The mission school as locus of evangelisation of children in Zimbabwean historiography, 1859-1969

Abstract

The modern mission in Zimbabwe was dominated by the ‘mission school’ as the key locus for evangelisation. Mission historiography in Zimbabwe is, however, divided on the real aim, value and purpose of the ‘mission school’ in the light of the pre-colonial and post-colonial political landscapes that provided the broader milieu for mission. Of special note also is the inchoate market economy that had sprouted in the country with the beginning of the colonial era in 1890. The paper explores two dominant historiographical trends regarding the ‘mission school’ with a view to showing how the historian’s ideological perspectives too often colour the process and crafting of history.