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The politics of land in Zimbabwe
Brian Sims, Idasa
May 30, 2011

http://www.idasa.org/media/uploads/outputs/files/the_politics_of_land_in_zimbabwe.pdf (Direct link to 11 page PDF)

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Introduction

This paper takes a different approach. It will focus on the politics of land in Zimbabwe, rather than on land in Zimbabwe. It will very briefly explain the historical role of land since independence by denoting certain major events that demonstrate the politicisation of land. Finally, I will share my analysis of the current political situation in Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, land is a highly emotive and political issue. Many Zimbabweans view land within the context of justness and fairness, citing historical grievances that go back generations.

As we will see in Zimbabwe, land has been abused. As Zanu PF struggled to retain its political power, they politicised and racialised the land issue as to remind Zimbabweans of their role in the liberation struggle and re-establish their legitimacy. For example, during the 2000 parliamentary elections and in the midst of a severe economic crises, Zanu PF campaigned with the slogan "Land is the Economy and the Economy is Land."

By forfeiting sensible land policies that would benefit all Zimbabweans, black and white, Zanu PF or MDC, Mugabe and Zanu PF's failure of implementing a fair and transparent land reform programme has had adverse impacts on the economy, food production, sustainable livelihoods, and civil and political rights. It has also had the effect of threatening the stability of neighbouring countries as well as the legitimacy of SADC.

It should be noted that Zimbabwe remains a country in transition. The 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA) between Zanu PF and the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T and MDC-M/N) ushered in a powersharing government that averted a complete political and economic collapse of the state.

Despite this progress, serious structural impediments continue to engender uncertainty and instability. The issue of land remains one of those impediments. Zimbabwe remains deeply polarised with the GPA teetering between collapse and continued stalemate.

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