Journal of
African Studies and Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Afr. Stud. Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2189
  • DOI: 10.5897/JASD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 243

Full Length Research Paper

‘Aluta continua’: A critical reflection on the chimurenga-within-Third Chimurenga among the Ndau people in Chipinge district, Southeastern Zimbabwe

  Richard S. Maposa1*, James Hlongwana2 and Daniel Gamira3        
        1Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe. 2Department of History and Development Studies, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe. 3Department of Teacher Education, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe.        
Email: [email protected].

  •  Accepted: 24 September 2010
  •  Published: 31 October 2010

Abstract

 

The contemporary land reform programme, which is anchored in the framework of national struggles, and popularly known as the Third Chimurenga, is a contentious issue in Zimbabwe and has send shockwaves across the world. Many weird happenings have taken place in the history of the country on account of it and have only managed to put Zimbabwe on the international spotlight. This study argues that the history of the land question has been the history of its perpetual conflict from the colonial period and the effects are still nagging Zimbabweans today. The paper examines a fresh insurrection of chimurenga-within-Chimurenga (a struggle-within-the struggle) by investigating its causal circumstances among the Ndau people. As part of the findings, the study perceives some notions of aluta continua (the struggle continues) in which the land issue supplies a determined stimulation to the evolution of chimurenga as a movement for identity and suitable pathway towards sustainable development in Zimbabwe’s rural communities.

 

Key words: Chimurenga, land reform, Chipinge highlands, black landlord, African Purchase Areas (APAs).