Reconciliation and Reconstruction among Churches and Faith-Based Organisations in Zimbabwe (original) (raw)
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In this article, we explore the relationship between religion, reconciliation and reconstruction in contemporary Zimbabwe. We outline the political, economic, and social crises in the country, and then develop a context-specific definition of reconciliation for Zimbabwe. We argue that reconciliation should focus both on rebuilding relationships and on transforming social structures, but we recognise that many conceptions of reconciliation emphasise the former at the expense of the latter. Therefore we advocate incorporating the term reconstruction as a companion to reconciliation, seeing this as an effective way to encourage the intentional reform of social structures. With this established, we examine the role of religious actors in reconciliation and reconstruction. We argue that in the context of an authoritarian and repressive state like Zimbabwe, from the religious field, it is religious 'non-conformists'actors on the margins of established churches and faith-based organisationswho are best-placed to agitate for transformative change. 1 This is due in large part to their social structural position, which allows them more freedom and flexibility to challenge both the state and the 'mainline' or 'mainstream' churches and religious organisations. We trace the actions of Zimbabwe's religious non-conformists from the War of Independence to the present period, with a particular focus on three selected non-conformist organisations: the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA), Churches in Manicaland (CiM) and Grace to Heal (GtH). Noting that these organisations differ in their methods and approaches, we argue that there is a spectrum of religious nonconformism, ranging from radical/active to moderate to passive to latent. We conclude that religious actors can be most effective when non-conformist organisations at various points on the spectrum form networks of cooperation, allowing some organisations to take bold political stands while other sympathetic organisations engage in behind-the-scenes work. The religious contribution to reconciliation and reconstruction demands going beyond traditional approaches such as providing reactive care to victims of violence or formulating statements castigating violence -though these are not to be entirely discounted -and adopting multi-faceted approaches that capitalise on 1 The concept of religious 'non-conformism' underpins Tarusarira's doctoral research at the University of Leipzig.
The Church in Zimbabwe’s Peace and Reconciliation Process under the Government of National Unity
Abstract: On 15 September 2008, the Global Political Agreement (GPA) was signed between Zimbabwe African People’s Union Patriotic Forum(ZANU PF) and the (Movement for Democratic Change) MDC formations to resolve the socio-economic and political crisis that engulfed Zimbabwe from 2000. The agreement paved the way for the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) in February 2009. The GNU provided an opportunity for the state to embark on a new national healing and reconciliation process. The process has however been championed by the government subsequently marginalizing of the church and other civil society groups. Christianity is the dominant religion in Zimbabwe accounting for more than eighty percent of the population. That makes the church perhaps the largest and arguably the most socially influential institution in Zimbabwe. As such, the church is expected to play a significant role in Zimbabwe’s reconciliation process but its role has been peripheral. The study theoretically analyses the part played by the church in promoting peace, unity and healing in Zimbabwe under the GNU. It accomplishes this through the lens of Lederach’s conflict transformation framework. Key words: Reconciliation, Peace, Church, Crisis
The study focuses on the National Vision Discussion Document (NVDD) from Zimbabwe, and is a reflection of the need for, and the churches‟ approach to, reconciliation in Zimbabwe. The analysis of the social context in which the NVDD was written sets the tone for this study, and provides the basis for discussing and constructing a deeper theology of reconciliation in Zimbabwe. Two criticisms of the NVDD are advanced, namely, the lack for a critical social analysis, and a weak theological reflection. In responding to the first criticism, the study undertakes a detailed analysis of three key areas of enmity, namely, the ethnic conflicts between the Shona and Ndebele, the racial conflicts between white and black centered on land, and the political conflicts between ZANU-PF and civil society and the MDC. In responding to the second criticisms, the theology is deepened through an examination of Miroslav Volf‟s, Exclusion and Embrace, John de Gruchy‟s, Reconciliation: Restoring Justice, the Kairos Document and the Belhar Confession. Reconciliation was seen to lie at the edge of two parallel truths; justice and forgiveness; truth and reconciliation. In conclusion, the study established the basis for a deeper theology of reconciliation, by focusing on three key areas: social dynamics, theological reflection, and practical and logistical steps to national reconciliation. For a deeper theology of reconciliation, seven levels for reconciliation were suggested: individual, social, cultural, institutional, political, theological and religious. From these seven levels, two strategies for the practice of reconciliation were suggested: ecumenical and strategic partnerships. It should be noted that events in Zimbabwe continue to progress at a rapid rate and the social context changes from week to week. However, these current events suggest that the study remains relevant for national reconciliation and theological praxis because of the abiding issues of conflict that cry out for reconciliation.
Religions
In post-independence Zimbabwe, religion has been associated with piety and acquiescence rather than radical confrontation. This has made it look preposterous for religious leaders to adopt seemingly radical and confrontational stances in pursuit of peace and reconciliation. Since the early 2000s, a new breed of religious leaders that deploy radical and confrontational strategies to pursue peace has emerged in Zimbabwe. Rather than restricting pathways to peace and reconciliation to nonconfrontational approaches such as empathy, pacifism, prayer, meditation, love, repentance, compassion, apology and forgiveness, these religious leaders have extended them to demonstrations, petitions and critically speaking out. Because these religious leaders do not restrict themselves to the methods and strategies of engagement and dialogue advocated by mainstream church leaders, mainstream church leaders and politicians condemn them as nonconformists that transcend their religious mandate. These re...
This article is an attempt to formulate an African Biblical theological model of reconciliation in Zimbabwe. The history of Zimbabwe testifies that political violence has become endemic. It is this background that informed recent calls for national healing, reconciliation and integration. However, the biggest challenge to this endeavour is the model of reconciliation that should be adopted to bring about national healing and integration. This article contends that, without considering the African past; that is, the traditional Shona and Ndebele conceptions of justice, any attempt at reconciliation is doomed to fail. The article is premised upon the hypothesis that in order to move forward we need to look back. In other words, Zimbabweans will never move forward unless they reflect on and engage with their past. "Going back in order to move forward is consistent with African teachings of life" (Muhwati, 2010: 151-163). This observation lays the background for an Afrocentric scheme of reconciliation, hence the proposal that the Zacchaeus Episode Model (Luke 19: 8), which resonates with the Traditional Shona and Ndebele philosophy of reconciliation, be adopted in the quest for national healing in Zimbabwe.
Religious peacebuilding in Zimbabwe
2020
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Reconciliation in Zimbabwe - Building Resilient Communities or Unsafe Conditions?
Reconciliation and resilience are intimately connected concepts. They emphasise the agency involved in influencing and enhancing bottom-up social change, and the self-help mechanisms that persist despite the disturbances following intrastate conflicts. This article uses a qualitative methodology to examine the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities of communities as they seek to deal with intrastate conflict. It also assesses the extent to which the government-led reconciliation approach used in Zimbabwe since 2008 has facilitated community resilience. This research suggests that local communities have adapted to the conflict in order to go about their daily lives, but that neither community actions, nor the government-sponsored reconciliation process, have led to the transformation of the status quo that caused the intrastate conflict in the first place. Absorptive and adaptive capacities should not be seen as ends in themselves. Instead, they should provide the basis for facilitating sustainable peace and social change.