War legacy: a reflection on the effects of the Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) in south eastern Zimbabwe during Zimbabwe’s war of liberation 1976 - 1980

As its central thesis, this paper discusses the effects of the Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) operations during Zimbabwe’s liberation war on the Hlengwe/Shangaan (a minority group in the south eastern Zimbabwe) from 1976 to 1980. Their homeland was a deeply contested terrain (part of what was dubbed the Gaza province by ZANLA) between the RSF and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). Supported by archival, published and unpublished documentary evidence, oral interviews and internet sources the study argues that the Hlengwe/Shangaan area is laden with sites of wartime violence, its inhabitants were; terrorized largely by the RSF, susceptible to the chemical and biological warfare and the deplorable conditions of the protected villages and lost a significant number of cattle to the contending forces. Furthermore the establishment of the Malvernia-Crooks Corner minefield displaced and separated them from their kin on the Mozambican side. As a result of the establishment of the lethal anti-personnel minefield, which continues to kill and maim people and animals long after the war ended, socio-economic development can not take place in the mined area until the anti-personnel mines are removed

The Urban Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Threat to Human Security and Sustainable Development

Urban centres have existed and have been evolving for many centuries across the world. However, the accelerated growth of urbanisation is a relatively recent phe- nomenon. The enormous size of urban populations and more significantly, the rapidity with which urban areas have been and are growing in many developing countries have severe social, economic and physical repercussions. This paper argues that the accel- erated growth of urbanisation has amplified the demand for key services. However, the provision of shelter and basic services such as water and sanitation, education, public health, employment and transport has not kept pace with this increasing demand. Furthermore, accelerated and poorly managed urbanisation has resulted in various types of atmospheric, land and water pollution thereby jeopardising human security. This paper offers the conclusion that the increased environmental, social and economic problems associated with rapid urbanisation pose a threat to sustain- able development, human security and, crucially, peace

The Urban Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Threat to Human Security and Sustainable Development

Urban centres have existed and have been evolving for many centuries across the world. However, the accelerated growth of urbanisation is a relatively recent phenomenon. The enormous size of urban populations and more significantly, the rapidity with which urban areas have been and are growing in many developing countries have severe social, economic and physical repercussions. This paper argues that the accelerated growth of urbanisation has amplified the demand for key services. However, the provision of shelter and basic services such as water and sanitation, education, public health, employment and transport has not kept pace with this increasing demand. Furthermore, accelerated and poorly managed urbanisation has resulted in various types of atmospheric, land and water pollution thereby jeopardising human security. This paper offers the conclusion that the increased environmental, social and economic problems associated with rapid urbanisation pose a threat to sustainable development, human security and, crucially, peace