ZSSCI101 CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

3.1 Definition, Relevance and the Constitution

(a) ZSS and its purpose
(b) The Zimbabwe Constitution
Question i: Discuss the rationale and purpose of studying Zimbabwe Strategic
Studies as a science student.

Question ii: Assess the significance of the Zimbabwe Constitution in the

country’s quest for democracy.

3.2 Topics in Pre-colonial Zimbabwean History

(a) The Roots of the Zimbabwean nation

➢ Shona civilization to 1800

✓ Zimbabwe pre-colonial states

Question iii: Discuss the significance of long-distance trade in the rise and fall
of any pre-colonial state in Zimbabwe.

Question iv: Discuss the nature of Shona-Ndebele relations in the 19th century.

3.3 Colonization of Zimbabwe and African resistance

(a) Why and how Zimbabwe was colonized
✓ The First Chimur;enga/Umvukela, 1896-7

Question v: Explain how imperial interests were responsible for the colonization
of Zimbabwe.

Question vi: With reference to specific examples, discuss the efforts of

Zimbabweans to prevent colonial subjugation.

3.4 Colonialism and Exploitation of Africans and Resources

(a) Land Alienation and its ramifications
(b) The colonial economic system
✓ Colonial labour
✓ Exploitation of African resources

Question vii: Examine how and why colonial land policies became a rallying point
for the anti-colonial struggle in Zimbabwe.

Question viii: Discuss the features of the colonial economic system.

3.5 The Rise of African Nationalism and the Second Chimurenga
(a) The Land Question
(b) The armed struggle
(c) Pan-Africanism and the Second Chimurenga
(d) The 1980 elections and the birth of Zimbabwe

Question ix: “There were many different reasons why Zimbabweans from all
walks of life joined and participated in the Second Chimurenga.” Discuss.

Question x: What do you consider to have been the main objectives of the newly
elected government of Zimbabwe in 1980? Explain your answer.

3.6 Challenges of Nation-Building

(a) Reconciliation, independence euphoria and people’s expectations
(b) Nation-building – Successes and Challenges
✓ Transformation of the education system
✓ Transformation of the health system
✓ Socio-economic transformation
(c) Challenges
✓ Apartheid and Southern African Destabilization
✓ Gukurahundi and the Unity Accord
✓ Neo-liberal political and economic reforms - ESAP and its effects

Question xi: Explain why Zimbabwe experienced civil-strife from the time it
attained independence to 1987.

Question xii: Assess the successes of the Zimbabwean government in its efforts
to redress the imbalances of the colonial era during the first decade of
independence.

3.7 Zimbabwe’s Foreign Relations to the Present

(a) Regional and International Relations (bilateral and multilateral)
✓ Multilateral - with organizations as the UN, SADC, NEPARD, PTA,
ECOWAS, COMESA, OAU/AU, UNO, EU, Commonwealth, NAM, etc.
✓ Bilateral – with countries such as China, Britain, the US and South Africa

Question xiii: With the aid of specific examples, discuss the role of regional
and international organizations/bodies in Zimbabwe’s socio-political and
economic dynamics.

Question ixv: Discuss Zimbabwe’s role in the Southern African Development

Community (SADC). In what ways has the Community been helpful to
Zimbabwe?

3.8 The Land Reform and Immediate Political and Economic Repercussions
(a) Causes, effects and controversies
✓ The Zimbabwe Crisis (1997-2008)

Question ixv: To what extent has the Zimbabwe land reform programme been a
success? Support your answer with concrete examples.

Question xv: Explain how the crisis that engulfed Zimbabwe between 1997 and
2008 affected the welfare and livelihoods of Zimbabweans.

3.9 The Post-GNU Era

(a) Succession politics and the fall of Mugabe
✓ The Second Republic and new dispensation
(b) The engagement and re-engagement foreign policy strategy
(c) Socio-economic and political performance of the Second Republic

Question xvi: Discuss the factors that contributed to the fall of Robert Mugabe in 2017.

Question xvii: Assess the successes of the ‘New Dispensation’ that succeeded Robert Mugabe.