The Tragic Hero? The rise and downfall of Mugabe

Talent Pfumvuti

Master's thesis

The Tragic Hero? The rise and dawnfall of Mugabe

Abstract:

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this research was to find out how Zimbabwean former President Robert Mugabe rose to power, how he was able to maintain power for thirty-seven years, what finally led to his downfall in 2017 and what meanings Zimbabweans put on the rise, rule and downfall of Mugabe. I opted for a qualitative research method for data collection. I used Focus Group Discussions and key informant interviews to collect information. The sample of the research included three members of parliament, two lawyers and sixteen focus group participants divided in to two groups. The data collected indicated that there are mixed feelings among Zimbabweans when it comes to Mugabe`s rise, rule and downfall. Other people believed Mugabe was a good man who was failed by the people he was working with whilst others believed he was not a saint but rather a perpetrator of violence and injustices. I used this data to highlight not only events and actions that led to the rise, rule and fall of Mugabe but also perceptions surrounding Mugabe`s rise, rule and fall from power.

Abstract:

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this research was to find out how Zimbabwean former President Robert Mugabe rose to power, how he was able to maintain power for thirty-seven years, what finally led to his downfall in 2017 and what meanings Zimbabweans put on the rise, rule and downfall of Mugabe. I opted for a qualitative research method for data collection. I used Focus Group Discussions and key informant interviews to collect information. The sample of the research included three members of parliament, two lawyers and sixteen focus group participants divided in to two groups. The data collected indicated that there are mixed feelings among Zimbabweans when it comes to Mugabe`s rise, rule and downfall. Other people believed Mugabe was a good man who was failed by the people he was working with whilst others believed he was not a saint but rather a perpetrator of violence and injustices. I used this data to highlight not only events and actions that led to the rise, rule and fall of Mugabe but also perceptions surrounding Mugabe`s rise, rule and fall from power.

Keywords

Key Terms Dictatorship, one center of power, in this context the effect of the long rule by Mugabe Violence – the use of intimidation, fear or physical assault Power – to have absolute control, in this case to have absolute control of other people Nationalism – loyalty and commitment to the country Revolution – uprisings that lead to the change of the status quo

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 30. 5. 2018

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 25. 6. 2018
• Supervisor: Dr. Werner Binder
• Reader: doc. PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Sociology / Sociology (Eng.)