Valorisation, Personality Cult and the Militarisation of Nation State Under a Civilian Ruler in Zimbabwe: a Public-Private Media Gaze

Autores/as

  • Josiah Nyanda University of the Witwatersrand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22409/contracampo.v0i0.1088

Palabras clave:

Valorisation, personality cult, militarization, nation-state, civilian ruler, public-private media

Resumen

Using the public-private media gaze, this paper explores how thirty-six years of Robert Mugabe’s rule have culminated in the militarization of nation-state under a civilian ruler. I argue that the civil-military relations in Zimbabwe – at least from the perspective of the public and private media – have had the consequent effect of cult of personality and valorization of Robert Mugabe as the only leader suitable to rule Zimbabwe. Even in the face of waning popularity, the military and police have ensured that Mugabe continues to hold on to the highest office in Zimbabwean politics.  I further posit that post-independence Zimbabwean politics has seen both the military and police overtly and covertly meddling in national politics to the extent of making a farce of elections in Zimbabwe.

 

 

Keywords

 

Valorisation; personality cult; militarization; nation-state, civilian ruler; public-private media

 

VALORIZAÇÃO, CULTO À PERSONALIDADE E A MILITARIZAÇÃO DO ESTADO-NAÇÃO SOB UM GOVERNANTE CIVIL NO ZIMBABUÉ: olhar uma mídia público-privado.

Resumo

Usando o olhar de mídia público-privado, este documento explora como trinta e seis anos de governo de Mugabe tem culminou com a militarização do estado-nação sob um governante civil. Defendo que as relações civis-militares no Zimbabué – pelo menos do ponto de vista dos meios de comunicação públicos e privados – tiveram o efeito consequente de culto da personalidade e a valorização de Robert Mugabe como o único líder adequado à regra Zimbabwe. Mesmo diante da popularidade minguante, as forças armadas e Polícia garantiram que Mugabe continua a manter o mais alto cargo na política do Zimbabué.  Eu ainda afirmo que após a independência política do Zimbabué tem visto ambos os militares e policiais abertamente e secretamente se intrometer na política nacional, a ponto de fazer uma farsa das eleições no Zimbábue.

Palavras-chave

 valorização; culto à personalidade; militarização; Estado-nação, governante civil; público-privadas mídia

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Biografía del autor/a

Josiah Nyanda, University of the Witwatersrand

Dr Josiah Nyanda is a lecture of English and Critical Thinking in the Academic Development Unit and the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. His research interests are in political lifewriting and media studies. He has published in Scrutiny2, English Studies in Africa, Shakespeare in Southern Africa, and Social Dyamics.

Citas

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Publicado

2018-04-30

Número

Vol. 37 Núm. 1 (2018): Temporalidades enredadas no Sul Global II

Sección

Dossiê

Licencia

Os autores retêm os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de publicar o seu trabalho pela primeira vez sob a licença Creative Commons (CC-BY), que permite o intercâmbio de obras e reconhecimento de autoria na revista.