The struggles after the struggle

Plot

The present volume presents what Leonard Harris, the AfricanAmerican Philosopher, calls, Philosophy born out of struggle . In thisvolume, Zimbabwean philosophers are reporting their interpretations of thelocal struggles in the context of rural and urban poverty, demands forparticipatory democracy, the role of Christian Churches in the context ofAfrican traditional religions, the free market age, corruption, the desire forpeace and social development. What they call the struggle is the fightagainst colonial rule which was wedged since 1890 when the BritishPioneer Column arrived in the area between the Limpopo and ZambeziRivers. This first uprising was in many ways defeated, yet the struggle didnot end. In the sixties, the struggle intensified until the attainment ofindependence in 1980. The papers in this volume argue that the end of theviolent liberation struggle in 1980 is not the end of the struggle. Each oneof the papers identifies and discusses some struggle which Zimbabweanshave been engaged in since 1980. The struggles after the struggle are variedyet connected to each other in so far as they are all attempts to facilitate thegrowth and flourishing of Zimbabweans as they work to participate and tocontribute to the globalizing world. Simon Mawondo grapples with theissue of social justice and how it could apply to the land issue in Zimbabwe.Of particular concern for him, is to find a way of implementing thedemands of justice without undermining the need for reconcilingZimbabweans. Ezra Chitando discusses how religion in Zimbabwe couldplay its part in building a better and peaceful society. He, however, is notunaware of the negative role religion has played in the past. AndreaChimuka in his first article in the book picks up the debate on the negativerole of religion in Zimbabwe, focusing on Christian churches. DavidKaulemu, in his first article, pursues the discussion of why it has beendifficult to establish a truly peaceful Zimbabwe. In many ways this volumeis about the search for peace for which many of the authors demonstrate adeep concern Sobantu Sibanda discusses the issue in the context of theNdebele and Shona relations. Jameson Kurasha is concerned withcorporate peace, not only in Zimbabwe but in the world at large. PatrickTom looks at how we could establish peace with the environment andMunyaradzi Madambi looks at how we can go beyond colonial education toestablish, through education, positive views about ourselves. DavidKaulemu, in his second article in the volume looks at how peace anddevelopment could be established once traditionalist exclusivism is dealtwith in Zimbabwe. Chimuka, in his second essays begins to identify Shonaconcepts that could be used to go beyond negative exclusivism. FrancisChumachawazungu takes up the same theme of how humans can deal witheach other as humans. While he is confident that a new way of living iscoming into being, he points out that a lot of work still needs to be done.But for him, hope is the key as he expresses the spirit that inspired the to the tradition of hope talk . Let us disagree, reflect, and criticize withoutdemonizing and always never losing sight of hope.