19 February 2010

TWO WEEKS ago we ran an editorial that spoke on the need to rescue truth from our memory and history. As part of that process, Zimbabwe in Pictures will be reviewing a range of books (new and old), and conducting interviews with the authors and with those engaged in the discourse on Zimbabwe.  This week we feature Chris Kabwato’s interview with Professor Brian Raftopoulos, Zimbabwean academic, author and activist. The interview was occasioned by a review of Becoming Zimbabwe, a book he co-edited with Professor Alois Mlambo. 

Please note that this interview has been shortened for purposes of space. The full interview is availabe here.

Chris Kabwato (CK): You dedicate your book to “the continuing process of ‘Becoming Zimbabwe’”.  Thirty years after independence what is that process and what does it entail?

Professor Brian Raftopoulos (BR): This refers to the complex process of nation-building drawing on the different threads of Zimbabwean history, in the context of changing national, regional and international dynamics. The book also places, as one of its central concerns, the importance of challenging the notion that one political party or dominant section of Zimbabwean society has the right to dictate the terms for understanding and narrating the past, to the exclusion of broader social groupings in the society. The authors were thus concerned with pluralizing the understanding of the past and its multiple effects on the politics of the present.

CK: In reading the book I felt it was as much a book about Zimbabwean historiography as it is an account of Zimbabwe from the pre-colonial era to 2008.

BR: This is indeed a correct reading of the book, and we did this for two reasons: Firstly to problematise and interrogate the existing historiography as part of the process of writing an alternative narrative. Secondly to introduce new readers to the rich historiography that now exists on Zimbabwe.   

CK: In your book Dr. James Muzondidya argues that “behind the façade of constitutional democracy lay an authoritarian political system characterized by the proscription of democratic space, and serious violation of basic human rights and the rule of law”.

We know this to be true – 30 years on. When you reflect on this what do you think ordinary Zimbabweans could have done in the first years of independence to bring forth a truly democratic state?

BR: Looking at the historical record in the post-colonial period, there is evidence of persistent struggles against the anti-democratic politics of the state. This has taken various forms including trade unions struggles, civic struggles around the constitution, the rule of law and human rights, the interventions of women’s groups, opposition party politics, as well as a range of advocacy efforts by civil society groups at regional and international levels. This has made Zimbabwean civil society one of the most dynamic and active on the continent, and these struggles continue even if in a more attenuated form. This is a fact that is often overlooked by commentators on Zimbabwe who have little sense of the history of such struggles. In short Zimbabweans have fought on many fronts to create a democratic state in the country. The fact that Zanu PF remains in power should not diminish this accomplishment.         

Interview continues HERE!

BOOK REVIEW: Becoming Zimbabwe – A Review by Chris Kabwato

Becoming Zimbabwe is a book I have been waiting for. I had the privilege of being taught history at the University of Zimbabwe by eminent academics like Professor Chengetai Zvobgo, Professor R.S. Roberts and the late Professor David Beach.  Fascinating people with a fascinating obsession with the history of Zimbabwe.  Over the years I have collected some key history books on Zimbabwe but there was not a single one that attempted to encapsulate the whole history of the country. This is the strength of Becoming Zimbabwe. It is also its weakness.

But first things first. Becoming Zimbabwe was edited by Professors Brian Raftopoulos and Alois Mlambo (both Zimbabwean academics based in South Africa). The book’s aim is clearly spelt out in the introduction:

“This book offers an overview of the history of Zimbabwe from the pre-colonial era to the present day, and tracks the idea of national belonging and citizenship over this period. Within these broad parameters we also set out to explore the nature of state rule, the changing contours of the political economy, and the regional and international dimensions of the country’s history. Thus, a central objective is to analyse the progress, challenges and continuing struggles over “Becoming Zimbabwe".

Measured against its stated aim the book does achieve its key goals. It offers an overview of pre-colonial Zimbabwe via an interrogation of the writings of historians such as Beach, Terence Ranger, Stan Mudenge and others. By pointing out the pitfalls of nationalistic histories, it tries to warn the reader to the dangers of a history that romanticizes the past by attempting to paint a picture of a unified and homogenous people with a rather uninterrupted history.

Book Review continues HERE.

Becoming Zimbabwe is published by Weaver Press Zimbabwe and is available from www.weaverpress.com and from Exclusive Books Stores in South Africa.

Publisher: Chris Kabwato (chris@digitalartsafrica.org)

Editor & Project Manager: Levi Kabwato (levi@zimbabweinpictures.com)

Newsroom: editor@zimbabweinpictures.com, +27-73-212 0629

CONNECT WITH US:

© Chris Kabwato