles Kaaraidze, Joe Chingaya and Blessing Mwatsikeni. To Ruth I say thank you MaSiziba for keeping the family functional during my long absence. To William I say thank you for the support that you gave me during my foundational stages of education.