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Zimbabwe: Struggles-within-the-Struggle
This book is about the contradictions and infighting that occurred in the Zimbabwe liberation movement from 1957 to independence in 1980. The focus is on ZAPU, ZANU, FROLIZI, ANC/UANC, and the Zimbabwe Patriotic Front (ZPF), as well as the part played by the Frontline States in these contradictions. The book also discusses such tragic events as the death of Herbert Chitepo and others on account of the "Struggle" and the "Struggles-within-the-struggle". The book is intended for both the consumer and producer of politics in Zimbabwe and beyond. "Many of the conflicts in post-colonial Africa have their origins from what Professor Sithole has aptly termed ‘struggles-within-the-struggle’. This book is a must for those who want to understand the ‘goings-on’ in liberation movements, any liberation movement at all." – Harvey Glickman, Haverford College, 1999. "Sithole argues persuasively, and with privileged insight, overwhelming evidence, and analytical rigor that indeed the liberation movement was replete with contradictions that resolved themselves in a new form of unity (synthesis) as the struggle unfolds…" – Professor Kwame A. Ninsin, Editor, African Journal of Political Science, 1999. "Professor Sithole's book is an invaluable contribution to an understanding of our history. The next step calls for leaders endowed with the gift of statesmanship to listen to the people's grievances, heal the wounds and pacify the nation." – Henry E. Muradzikwa, Editor-in-Chief, ZIANA, 1999.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 12, 2021
When I started reading the book, I expected a bit more because of the extent to which it is regularly cited in conversations and writings about Zimbabwean politics and, with due respect, the book is, to an extent, overrated but it is worth reading and I will, no doubt, read it again in the future.
The book describes the internal contradictions that were present within the Zimbabwean liberation movement and further zooms into the contradictions that were present in the multiple organisations and military elements that made up the liberation movement. My main bone to chew with the book is that it primarily uses the tribe as the main explanatory variable that determined how different players in the liberation movement reacted to events. Because, I had read "Mujuru the Kingmaker" by Miles Tendi, where a bit more nuance beyond the tribe was added in discussing the reasons behind the regular implosions within the liberation movement, I found this basis of the "Struggles-within-the-Struggle" to be rather weak and simplistic. Another weak aspect of the book is the recommendation that political organisations set up internal arbitration committees that help to resolve internal grievances and absorb contradictions through clear conflict resolution mechanisms. I find this recommendation a bit awkward because the success of such a recommendation invalidates most of the propositions of the author which are anchored on the premise that most politicians will only respect rules to the extent that there are enforceable beyond the political field. Creation of such arbitration bodies would, in my view, simply create another centre of political contestation within political organisations as different factions will try to capture the body and in the case where the body rules against a faction that the majority of party members back, the rulings of such a body would not be enforceable.
That being said, one thing the book beautifully illustrates is how politics is primarily about power and ambition and in some cases these two traits coincide with altruism. The writer does well to explain that at the centre the breakdowns in many political bodies lies raw power struggles packaged as struggles between an altruistic side and an evil side. As such, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to be a politician as it quickly rids of any naivete that political rookies may have within them. In the context of Zimbabwe, the mind spinning MDC court battles and contradictions serve as an example as both sides are telling half-truths and chopping and changing facts to suit their agendas.
The book does well to link political theory to the practical organisational and ethnic structures of the liberation movements and illustrate how theory could have to an extent been used to predict that the movements were going to have periodic implosions. As a thinker, I enjoyed these theoretical aspects of the book as they provide lessons on organisational structure in general even beyond the political framework.
The book describes the internal contradictions that were present within the Zimbabwean liberation movement and further zooms into the contradictions that were present in the multiple organisations and military elements that made up the liberation movement. My main bone to chew with the book is that it primarily uses the tribe as the main explanatory variable that determined how different players in the liberation movement reacted to events. Because, I had read "Mujuru the Kingmaker" by Miles Tendi, where a bit more nuance beyond the tribe was added in discussing the reasons behind the regular implosions within the liberation movement, I found this basis of the "Struggles-within-the-Struggle" to be rather weak and simplistic. Another weak aspect of the book is the recommendation that political organisations set up internal arbitration committees that help to resolve internal grievances and absorb contradictions through clear conflict resolution mechanisms. I find this recommendation a bit awkward because the success of such a recommendation invalidates most of the propositions of the author which are anchored on the premise that most politicians will only respect rules to the extent that there are enforceable beyond the political field. Creation of such arbitration bodies would, in my view, simply create another centre of political contestation within political organisations as different factions will try to capture the body and in the case where the body rules against a faction that the majority of party members back, the rulings of such a body would not be enforceable.
That being said, one thing the book beautifully illustrates is how politics is primarily about power and ambition and in some cases these two traits coincide with altruism. The writer does well to explain that at the centre the breakdowns in many political bodies lies raw power struggles packaged as struggles between an altruistic side and an evil side. As such, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to be a politician as it quickly rids of any naivete that political rookies may have within them. In the context of Zimbabwe, the mind spinning MDC court battles and contradictions serve as an example as both sides are telling half-truths and chopping and changing facts to suit their agendas.
The book does well to link political theory to the practical organisational and ethnic structures of the liberation movements and illustrate how theory could have to an extent been used to predict that the movements were going to have periodic implosions. As a thinker, I enjoyed these theoretical aspects of the book as they provide lessons on organisational structure in general even beyond the political framework.
July 9, 2019
Good read
I loved every bit of it ,the author brought out the story behind story.The history of Zimbabwe needs to be read from many perspectives in order to get a balanced view.
I loved every bit of it ,the author brought out the story behind story.The history of Zimbabwe needs to be read from many perspectives in order to get a balanced view.
July 27, 2019
A front facing seat view
Prof Sithole offers a front seat view of the struggle. A chaotic struggle sold back home as the most heroic undertaking of our generation...
Prof Sithole attempted to characterise really complex struggles taking place in very difficult circumstances. Diet is dished out on key actors. It didn't escape the reader's attention that Prof Sithole said virtually nothing about his brother Rev., not even a single sentence focuses on critical analysis on his hand in the whole sad struggle chaos - later sold as heroic.
It is a welcome description of events. It is a preview into the prevailing politics of Zimbabwe - and why they are failing.
Prof Sithole offers a front seat view of the struggle. A chaotic struggle sold back home as the most heroic undertaking of our generation...
Prof Sithole attempted to characterise really complex struggles taking place in very difficult circumstances. Diet is dished out on key actors. It didn't escape the reader's attention that Prof Sithole said virtually nothing about his brother Rev., not even a single sentence focuses on critical analysis on his hand in the whole sad struggle chaos - later sold as heroic.
It is a welcome description of events. It is a preview into the prevailing politics of Zimbabwe - and why they are failing.
November 13, 2024
Eye opening and reverting
The book provides insight into the deceptions and controversies sorounding the Zimbabwe nationalist movement during the liberation struggle from white minority rule
The book provides insight into the deceptions and controversies sorounding the Zimbabwe nationalist movement during the liberation struggle from white minority rule
January 1, 2020
Great first hand account on the history of Zimbabwe
Great first hand account on the history of Zimbabwe. Highly recommended for sure. Masipula also has a killer sense of humour
Great first hand account on the history of Zimbabwe. Highly recommended for sure. Masipula also has a killer sense of humour
May 26, 2025
I was disappointed, to say the least, I wanted more given his proximity to the Zimbabwe Liberation War players. He deliberately avoided some key elements of the struggle. Was he being cautious not to expose Ndaba's weaknesses?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews