110 BOOK REVIEWSrecreated by modernizing processes. The migrant labour system alludedto on page 48 shows how we cannot unproblematically identify the ruralwith the traditional.Privatization of the traditionalThe self-validation of modern institutions within the colonial and post-colonial context leads to the marginalization of traditional value systemsand societies. Bourdillon clearly identifies some of these processes ofmarginalization. For example, he describes how churches, schools andmodern medicine undermine, not necessarily on the basis of evidence, thestatus and knowledge of traditional wisdom. Thus, 'In the traditionalsystem, rituals were nearly always public affairs' (p. 75), but they havebeen marginalized to the private sphere where they have been turned into'attempts to overcome private problems and worries, or to fulfil secret orprivate desires and ambitions' (p. 76).ConclusionBourdillon has clearly and competently demonstrated that 'Today, wemust make sure that Zimbabwean culture is able to adapt to the needs ofall its people: the young as well as the old; the poor as well as the wealthy;and the minority as well as the majority' (p. 24). However, although he issometimes tantalizingly suggestive, he is hesitant to say anything thatmight begin to give direction as to how we can do this. He relies on theliberal principle that 'rather than criticizing those who behave differentlyfrom ourselves, we should try to understand why they behave as they do'(p. 123). Although he wants to talk about 'Zimbabwean culture', he saysvery little about where White Zimbabweans, for example, might come intoplay in this culture.I have selected the above points for discussion to demonstrate howprovocative Bourdillon's book is. It should be read by all Zimbabweansand anyone interested in the cultural landscape of Zimbabwe.University of Zimbabwe D. KAULEMUGrassroots Leadership: The Process of Rural Development in ZimbabweBy C. G. Mararike. Harare, University of Zimbabwe Publications, 1995, xiv,114pp., ISBN 0-908307-39-X, Z$40.The book Grassroots Leadership: The Process of Rural Development inZimbabwe is based on the author's applied research experience in theBuhera District of Manicaland province. The book, inappropriately titled,revolves on the interaction between grassroots communities anddevelopment agents rather than on leadership at the grassroots level.The book begins with a discussion on research and its place indevelopment. Mararike urges that African countries cannot afford researchthat has no applied value. All research must contribute to a change inpeople's lives.BOOK REVIEWSThe research theme is followed by a summary of the theoreticalapproaches that have so far informed development. Most of thesetheoretical approaches are not related to the textual data and it is difficultto see why the separate theoretical chapter is necessary.Central to the book is the issue of co-operatives and political control.The author argues throughout the text that national level politicians whoclaim to support co-operatives are in fact wanting to create patronagerelationships. Mararike's analysis of the politics of development providesan important contribution to our understanding of development processesin Zimbabwe.A subsidiary theme in the book is that people and communities atgrassroots levels use symbols to control each other's behaviour. Thesesymbols, which include proverbs, slogans and prayers, are often used bylocal leaders to control followers.Another point made in the book is that local communities shundevelopment efforts in which they do not benefit. When they find thatthey do not benefit from a development project such as a co-operative,local people tend to withdraw from it.The book refers to development practitioners and their institutions asexploiting the local people. This leaves readers with a misleading pictureof passive peasants. The shortcoming of this book lies in the fact that itdoes not explore the ways and means peasants may devise in order toexploit 'patrons'.The book can also be faulted on points of data. Its data are incompleteand in many cases do not support the bold conclusions made. There is, forexample, the unsupported conclusion that rural people withdraw theirmembership in cases where they are dissatisfied with developmentinitiative. Similarly there is the frequent claim that people tactically useslogans and prayers to control behaviour even though the textual data donot illustrate the point.Notwithstanding this, Grassroots Leadership remains an important bookthat among other things seriously questions the motives of those whocome in the name of development. The book makes useful reading tostudents of rural development and development anthropology.University of Zimbabwe V. DziNGIRAIHarare: The Growth and Problems of the City Edited by L. Zinyama, D.Tevera and S. Cumming. Harare, University of Zimbabwe Publications,1993, xii, 186 pp., ISBN 0-908307-30-6, Z$45.Planning Suburban Service Centres in Harare, Zimbabwe By N. D.Mutizwa-Mangiza. Harare, University of Zimbabwe Publications, 1991, viii,169 pp., ISBN 0-908307-21-7, Z$45.The first of these books comprises the proceedings of a conference held atthe University of Zimbabwe in September 1989, to coincide with thecentenary of the founding of Harare in 1890. The conference examined the