In the final stages of the Rhodesian Bush War (1975-1980), the white minority government and its Security Forces found themselves on the losing side. In an attempt to combat the flood of guerrillas...Show moreIn the final stages of the Rhodesian Bush War (1975-1980), the white minority government and its Security Forces found themselves on the losing side. In an attempt to combat the flood of guerrillas entering the country, the Rhodesians turned to chemical and biological weapons (CBWs). From 1976 onwards a secret program within the Rhodesian army created, experimented with, and deployed poisons. Water sources were contaminated and doctored clothes and food were entered in the guerrillas’ supply lines. Expanding on existing knowledge about both the war and the CBW program, this thesis takes a closer look at the role poisons played in this conflict. The main purpose of these weapons was to kill guerrillas, for which they were very effective; sometimes even more effective than the standard anti-insurgency strategies the Rhodesians used. The use of poisons also changed the relationship between guerrillas and civilians. The Rhodesians often used civilians to provide the guerrillas with the poisoned goods. When these men or women were discovered, the guerrillas would retaliate. In the early stages of the program this drove a wedge between civilians and guerrillas. According to some scholars this was a serendipitous effect, according to others it was a calculated move in the battle for the hearts and minds of the rural African population. This thesis argues that the Rhodesian’s use of CBWs has helped the guerrillas in gaining legitimacy. Because of the strong connection between poison and witchcraft, the guerrillas were not merely targeted by chemical substances, they were targeted by witches. Because of that, the guerrillas could assume the role of witch-hunter in the eyes of the rural black population. Hunting witches was normally done by Mhondoro, ancestral spirits who control and watch over a piece of land. With the help of spirit mediums and by hunting witches, the guerrillas became living manifestations of Mhondoro spirits, gaining legitimacy over the land in the process. Conquering strangers became familiar liberators.Show less
In this thesis the undiscussed role of the Dutch Red Cross amublance in the Second Italo-Abyssinian war is disuccused. Furthermore it analyses the Dutch perspective on this war and explains why it...Show moreIn this thesis the undiscussed role of the Dutch Red Cross amublance in the Second Italo-Abyssinian war is disuccused. Furthermore it analyses the Dutch perspective on this war and explains why it should be seen as one of the precursors of World War II.Show less
Scattered across the whole of southern Africa, impressive North Korean monuments celebrate the rise of young, independent African nations. In an extraordinary fashion, these constructions merge...Show moreScattered across the whole of southern Africa, impressive North Korean monuments celebrate the rise of young, independent African nations. In an extraordinary fashion, these constructions merge typical North Korean socialist realism with African nationalism. The research question of this thesis is why the regimes of Namibia and Zimbabwe use the services of the North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Projects to construct their National Heroes’ Acres. This phenomenon can be explained through the historical connections that existed between the southern African liberation movements and the DPRK, that have been fostered since the 1960s. The DPRK funded southern African liberation movements during their struggle for independence and thereby strengthened their ideas on post-colonial history writing. It will be argued that the Heroes’ Acres can be understood as potent symbols of nationalist history, used to legitimize the rule of the former liberation movements and inspired by the example that the DPRK has set for their African allies.Show less
This thesis argues that the Angolan Bush War should be studied as a global conflict. The war involved a variety of state actors, from South Africa and Angola to Cuba and the Soviet Union, and a...Show moreThis thesis argues that the Angolan Bush War should be studied as a global conflict. The war involved a variety of state actors, from South Africa and Angola to Cuba and the Soviet Union, and a global perspective is required to understand the conflict as a whole. While much of the existing literature on the subject is focused on the political aspects of the war, the analysis of accounts from Soviet soldiers serving in Angola demonstrates that these political dimensions often played a minimal role in the lives of the troops on the ground. However, the accounts examined give detailed commentary on the interactions between the Soviet advisers and their foreign counterparts, including both their battlefield allies and adversaries, and thus offer unique insight into this complex episode of history.Show less
This study investigates the effect of population density on the development of land rights in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe from 1923 to 2013. By comparing three former British colonies with...Show moreThis study investigates the effect of population density on the development of land rights in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe from 1923 to 2013. By comparing three former British colonies with remarkably different population densities, this thesis explores the hypothesis that a denser population leads to stronger individual property rights over land. Through an in-depth analysis of the history of land rights, the relationship between people and land before, during and after colonialism is uncovered, ultimately challenging a Eurocentric model of (economic) development and contributing to the debate on land reform and economic inequality and in Southern Africa.Show less
This thesis reflects the findings of a study conducted in Lumwana in the North-Western province of Zambia in 2009, 2013 and 2014. It looks at the socio-economic impacts of large scale mining...Show moreThis thesis reflects the findings of a study conducted in Lumwana in the North-Western province of Zambia in 2009, 2013 and 2014. It looks at the socio-economic impacts of large scale mining activities on the Lumwana community. To find out how the community has been impacted, the study combined primary and secondary data collection including a small survey, open and structured interviews,a documentary research, field observations and focus group discussions. Copper mining industry plays a very important role in Zambia: it is the main driving force behind Zambia's economy. In order to mitigate some of such negative effects and ensure peaceful coexistence between the mining company and the surrounding communities, LMC tries to provide certain socio-economic incentives for the Lumwana communities. However, perceived inequalities in the distribution of economical benefits, unfulfilled expectations, the lack of social infrastructure and the issues of migration are all contributing to the development of social conflicts. It is suggested that for the interests of the communities to be represented, government, chiefs and the international corporations involved should redefine their roles. Copper mining industry plays a very important role in Zambia: it is the main driving force behind Zambia's economy. In order to mitigate some of such negative effects and ensure peaceful coexistence between the mining company and the surrounding communities, LMC tries to provide certain socio-economic incentives for the Lumwana communities. However, perceived inequalities in the distribution of economical benefits, unfulfilled expectations, the lack of social infrastructure and the issues of migration are all contributing to the development of social conflicts. It is suggested that for the interests of the communities to be represented, government, chiefs and the international corporations involved should redefine their roles.Show less
This research examines a radio program in Accra, Ghana entitled, “Citi Breakfast Show”, and seeks to discover and investigate the manner in which it positions itself as a watchdog in the media...Show moreThis research examines a radio program in Accra, Ghana entitled, “Citi Breakfast Show”, and seeks to discover and investigate the manner in which it positions itself as a watchdog in the media landscape of Ghana. The research uses the concept of framing to investigate the approach of the talk radio show and its positioning in the media landscape of Ghana. The contribution of listeners to the show is also examined and analysed within the context of the genre of talk radio.Show less
