DANDE Journal of Social Sciences and Communication
The editorial thrust for this journal is on the publication of articles that focus upon the teaching and learning of social science subjects and communication. Related to and closely linked to this objective, is the need to aim to ensure that the academic discipline(s) cater for the needs of all students in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and other students from other faculties who will read it.
Copyright: Copyright for all published articles belongs to the respective author(s). All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY 4.0); readers are welcome to reproduce, share and adapt the content without permission provided the source is attributed.
Book review. Umali Saidi. 2018. A Pocket Guide to Academic referencing. Africa Institute for Culture, Peace, Dialogue and Tolerance Studies. Pp 76. ISBN 978-0-7974-9403-9.
Copyright (c) 2018 DANDE Journal of Social Sciences and Communication
Book review Robert Mshengu Kavanagh. 2014. Zimbabwe: Challenging the Stereotypes., Themba Books, Johannesburg, South Africa, Pp 427. ISBN 978-1-5001-8624-1
Linguistic and Extra-Linguistic features of SABC indigenous language adverts
Discourse encompasses not only written and spoken language but visual images as well. If discourse combines visuals and images, it is important that analysis of such texts account for the special characteristics of visual semiotics; the relationship between language and images. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this paper, unravels power relations in the electronic advertising texts such as those aired on television. The targeted television advertising discourse is characterised by sound, colour, picture, camera angle and other motion picture attributes. The paper argues that texts in general and texts as adverts are hegemonic in nature. The reproduction of a popular culture perpetuated by adverts has been noted to support the perspective that advertising drives the global media and has profound influence on the content of the media messages received and subsequently on the cultures of the recipients. The paper makes use of the McDonalds TV Seat Advert shown on SABC1.
Reflecting on death through song among the Shona people of Zimbabwe
Singing is undertaken by individuals and the community in dealing with real life experiences including death. Death is a reality which humans and animals are not immune to. It defines the end of life and brings pain to humanity. However, humans have mechanisms to deal with pain caused by death, and singing is one of them. The article examines how song is used to tackle the inevitable incidence of death. In this study, traditional and contemporary popular songs were purposively sampled to analyse and reflect on the nature of music used to cope with death. The study engaged 20 people, among them musicians and the elderly. Basing on Kubler-Ross’ (1969) five stage DABDA model of dealing with grief, the paper contends that Shona people celebrate life and death through song. Through singing, the Shona express ways of dealing with death. Some Shona beliefs in life after death inform the paper with ways of dealing with pain and how subsequently the Shona people come to accept the reality of death. The bereaved also exhibit some spirited embodiment, and reverence of the departed regardless of their earthly conduct. The study concludes that through song, the Shona people draw solace, hope, and peace of mind with regard to life after death. The frame of mind that accepts the imminence of death is embraced by many as they prepare for death through preparatory moves in taking funeral and general insurance policies. The engagement into singing tends to weaken the sting of death.
Women in newspaper cartoon straps during the ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ in The NewsDay and The Chronicle
There is an existing trend of negativity in the portrayal of women through cartoons in local newspapers. This has led to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes against women aimed at demeaning and degrading the social status of women. Cartoons as works of art are expected to reflect on issues as they are happening in the societies. The two newspapers under study are The Chronicle and The News Day which are government owned and private owned respectively. The paper analyses these two newspapers in the manner in which represent women in cartoons and further interrogates circumstances surrounding such portrayal. The period under study is between November 2017 and April 2018. This is the period when Zimbabwe underwent leadership change, after thirty-seven years under one leader. Guided by the Africana womanist perspective the article concludes that women and men are given the same opportunities but if not disciplined women sometimes abuse their position.
The perceptions and attitudes of adolescent street girls on the use of traditional medicine and commercial sex work in Harare Central Business District
The paper argues that there is a close relationship between use of traditional medicine and commercial sex work among adolescent street girls in Harare Central Business District. As a result of using the traditional medicine one could argue that this demonstrates agency of these young adults. The agency is demonstrated when these adolescent girls use the medicine to facilitate commercial sex work. On the other hand one could argue that, use of traditional medicine in commercial sex work illustrates huge rights violations prevalent on the streets of Harare Central Business District. The behaviours associated with commercial sex work and use of traditional medicine could be viewed as contravening some provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) (1989), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACRWC) (1999). Included are violations of some of the national child rights laws and policies such as the Children’s Act (5.06), Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (9.23) and the National Action Plan for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (NAP for OVCs) (2011-2015). This study is part of the researcher’s doctoral study which used street ethnography and qualitative research methodology.
Locating the nihilistic culture within Zimdancehall in contemporary Zimbabwe
A fusion of the Caribbean, African American and Zimbabwean music genres into the infamous glocalized Zimdancehall music has dulled the significance of other traditionalist Zimbabwean music genres. Dancehall culture has caused much controversy in Zimbabwean society, being blamed for the country’s increase in crime, violence and believed to encourage misogynistic attitudes among Zimbabwean youths through its negative themes. Using appraisal and dramatism theories the article shows the existential crisis the youth in Zimbabwe face due to economic as well as other social forces and thus align themselves to rather destructive misogynistic behaviours which somehow characterises contemporary Zimbabwe. Established in the article is the extent to which language used in Zimdancehall music is socially charged as well as globalized thus influencing youth feelings, emotions and behaviors. The article analyses lyrics of selected songs as well as makes references to selected musical videos from Zimdancehall artistes such as Soul Jah Love, Winky D, Lady Bee and Killer T as prominent artists revealing what has come to be considered contemporary ‘ghetto culture’ within popular culture in Zimbabwe. It is further argued that Zimdancehall has come to shape, inform behaviors, perceptions and aspirations of the Zimbabwean youth largely due to its nature of production as well as dissemination.
This paper revisits the under-currencies of the normative and empirical motivations of the official iconic ornamentation of Joshua Nkomo’s legacy during the Mugabe era. The urgency of this analysis is justified by how the ruling and Zimbabwe’s former Head of State, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, strategically exploited the memorialization of Joshua Nkomo for political expedience. This was orchestrated through the state’s Umdala wethu ‘cultural nationalism’ since 1999 as well as the infrastructural immortalisation of Umdala wethu in 2013. The state’s monopoly over Nkomo’s legacy competed with the anti-establishment and ethnicity inclined appropriation of Joshua Nkomo’s legacy in the Matebeleland regions. One refers to this alternative and public consented appropriation of Joshua Nkomo’s legacy as the traditional affirmative reposition of Father-Zimbabwe’s political fatherhood in Zimbabwe’s bodypolitic. Further, the paper posits that the clashing entitlements to Nkomo’s legacy represents polarity of national memory in Zimbabwe.
Re-thinking the feminist agenda in selected female authored Zimbabwean literature
This article investigates the feminist agenda in female authored Zimbabwean literature, with emphasis on the novel. It focuses largely on Virginia Phiri's Destiny and Highway Queen as well as Violet Masilo's The African Tea Cosy. The paper argues that Zimbabwean female authorship is flavoured with precepts of African feminism(s) in its representations of African women's agency in gender adversities. Framed within African feminism, women's agency derives from and gives meaning to an inescapable African-ness that needs to be accepted in the fight for emancipation. In light of this, the study analyses Zimbabwean women writers’ literary contributions to discourses on gender based violence and it explores how female characters have embraced the concept of agency to recreate their identities and to introduce a new gender ethos in the context of lives that are often shaped by severe restrictions and oppression. Although largely women focused, the African feminist text is concerned about the survival of both men and women.
Articulation of Women’s Empowerment Through Poetry
This is a literary study which analyses poetic works produced by Zimbabwe Women Writers. It seeks to establish the position of women as far as articulation of their emancipation and empowerment is concerned. This is done in the light of the fact that Zimbabwe Women Writers is an organisation which represents both the achievements of women and an arena for women to speak out. The Ndebele anthology Inkondlo (1998) is analysed and in the course of the analysis, Spivak’s (1988) argument of the woman being a subaltern who cannot speak is interrogated. It is the author’s submission that contributions in the anthology Inkondlo actually deconstruct the feminist way of thinking which guides the publisher.
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’s endemic culture of violence. The article explores the 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 article maps a way forward for national healing and reconciliation and argues that women when empowered will play an integral part in championing the cause of good citizenry, unity and justice.
Editorial: Special Issue on Womanism & Culture
Book Review Aeneas Chigwedere. 2016. The Great Zimbabwe State and Its Off-shoots: A.D.1000-1700. Mutapa Publishing House. ISBN 9780797468085, 367 pages.
Copyright (c) 2017 DANDE Journal of Social Sciences and Communication
Film Review ZANLA Comes to Town. Produced by Zimbabwe Heritage Trust. Length – 90 minutes.
This paper argues that Africa is the cradle of civilization. That civilization evolved out of an understanding of the cosmos as well as the valorization of the metaphysical author of cosmogony. The paper asserts that appreciation of metaphysics created a stable and balanced cosmos. Civilization then meant living in harmony with fellow mankind, with the environment and with the cosmos as a whole. The paper suggests this was based on a clear understanding of the interdependence between the departed as well as the organic relationship between man, animal and nature. Now there is a gap between civilization and technological advancement. The metaphysics of unhu/Ubuntu as enshrined in the living law of Ma’at sank under the weight of capitalism; that pursuit of profit regardless of any moral price. Universal politics is now dictated by the desires of a few who stop at nothing to create a world order where humanity is reduced to a commodity. Wars and more wars have become the order of the day, threatening the whole world with extinction. This paper traces how Africa in particular has lost its metaphysical locus as a result of several foreign –induced imperial interventions culminating in the present intellectual, moral and cultural cacophonies that tear Africans apart. The paper argues that Africa can restore its glory as the citadel of civilization by returning to the “the way”. It is hoped that the whole world would also take a leaf, as it has done before, from Africa’s return to “the way”. The paper contends that the metaphysics of unhu/Ubuntu has this divine role to heal the world of various types of sickness: social, cultural, spiritual, intellectual, psychological and material.
Indigenous ways of disaster preparedness in Zimbabwe
This paper argues that today’s communities have suffered considerably due to severe droughts, floods and storms occurring in what can best be described as coming out of season. These have led to loss of lives, livestock and property. It asserts that some of these disasters are avoidable if communities learn from the intangible cultural heritage that guided the pre-colonials and those of the preindependence period when most Blacks still respected and appreciated their beliefs and value systems. It notes that while it is important to rely on the Meteorological Services Department for weather forecasting, events over the past few years have shown this Department’s forecasts at times as unreliable. The paper therefore argues that Zimbabweans, especially those involved in crop and livestock production should also observe natural phenomena such as flora and fauna as was done by the people of old who got early warning signs from Mother Nature herself.
The study reconnoitred elements of performance that are found at Korekore funerals. The purpose of the study was to revisit indigenous performance practices and elaborate elements of performance that are embodied within. Korekore funerals of Guruve district, Zimbabwe were used as a case study in this article. The paper argues that Korekore funerals demonstrate the use of theatre elements where space, actors, stagecraft and improvisation are key to a ‘Kunemera Mufi’ production. We argue that the ‘Kunemera Mufi’ at a typical Korekore funeral demonstrate the fact that theatre has always existed among the indigenous African people well before the first Whiteman came to Africa. Theatre was and remains part of the everyday activities among the Korekore, not only at funerals but also in other everyday chores such as hunting, work, child games, rites of passages, rituals and ceremonies. Thus, the paper argues against the Eurocentric definition of theatre or performance by elaborating the elements of performance at a Korekore funeral.
Understanding language and culture in the context of becoming a global citizen
While globalization seems to be the buzz word and an unavoidable ubiquitous phenomenon, it has mainly taken an economic face while other pillars of development lag behind. A distinct area is the social tolerance particularly language and culture. Cultural exchange programs have remained beneficial to satisfy tourist anxieties. The nagging question is, are world systems linked to accommodate citizens from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds? If so, why do we continue to promote certain languages at the expense of others? What needs to be done? Why should we promote indigenous languages? How best can it be done? This paper attempts to unravel the issue of sustainable globalization from the lenses of a language planner focusing on empowering African languages. In the discussion, it is argued that sustainable globalization should include soft issues of development like language planning because language is the soul of any community.
There is a tendency in which so called ‘developed’ ethnic groups, given their economic, political and social advantage placing them at the ‘center’, are the chanters of development even for the groups considered to be at the periphery. Ironically, in heritage terms, so called marginalized groups have had much of their heritage less contaminated by forces of modernity as has been the case with much of the BaTonga culture. This article explores the BaTonga culture and heritage as the Zimbabwean aquaculture from which its consumption, preservation and use can benefit other ethical groups in the country. Using results from studies by Saidi (2016a) as well as complementary studies by Mashingaidze (2013) and Ndlovu (2013), this article establishes the richness of BaTonga culture which subsequently feeds the rich Zimbabwe multicultural heritage. The article argues that heritage utilization reflects the active participation of its owners pointing to the character of the culture making heritage management a priority for any African country seeking its true identity. Further, the article argues that a rich heritage is a shared commodity regardless of ethnic-specific dichotomies in oriented communities like Zimbabwe. Given this basis, the article shows that public spaces, media and the education curriculum are expected to uphold and incorporate all aspects of heritage such as BaTonga cultural realities in order to foster tolerance, acceptance as well as visibility and ultimately cultural and economic development of all ethnic groups in nation building.
This study brings out circumcision dilemmas and conflicts among the Xhosa people of Lortondale area in the Matabeleland North province of Zimbabwe. The problem befell this community immediately after 2009 when Zimbabwe adopted results from Kenya, Uganda and South Africa in Orange farm that circumcision can curb HIV transmission by 60% from female to male and thus attention was given to medical circumcision, which is known as ‘smart’. Family disunity and disintegration are some of the results of conflicts, within some families whose members shunned the traditional practice. Interviews and focus group discussions were employed in gathering primary data for this study. They allowed access to first-hand information from the Xhosa people themselves. On the same note, one of the researchers has worked closely with this community for a year in other HIV/AIDS programs. This counteracted the element of secrecy associated with the subject of circumcision among the Xhosa people which a number of scholars and news reporters fail to tackle and finally produce general results. Finally, a synergy is proposed as a way that restores peace and order in the society under study.
Dimensions of totemic history and its related accessories among the Gumbo-Madyirapazhe clan of Gutu, Zimbabwe
Ties of kinship traced through blood (consanguinity) are of fundamental importance to individuals because they enshrine historical content which cannot be ignored. The social recognition of these linkages through totems provides the individual with a blue print of interaction which forms a vital bas is for cooperation. This article challenges the so-called irrationality of totemism, taking an uncelebrated dimension of how the practice is crucial for tracing the history of a people and the cementing of domestic social relations. The study explores and traces the history behind toponyms with the intention of showing that totems are a rich heritage as a source of history and social registers through which people can identify themselves. The study has been motivated by the Afrocentricity theory which values preservation of oral history as the natural way of storing information and historical realities in many African societies.
The Role of Culture and Arts in Peace Building and Reconciliation
This paper argues that conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation in the 21st century requires a cultural slant in addition to conventional political and military approaches. This development should not be surprising especially given the nature of recent wars which have turned out to be more intra-state than inter-state. Since the end of the Cold war, wars have been focused on issues of culture, ethnicity, politics and religion than on nationalisms. Thus, cultural beliefs, norms, traditions, ethnicity and religion have contributed towards many major disruptions that have cost innocent lives and loss of valuable property. In addition, conflicts and divisions within societies reflect lack of appreciation and intolerance of others` cultural beliefs, views and are motivated by cultural differences. In the wars of recent decades, rape has been used as a weapon of war and children have been abducted to be killers and sex-slaves. Millions of families have been uprooted from their homes. Taken as a whole, these current developments allow us to witness how everyday people are experiencing the historical, cultural, economic and social forces that shape our world. As such, this present effort unpacks the role that culture can play in peace building and reconciliation. The research is qualitative in nature and applied discourse analysis to draw information from journal articles, published books as well as reports in the area of reconciliation and peace-building. Examples will be drawn mainly from Zimbabwe and other different countries in world to substantiate some of the arguments put forward in the paper.
Communicating Through Music: An Analysis of Selected Songs from the Second Chimurenga
Every community has its own songs and performance styles that communicate, among other issues, its culture, ideology as well as its whims and fantasies. It can be used to communicate parts of all cultural activities and beliefs ranging from joy to the sombre tones of a funeral. Music becomes a social/ideological thread that holds a community together and facilitates all cultural activities in any community in the world. In this article, the writer discusses some effective ways in which music was effectively used to communicate and arouse positive feelings towards the Zimbabwean liberation struggle.
'Relevancing' Communication and Study Skills Courses
Defined in contexts of general theories and practice of education, the terms relevant or relevance are used to indicate whether or not educational activities or processes involved in teaching-learning situations add value to or enhance students' psycho-social as well as intellectual skills in the analysis, application and communication of the knowledge or skills they acquire or develop during the learning process. It is generally understood that the acquisition of knowledge in specified disciplines is facilitated by students' communication proficiency levels in the use, not only of the medium of communication used, but by, also, their familiarity with the discourse studies used to communicate information in specified disciplines. The discourse strategies used in different subject disciplines are generally referred to as, English for Specific Purposes (ESP).
Enhancing Oral Communication Skills in Mathematics Teaching: Lessons from Research
This paper explores research on the enhancement of oral communication skills in mathematics teachers. The author reviewed four articles on the improvement of teaching and learning of mathematics. Research in this area is expanding rapidly. However, to date, few studies have critically investigated this body of work. The author reviewed key findings from influential studies. The author's analysis revealed that although these studies are subject to limitations, mathematics teachers' oral communication skills can be enhanced to improve the teaching and learning of the subject. Contemporary literature on the issue hypothesizes that the enhancement of oral communication skills promotes effective teaching and learning of the subject. The article concludes by identifying potential areas for further research.
Communicating Mathematics and Science in the Classroom: Exploring the Interactive Route
Communicating mathematical problems and scientific concepts is considered as a complex and difficult endeavour. Teaching, whether of complex mathematical problems and scientific concepts or of 'straightforward and clear' ideas in the humanities, is a process of communication. This paper argues that communication skills are an integral part of the teaching of Science and Mathematics. Communicating Science and Mathematics in the classroom involves thorough explanations and, because the concepts dealt with are in themselves complex, this may involve going over the concepts repeatedly. This ability to put across the mathematical or scientific message is the ability by the teacher to communicate. Research has insisted that the ability to communicate and to pose questions are central attributes of an effective teacher. This paper argues that more than being able to communicate and ask questions, for effective teaching of Mathematics and Science the teacher needs to employ interactive teaching techniques to involve learners; this way the teacher actively involves learners in communication and therefore in both the teaching and learning process. The teacher and learner roles in the contemporary classroom need not be distinctively outlined as this creates an obstacle to understanding. This allows both the teacher and student to understand concepts from each other's perspective. Through interaction between teacher and student, the teacher is able to explain the mathematical problem to the student from the student's perspective. Through a semi-structured interview and observation the study involves a sample of 32 students from four secondary schools in the two provinces of Midlands and Bulawayo.
Parental Influence on Pupils' Conflict Responses: A Case Study of Tangenhamo Secondary School in Mt. Darwin District, Zimbabwe
The study investigated the influence of parents on pupils' conflict responses at Tangenhamo secondary school basing on the Social interdependence theory and Lederach's Moral Imagination theory using the case study method. Parents directly intervene in pupils' conflict and can indirectly influence gender considerations, religion and the extended family interrelationship matrix. The peer influence of adolescence is extensively divorced from parents' factor. Although parents shape gender and religion considerations, individual pupils use them to shape future conflict responses independent to parents. Diversity in factors influencing conflict responses is becoming more pronounced due to media influence and the guidance and counselling offered in schools and the researchers recommend a more diverse conflict resolution partnership including parents in shaping conflict responses of pupils at school. The researchers believe that collaboration between parents and teachers can bring about peace oriented conflict responses in school.
The Role of Culture in Managing Biodiversity: The Case of the Karanga Community in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe
The concept of biodiversity is not new among traditional communities in Zimbabwe. Traditional communities have always ensured biodiversity from time immemorial. They have always co-existed with their environment and have always appreciated the importance of biodiversity in life. As a result, they have employed various measures to ensure this. Much of the measures that have been done are premised on the observations from culture. This paper sought to establish various cultural measures that have been relied upon by the traditional communities in Zimbabwe to promote the concept of biodiversity. The paper tackles the threat to cultural mechanisms in the management of biodiversity. The paper argues that 'totemism', taboos and superstitions have been relied upon as measures employed to safeguard biodiversity among the traditional Karanga ethnic group of Zvishavane. The paper further observes that culture has been a vehicle for promoting co-existence among the different species of the world.