MSUIR Collection:
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/55
2024-03-29T10:57:03ZWomen and National Reconciliation: Resolving the legacies of violence in post-colonial Zimbabwe
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5991
Title: Women and National Reconciliation: Resolving the legacies of violence in post-colonial Zimbabwe
Authors: Mpumelelo Moyo
Abstract: Women and their experiences are essential to the spirituality and ministry of reconciliation. The seemingly endless domination of women by men has forced them to think about alternatives and create communities of reconciliation outside of the usual paths of power and domination. Women exude the power to go beyond the hurts, the violence, rape and humiliation to build a nation and transform societies against a country’sendemic culture of violence. The article exploresthe culture of violence in post-independent Zimbabwe and the role that women can play in creating communities of reconciliation.It is argued that in most crisis or conflict situations, women remain behind to pick up the pieces in the wake of the tornado of violence. Women can thus help communities move forward from the trap of trauma and experience the resurrection. As mothers,women offer a way of reincorporating wrongdoers and deviants back into their communities through nation building processes. This articlemaps a way forward for national healing and reconciliation and argues that women when empowered will play an integralpart in championing the cause of good citizenry, unity and justice.2021-02-15T00:00:00ZMpumelelo MoyoA re-reading of Judges 19 in juxtaposition to the Zimbabwean women’s vulnerability to ‘punitive rape’
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5972
Title: A re-reading of Judges 19 in juxtaposition to the Zimbabwean women’s vulnerability to ‘punitive rape’
Authors: Canisius Mwandayi; Sophia Chirongoma
Abstract: With the rise of feminist thinking, the phenomenon of the rape culture has admittedly drawn the attention of many academics especially in biblical studies. While several academics have done a commendable job of demonstrating how ancient biblical stories can have a bearing upon elements of the modern rape culture, the bulk of the literature has been penned from a Western standpoint and it is only by inference that one can find a resonance with the African situation. Given that the rape culture is not just a Western phenomenon but a pervasive global challenge, this article introduces an African perspective on this matter. Wearing feminist hermeneutical lenses, the article engages in a comparative analysis of the gender-based violations, human rights abuses, and the absolute lack of hospitality depicted in Judges 19–21 with the experiences of a Zimbabwean woman, Rutendo Munengami. It then taps into the lived experiences of the given women as resources which can be used to seriously think about the ugly dehumanising effects of rape and in so doing, bolster efforts towards combating the modern rape culture. In this article, it is our contention that people, the world over, and the Zimbabwean society in particular, need to earnestly acknowledge the pain and anguish experienced by the Levite’s concubine as well as Munengami and other countless women who have been victims of rape. We conclude the article by restating that wherever the rape culture is prevalent, people need to embrace and uphold the principles of human dignity, hospitality, justice and equality, and resolutely move away from a culture of denial and apathy when it comes to issues of rape.
Contribution: This article juxtaposes the experiences of the sexual violence endured by the concubine in Judges 19 and that of a Zimbabwean woman, Rutendo Munengami. It concludes by proffering possible ways of curbing the rape culture which has crept into Africa like a cancerous worm.2022-12-09T00:00:00ZCanisius MwandayiSophia ChirongomaReigniting the principle of Ubuntu/Unhu in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe in light of the Sustainable Development Goals.
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5971
Title: Reigniting the principle of Ubuntu/Unhu in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe in light of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Authors: Sophia Chirongoma; Sibiziwe Shumba; Susan Dube
Abstract: In March 2019, Cyclone Idai struck Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This paper foregrounds the extraordinary level of national solidarity exhibited by the Zimbabwean people in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by this cyclone. Drawing insights from the African ethic of Ubuntu/unhu, the paper chronicles the roles of various stakeholders who played a role in responding to the impact of Cyclone Idai. Clearly, Zimbabwe has faced natural disasters since the beginning of this millennium, for instance, Cyclone Eline in the year 2000, Cyclone Japhet in the year 2003, the Tokwe-Mukosi floods of 2014 and Cyclone Dineo in 2017. In the aftermath of these disasters, there have not been comprehensive studies exploring the role of humanitarian agents and other stakeholders foregrounding the aspect of solidarity which is an integral factor in helping affected communities to cope with their losses. Hence, this paper seeks to address this gap using the survivors of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani as a case study to foreground how their resilience and tenacity is anchored upon the bonds of solidarity exhibited by various stakeholders. Drawing lessons from past natural disasters in Zimbabwe, particularly on the experiences of the Chimanimani communities affected by Cyclone Idai, the paper proffers practical insights on how various stakeholders can collaborate to mitigate further loss of lives and devastation of infrastructure if similar natural disasters befall Zimbabwe in future. In line with the four pillars of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) i.e. people, planet, peace and prosperity (the four Ps), this study explores how the interventions by the various stakeholders responding to the plight of the Chimanimani community affected by Cyclone Idai are conforming to the long-term goals of establishing sustainable communities. Insights from the three development frameworks; the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) framework and the People Centred Development (PCD) framework will help to assess the impact of solidarity initiatives put into place by the stakeholders responding to Cyclone Idai and other natural disasters that have befallen the Zimbabwean populace since the year 2000 and come up with propositions on how to utilize the locally available resources as a more durable measure in addressing the needs of the affected communities.2019-12-01T00:00:00ZSophia ChirongomaSibiziwe ShumbaSusan DubeThe woman of Shunem (2 Ki 4: 8–37) and Reformed Church in Zimbabwe women: Towards a recognition of oft-forgotten heroes
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5956
Title: The woman of Shunem (2 Ki 4: 8–37) and Reformed Church in Zimbabwe women: Towards a recognition of oft-forgotten heroes
Authors: Canisius Mwandayi; Itai Shoshore
Abstract: Historically, women have remained subjects of subordination by their male counterparts despite their critical social role. While they have continuously been entangled in the web of patriarchy, some of them, however, have been able to use their agency to re-assert themselves and influence how the world should positively think about women. This article interrogated the innovative ways in which the woman of Shunem and the Zvishavane women of faith of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ), have been at the forefront, proactively exercising their agency to confront the death-dealing and life-diminishing forces confronting them. Countering their portrayal as persons who simply did what was expected of them as women, this article recognised and celebrated their indispensable contributions towards the welfare of their communities. Grounded on narrative analysis, this article engaged the woman of Shunem’s narrative and re-read it from her vantage point. Using a hermeneutic of identification, the narrative was put side by side with that of the RCZ women of faith. The overarching framework underpinning the study was that of the feminist liberating-seeking framework. In the pursuit of this framework, cultural and religious powers that influence the exploitation of women are acknowledged and effort is made to transform the society from the oppressive system of patriarchy so as to liberate women in particular. A re-reading of the woman of Shunem’s narrative showed that she was a woman of great character. Despite the couple being childless, she never allowed community expectations to put pressure on her as she expressed contentment with her situation. Her greatness also is reflected through her hospitality, self-abnegation and determination. While what she did, is to some extent comparable to what RCZ women have done and still do today, she admittedly was a step ahead. As such, her tenacity can be used as a leverage to influence the majority of women still caught up in the web of patriarchy in this contemporary world. The long-standing perception of women as capable only of doing what is expected of them, needs to be challenged and biblical passages reinterpreted to ensure the liberation of everyone, especially women due to their vulnerability.2023-03-17T00:00:00ZCanisius MwandayiItai Shoshore