Framing Robert Mugabe’s Death: A De-colonial Analysis

Santos, Phillip

doi:10.1080/23743670.2020.1837898

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Some sections of society view Mugabe as a Pan-Africanist whose sole battle was to emancipate the blacks from the white minority harsh rule and also seen as a doyen of economic empowerment (Matsilele and Ruhanya, 2021). Santos (2020) complements these claims when he notes that African leaders described him as a liberation hero, an outstanding revolutionary and an Africanist who turned the rejection of colonization into action. Therefore, Mugabe had two identities, one as a Pan-African fighting all forms of colonialism and racial equality while on the other hand, he was a ruthless dictator who is famously known for murdering his own countrymen in an attempt to establish a one party state among other atrocities he committed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Media and the Commemoration of Robert Mugabe’s Death through the Camera’s Lens

Tshuma

Sibanda

2022

Journal of Asian and African Studies

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This paper analyses the photographic representation of former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, with the aim of understanding memories that were produced following his death in September 2019. Mugabe was in power for 37 years before being dethroned through a military coup in November 2017. His rule divided opinion with some viewing him as a liberator and African icon, while some view him a dictator and tyrant for his role in disregarding human rights. This paper seeks to explore the role of photography in memory with particular interest being on commemorating contesting figure like Mugabe. We analysed photographs used by The Herald and NewsDay to commemorate Mugabe’s death. Photographs remain one of the under researched genres in communication, especially in the Global South, yet scholars have argued that contemporary societies have, through the use of photographs, turned their citizens into ‘image junkies’ and created ‘the most irresistible form of mental pollution’. The findings demonstrate that photographs are being used to give a ‘testimony’ about the contested legacy of Mugabe. Mugabe is framed as a liberator, Pan-African. On the contrary, he is seen as a tyrant and ruled by an iron fist.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%