An analysis of the Gutsaruzhinji polity in Zimbabwe.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
The absence of a sound and robust African political ideology grounded in Africa‘s traditional
and cultural philosophy of hunhu/ubuntu has led to Africa‘s continued subjugation and
domination by both Western and Eastern bloc nations. Africa has been compelled to choose
between capitalism or socialism which are both foreign ideologies. The author strongly
contests the above view and provides an alternative ideology which is in all respects African
and grounded in Africa‘s richest philosophy of hunhu/ubuntu. Gutsaruzhinji, both as a
philosophy and political ideology is entrenched in traditional African cultural ideals rooted in
the hunhu/ubuntu philosophy. It is the author‘s contention that gutsaruzhinji is an authentic
African philosophy, tested in Zimbabwean politics, deserves to be assigned both regional and
international status. The author believes, it is time for ubiquitous philosophy that can be
employed to extricate Africa and its people from perpetual poverty and inequalities
perpetrated by colonialism. Gutsaruzhinji focuses on effectively meeting the social and
economic needs of all citizens who had been marginalised by colonial apartheid development
trajectory. This will immediately see the abandonment of both capitalism and socialism as
guiding ideologies in African social, economic and political development. Gutsaruzhinji was
nurtured throughout the pre-colonial period and is evident in such traditional practices as
nhimbe or majangano or letseka, where free labour and service was given to enable every
member of the community to get food and be self-sufficient. The merit of this thesis is that it
brings a new African political thought and consciousness needed to continue embracing
hunhu/ubuntu values which are key to the survival of African Philosophy and good
governance. The two important vehicles of African identity and survival, hunhu/ubuntu and
gutsaruzhinji are set to continue defending the African intellectual territory and political
landscape to eternity. This thesis is intended to also assist in extricating and blending African
philosophies like Ujamaa, Consciencism, Negritude and Humanism from the label ―African
Socialism and bond them with hunhu/ubuntu philosophy, making them an integral part of
gutsaruzhinji polity. Africa will for the first time adopt and use its own political ideology to
better the livelihood of its citizens.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.