Book Launch in Cape Town and Johannesburg
When a State Turns Against Its Citizens
Institutionalized Violence and Political Culture
Lloyd Sachikonye
Thursday 31 March 2011, 17:30 for 18:00
Lobby Books (Idasa), 6 Spin Street, Cape Town
OR:
Friday 1 April 2011, 17:30 for 18:00
Constitution Hill, 1 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Please join us at the launch of this exciting book with guest speaker in Johannesburg
Judge Azhar Cachalia, post '94 Secretary for Safety and Security and who has been monitoring human rights cases in Zimbabwe for the International Commission of Jurists
The author is available for interviews at the event, or beforehand.
'Zimbabwean politics are embedded in a tradition and practice of violence that
began more than half a century ago.'
Lloyd Sachikonye traces the roots of Zimbabwe's contemporary violence to the actions of the Rhodesian armed forces, and the inter-party conflicts that occurred during the liberation war. His focus, however, is the period since 2000, which has seen state-sponsored violence erupting in election campaigns and throughout the programme of fast-track land reform.
The consequences of this violence run wide and deep. Aside from inflicting trauma and fear on its victims, the impunity enjoyed by its perpetrators has helped to mould a culture within which personal freedoms and dreams are strangled.
At a broader social level, it is responsible - both directly and indirectly - for millions of Zimbabweans voting with their feet and heading for the diaspora. Such a migration 'cannot simply be explained in terms of the search for greener economic pastures. Escape from authoritarianism, violence, trauma and fear is a large factor behind the exodus.'
Sachikonye concludes that any future quest for justice and reconciliation will depend on the country facing up to the truth about the violence and hatred that have infected its past and present.
Lloyd Sachikonye (1954) was born and educated in Zimbabwe. After attending Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria where he did his M.Sc. in Political Science, he acquired a Ph.D. from Leeds University in the UK. He is now Associated Professor at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe where he has worked as a researcher and lecturer since 1983.
On the Board of five professional international journals, he had also been widely published within his research field of the politics of labour movements, democracy, and civic society. (A complete list of his publications will be found at the back of the book.)
These events are hosted by the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO), the Southern African Centre of Survivors of Torture, JACANA the publisher and Lobby books.
Thanks,
Francisca Mdleleni
Southern African Liaison Office
Tel: 021-6805306
Cell: 083 684 8267
