Family Farming Knowledge Platform

The Historical Context of Land in Zimbabwe

One of the fundamental resources that is essential for the development and sustenance of people in Africa is land. Land is very important because it forms the basis of agricultural production in the sub-region. This chapter will trace the role and impact of land amongst the different ethnic groups that lived in the area between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers since the fourth century AD to the present. The issue of land tenure will be discussed in passing before analysing the manner in which different imperial powers parcelled indigenous land to settlers. An analysis of how the exploitation of the land resource by white settlers led to the rise of African nationalism will be evaluated. Finally, an examination of the events leading to the invasion of white commercial farms in Zimbabwe will be made. 

Title of publication: Gender, Politics and Land Use in Zimbabwe 1980–2012
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Page range: 33-64
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Section/Chapter: 3
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Author: Onias Mafa,
Other authors: Enna S. Gudhlanga, Norman Manyeruke, Ephraim H.M. Matavire, John Mpofu
Organization: Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)
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Year: 2015
ISBN: 978-2-86978-590-8
Country/ies: Zimbabwe
Geographical coverage: Africa
Type: Book part
Content language: English
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