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Searching for a Common Idiom Among African
Journal of Interdisciplinary History, xxxiv:4 (Spring, 2004), 595–599. AFRICAN TEXTS Robert I. Rotberg Searching for a Common Idiom among African Texts President Robert Gabriel Mugabe is remarkable for hav- ing transformed a well-managed, thriving, promising southern African country into a failed state—all within the last six years. In 2003, inºation in once wealthy Zimbabwe was racing along at 500 percent; staples and fuel were in short supply; unemployment reached 80 percent; hospitals barely functioned; and schools were without textbooks and teachers. Mugabe, a latter-day despot, had rigged a re-election in 2002, attacked civil society, killed and maimed opponents, suspended the rule of law, and thumbed his nose at President Bush and other foreign and local critics. In 2003, Mugabe had been a dominating prime minister and president for twenty-three years. Yet, before Zimbabwe’s inde- pendence in 1980, Mugabe had not always been the key ªgure in his people’s struggle against white-settler rule. Indeed, had one of his better-known competitors taken power, Zimbabweans could have avoided the home-grown tyranny under which they now chafe. First came Joshua Nkomo, but his easy-going and compro- mising ways led to a fratricidal battle; Ndabaningi Sithole, Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo, and Mugabe emerged from it as the leaders of a Shona-speaking nationalist movement called the Zimbabwe Af- rican National Union (zanu). Nkomo thereafter (from 1963) led the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (zapu). zanu was backed by China and zapu by the Soviet Union. Sithole and Mugabe were jailed for almost ten years, to late 1974, by the internationally illegal white-settler government of Rhodesia, which usurped power in 1965. -
Negotiated Government in Zimbabwe-Tool for Peaceful Co-Existence Or Momentary Suppression of Inherent Divisions?
ISSN 2039-2117 (online) Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol 5 No 25 ISSN 2039-9340 (print) MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy November 2014 Negotiated Government in Zimbabwe-Tool for Peaceful Co-existence or Momentary Suppression of Inherent Divisions? Ms Petra Chinyere Mulungushi University, Zambia [email protected] Doi:10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n25p73 Abstract This paper assesses the effectiveness of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Zimbabwe in fostering peaceful co- existence among traditional rival political parties which were the parties to the agreement that established the unity government. It is mainly based on documentary research, referring to available information on the four year period that the GNU ruled the country, followed up by some views from fellow academics on the subject. The point of departure is the historical background to the formation of the GNU and the modalities surrounding its establishment, then the analysis of what really achieved. The paper argues that the GNU was an inevitable arrangement that was done as a transitional mechanism to rescue the country from total collapse after the 2008 electoral violence that the country had plunged into which could have degenerated into a civil war. The GNU managed to sustain the peace deal that they signed and to calm the political situation in the country to give a peaceful environment even after its lifespan among the parties that fought in 2008, but it brought to the fore the concealed, inherent divisions and intra-party fighting that the Movement for Democratic Change Tsvangirai faction (MDC-T) has been accused of previously. The paper concludes by arguing that the GNU deal was successful in achieving peaceful co-existence among warring factions along the political divide but it still failed to take into consideration the views of the masses since it was an elite contract. -
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Vol. 6(6), pp. 85-93, August, 2014 DOI: 10.5897/AJHC2013.0164 Article Number: 881044346609 African Journal of History and Culture ISSN 2141-6672 Copyright © 2014 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article http://www.academicjournals.org/AJHC Review A comparative analysis of the post-colonial culture and democratization processes in Kenya and Zimbabwe to 2012 Gilbert Tarugarira Department of History, Midlands State University, P.M.B 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe. Received 13 September, 2013; Accepted 4 August, 2014 During the past four decades, no international political phenomenon has been more significant than the worldwide call and expansion of democratic governance. Holding elections in almost all of Africa has turned out to be a norm. Clearly observable has been a gradual evolution of democratic institutions and consolidation of democratic practices. The prospects for fostering democracy in Kenya and Zimbabwe have taken domestic and foreign - induced efforts. The basis of comparison between the two countries appears evident and tempting in a number of ways. Diagnoses of the causes of Kenya and Zimbabwe’s ailments might vary spectacularly but human rights activists have accused the governments of bullying opponents in the name of preventing enemies of the state from destabilizing the nations. The presidency continued to acquire too much power. The fear that an iron grip was slowly being applied to the nations led to a steady stream of criticism of the governments with intellectuals, professionals and the churches being vocal in condemning what they felt was an erosion of human rights. A political culture which encapsulates violence, intimidation and detention of the opposition, manipulation of both the constitution and electoral processes in favour of incumbents ultimately leading towards the consolidation of dictatorial tendencies emerges from analyzing the trends of these two countries. -
National Identity and Post-Colonial Development: Dictatorial Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of South Africa Master's Thesis
National Identity and Post-Colonial Development: Dictatorial Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of South Africa Master’s Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Department of Global Studies Chandler Rosenberger, Advisor Jasmine Waddell, Advisor Richard Parmentier, Chairman In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Master’s Degree By Andrea Cohen August, 2011 Copyright by Andrea Cohen © 2011 Dedication I would like to dedicate this piece of work to my parents, Fran and Les Cohen. Their hard work and endless support has allowed me to take up any opportunity that comes my way, including my desire to earn a Master’s degree. My Dad has shown me through example the importance of a strong work ethic. His quotes comparing hard work to sports always hang above my desk. Both my parent’s high regard for the needs of others has in part inspired me with a passion to better the lives of those who live in poverty, fear and oppression. I am eternally grateful for their enduring love, guidance, support. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my graduate advisers for their role in my education and for their guidance and support throughout the process. Professors Jasmine Waddell and Chandler Rosenberger’s intellect always inspired me to keep learning, think harder, and dig deeper. I cannot possibly thank Professor Waddell enough for her enduring support throughout the writing process. Each conversation with her left me feeling renewed, validated, and ready to tackle the challenge ahead. Professor Rosenberger always pushed me to achieve the perfection he knew I was capable of, and for that I am thankful to him. -
The Zimbabwean Nation-State Project
The Zimbabwean Nation-State Project DISCUSSION PAPER 59 THE ZIMBABWEAN NATION-STATE PROJECT A Historical Diagnosis of Identity and Power-Based Conflicts in a Postcolonial State SABELO J. NDLOVO-GATSHENI NORDISKA AFRIKAINSTITUTET, UppSALA 2011 Indexing terms: Zimbabwe Nationalism State Political conflicts Political development Political leadership Elite Ethnicity National identity Nation-building Post-colonialism The opinions expressed in this volume are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. Language checking: Peter Colenbrander ISSN 1104-8417 ISBN 978-91-7106-696-1 © The author and Nordiska Afrikainstitutet 2011 Production: Byrå4 Print on demand, Lightning Source UK Ltd. The Zimbabwean Nation-State Project Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................4 List of Acronyms ...............................................................................................................................................5 Foreword .............................................................................................................................................................7 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................9 2. Defining the African National Project ................................................................................................18 -
AG Fears Upheaval Over SADC Tribunal
30 November 2009 Edition 23 HARARE-The Attorney General, Johannes Charges against Bennett arose in 2006 when The MDC says ZANU PF is frustrating efforts to Hitschmann’s house. The laptop is said to have Tomana last week failed to produce the State’s Hitschmann was allegedly found with an arms swear in Bennett as Deputy Agriculture Minister. contained emails that implicated Bennett in State’sstar witness, Michael Hitschmann to testify cache, which the prosecution saysstar he acquired dims terrorism activities. against Deputy Agriculture Minister-Designate after he was given $5 000 by Bennett to topple Tomana’s prosecution seems to be heading for Roy Bennett forcing the defence lawyers to raise President Robert Mugabe. collapse with the State witnesses having so far accusations of deliberate attempts to fumble failed to directly link Bennett to the charges. The State alleges Hitschmann was paid by Bennett the matter. Bennett’s co-accused, Hitschmann was acquitted One of the witnesses admitted that the police to buy weapons to assassinate government of the same charges of terrorism. had not recorded an inventory of arms alleged to officials. Police say Hitschmann implicated On Friday Tomana, informed High Court Judge, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu that the State’s sixth Bennett denies the charges, which his Movement have been recovered from Hitschmann’s house Bennett in the procurement of the arms, but witness was arms dealer Hitschmann – who is for Democratic Change (MDC) party – led by in 2006. Another witness failed to explain why Bennett’s lawyers argue that the arms dealer said to have implicated Bennett in plotting to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai - says are weapons alleged to have been recovered had increased from nine to 49. -
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. -
MDC – Harare – Bulawayo – Council Elections 2006 – Gukurahundi
Refugee Review Tribunal AUSTRALIA RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE Research Response Number: ZWE31570 Country: Zimbabwe Date: 20 April 2007 Keywords: Zimbabwe – MDC – Harare – Bulawayo – Council Elections 2006 – Gukurahundi This response was prepared by the Country Research Section of the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RRT within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Questions 1. Does the MDC have an office in Harare? 2. How many branches are there in the province of Bulawayo? 3. How many wards are there? 4. Can you provide information on the leaders of the MDC in the province of Bulawayo? 5. Can you provide information on the activities of the MDC in the province of Bulawayo in 2006? 6. Can you provide information on council elections in Bulawayo around October 2006? 7. Did Zanu PF lose seats in the council elections in Bulawayo in October 2006? 8. Can you provide information about Gukurahunde? RESPONSE 1. Does the MDC have an office in Harare? The MDC headquarters are located in Harvest House, the corner of Angwa Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue in Harare. Angwa Street is parallel to First Street. Attached is a map of Harare, showing Angwa Street, First Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue (Africa South of the Sahara 2003 2003, Europa Publications, 32nd edition, London, p.1190 – Attachment 1; Mawarire, Matseliso 2007, ‘Police left a trail of destruction at Harvest House’, Zimdaily.com website, 29 March http://zimdaily.com/news/117/ARTICLE/1480/2007-03-29.html – Accessed 30 March 2007 – Attachment 2; ‘Harare’ 1998, Hotels-Tours-Safaris.com website http://www.hotels-tours-safaris.com/zimbabwe/harare/images/citymap.gif – Accessed 30 March 2007 – Attachment 3). -
2GECOU Does Democracy Matter?
TheOpen University UBRARY DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PRACTICE1 FOk.SNDATK)N OF AnRICULTURALG1ANtsdNi ECONOMiCS 2GECOU FUNDED BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL'S GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE PROGRAMME Does Democracy Matter? Pointers from a comparison of NGOs' influence on environmental policies in Zimbabwe and Botswana Alan Thomas June 1995 ©MK c7- M am©CDL _7CD mnrkfia 17/, GECOU is a research project based at the Open University. It consists of six researchers from five different disciplines: four from the Faculty of Social Sciences, namely Professor David Potter (Political Science), Professor Andrew Blowers (Geography), Dr Bernard Eccleston (Social Sciences), and Dr David Humphreys (Political Science); and two from the Faculty of Technology, namely Dr Susan Carr (Systems) and Alan Thomas (Development Studies). The project examines the advocacy work of environmental NGOs (non- governmental organisations) and their role in the policy processes which directly affect global environmental problems. GECOU forms part of the UK Economic and Social Research Council's Global Environmental Change Programme. For more information contact: Dr David Humphreys, Research. Fellow, Faculty of Social Sciences, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA. Tel: 01908 654480 Fax: 01908 654488 E.Mail: [email protected] Previous GECOU Working Papers Annie Taylor, "Setting Environmental Agendas: NGOs, Democracy and Global Politics, A Framework and Methodology for the Research", GECOU Working Paper No. 1, October 1993. David Potter, "Democracy and the Environment in Asia", GECOU Working Paper No. 2, January 1994. David Potter, "NGOs and Forest Management in Karnataka", GECOU Working Paper No. 3, January 1995. DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PRACTICE The Development Policy and Practice Research Group was set up in the Open University towards the end of 1984 to promote research on development issues. -
Democratization in Zimbabwe
DEMOCRATIZATION IN ZIMBABWE A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of The School of Continuing Studies and of The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Liberal Studies By Erin Eve, B.A. Georgetown University Washington, D.C. December 2, 2009 DEMOCRATIZATION IN ZIMBABWE Erin Eve, B.A Mentor: Herbert Howe, Ph.D. ABSTRACT A comprehensive look at the social, political, and economic state of Zimbabwe both prior to and after independence. Provides a general overview of democracy and its shortfalls and reviews its applicability in the case of Zimbabwe. Through these three categorizes analyzes the feasibility of democracy in Zimbabwe and the way ahead for the nation. ii PREFACE This paper focuses on democracy building in Zimbabwe. While Zimbabwe may be the subject at hand, I hope this paper can be an example of how to implement the broader context of the democratization processes on a country by country basis. What prompted the writing of this paper was the fact that many politicians, journalists, academics, and those in both the public and private field of development often times put blanket band aids on problems that need specific solutions. This is not to say that general ideas and solutions are not a good starting off point, they are, but what is needed is a whittling down and tailoring of those generalizations and criteria to fit a specific instance or problem. That is what I try to lay out and make clear in this paper; generic approaches to democratization will be analyzed through the lens of Zimbabwe. -
Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM) Emerged, but Then Disintegrated Rapidly
African Studies Quarterly | Volume 7, Issues 2 & 3 | Fall 2003 Opposition Politics in Independent Zimbabwe LIISA LAAKSO Abstract: Zimbabwe has implemented a multi-party system on a universal franchise for more than two decades. This era has witnessed consolidation of power into the hands of the ruling ZANU party and its leader Robert Mugabe, and a gradual evolution of political crises. All general elections have shown support for the opposition among the voters. However, the opposition has changed a lot. Between 1980 and 1987 there was a strong regional party, ZAPU, which transformed from a partner of the ruling party to repressed dissident. The second period after the unity between ZANU and ZAPU witnessed mobilisation in defence of multipartyism and against corruption, and the birth of a populist party ZUM. ZUM’s disintegration was followed by massive electoral apathy in 1995. The third period started with civic organization for constitutional reform in 1997 and led to the emergence of the MDC, a wide coalition of interest groups united by their aim to seize ZANU from power. State responses to opposition politics help to clarify its unstable nature. Introduction Consolidation of the authoritarian power of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) in independent Zimbabwe has not proceeded through the withering away of dissent. All general elections have witnessed support for other parties. But the parties and their support base have changed radically. On the one hand this reflects the government’s different strategies to silence its critics. On the other hand it tells about changes in Zimbabwean society itself. -
Zimbabwe Apr2001
ZIMBABWE ASSESSMENT April 2001 Country Information and Policy Unit CONTENTS I SCOPE OF DOCUMENT 1.1 - 1.5 II GEOGRAPHY 2.1 - 2.4 III HISTORY 3.1 - 3.40 Foundations of Zimbabwe 3.1 - 3.5 Matabeleland Insurgency 1983-87 3.6 - 3.8 Elections 1995 & 1996 3.9 - 3.10 Movement for Democratic Change 3.11 - 3.12 Constitutional Referendum, February 2000 3.13 - 3.14 Parliamentary Elections, June 2000 3.15 - 3.23 - Background 3.15 - 3.16 - Election Violence & Farm Occupations 3.17 - 3.18 - Election Results 3.19 - 3.23 Post-Election Violence & Intimidation 3.24 - 3.34 Bikita West By-election 3.35 - 3.36 Legal Challenges to Election Results 3.37 - 3.40 IV INSTRUMENTS OF THE STATE 4.1 - 4.20 Political System: 4.1 - 4.14 - Administrative Structure 4.1 - 4.3 - ZANU-PF 4.4 - Movement for Democratic Change 4.5 - 4.7 - ZANU-Ndonga 4.8 - Liberty Party/Liberty Party of Zimbabwe 4.9 - 4.11 - Other Minor Parties 4.12 - 4.14 Legal Framework & Judiciary 4.15 - 4.20 V HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION HUMAN RIGHTS: INTRODUCTION 5.1 - 5.4 Introduction 5.1 - 5.2 Human Rights Organisations in Zimbabwe 5.3 - 5.4 HUMAN RIGHTS: SPECIFIC GROUPS 5.5 - 5.32 Women 5.5 - 5.10 Children 5.11 - 5.13 Ethnic Groups: 5.14 - 5.26 - Shona 5.14 - Ndebele 5.15 - 5.16 - Whites 5.17 - 5.23 - Asians 5.24 - Other Ethnic Minorities 5.25 - 5.26 Homosexuals 5.27 - 5.32 - Canaan Banana's trial 5.32 HUMAN RIGHTS: OTHER ISSUES 5.33 - 5.83 Freedom of Assembly & Political Association 5.33 Freedom of Speech & of the Press 5.34 - 5.49 Freedom of Religion 5.50 - 5.54 Witchcraft 5.55 - 5.57 Freedom of Travel 5.58 - 5.59 Military Service 5.60 - 5.65 Prison Conditions 5.66 - 5.69 Health Issues: 5.70 - 5.77 - General 5.70 - 5.72 - HIV/AIDS 5.73 - 5.77 Land Reform 5.78 - 5.83 ANNEX A: CHRONOLOGY ANNEX B: MAIN POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS ANNEX C: PROMINENT PEOPLE PAST & PRESENT ANNEX D: FULL ELECTION RESULTS JUNE 2000 (hard copy only) BIBLIOGRAPHY I.