Open AccessTHE USE OF HEROISM IN THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION-PATRIOTIC FRONT (ZANU-PF) INTRA-PARTY FACTIONAL DYNAMICS
Author(s) -
Tyanai Masiya,
Godfrey Maringira
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
strategic review for southern africa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1013-1108
DOI - 10.35293/srsa.v39i2.278
Subject(s) - dominance (genetics) , politics , front (military) , political science , political economy , phenomenon , dynamics (music) , power (physics) , development economics , sociology , law , economics , geography , philosophy , pedagogy , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , meteorology , gene
Much of what we know about Zimbabwe's liberation war heroes and heroines is associated with the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF)'s recognition of individuals who defended its hold on power. However, of late, an upsurge in factionalism in the party has resulted in increasing reference to heroism as a means to exert factional dominance. An understanding of how this has been done can be used to explain ZANU-PF factional dynamics. Current studies call for the study of factionalism to focus on intra-party group dynamics instead of the traditional organisation forms of factions. It is in this context that this study argues that survival or fall of factions within (ZANU-PF) is framed around issues of heroism that is around one's perceived contribution or non-contribution to the liberation struggle. This article demonstrates this growing phenomenon in ZANU-PF veteran leaders whose status has been reshaped by new political moments as factionalism intensified. Inlight of rising factionalism, we argue that, war hero/heroine status in ZANU-PF is not permanent, but is highly shaped by obtaining factional political moments.