https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5408 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:02:00 GMT 2026-04-22T17:02:00Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6903 Title: Representations of the Zimbabwe Political New Dispensation in Selected New Media from November 2017 to April 2023 Authors: Magwarada, Mathew M.T. Abstract: Although the concept of media representation is not new, the development of new media technologies has changed and improved the way that people and events are portrayed on internet platforms. The goal of this qualitative study was to examine how the New Dispensation in Zimbabwean politics was portrayed in a few different new media platforms. The state-run (The Herald) and private (Zimbabwe Daily and NewsDay) online news outlets, as well as their Facebook pages, were among the new media technologies chosen. This study examined both real photographs and caricatures that were utilized in the new media to portray Zimbabwe's political New Dispensation. In order to uncover the images' underlying meanings, the Social Semiotic Theory and Agenda Setting Theory were applied to the analysis of the photographs. Interviews were also useful for getting information. Therefore, the primary thrust of the dissertation was on how new media technologies use pictures to create different portrayals of the political New Dispensation in Zimbabwe. It was consequently concluded that because both the state and private internet news outlets have a particular ideology they strive to transmit through their representations, both are prejudiced in how they portray the Zimbabwean political New Dispensation. Additionally, the study found that there is no such thing as negative publicity, indicating that honest and authentic opinions can be found in those framed representations Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6903 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Magwarada, Mathew M.T. https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6722 Title: In pursuit of heritage-based philosophies: African oral literature in nationalism and politics in Zimbabwe Authors: Matiza Vimbai Moreblessing Abstract: Since time immemorial, indigenous communities have always perceived their philosophies as a complex web of survival. These communities have always relied on the indigenous knowledge systems through proverbs, folk stories and songs to instill life affirming values and caution people. They have played a pivotal role in the understanding of nationalism and politics on the African continent. The philosophies of life that are valued by the indigenous people are embedded in these art forms. Thus, they have continued to be vehicles through which all the values that concern African people are communicated and transmitted. The study, therefore, sought to investigate and demonstrate the role of heritage-based philosophies in the understanding of nationalism and politics in Zimbabwe. The research was a qualitative enquiry where purposive sampling of 40 elderly and 40 youths from Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North provinces were conducted. The researcher sought ethical clearance to conduct the research and it was reviewed and granted by Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet) committee under number EA0238. Guided by the Ubuntu philosophy, the article comes to conclusion that oral literature emphasizes the African way of life of the people and it has contributed to the practice and handling of nationalism and politics in Zimbabwe. It further points out that these philosophies are significant agents of change capable of directing, provoking, overturning and recasting perceptions of social reality. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6722 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Matiza Vimbai Moreblessing https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6721 Title: “The Devil’s Cataract”: Demonising the Tonga people’s spirituality through colonial naming Authors: Matiza Vimbai Moreblessing Abstract: In Zimbabwe, African spirituality is contentious as the majority of Christians generally associate it with evil. However, it is paradoxical that most of these Christians practise African spirituality in their private lives. Most of African Christian doctrines imagine African spirituality negatively, while their members engage with it in various ways. These Christian views on African spirituality are based on the colonial images of African culture as savage. This study engages with Afrocentric reasoning to demonstrate how Tonga spirituality is seen as evil spirituality through the nomenclature “Devil’s Cataract” at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This qualitative research used purposive and snowball sampling to find a target population for interviews. It further utilised a desk review survey for data collection. Guided by the Afrocentric principle of nommoic creativity, the article establishes that the name given to a part falls is a reflection of the negative and savage images of African spirituality in Christendom. It traces the etymology of the name to the rainmaking and thanksgiving ceremonies performed at the falls which were regarded by the white Judeo-Christian namers as devil worship. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6721 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Matiza Vimbai Moreblessing https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6720 Title: An analysis of pre-recorded street audio adverts in Zimbabwe: A dariro perspective Authors: Gijimah Tevedzerai; Tembo Charles Abstract: Street vending has become the order of the day in Zimbabwe. Because of the popularity of vending, vendors have come up with various ways of making their goods visible in a highly populated market. Audio advertising is one of the most prominent ways used by vendors to reach their customers. Through an Afrocentric lens of the dariro theory of performance and participation, the study analyses the presentation and usage of discourse in the advertisement of goods by street vendors in the city of Gweru, Zimbabwe, through pre-recorded street audio adverts. The study analyses discourse and makes a critical appraisal of the implications of the discourse to the target audience. Steeped in discourse analysis, the study analyses recorded audio adverts in the context of their power to attract clients. The study establishes that vendors creatively and strategically deploy street audio adverts to attract customers in an environment that is densely populated and marked by stiff competition. The adverts are meant to draw the attention of consumers to the advertised goods. It concludes that using audio adverts conveys messages regarding goods on the market to the target audience, who upon receiving the messages act accordingly, which epitomises dariro. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6720 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Gijimah Tevedzerai Tembo Charles