Women in the Zimbabwean Liberation Struggle A brief history of Essay

Women in the Zimbabwean Liberation Struggle A brief history of zimbabwe, status of women in precolonialism in zimbabwe, nature of colonialism in zimbabwe, the - Essay Example The Portuguese were then overpowered by the consolidation of several states called Shona that led to emergence of Rozwi empire covering most of the present Zimbabwe. This state of peaceful coexistence of native kingdoms lasted for the next two centuries. By the middle of 19th century Rozwi empire fell due to the entry of British South Africa company to whom rights for mining of gold were given by the Ndebele rulers in 1888 by way of treaty. The treaty later paved way for aggressors from Europe mostly British who fought with the Ndebele kingdom and established colonies there. (Zimbabwe History) Colonization was started in 1890 by the English settlers led by founder Cecil John Rhodes. Thus Rhodesia was named after its founder. The English thought they were the first race in the world and hence assumed wherever they settled, it was for the benefit of the human race. (Nyangoni) With this feeling of supremacy over the rest of the human race, English started colonies in other parts of the world and dominated the local race. Thus native Africans in Rhodesia were not allowed to participate in an all-white Government. The whites alone assumed right to vote and the land laws they passed prevented native Africans' presence in many public places reserved exclusively for the whites. The ordinances they passed left native Africans with lands just for sustenance. About 6000 whites occupied half of the fertile and otherwise potential lands, leaving the worst lands for 600,000 native African farmers.(Chung P 211) This state of affairs lasted till 1979 characterized by domination of white minority over the native population who were denied rights to their own lands. Ever since the colony started, there had been civil unrest among the natives of Rhodesia who first initiated revolution demanding changes in the imperial constitution which would facilitate equal job opportunities and participation in Government. But by 1960, situation radically changed with nationalism gaining momentum requiring to overthrow the minority white rule. In the process, National Democratic Party (NDP) was started by native Africans with the ultimate aim of Pan African rule in due course. The party activists evoked violence against the minority rulers to attract the attention of England for its intervention and help handing over of power to the locals. (Gann, p 42) The minority rulers retaliated by banning the NDP in 1961. Then came a newly formed party in 1962 led by Joshua Nkomo under the name of Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) through reconstitution of the NDP. The ZAPU wanted to bri ng one-man-one vote rule, unite all Africans against imperialism and colonialism, eliminate all forms of oppression of its local Africans, and to establish a new order of African tradition. ZAPU members also believed force by violence and bloodshed was the only solution. Hence looking at ZAPU's objectives, the minority Government banned it also. ZAPU members went