APC3701
EXAM PACK
2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
,Question 1
Critically assess the state of Zimbabwe9s democracy in the aftermath
of President Robert Mugabe9s resignation under military pressure and
the ascendance of Emmerson Mnangagwa to national presidency.
Recommended readings:
• Matlosa, K. 2017. The State of Democratization in Southern Africa:
Blocked Transitions, Reversals, Stagnation, Progress and
Prospects. Politikon 44(1): 5-26.
• Beardsworth, N., Cheeseman, N. and Tinhu, S. 2019. Zimbabwe:
The coup that never was and the election that could have been.
African Affairs 118(472): 580-596. Hodgkinson, D. 2019. The
• Mnangagwa Era? Periodisation and Politics in Zimbabwe. Journal
of Southern African Studies 45(5): 981-992.
• Mkodzongi, G. and Lawrence, P. 2019. The Fast-Track Land
Reform and Agrarian Change in Zimbabwe. Review of African
Political Economy 46(159): 1-13.
The state of Zimbabwe's democracy following President Robert Mugabe's
resignation in 2017 and the rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency has
been a topic of considerable debate and analysis. The readings recommended
provide a comprehensive examination of this period, highlighting various
dimensions of the political, social, and economic landscape of Zimbabwe post-
Mugabe.
Transition from Mugabe to Mnangagwa
Matlosa (2017) provides a broader regional context, suggesting that Southern
Africa has experienced various forms of democratic transitions, including blocked
transitions, reversals, stagnation, and progress. Zimbabwe's transition from
Mugabe to Mnangagwa can be seen as a mix of these elements. While Mugabe's
departure marked the end of an era and was initially hailed as a potential new
beginning, the actual democratic progress has been questionable.
Beardsworth, Cheeseman, and Tinhu (2019) describe the event as a "coup that
never was" and emphasize the missed opportunities for genuine democratic reform.
They argue that while Mugabe's ousting was presented as a constitutional and
civilian-led transition, it was essentially a military coup. The subsequent elections
, in 2018, which could have marked a significant shift, were marred by allegations
of electoral fraud, violence, and a lack of transparency, undermining their
credibility.
Mnangagwa's Presidency
Hodgkinson (2019) examines the periodization and political dynamics of the
Mnangagwa era. While Mnangagwa promised a break from the past and reforms to
revive the economy and restore democracy, his tenure has largely been
characterized by continuity rather than change. The initial optimism has faded as
Mnangagwa's government has continued to suppress dissent, restrict media
freedom, and engage in electoral manipulation.
Land Reform and Agrarian Change
Mkodzongi and Lawrence (2019) focus on the land reform policies, particularly
the Fast-Track Land Reform Program initiated under Mugabe, and its impacts
during Mnangagwa's presidency. While the land reforms significantly altered
Zimbabwe's agrarian structure, they have also led to economic instability and food
insecurity. Mnangagwa's attempts to address these issues have been limited and
have not resulted in substantial improvements for the majority of the population.
Current State of Democracy
The current state of Zimbabwe's democracy is thus complex and multifaceted.
Despite the change in leadership, many of the authoritarian practices and systemic
issues from Mugabe's era persist. Mnangagwa's government has faced criticism for
human rights abuses, suppression of opposition, and failure to implement
meaningful economic reforms.
In Summary:
1. Democratic Transition: The transition from Mugabe to Mnangagwa
was not a genuine democratic shift but rather a military-assisted
change in leadership.
2. Elections and Political Reforms: The 2018 elections were flawed
and did not lead to significant democratic reforms.
3. Economic and Social Policies: The continuation of problematic land
reform policies and economic mismanagement has perpetuated
instability and inequality.
EXAM PACK
2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
,Question 1
Critically assess the state of Zimbabwe9s democracy in the aftermath
of President Robert Mugabe9s resignation under military pressure and
the ascendance of Emmerson Mnangagwa to national presidency.
Recommended readings:
• Matlosa, K. 2017. The State of Democratization in Southern Africa:
Blocked Transitions, Reversals, Stagnation, Progress and
Prospects. Politikon 44(1): 5-26.
• Beardsworth, N., Cheeseman, N. and Tinhu, S. 2019. Zimbabwe:
The coup that never was and the election that could have been.
African Affairs 118(472): 580-596. Hodgkinson, D. 2019. The
• Mnangagwa Era? Periodisation and Politics in Zimbabwe. Journal
of Southern African Studies 45(5): 981-992.
• Mkodzongi, G. and Lawrence, P. 2019. The Fast-Track Land
Reform and Agrarian Change in Zimbabwe. Review of African
Political Economy 46(159): 1-13.
The state of Zimbabwe's democracy following President Robert Mugabe's
resignation in 2017 and the rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency has
been a topic of considerable debate and analysis. The readings recommended
provide a comprehensive examination of this period, highlighting various
dimensions of the political, social, and economic landscape of Zimbabwe post-
Mugabe.
Transition from Mugabe to Mnangagwa
Matlosa (2017) provides a broader regional context, suggesting that Southern
Africa has experienced various forms of democratic transitions, including blocked
transitions, reversals, stagnation, and progress. Zimbabwe's transition from
Mugabe to Mnangagwa can be seen as a mix of these elements. While Mugabe's
departure marked the end of an era and was initially hailed as a potential new
beginning, the actual democratic progress has been questionable.
Beardsworth, Cheeseman, and Tinhu (2019) describe the event as a "coup that
never was" and emphasize the missed opportunities for genuine democratic reform.
They argue that while Mugabe's ousting was presented as a constitutional and
civilian-led transition, it was essentially a military coup. The subsequent elections
, in 2018, which could have marked a significant shift, were marred by allegations
of electoral fraud, violence, and a lack of transparency, undermining their
credibility.
Mnangagwa's Presidency
Hodgkinson (2019) examines the periodization and political dynamics of the
Mnangagwa era. While Mnangagwa promised a break from the past and reforms to
revive the economy and restore democracy, his tenure has largely been
characterized by continuity rather than change. The initial optimism has faded as
Mnangagwa's government has continued to suppress dissent, restrict media
freedom, and engage in electoral manipulation.
Land Reform and Agrarian Change
Mkodzongi and Lawrence (2019) focus on the land reform policies, particularly
the Fast-Track Land Reform Program initiated under Mugabe, and its impacts
during Mnangagwa's presidency. While the land reforms significantly altered
Zimbabwe's agrarian structure, they have also led to economic instability and food
insecurity. Mnangagwa's attempts to address these issues have been limited and
have not resulted in substantial improvements for the majority of the population.
Current State of Democracy
The current state of Zimbabwe's democracy is thus complex and multifaceted.
Despite the change in leadership, many of the authoritarian practices and systemic
issues from Mugabe's era persist. Mnangagwa's government has faced criticism for
human rights abuses, suppression of opposition, and failure to implement
meaningful economic reforms.
In Summary:
1. Democratic Transition: The transition from Mugabe to Mnangagwa
was not a genuine democratic shift but rather a military-assisted
change in leadership.
2. Elections and Political Reforms: The 2018 elections were flawed
and did not lead to significant democratic reforms.
3. Economic and Social Policies: The continuation of problematic land
reform policies and economic mismanagement has perpetuated
instability and inequality.
