Between Tradition and Modernity: Discourses on the Coronation of the Ndebele “King” in Zimbabwe

Msimanga

Journal of Asian and African Studies

2022

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This paper critically explores the use of satire and humour by fast-foods outlets in South Africa and Zimbabwe to advertise and market their menu through digital media platforms, Facebook and Twitter. Using Nando’s South Africa and Mambo’s Chicken, in Zimbabwe, as case studies, we examine how satire and humour are used as advertising strategies, and as a reflection of these countries’ economic and political environments. Consumers are overwhelmed with information coming from different sources such as Television, radio, newspapers and Internet. The paper’s theoretical approach is gleaned from advertising and satire. We argue that through their encounter with food, consumers tend to understand the reason behind their ‘empty stomach’, and mediate on prevailing socio-political and economic issues.

Section: A Review Of Satire and Humour In Advertisingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laughing through the Stomach: Satire, Humour and Advertising in Sub-Saharan Africa

Msimanga

Journal of Asian and African Studies

2022

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“…However, the dangers of ubuntu are that they tend to be used by ‘authoritarian, opportunist, and ruthless individuals’ to conceal their bad habits for political gain, in sharp contrast with the people’s will (Tomaselli, 2016: 5). This might be the case with Zimbabwe which has endured a legacy of human rights abuses, and ethnic, racial and tribal divisions that people want to have addressed, but the ruling elites have exploited for political control (Ndlovu et al, 2019). More so, this bad legacy is associated with Mugabe.…”

Section: Photographs and Power: A Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Media and the Commemoration of Robert Mugabe’s Death through the Camera’s Lens

Journal of Asian and African Studies

Sibanda

2022

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This paper analyses the photographic representation of former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, with the aim of understanding memories that were produced following his death in September 2019. Mugabe was in power for 37 years before being dethroned through a military coup in November 2017. His rule divided opinion with some viewing him as a liberator and African icon, while some view him a dictator and tyrant for his role in disregarding human rights. This paper seeks to explore the role of photography in memory with particular interest being on commemorating contesting figure like Mugabe. We analysed photographs used by The Herald and NewsDay to commemorate Mugabe’s death. Photographs remain one of the under researched genres in communication, especially in the Global South, yet scholars have argued that contemporary societies have, through the use of photographs, turned their citizens into ‘image junkies’ and created ‘the most irresistible form of mental pollution’. The findings demonstrate that photographs are being used to give a ‘testimony’ about the contested legacy of Mugabe. Mugabe is framed as a liberator, Pan-African. On the contrary, he is seen as a tyrant and ruled by an iron fist.

Review of African Political Economy

“…Although the state had revived the chieftaincy institution with a view to using chiefs to mobilise support in rural areas, this role is now being played by war veterans, who accused Chief Jahana of being a member of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP). The accusations (of 'disloyalty') were compounded by the fact that most Matabeleland chiefs, including Jahana, were supportive of the coronation of a Ndebele king against the state's wishes (Ndlovu, Tshuma, and Ngwenya 2019). The state barred the planned coronation for fear that the installation of a Ndebele king might give traction to secession demands spearheaded by the MRP.…”

Section: Conflict and Resistancementioning

confidence: 99%

Battle for legitimacy: revisiting autochthony and (re)invented authority in Zimbabwe’s resettlement areas

Mwandiringana

2021

This study examines the intersection of autochthony and (re)invented claims of authority in Zimbabwe’s resettlement areas, exploring how traditional leaders and war veterans battle for legitimacy in the resettlement areas. It argues that despite the general view that chiefs are recognised by everyone in the rural areas, their legitimacy is being challenged and in some cases with the use of violence. Although chiefs are recognised as the legitimate leaders in some resettlement areas, this study shows that their authority is being challenged in Insiza District’s resettlement area, covering Mpalawani, Gwamanyanga, Mpopoti and Lambamayi. The study also highlights how different people define autochthony, tradition and belonging in Zimbabwe’s resettled areas.