Edinburgh Research Explorer “Through the Narrow Door” Citation for published version: Karekwaivanane, G 2016, '“Through the Narrow Door”: Narratives of the First Generation of African Lawyers in Zimbabwe’', Africa, vol. 86, no. 1, pp. 59-77. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0001972015000789 Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1017/S0001972015000789 Link: Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer Document Version: Peer reviewed version Published In: Africa General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Edinburgh Research Explorer is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The University of Edinburgh has made every reasonable effort to ensure that Edinburgh Research Explorer content complies with UK legislation. If you believe that the public display of this file breaches copyright please contact
[email protected] providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 02. Oct. 2021 ‘THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR’: NARRATIVES OF THE FIRST GENERATION OF AFRICAN LAWYERS IN ZIMBABWE George H. Karekwaivanane ABSTRACT Given the important role played by lawyers in formal legal systems, the study of legal professionals can help us understand the efforts to maintain law and social order in Africa. This article examines the narratives of two Zimbabwean lawyers, Kennedy Sibanda and Honour Mkushi, about their experiences as legal professionals between 1970 and 1990, and makes three main arguments. Firstly, these narratives are revealing of the complex interplay between individual agency, politics and law across the two decades.