Fast track land reform and belonging: examining linkages between resettlement areas and communal areas iii in Zvimba District, Zimbabwe. MALVERN KUDAKWASHE MAREWO Thesis Presented for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Department of African Studies University of Cape Town Supervisors: Professor Horman Chitonge and Associate Professor Frank Matose February 2020 1 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 PLAGIARISM DECLARATION I declare that this is my original work. The ideas drawn from the work(s) of others have been acknowledged or cited fully. I understand that copying the works of others and presenting them as mine is wrong. This thesis has not been submitted in the past, nor is it being submitted at any other institution. Sign …………………………………………. Date ……………………………………. i ABSTRACT This study examines whether beneficiaries of Zimbabwe’s Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) of 2000 in resettlement areas maintain linkages with communal areas of origin. Present studies about the FTLRP provide limited in-depth attention to the importance of understanding linkages with places of origin. The study sought to explore the extent to which beneficiaries of the FTLRP are connected to their communal areas of origin, as well as the implications of the ties. Analysis of linkages is through social relationships and labour exchanges between people in resettlement areas and communal areas. This was done through a conceptual framework of belonging, which helped explain the various attachments to places of origin. The study was guided by a qualitative research approach. A case study of Machiroli Farm, an A1 villagised settlement, and Zvimba communal areas (Ward 6), Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe was utilised. The study’s main finding is that beneficiaries of the FTLRP in the A1 model on Machiroli Farm retain linkages with communal areas of origin; beneficiaries of the FTLRP acquired new land without discarding ties and relations with places of origin. Most respondents attached clear importance to maintaining linkages with places of origin. Some respondents did not maintain ties with places of origin because of conflicts and breakdowns in family ties, highlighting that belonging is not static. Evidence from this case study shows that maintenance of linkages assists with agricultural production and enhancing social relations. Another important finding is that belonging enforced the maintenance of relations through factors, such as familial relations, burial sites, clubs, ceremonies and labour exchanges with communal areas of origin. The study argues that belonging is an aspect that ties people together despite physical translocation. Thus, this study’s contribution is that, within land reform debates, physical translocation does not break the bonds with, or ties to, places of origin. Belonging enables several functions, such as access to labour, mitigation of economic challenges and enhancement of social relations, as demonstrated by this case study. For scholarship, the study contributes to land reform debates by applying the concept of belonging, which has mostly been applied to border and migration studies policy. The framework of belonging within land reform reveals the importance of social, cultural, religious and economic effects in accessing labour and enhancing agricultural production in agrarian settings. The study draws the conclusion that beneficiaries of land reform desire to remain relevant to a host of political, economic, spiritual and social aspects anchored in places of origin. Therefore, resettlement does not break ties which people have with places of origin, people embrace the new without discarding the old relations. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis would have not been possible without the support of the following: First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisors, Professor Horman Chitonge and Associate Professor Frank Matose, for your intellectual aptitude, support and guidance in the conception and completion of this thesis. Throughout the journey, you both challenged me and assisted me to find my identity as a scholar, for that I am immensely grateful. I grateful to Professor Lungisile Ntsebeza for nominating me for NRF scholarship under his Research Chair: Land Reform and Democracy in South Africa. I acknowledge financial assistance from The Archie Mafeje Scholarship, University of Cape Town International Students Scholarship and the Faculty of Humanities Completion grant. I extend my gratitude to the Centre for African Studies administrative staff Mrs Vuyelwa Mnqanqeni and Ms Noma-Afrika Maseti. I would like to thank a special group of intellectual giants, my friends and colleagues that contributed at various stages of this study: Dr June Bam-Hutchison, Dr. Clemence Rusenga, Dr. Senzeni Ncube, Dr. Tafadzwa Mushonga, Moonde Kabinga, Priscilla Nsama and Dr. Moses Moyo, Louise Akanlu, Shingirai Nyakabawu and Tamuka Chekero. Most of all, I would like to thank the people of Zvimba that opened their homes and offices to make this research a success. I am also grateful my research assistant Jonah Mujuru, the Zvimba District Administrator, Ministry of Lands staff, Chief, Village Heads and Councillor who made my stay and work in Zvimba possible. I would also like to thank Dr Tendai Murisa, Dr Billy Mukamuri, Dr Patience Mutopo, Dr Grasian Mkodzongi and Dr Manase Chiweshe for opening their offices and assisting during my fieldwork. My acknowledgements would not be complete without thanking my parents, Mr. E and Mrs. J.S Marewo, who have stood by me since day one, thank you for your support and prayers. Your prayers and confidence kept me going. Thank you for believing in me. I wish to extend my thanks to my mother-in-law, Mrs Mahara, for the support and prayers. I would like to thank my brothers, Wisdom and Nqobile Bhebhe, for your time in reading my scripts, God bless. Most of all I would like to thank my sister, Sandra and your husband, Blessing Mucherera, my young brother, Alvin Tinashe Marewo, my older brother, Alson and his wife, Patience Marewo, your prayer, support, motivation and financial contribution were invaluable and amazing, I love you all. I also acknowledge my wife, Precious Audrey Marewo, who made the last three years bearable, you were a shoulder to cry on, a motivator, cheerleader and a wife. The journey has been easier because of your support; you are a blessing. Lastly, I thank God Almighty for guiding me through this PhD journey and making this dream come true. iii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AGRITEX Agricultural Technical and Extension Services AIDS Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome BSAC British South Africa Company DA District Administrator DLC District Lands Committee DCC District Coordinating Committees CA Communal Areas CIO Central Intelligence Organisation FTLRP Fast Track Land Reform Programme GMB Grain Marketing Board GoZ Government of Zimbabwe GNU Government of National Unity HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus MDC Movement for Democratic Change MP Member of Parliament ORA Old Resettlement Areas NGO Non-Governmental Organisation LSCF Large Scale Commercial Farms RA Resettlement Area RDC Rural District Council VIDCO Village Development Committee WADCO Ward Development Committee ZANU-PF Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front ZIMSTAT Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency ZRP Zimbabwe Republic Police ZNA Zimbabwe National Army ZNLWA Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association iv TABLE OF CONTENTS PLAGIARISM DECLARATION.............................................................................................. i ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... iii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................................. iv Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Land reform and belonging: exploring linkages ........................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Problem statement ................................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................. 2 Research objectives ................................................................................................. 4 Research questions .................................................................................................. 4 Significance of the study ......................................................................................... 4 Contribution to scholarship ..................................................................................... 5 Political and economic context of Zimbabwe’s FTLRP ................................................ 6 Land reform perspective................................................................................................