Book Rl/yieW$ 95
Women's Liberation and the African Freedom Struggle, Thomas Sankara, Pathfmder
Press, London, 1990 (36pp, £1,60 hbk, ISBN 0873485858 pbk).
This publication contains two of Thomas Sankara's speeches on women: The Revolution
cannot Triumph without the Emancipation of Women (March 8, 1987), and Women's Role
in the Democratic and Popular Revolution (October 2. 1983).
Sankara basically explains the history of women's oppression in tenns of the class
struggle. He shows how a woman's duties evolved from thedivision onaboor, and relegated
her to an inferior position. Because of her love for the family, a woman suffers double
OJllXession. both in the horne and outside it
The speeches are easy to comprehend, full of respect for women, and for their status,
what they go through, why they go through it, and most of all, what they stand for. They
lead the reader to appreciate the endeavours of governments in different countries who form
ministries or departments focusing on the affairs of women.
Reviewed by Stabile Nkorno, Student, School of Social Work, Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Politics of Reconclliatlon, Zimbabwe's First Decade, Victor De Waa1,David Philip,
Cape Town, 1990 (146pp, R39,95, ISBN 1 85065 097 7 cased, 1 85065 100 0 pbk).
This highly readable account of Zimbabwe's past combines a broad historical overview
with rich personal anecdote to make a sensitive perceptive whole. As a historical document
it is selective and patchy but the theme of reconciliation is the broad thread that holds the
book together.
The book goes back to the early exploitation of Africa to provide the historical
framework for understanding the issue of reconciliation in the first decade of Zimbabwe's
independence. The aims and attitudes of the white settlers, the missionaries, the politicians,
and of the different sectors of the black population and the liberation movements are brought
to life by pertinent anecdote and illustration.
The book is divided into twelve chapters examining issues concerning the colonial
period, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia under Bishop Muzorewa, the election period, the churches'
role at different stages, moral and cultural issues, and different facets of the postindependence
period. The latter provides some critique of the move towards socialism,
indicating some of the pitfalls and limitations in achievements so far. There is also a three
page chronology highlighting key events from 1888 and the Rudd Concession to the 1990
elections and the lapse of the remaining Lancaster House provisions. References are given,
including firsthand interviews, and there is a useful index of names. The author spent six
months, in 1988, interviewing a wide cross section of Zimbabwean society for the book,
recording a wealth of personal impressions and views.
Aparticular focus is on the role of the church, and on the moral justifications given for
colonialism, the liberation struggle and reconciliation. Calls for the churches to remain
neutral in the face of oppression, or to plead for peace in opposition to Smith's aggression,
are seen as totally inlldequate, if understandable in context. The fundamentaIlinkage
J?etweenChristianity and the socialist politics ofliberation and reconciliation is well argued
and illustrated, contrasting with the hollow rhetoric of Christianity used by the colonial
regime to justify capitalism and the domination of the people. Indeed, it is argued that such
profound Christian charity and forgiveness as exhibited by the new leaders constitute "a
demoostration of humm maturity so far rarely equalled in our world" (p133). The
pngmatism of reconciliation is also recognised. but this does not detract from how
imJX'eslive it is that there have been no purges, no war trials, no violent recriminations
against the former regime or the whites in general - even the opposing armies were
successfully integrated within a year, with few serious hitches.
A telling quotaticnis given from Maurice Nyagmnbo speaking in relation to Vander Byl,
previous Minisw of Defence and Foreign Affairs: "HI had not forgiven that man he would
still bemy gaoler". DeW aa1 writes 'Themoral insight of that reply is due to the solid ground
on which Zimbabwe 'spoli<:y of National Reconciliation is based" (pI). Ironically, the hand
of friendship was extended so readily at Independence, in cOmplete contrast to what many
whites feared would come, that some have failed even to recognise the magnitude of
forgiveness and acceptance, and have continued to feel justified and secure in maintaining
racist and separatist attitudes. The economic base has remained intact, and many, it is
argued, have seen little need for fundamental attitude change.
Theproblem of reconciliation between different sectors of the black population, notably
the two main political parties, is also touched on. The unrest and repression inMatabeleland
in 1982-3, the rise of the Zimbabwe Unity Movement under Tekere, and the uniting of
ZANU PF and ZAPU are all briefly explored, although a more critical appraisal of the
problems would have been useful.
As noted earlier, this is a very readable book, giving valuable insights into some of the
thinking and attitudes behind the known historical facts. Apart from the prominent focus
on moral imperatives, it also examines some of the cultural dimensions of conflict and
reconciliation. For example, hyperbolic speeches by African leaders are seen as culturally
expected by the masses, and are interpreted appropriately as a display of strength or
commitment. They are not intended to be taken literally, whereas the white population and
white politicians often misread them as insincere or false because they do interpret then in
a literal way.
Overall this is a valuable publication, not for the depth nor breadth of its historical
coverage, but for its attempt to portray personal attitudes, cultural understanding and the
moral base of its subjects. However, the political and economic realities that block a
fundamental social transformation are only partially alluded to and this weakens the book,
but it remains a refreshing and worthwhile addition to the literature.
Reviewed by Helen Jackson, Lecturer, School of Social Wode, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Modernising Hamger: Famine, Food Surplus and Farm Policy in the EEC and Africa,
Philip Raikes, Catholic Institute fO£International Relations/James CurreylHeineman, 1988
(28Opp, price not stated, ISBN 0 85255 111 8 hbk, 0 85255 112 6 pbk).
This thought provoking book, which evolved from a narrower research study on how
policies have affected agriculture in Africa, is an attempt to grapple with a series of
concomitant aspects of what the authorcalls the 'food crisis' in Africa. It is not an easy book
to review or read. In part this is because the author is determined to look at policies and