The nexus between ZANU PF, Mbuya Nehanda and the liberation struggle

Abstract

Zimbabwe has a very rich history, deep rooted in its liberation struggle. However, this deep attachment to the liberation struggle has overshadowed and impeded basic government functions leading to the demise of the economy as the ruling party is entangled with the past and clearly lacking political will and innovation for the future. In the discourse of liberation war movements and activities, it is important to analyse the causes that give rise to their existence, which therefore becomes a backdrop on which their successes and failures can be analysed. This paper therefore will establish the main causes which fueled the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe and using such causes as benchmarks analyse how ZANU PF is faring forty years after independence. In this regard there are historical figures such as Mbuya Nehanda and the history of the liberation war which have become construed and contorted in political gimmicks such that the separation of such facts and ZANU PF have become difficult over the years. Hence, this paper seeks to analyse the relationship between ZANU PF, Mbuya Nehanda and liberation struggle. In making such an analysis it also becomes clearer whether ZANU PF still represents what it purports to have gone to war for, and the extent to which it has been successful in realising its objectives.

Bindepinde [stout rope] theology and religio-political dialogue in Zimbabwe

“…The police are feared by the public because of their ruthlessness and brutality as we in the Anglican Diocese of Harare continue to experience. (Ashworth 2008:1) Mugabe on his part managed, through patriotic history, to pitch war credentials as the panacea to the common good and the right to the ruling sceptre (Nare & Mataire 2022). The churches were split on whether war credentials should be read as meritocratic or not.…”

“…In the years following 2000, for example, ZANU-PF was responsible for an elitist land reform that critically ignored the needs of the majority. This, despite the centrality of land to the liberation discourses on black empowerment (Nare & Mataire 2022). This lapse made the ZCBC (2002) infuse courage in the electorate to overcome ZANU-PF intimidation in the approaching 2002 presidential elections:…”