Surviving in a hostile environment: an analysis of Zimbabwe’s foreign relations in 21st century international relations

Zimbabwe, at the turn of the new millennium has received widespread condemnation particularly following the abandonment of the Structural Adjustment programmes (ESAP), intervention in Democratic Republic of Congo and with the implementation of the controversial land reform. The image portrayed abroad has been tattered because of reports of violence, instability and abandonment of the rule of law, which has created a serious challenge to modern developments on democracy and human rights. On one hand Zimbabwe has seemingly lost many friends especially those from the West and/or West controlled institutions. On the other hand, it has sought acquaintance with countries in the East and other developing countries. From such a standpoint the paper seeks to examine the causes behind this strain in relations between Zimbabwe and Western global actors. It is the aim of this paper to analyse the underlying causes and trace the origin of the strained relations with the Western world

Underperformance of students at institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe in the 21st century: possible explanations

Decline in performance levels not only at institutions of higher learning but even at lower levels of education have been noticeable in Zimbabwe in the 21st Century. This is despite all these efforts made by the government, it has come to the attention of college and university authorities and even the parents that many students in these institutions of higher learning are failing to perform as per the expected standards. The quality of graduates produced together with the degree or diploma classes obtained by most students at the end indicates poor performance by these students in their various majors. It is within this backdrop that these researchers attempt to give possible explanation to the underperformance of students at institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe in the 21st century. Methodologically, the researchers made use of secondary sources such as published books and articles, interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires in the writing of this paper. The data collected from these questionnaires was complemented with information collected from interviews. Key informants included college and university students and university staff. Views and opinions were also solicited from the general public. The information, facts, opinions and views solicited from these different groups of people provided the researchers with valuable information needed in the writing of this paper

Surviving in a hostile environment: an analysis of Zimbabwe’s foreign relations in 21st century international relations

Zimbabwe, at the turn of the new millennium has received widespread condemnation particularly following the abandonment of the Structural Adjustment programmes (ESAP), intervention in Democratic Republic of Congo and with the implementation of the controversial land reform. The image portrayed abroad has been tattered because of reports of violence, instability and abandonment of the rule of law, which has created a serious challenge to modern developments on democracy and human rights. On one hand Zimbabwe has seemingly lost many friends especially those from the West and/or West controlled institutions. On the other hand, it has sought acquaintance with countries in the East and other developing countries. From such a standpoint the paper seeks to examine the causes behind this strain in relations between Zimbabwe and Western global actors. It is the aim of this paper to analyse the underlying causes and trace the origin of the strained relations with the Western world

Fake heroines and the falsification of history in Zimbabwe 1980 - 2009

The ideology of femocracy is so entrenched in Zimbabwean politics that it has become a tradition. It started as a tendency during the liberation struggle of making room and integrating a few women into politics. After independence, it developed into a habit of promoting the same women who had been exposed during the liberation struggle into political offices. Finally, at independence it became a tradition whereby the state confers heroine status to the very women who had held position during the war. However, one feature that stands glaring at the national heroes’ acre is that the heroines who were lay, are all related to men in political positions in both current ruling party and the state. This paper will demonstrate that most Zimbabwean heroines are forgotten. It also proves that even at death the patriarchal nature of Zimbabwean politics manifests itself when one considers that the number of male heroes vis-à-vis the heroines who lay at the acre. Finally the paper will show how femocracy as an ideology has led to the falsification and misrepresentation of historical facts all in an attempt to promote nationalist history

Surviving in a hostile environment: an analysis of Zimbabwe’s foreign relations in 21st century international relations

Zimbabwe, at the turn of the new millennium has received widespread condemnation particularly following the abandonment of the Structural Adjustment programmes (ESAP), intervention in Democratic Republic of Congo and with the implementation of the controversial land reform. The image portrayed abroad has been tattered because of reports of violence, instability and abandonment of the rule of law, which has created a serious challenge to modern developments on democracy and human rights. On one hand Zimbabwe has seemingly lost many friends especially those from the West and/or West controlled institutions. On the other hand, it has sought acquaintance with countries in the East and other developing countries. From such a standpoint the paper seeks to examine the causes behind this strain in relations between Zimbabwe and Western global actors. It is the aim of this paper to analyse the underlying causes and trace the origin of the strained relations with the Western world

The Eight Years of Interaction: Lessons from Zimbabwe’s Look East Policy and the Future of African Countries and Asia-Pacific Region

The Eastern Asia and Oceanic states have proven to be a hub of technological sophistication that have driven economic growth and subsequently intensified production of goods and service provision. As such, most African countries have forged closer ties with countries in this region and, as a result, there has been reluctance in approaching the West. Zimbabwe, in particular, after receiving unfavourable treatment by the West, developed a new policy of associating with the East. The year 2008 marks eight years of interaction between Zimbabwe and the East, dubbed the Look East Foreign Policy. The policy is intended to discover new acquaintances in the East to enable her development processes. The extent to which it has been successful has been doubted in some circles. Therefore, the paper seeks to review the eight years of Zimbabwe’s interaction with the East, elucidating on the achievements, challenges, and the future of the relations. The paper also seeks to unearth the controversies surrounding the success of both North-South and South-South cooperations. In the final analysis, the paper provides guidance on factors contributing to foreign policy success in developing countries, particularly those in Africa

Underperformance of students at institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe in the 21st century: possible explanations

Decline in performance levels not only at institutions of higher learning but even at lower levels of education have been noticeable in Zimbabwe in the 21st Century. This is despite all these efforts made by the government, it has come to the attention of college and university authorities and even the parents that many students in these institutions of higher learning are failing to perform as per the expected standards. The quality of graduates produced together with the degree or diploma classes obtained by most students at the end indicates poor performance by these students in their various majors. It is within this backdrop that these researchers attempt to give possible explanation to the underperformance of students at institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe in the 21st century. Methodologically, the researchers made use of secondary sources such as published books and articles, interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires in the writing of this paper. The data collected from these questionnaires was complemented with information collected from interviews. Key informants included college and university students and university staff. Views and opinions were also solicited from the general public. The information, facts, opinions and views solicited from these different groups of people provided the researchers with valuable information needed in the writing of this paper