Comprehensive Study Notes on Zimbabwe National Studies
DEFINITIONS AND BACKGROUND OF NATIONAL STUDIES (NAS)
Conceptual Focus: No educational system is silent on the values accepted and cherished by society. Education focuses on behavior change across three domains: the psychomotor, the cognitive, and the affective.
The Social Misfit: A skilled professional (e.g., artisan or accountant) without a sense of family or societal responsibility is a "social misfit" and a drain on national wealth due to potential risks of crime (incarceration) or health crises like AIDS or CORONA.
Definition of Patriotism: A strong sense of belonging, identity, responsibility, and accountability. Historical and modern economic giants are noted to be the most patriotic.
Current Zimbabwean Context: A sense of belonging has eluded many due to selfishness, greed, the collapse of the extended family (attributed to Western values), and a "mafia and mercenary" attitude across banking, retail, and civil service sectors.
Formal Definition of NAS: Civic education designed to make all Zimbabweans in tertiary institutions responsible, patriotic citizens who can be mobilized for national development.
Purpose of NAS: To positively change or enhance attitudes regarding national identity and translate the political gains of the Second Chimurenga into economic gains in the Third and Fourth Chimurenga.
PRE-COLONIAL HISTORY: THE GREAT ZIMBABWE STATE
Timeline: Most powerful before the 14th century (c. 1500).
Statehood Criteria: It was defined as a state because it could raise an army, force tribute payments, and engage in international relations.
Founders: The Shona people, who possessed significant wealth in livestock.
Terminology: * Great Zimbabwe: Means "house of stones" or "Dzimba Dzemabwe." * Mambo: The title given to the King.
Historical Evidence: * Oral Tradition: Limited due to lack of written records. * Documentary Evidence: Portuguese records (during the Mutapa state) and Arab writings regarding the Changamire and Mutapa states. * Archaeological Evidence: Clothing, bones, copper, and iron tools. Artifacts found include glass beads, brassware, sea shells, iron axes, hoes, ivory, gold, and soapstone chisels.
Structures: Two main complexes: 1. The Acropolis (Temple Area). 2. The External Enclosure: High surrounding walls made of granite blocks.
Socio-Political Organization: By 1200, a ruling class emerged capable of organizing the population for large-scale construction. Rulers exercised power over chiefdoms through tribute, marriage, and trade controls.
Purpose of Stone Structures: Security, religion, prestige, and the occupation of slave labor.
Decline and Collapse: Causes included overpopulation, shortage of resources (specifically salt), increased emigration, civil wars, declining soil fertility, and the departure of Nyatsimba Mutota to form the Mutapa state.
THE MUTAPA STATE
Origins: Founded by Nyatsimba Mutota, who left Great Zimbabwe in search of salt or due to a succession dispute.
Conquest: Mutota moved to the Zambezi Valley, defeating the Tavara (Dzivaguru) people. He earned the title "Munhu-mutapa," meaning "Lord of Conquering."
Succession and Territory: * Chibatamatosi: Mutota’s father. * Capital: Established at a "Zimbabwe" on the slope of Chikato hill near the Utete River (north of Guruve). * Nyanhenhwe Matope: Mutota’s son and successor; co-ruled with half-sister Nyamhita Nehanda. * Geography: Stretched from Angwa and Manyame Rivers to the Zambezi, Musengezi, and Mukumbura Rivers.
Language and Religion: * Shona/Karanga: The term "Shona" was popularized in the 19th century; Ndebele called the language "entshona langa" (place where the sun sets). * Mwari: The supreme deity; communicated through spirit mediums (Mhondoro). * Senior Mediums: Dzivaguru (North East), Nehanda (Central), and Chaminuka (West). * Bira: Religious ceremonies involving music and dancing.
Law and Morality: Society was closely knit with the family as the nucleus. Present-day ills (prostitution, divorce, delinquency) were virtually unknown. * Rehabilitative Law: Murder was handled by compensating the victim’s family (often giving a young woman to create a familial bond), contrasting with "punitive and divisive" European law.
Economy: Lasted 500 years. Controlled the Zambezi trade route. Wealth derived from trade, taxation of imports/exports, and tribute (e.g., elephant tusks from hunters).
The Portuguese Factor: * Chikuyo Chisamarengu (1494): First to receive a Portuguese visitor, Fernandez, who brought guns and cloth. * Father Goncalo da Silveira: Attempted to convert King Negomo to Christianity. Killed and dumped in a pond after Muslim traders (vamwenyi) plotted against him. * Portuguese Prazeros: Land holders who took land, leading to private, lawless armies.
Collapse: Precipitated by internal disputes and Portuguese interference. Chioko was the last ruler to use the title Munhumutapa; his revolt was crushed in 1817.
THE ROZVI AND NDEBELE STATES
The Rozvi State: * Founded by Changamire Dombo (1634). Capital at Thabazikamambo (near Bulawayo). * Collapsed due to the Mfecane (time of trouble). Groups like those under Zwangendaba, Kololo Sebetwane (1836), and Mzilikazi (1837–1840) defeated the Rozvi.
The Ndebele State: * Mzilikazi: Son of Matshobana. Led 300 men away from Tshaka (Zulu) in 1821/1822. * Ndebele Title: Nickname given by Tswanas meaning "people of long shields." * Political Structure: The King was supreme commander and judge, but not a dictator. He ruled with the Mphakathi (original Khumalo chiefs) and the Izinkulu (incorporated chiefs). * Economy: 1. Herding: Most important activity. 2. Agriculture: Grew millet, sorghum, and watermelons. 3. Hunting/Gathering: Men hunted buffalo/elephant; women gathered grass seed and insects. 4. Trade: Exchanged cattle/gold for cloth and beads. 5. Raiding: Only occasionally targeted Shona who refused tribute. * Social Classes: 1. Abezanzi (15%): Superior class, original Khumalo pioneers. 2. Enhla (25%): Sotho and Tswana people joined during migration. 3. Amahole (60%): Conquered Shona/Kalanga people; could rise through military merit.
EUROPEAN COLONIZATION PROCESS
The Scramble for Gold: Rumors of a "bigger Rand" or "El Dorado" north of the Limpopo drew Cecil John Rhodes.
The Grobler Treaty (1887): A friendship treaty between the Transvaal (Boers) and Lobengula.
The Moffat Treaty (Feb 1888): Negotiated by John Smith Moffat; Lobengula promised not to enter other treaties without British consent.
The Rudd Concession (Oct 1888): * Rudd Delegation: Charles Rudd (Rhodes' friend), Rotchford Maguire (lawyer), and Francis Thompson (nicknamed "Matabele," fluent in Nguni). * Negotiation: Bribed Induna Lotshe (later executed with his family). * Lobengula's Gains: £100 monthly pension, 1,000 Enfield rifles, 100,000 rounds of ammunition, and a gunboat on the Zambezi. * Rhodes' Gains: Exclusive rights over all minerals in Mashonaland and Matebeleland.
The Royal Charter (Oct 1889): Granted the British South Africa Company (BSAC) administrative rights over the territory.
The Pioneer Column: * 200 volunteers and 500 troops guided by hunter Fredrick Selous. * Promised 2,000 acres and 5 gold claims each. * Established Fort Victoria (Masvingo) and Fort Charter (Chivhu). * Reached Harare on 12 September 1890, raising the Union Jack and naming it Salisbury.
THE ANGLO-NDEBELE WAR & FIRST CHIMURENGA
Anglo-Ndebele War (1893): * The Victoria Incident: Shona headman Gomara stole telegraph wire; Bere alleged to have stolen cattle. Ndebele impi pursued them to Fort Victoria. Magistrate Lendy killed Ndebele Induna Mgandani. * Invasion: Jameson promised settlers 2,400 hectares and 20 gold claims. Battles at Shangani and Mbembesi Rivers saw Ndebele defeat. Bulawayo was burned by Lobengula before his disappearance.
Berlin Conference (1884–1885): * Rules for the partition of Africa: Freedom of navigation, physical occupation required for recognition, and written protectorate agreements.
First Chimurenga (1896-1897) Causes: * Land: Reservoirs like Shangani and Gwaai (1894) were inhospitable. * Forced Labor: Known as "Chibharo." * Cattle: 250,000 Ndebele cattle confiscated. * Taxation: Hut tax imposed. * Natural Disasters: Drought, rinderpest, and locusts interpreted as ancestral anger.
Spirit Mediums: Nehanda and Kaguvi provided meds (claiming bullet-proof properties) and coordinated the resistance.
REPRESSIVE COLONIAL LEGISLATION
Native Reserve Order in Council (1898): Created dry, inhospitable reserves.
Hut Tax (1903): Forced blacks into the labor market.
Land Apportionment Act (1930): Allocated 49,000,000 acres to 50,000 whites and only 28,000,000 acres of poor land to 1,000,000 blacks.
Maize Control Act (1935): Two grades: A (Whites - high price) and B (Blacks - low price).
Cattle Levy Act (1934): Market prices skewed against black farmers.
Industrial Conciliation Act (1934): Denied blacks the right to join trade unions.
Racial Discrimination Act (1934): Barred shared toilets, schools, and hospitals.
Land Tenure Act (1969): Divided land roughly 45 million acres each for 250,000 whites vs. 5,000,000 blacks.
Pass Laws: Required black males to carry identity papers to restrict freedom of movement.
SECOND CHIMURENGA AND INDEPENDENCE
Rise of Nationalism: ANC (1957) led by Joshua Nkomo; NDP (1960); ZAPU (1961); ZANU (1964).
UDI (11 Nov 1965): Ian Smith made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence.
Military Wings: ZANLA (ZANU) and ZIPRA (ZAPU). Training in Tanzania, Zambia, Egypt, Cuba, China, and Russia.
Key Battles: Chinhoyi (1966) - first combatants killed; Alterna Farm (1972) - ZANLA success.
Nyadzonya & Chimoio: Rhodesian raids on refugee/guerrilla camps in Mozambique.
Internal Settlement (1978): Between Smith and Bishop Abel Muzorewa; led to the brief Zimbabwe-Rhodesia state.
Lancaster House Agreement (1979): Convened by the British; included Patriotic Front, Muzorewa, and Smith.
1580 Election Results: ZANU(PF) won 79 seats; ZAPU(PF) won 20; Smith got 20 white reserved seats.
Independence: 18 April 1980, with Robert Mugabe as Prime Minister.
Unity Accord (22 Dec 1987): Signed between ZANU PF and ZAPU PF after disturbances in Matebeleland and the Midlands involving the Fifth Brigade.
ZIMBABWEAN HERITAGE AND UBUNTU
Cultural Composition: 90% Shona, 2.5% Ndebele, others (Tonga, Venda, etc.) at 7%. Whites <0.1%.
Traditional Diet: Small grains, legumes, and nuts (preventing high blood pressure and obesity).
Social Ills: Prostitution, AIDS, and street kids are attributed to the erosion of African culture and adoption of "exclusiveness" from Western values.
Ubuntu/Unhu: * Defined by the Zulu proverb: "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" (A person is a person through other people). * Key values: Human dignity, respect, compassion, solidarity, and consensus-based leadership.
National Resources: * Climate: Average rainfall of . * Minerals: Chrome, platinum, nickel (top 5 globally in quality/quantity), gold, and diamonds. * People: Population of 14,000,000; 87% literacy rate. *Symbols: * Red Star: Socialist ideals. * Zimbabwe Bird: Prowess in antiquity. * Red Stripes: Blood of heroes. * Yellow: Minerals. * Green: Flora/Fauna. * White: Peace.
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Definition of Law: Rules of behavior enforced by society. * Salmond: Emphasis on recognized principles. * Vinshisky: "Rules putting in place by those in power to protect their interests."
Sources of Law: * Legislation: Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments. * Common Law: Roman-Dutch Law (fusion of Dutch custom and Roman law introduced in the Cape in 1652). * Custom: General custom and African Customary Law. * Judicial Precedent: Stare Decisis (standing by decided decisions).
Structure of Parliament: * National Assembly (270 seats): 210 constituency-based, 60 reserved for women. Must be at least 21. * Senate (80 seats): 60 proportional, 18 chiefs, 2 for disabled. Must be at least 40.
Law-Making Process: 1. First Reading. 2. Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC) check for Bill of Rights compliance. 3. Second Reading (General principles debate). 4. Committee Stage (Clause by clause amendments). 5. Reporting Stage. 6. PLC referral. 7. Third Reading (Voting; requires a quorum). 8. Transmission to other house. 9. Presidential Assent.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND MEDIA
Approaches to IR: * Idealism: Assumes humans are basically good; focuses on the League of Nations. * Realism: Hans Morgenthau; focuses on power, security, and the "Might is Right" philosophy.
Three Cs of IR: Conflict, Cooperation, and Competition.
Zimbabwean Foreign Policy: Based on Non-Alignment and Pan-Africanism. * Core Interests: National sovereignty and the land issue.
Diplomatic Missions: * Ambassadors/Ministers: Present credentials to the Head of State. * High Commissioners: Heads of mission between former British colonies. * Immunity: Immune from searches and criminal/civil jurisdiction.
NGOs: Used as front organizations for home states ("Cultural Imperialism"). Examples include the Westminster Foundation and US Aid.
Media: Referred to as the "Fourth Estate." * Cultural Imperialism: Cultivating Western cultures (e.g., glamorization of homosexuality) through global media. * Agenda Setting Theory: "Media may not be successful in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about." * Modern Warfare: The adage "The battle is not lost on the battlefield but in the mind" emphasizes perceptions and psychological warfare.