Inventing the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe
The Religious Dimension
Published on 28. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-1-350-36393-9 (ISBN)
Description
How does a regime, whose members have been actively involved in the previous one, appropriate and deploy religious ideas and rhetoric to cast itself as 'born-again' and attractive?
Exploring intersections between politics, religion and economics, this book examines invention of Zimbabwe's 'New Dispensation,' the regime of Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, and how it has aimed to separate itself from the previous regime of Robert G. Mugabe.
Utilizing the concept of 'invention', contributors reflect on how Mnangagwa and his publicists deploy religious ideas, concepts and rhetoric in the quest for legitimacy in a heavily contested political field. The book also reflects on the ways opposing political actors have utilized the same template in their quests to secure power.
The contributors interrogate the use of time, theological ideas and religious practices to separate Mnangagwa's regime from Mugabe's. This book provides insight into how religious rhetoric is used not only to gain, but also to contest legitimacy in Zimbabwe's political sphere.
Exploring intersections between politics, religion and economics, this book examines invention of Zimbabwe's 'New Dispensation,' the regime of Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, and how it has aimed to separate itself from the previous regime of Robert G. Mugabe.
Utilizing the concept of 'invention', contributors reflect on how Mnangagwa and his publicists deploy religious ideas, concepts and rhetoric in the quest for legitimacy in a heavily contested political field. The book also reflects on the ways opposing political actors have utilized the same template in their quests to secure power.
The contributors interrogate the use of time, theological ideas and religious practices to separate Mnangagwa's regime from Mugabe's. This book provides insight into how religious rhetoric is used not only to gain, but also to contest legitimacy in Zimbabwe's political sphere.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
377 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-36393-9 (9781350363939)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ezra Chitando | Lovemore Togarasei | Joram Tarusarira
Inventing the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe
The Religious Dimension
E-Book
11/2024
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download
Ezra Chitando | Lovemore Togarasei | Joram Tarusarira
Inventing the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe
The Religious Dimension
E-Book
11/2024
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download
Persons
Ezra Chitando is Professor of History and Phenomenology of Religion at the University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe and Theology Consultant on HIV and AIDS for the World Council of Churches.
Lovemore Togarasei is Professor of Religious Studies at Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe.
Joram Tarusarira is Assistant Professor of Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Lovemore Togarasei is Professor of Religious Studies at Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe.
Joram Tarusarira is Assistant Professor of Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Content
List of Contributors
Introduction: Inventing the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe: The Religious Dimension, Ezra Chitando (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe) and Joram Tarusarira (University of Groningen, the Netherlands)
1. Built by God and the Ancestors? Interrogating the Spiritual and Philosophical Foundations of the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe, Ezra Chitando and Obert B. Mlambo (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
2. The "God is in it": The Rhetorical Dimension of Nelson Chamisa's Political Discourse, Josephat Mutangadura (Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa)
3. "The Voice of the People is the Voice of God": Reviewing the Theological Foundations of the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe, Vengesai Chimininge (Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe)
4. "I am a Listening President": The New Dispensation, Rhetoric and Contestation within the Ecumenical Movement, Ishanesu S. Gusha (Independent Scholar, Spain)
5. Despising the Memory of the Wounded? A Public Theological Evaluation of President Mnangagwa's "let bygones be bygones" in a Zimbabwe founded and maintained by violence, Collium Banda (North-West University, South Africa)
6. Justifying a Coup and the Myth of a Post-Military Assisted Transition 'New Beginning' in the Jehu Revolt and the 2017 Zimbabwe Military Intervention, Honoured Taruona (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
7. The Bible in the Street: Apocalyptic Reading of 2 Kings 7:2 in Light of the 'New Dispensation' in Zimbabwe, Canisius Mwandayi (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe)
8. 'A Regime-Created or a God Driven Situation'? The Zimbabwean Experience under the 'New Dispensation', 2017-2023, Mediel Hove and Vincent Chenzi (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
9. Gendering Politics and Religion in Zimbabwe's' New Dispensation': A Response to the Politics of Exclusion, Molly Manyonganise (Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe)
10. Expressing missio Dei?: A Theological of Critique of Religious Rhetoric in Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's Presidential Speeches, Suspicion Mudzanire (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
11. Social Media and the Revolution Gospel in Zimbabwe, Clive Tendai Zimunya (Roma University, Lesotho)
12. A Paradigm Shift for the Postmodernism Church: Moving from the Pulpit to the Public Enterprise for the Salvation of All, Sifiso Mpofu (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
Bibliography
Index
Introduction: Inventing the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe: The Religious Dimension, Ezra Chitando (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe) and Joram Tarusarira (University of Groningen, the Netherlands)
1. Built by God and the Ancestors? Interrogating the Spiritual and Philosophical Foundations of the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe, Ezra Chitando and Obert B. Mlambo (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
2. The "God is in it": The Rhetorical Dimension of Nelson Chamisa's Political Discourse, Josephat Mutangadura (Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa)
3. "The Voice of the People is the Voice of God": Reviewing the Theological Foundations of the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe, Vengesai Chimininge (Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe)
4. "I am a Listening President": The New Dispensation, Rhetoric and Contestation within the Ecumenical Movement, Ishanesu S. Gusha (Independent Scholar, Spain)
5. Despising the Memory of the Wounded? A Public Theological Evaluation of President Mnangagwa's "let bygones be bygones" in a Zimbabwe founded and maintained by violence, Collium Banda (North-West University, South Africa)
6. Justifying a Coup and the Myth of a Post-Military Assisted Transition 'New Beginning' in the Jehu Revolt and the 2017 Zimbabwe Military Intervention, Honoured Taruona (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
7. The Bible in the Street: Apocalyptic Reading of 2 Kings 7:2 in Light of the 'New Dispensation' in Zimbabwe, Canisius Mwandayi (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe)
8. 'A Regime-Created or a God Driven Situation'? The Zimbabwean Experience under the 'New Dispensation', 2017-2023, Mediel Hove and Vincent Chenzi (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
9. Gendering Politics and Religion in Zimbabwe's' New Dispensation': A Response to the Politics of Exclusion, Molly Manyonganise (Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe)
10. Expressing missio Dei?: A Theological of Critique of Religious Rhetoric in Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's Presidential Speeches, Suspicion Mudzanire (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
11. Social Media and the Revolution Gospel in Zimbabwe, Clive Tendai Zimunya (Roma University, Lesotho)
12. A Paradigm Shift for the Postmodernism Church: Moving from the Pulpit to the Public Enterprise for the Salvation of All, Sifiso Mpofu (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
Bibliography
Index