Representations of the post -2000 Zimbabwean socio-economic and political crisis in selected Ndebele short stories

Abstract

The study explores how Ndebele short stories portray political, social and economic crisis in post-2000 Zimbabwe. The post-2000 period is commonly referred to as a crisis epoch where everything collapsed. The study adopts the qualitative research inquiry that utilises textual and narrative analyses of selected Ndebele short stories. Furthermore, the study also uses critical reviews from published and unpublished secondary sources from various disciplines, journal articles and dissertations that are corroborated by data obtained through questionnaires and interviews. The conceptual framework of this research is informed by Historical Criticism and Resilience theories which are significant in the exposition of the theme of crisis in Ndebele short stories. Historical Criticism is engaged in this study to illustrate that literature is responsive to historical, socio-economic and political developments. The Resilience Theory is adopted in order to understand the themes of courage, tenacity and perseverance in the wake of the crisis. The study demonstrated that Ndebele short stories depict the post-2000 Zimbabwean crisis as constituted by political, economic and social disasters which had grave repercussions for the nation’s stability and development. On the political side of the crisis, Ndebele short stories show that the nation was afflicted by an extraordinary degree of willful political violence and barbarity sponsored by the ruling party in order for it to remain in power. This study also established that the political crisis of post-2000 in Zimbabwe triggered a catastrophic and protracted economic collapse that led to livelihood challenges never experienced before. Many people could hardly sustain their households due to company closures, retrenchment, unemployment, a worthless currency and rampant hyperinflation. The study clearly articulated that the economic crisis and poverty led to the reality of HIV and AIDS pandemic as vulnerable characters, especially women, adopted risky sexual behaviours in order to keep body and soul together. The analysis of Ndebele short stories established that Zimbabweans are resilient people because of their resourcefulness, ingenuity and innovativeness in navigating the multi-faceted crises. The study of the short stories also shows that Zimbabwe reached the nadir of its post -2000 social, political and economic crisis because of the failure of leadership.