Zimbabweans Must Outgrow Tribalism

19 August 2014
opinion

BAHRU Zewde, who edited "Society, State and Identity in African History", makes a compelling case on tribalism and ethnicism when he says: "The issue of identity has been one of the most central issues in human society. It has inspired the creative endeavours of many artists and writers. "(But) on a more negative plane, it lies at the root of most conflicts that have bedevilled the world for quite some time." Recent disturbances in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, where some boisterous villagers harassed the headmistress of Makuzeze Primary School because of her presumed Shona origins clearly show the pervasiveness of ethnicism in our social fabric.

The group, comprising villagers from Makuzeze area in Mangwe District and some members of the Mthwakazi Joint Youth Resolution, were said to have connived to confront Makuzeze Primary School head Victoria Pasipanodya and demanded that she vacates the school.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.