Becoming Zimbabwe. A History from the Pre-colonial Period to 2008

by Brian Raftopoulos (Editor), Alois Mlambo (Editor)

Becoming Zimbabwe is the first comprehensive history of Zimbabwe, spanning the years from 850 to 2008. In 1997, the then Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Morgan Tsvangirai, expressed the need for a 'more open and critical process of writing history in Zimbabwe. ...The history of a nation-in-the-making should not be reduced to a selective heroic tradition, but should be a tolerant and continuing process of questioning and re-examination.' Becoming Zimbabwe tracks the idea of national belonging and citizenship and explores the nature of state rule, the changing contours of the political economy, and the regional and international dimensions of the country's history. In their Introduction, Brian Raftopoulos and Alois Mlambo enlarge on these themes, and Gerald Mazarire's opening chapter sets the pre-colonial background. Sabelo Ndlovu tracks the history up to WW11, and Alois Mlambo reviews developments in the settler economy and the emergence of nationalism leading to UDI in 1965. The politics and economics of the UDI period, and the subsequent war of liberation, are covered by Joesph Mtisi, Munyaradzi Nyakudya and Teresa Barnes. After independence in 1980, Zimbabwe enjoyed a period of buoyancy and hope. James Muzondidya's chapter details the transition 'from buoyancy to crisis', and Brian Raftopoulos concludes the book with an analysis of the decade-long crisis and the global political agreement which followed.

Genres: History, Africa, Zimbabwe, Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting essay collection covering the various periods of Zimbabwe's history. The essays break up the history from pre-colonial to post-colonial and it gives readers a sense of how colonialism unfolded in ways that are both similar to and different from neighboring South Africa, for example. I was quite struck by the ways in which Cecil Rhodes' ideologies were implemented at various stages of the British colonial project, sometimes altering them to fit their changing context. I also found it interesting that the divide and rule strategy seemed to work for a while in the sense that after World War II there were many Africans who just wanted a colonial system that was more fair rather than abolishing it altogether. It is definitely worth reading for anyone interested in African history or the inner workings of colonialism.

[AskHistorians]

An outstanding and very approachable work that presents a narrative of Zimbabwean history through well-written and expertly researched chronological chapters. The recent publication date and proximity of a large proportion of the authors to the history itself ensures that this book covers almost all themes and periods in substantial detail.

[Ernest · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant change to read a history of Rhodesia / Zimbabwe from historians from generally non western backgrounds.