This study investigates, through electronic and print media sources, published books and articles, reports from international organizations, and oral interviews, the irregular ways through which many vulnerable people in Zimbabwe's eastern border city of Mutare exploited opportunities in neighbouring Mozambique for survival. Most people had to resort to clandestine cross-border activities largely because they could not afford the financial obligations for travel documents, visa fees, border taxes, work permits, as well as import and trade licences. In addition, several of the commodities they imported or exported were either subject to duty, or altogether illegal either in Mozambique or Zimbabwe.
"Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is arguably the most polarising figure and advocate of democracy and human rights in the history of opposition politics in Zimbabwe. He is as much a topic of debate in Zimbabwe and beyond as the late president Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Tsvangirai's legacy, like Mugabe's, remains indisputably controversial and conflicted. Broadly, the divided opinion on the Tsvangirai legacy can be represented, firstly, by those who argue that Tsvangirai was the champion of democracy and the face of the struggle for human rights in Zimbabwe. In this light, Tsvangirai has been variously described as a "selfless...people's hero", a "colossus of the struggle for democracy", "the commander of the struggle", "a symbol of courage and resistance", and "the doyen of constitutionalism" in Zimbabwe. On the other hand, critics have described Tsvangirai as a "sell-out", "a Judas Iscariot", "traitor", and "coward", among other nefarious and pejorative characterisations. Drawing on all these opinions and the various characterisations of Tsvangirai, this book provides a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary appraisal of a gigantic trade unionist and political figure who, in his life and in death, inspires different narratives, emotions and values. This book is therefore about a mortal but "living" figure who left an indelible mark on Zimbabwe, Africa and the rest of the world in fields such as trade unionism, governance and politics. As such, the book is handy for students and practitioners in African studies, political science, policy studies, economics, history, global studies and development studies"--
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.-- Back cover
1. Beyond the politics of power and violence / Munyaradzi Mawere . - 2. Double-trouble : reflections on the violence of absence and the 'culpability' of the present in Africa / Artwell Nhemachena . - 3. War without end? terrorism, policy and conflict management in Africa / Thomas Fox . - 4. Violence, identity and politics of belonging : the April 2015 Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and the emergence of some discourses / Ngonidzashe Marongwe & Munyaradzi Mawere . - 5. Violence, power, politics and (anti- )development in Africa / Nkwazi Nkuzi Mhango . - 6. Managing politics of knowledge production in africa : exploiting indigenous knowledge systems for increasing synergy between community development and education sectors / Costain Tandi; Mawere Munyaradzi; and Tapuwa R. Mubaya . - 7. Recognition politics and violence in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria / Ehlabhi Odion Simon . - 8. Envisaged trends in post-2016 African development agenda and their impact on world economic system / Takavafira Masarira Zhou . - 9. African indigenous knowledge as panacea for conflict management and transformation in Africa : the Cae of Ifá in Nigeria / Okewande Oluwole Tewogboye. - 10. Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35) as a model for conflict resolution : the case of the global political agreement in Zimbabwe / Tobias Marevesa . - 11. Ubuntu/Unhu as communal love : critical reflections on the sociology of ubuntu and communal life in sub-Saharan Africa / Munyaradzi Mawere & Gertjan van Stam . - 12. Instrumentalisation of traditional institutions in xenophobic violence against Zimbabweans in Botswana during the new millennium / Fidelis Peter Thomas Duri. - 13. Problematising victimhood and agency : women and terrorism in 21st century Africa / Sibangeni Ngono and Fidelis Peter Thomas Duri . - 14. The order of things : changing identities in Eritrea through ICTs / Mirjam van Reisen and Zecarias Gerrima
