The end of an era?
Subtitle: Robert Mugabe and a conflicting legacy
By: edited by Munyaradzi Mawere, Ngonidzashe Marongwe & Fidelis Peter Thomas Duri .
Publisher: Langaa Research & Publishing CIG
Published: 2018
Place of publication: Mankon, Bamenda
Language: eng
Number of pages: 554
ISBN-13: 9789956550869
Copyright date: 2018
Subjects: Presidents; Biography; Politics and government; HISTORY / Africa / South / General; HISTORY / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa
Description: Arguably, one of the most polarising figures in modern times has been Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the former President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The mere mentioning of his name raises a lot of debate and often times vicious, if not irreconcilable differences, both in Zimbabwe and beyond. In an article titled: 'Lessons of Zimbabwe', Mahmood Mamdani succinctly captures the polarity thus: 'It is hard to think of a figure more reviled in the West than Robert Mugabe... and his land reform measures, however harsh, have won him considerable popularity, not just in Zimbabwe but throughout southern Africa.' This, together with his recent 'stylised' ouster, speaks volumes to his conflicted legacy. The divided opinion on Mugabe's legacy can broadly be represented, first, by those who consider him as a champion of African liberation, a Pan-Africanist, an unmatched revolutionary and an avid anti-imperialist who, literally, 'spoke the truth' to Western imperialists. On the other end of the spectrum are those who - seemingly paying scant regard to the predicament of millions of black Zimbabweans brutally dispossessed of their land and human dignity since the Rhodesian days - have differentially characterised Mugabe as a rabid black fascist, an anti-white racist, an oppressor, and a dictator. Drawing on all these opinions and characterisations, the chapters ensconced in this volume critically reflect on the personality, leadership style and contributions of Robert Mugabe during his time in office, from 1980 to November 2017. The volume is timely in view of the current contested transition in Zimbabwe, and with regard to the ongoing consultations on the Land Question in neighbouring South Africa. It is a handy and richly documented text for students and practitioners in political science, African studies, economics, policy studies, development studies, and global studies.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Robert Mugabe's conflicted legacy and the end of an era? / Ngonidzashe Marongwe & Munyaradzi Mawere; title: 'Stop it!' vitriol, scorn and the 'November Revolution' : Grace Mugabe's hate language and the 'end' of Robert Mugabe's reign / Ngonidzashe Marongwe; title: A forgiven sinner? Robert Mugabe and the strained Catholic relations / Canisius Mwandayi; title: A celebrated coup that appears like not a coup? The fall of Robert Mugabe in the context of Zimbabwean and regional politics / James Hlongwana; title: Whose fault was it anyway? Gukurahundi (1982-87) and the politics of blame and denial / Aaron Rwodzi; title: A philanthropist amid land grabbing? Grace Mugabe empire expansion and the forced eviction of villagers in Mazowe / Nancy Mazuru; title: Mugabeism after Mugabe : idolatry, blasphemy and the persistence of the leadership personality cult in the ZANU-PF Party since independence / Fidelis Peter Thomas Duri; title: The conflicting legacy of vocational education and training for youths with hearing impairment in 'Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe' / Chenjerai Muwaniki & Martin Musengi; title: Violence, justice and peace in Zimbabwe : an appraisal of Mugabe's legacy through the publications of Roman Catholic Church organs in Zimbabwe / Edmore Dube; title: More than three decades of deprivation and impoverishment : the growth of the informal sector during the Mugabe era in Zimbabwe / Angeline Sithole & Tasara Muguti; title: Creation of a lasting legacy : traditional medical practice in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe / Elias G. Konyana; title: The Fast Track Land Reform Programme in post-colonial Zimbabwe : a sloganeering gimmick? / Tenson Muyambo; title: Mugabe the hero who became a villain : the tragicomedy of the legacy of Mugabe / Nkwazi Nkuzi Mhango; title: The Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) and tourism development in Zimbabwe during Mugabe's reign / Tendai Chibaya & Phanos Matura; title: Robert Mugabe and the politicisation of heritage in post-1980 Zimbabwe : land heritage as a tool for political leveraging and gimmicking / Tapuwa Raymond Mubaya; title: From being a man of the people to a senile captive dictator? Capturing the different personalities of Robert Mugabe through play and history / Genius Tevera & Golden Maunganidze; title: Robert Mugabe government disenfranchised the Zimbabwean majority / Munyaradzi Mawere & Costain Tandi; title: First ladies undoing their husbands : extravagance, conjugal dictatorship and the downfall of Robert Mugabe / Fidelis Peter Thomas Duri & Eusabiah Chikonyora; title: Mugabeism and the struggle against western imperialism : land reform, restitution and post and (neo-) coloniality discourses in Zimbabwe / Munoda Mararike & Oliver Mtapuri.