Religious and political intersections: the instrumentalisation of Christianity during Zimbabwe’s 2018 presidential elections

Ruling from the Grave? The Political Instrumentalization of Robert Mugabe’s Corpse in Contemporary Zimbabwean Politics

“…However, people here paid the ultimate price for this country to be free. (Meredith, 2007) Religion is used to mystify Mugabe and ensconce his hold on to power (Mpofu, 2022). The use of words like 'prophesied', 'sacrosanct', 'position from God' and 'his people' contextualizes Mugabe's power, invincibility, sacredness of his presidential office and ultimately 'ownership' of Zimbabwe through redemption, that is, liberation.…”

‘#GodIsInIt’: The Appropriation of Christianity into Politics by Nelson Chamisa in the 2018 Zimbabwean Presidential Election Contestations

“…The parliamentary and the presidential results were announced on 1 and 2 August, respectively. After announcing parliamentary results and declaring ZANU-PF winners on 1 August, the commission stopped releasing results for some 18 hours, leading to speculation that ZANU-PF had lost the presidential election and that ZEC was helping the party rig the election (Mpofu, 2021). The emergence of Mnangagwa as the political victor of the July 2018 elections was not well received by Chamisa’s MDC-A and its sympathisers (Hove and Chenzi, 2020).…”

“…Chamisa’s social media campaigns used the hashtag ‘ Godisinit ’, which he described as a faith statement than a political tool. Along with the hashtag, Chamisa utilised different Christian symbols, including prayer vigils on and offline and prayer and fasting days to help defeat Mnangagwa’s rule (Mpofu, 2021; Mudzanire and Banda, 2021; Tarusarira, 2020). Given Chamisa’s approach, Mudzanire and Banda (2021) submit that although no particular religion is aligned with the state, Christianity dominates the political space, resulting in political discourses often branded with biblical imagery, including the idea of divine ordination of the president.…”

“…During the colonial period, prominent religious leaders who engaged in the struggle for independence used the Christian doctrine to uphold liberation and black theology calling for a new Zimbabwe free of oppression (Dube, 2021), currently to explain Zimbabwe’s economic situation, and as a potential solution to the challenges facing the people in the country (Chibango, 2016). However, Pentecostalism advances the prosperity gospel, sells hope, performs ‘miracles’, provides healing, and promises wealth or economic empowerment to its members (Chibango, 2016; Mpofu, 2021; Vengeyi, 2011). Embedded in the doctrine is also what Chibango (2016) calls a ‘spirituality of short-cuts’, whereby people believe that they can get immediate tangible results.…”

“…The appropriation of Christian precepts in Chamisa’s political discourse informs the thrust of this study. Several studies have analysed the use of religion in political discourse, focusing on political leaders (Dube and Nkoane, 2018; Mpofu, 2021; Mudzanire and Banda, 2021; Tarusarira, 2020). However, in this study, I contend that it is also crucial to analyse how ordinary citizens (as receivers of political messages) perceive and interpret the appropriation of religious precepts in political discourses.…”