COURSE CODE: CCLSBE 201 (ZSS)

FACULTY: Business management Sciences and Economics

GROUP MEMBERS
 Yoraldine T Mandaza R215109H
 Rudo chiyaka R215082V
 Lee Mandizvidza R215143K
 Misheck Chagumaira R215108K
 Leeroy Gwaze R203881H
 Anotida G Mushosho R204362Y
 Serene Munga R218561N
QUESTION: Discuss the history of land alienation and its effects on Black Zimbabweans.
In historical terms alienation of land refers to the appropriation of customary land by
European colonial powers or the disposal of the public domain by the federal government
and the acquisition of land by settlers. It can also be viewed as the dispossession of land of
an individual or community following the transfer or change of ownership tittle or
possession. The essay below clearly explains the history of land alienation and its effects on
Black Zimbabweans. The essay further discusses the historical roots of contemporary land
struggles and land grabbing in Zimbabwe.
It is impossible to understand land alienation in Zimbabwe without first examining the
history of land expropriation and allocation in Rhodesia. According to the journal of
Southern African Studies 26(1),5-28,2000) the pre-colonial economy was largely agro-based
and characterised by shifting cultivation. Traditional authority (chiefs and headmen)
prevailed and was central to resource allocation. There was little commercialisation of the
economy although there was domestic and external trade largely conducted through barter
system (G Pwiti, W Ndoro).
Land alienation had a huge impact on the lives of Zimbabweans as colonial governments
were selective in choosing land and took only the best land for their own personal use.
Belgium and Britain were mostly responsible for taking the land (Potts, 2012). Once
European nation began creating farms and mining companies in Zimbabwe, they needed
people to work on them so they started using Zimbabweans as cheap labour. Black
Zimbabweans who lived in areas with fertile soils either lost their land to Europeans or were
unable to live off their land. They moved to the towns, farms or mines started by Europeans.
Working conditions terrible with corporal punishment and low wages. They were paid in
cash and food rations (DMD Hughes).
Europeans needed money to run their overseas governments and services for settler
communities. ”Mother” countries usually provided little to their colony, so colonial
governments began taxing local Africans. This specifically became a problem after World
War II when European countries were financially devastated (E Worby). Europeans began
taking advantage of Zimbabweans forcing them to work to pay their taxes, without giving
them any other compensation. Forced labour increased and many Zimbabwean men were
separated from their families, since many men were used to work on farms and mines.
Zimbabwean villages lost their manpower for food production, leading to famine.
Traditional Zimbabwean villages started to decline and Europeans started employing Asian
immigrants, creating tension between the Asians and Zimbabwean.
The economic structure of Zimbabwean society was changed by Europeans. Cash crops
were introduced to meet industrial needs of European countries. Cocoa, coffee, tea and
cotton were main cash crops produced on a large scale. Several minerals were mined
extensively. The problem with this was cash crops were focused on instead of food for basic
needs, leading to famine among many black Zimbabweans. Europeans changed the
economy from a model of producing foods for need to mainly the production of cash crops.
All crops produced by Zimbabweans were exported and prices were set by colonies.
Zimbabweans were not allowed to grow these cash crops to benefit themselves. Trade was
prohibited between Africans, so they were forced to export all cash crops produced and
minerals mined.
European colonial powers did not plan to industrialize or modernise Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans were used to solely produce raw materials, export them to Europe, and then
re-export them here in Zimbabwe as final products, sold at high prices. Zimbabweans could
not afford to pay for these products. There were several negatives of land alienation for the
Zimbabwe like resource depletion, labour exploitation, unfair taxation, lack of
industrialization, dependence on cash crop economy, prohibition of trade, the breaking up
of traditional Zimbabwean society and values, lack of political development, and ethnic
rivals inside country. Land alienation caused a drop in total farm output which led to
starvation and famine since their land was being used for other land business activities
(www. Researchgate.net).
Black Zimbabweans were faced with depression after the loss of land which led to the
formation of liberation parties such as Zanu PF in 1963 as to regain their land. The party
engaged in struggles for land ownership, access and control since black Zimbabweans were
now squatters liable to arbitrary imprisonment for occupying white settler’s lands. The state
failed to exercise its constitutional mandate of a broadband land reform, political
opportunity calculations and social justice concerns and the party in its capacity would fight
back since they could not wait for unfulfilled promises from the authorities.
According Mufune, P,1995 in Zimbabwe, land alienation, past independence land reforms,
and marketing policies are discussed. These are then related to land degradation. It is
argued that inequality and emphasis on boosting small scale agriculture, have put pressure
on the land. Overuse of land, mono-cropping and extensification of land use have resulted
in soil exhaustion, overgrazing and deforestation in places. It is concluded that if sustainable
development is to occur land policy must be tailored in a manner which does not promote
inequality and poverty (journal of African Studies, 9(2), pp.21-47).
In conclusion, the history of land alienation plays a pivotal role in the future of Black
Zimbabweans as it gives us a marking point on where we came from and where we are
headed. It has several effects as Black Zimbabweans where deprived of their own land and
paid low wages for working on” their” own land. The white settlers also indigenised in their
own countries using the resources from Zimbabwe hence leaving low indigenisation in the
country.
REFERENCES
 DMD Hughes-Journal of Agrarian change, 2001-Wiley Online library
 D. Weiner-Development & change,1989- academia.edu
 E Worby-Journal of Agrarian change,2001-Wiley Online library
 G.Pwiti, W Ndoro- The African Archaeological Review,1999 JSTOR
 Potts ,2012
 S. Moyo-Journal of Southern African Studies,2000-Taylor & Francis
 The journal of Southern African Studies 26(1),5-28,2000