Numerous societies and populations throughout the world have believed that the public sphere of politics and the economy should be in direct correlation with men. Whereas women have been associated with the domesticated sphere of the family and the home. This phenomenon, however, has changed over the years as the participation of women in African politics has not only improved but also contributed to the acknowledgment of said women as an important demographic during elections.
One of these women is Joice Mujuru, who until 2014 was the vice-president of Zimbabwe. Thereafter she has been known to oppose the presidential elections in 2017. Throughout this paper, five important factors regarding her role in the previous elections of Zimbabwe will be discussed. Said factors include the start of her political career, her expulsion from the ruling party, the reason she contested presidential elections, the response she received thereafter and the importance of said occurrence for the continuity of democracy in Africa.
Before completing her secondary school education in 1973, Joice Mujuru took part in the battle for the independence of Zimbabwe by joining the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). During said battle, guerilla tactics were utilized to overthrow the Rhodesian government, which placed Mujuru as an active fighter in the cause. In 1974, after reportedly shooting down a helicopter, she was referred to as “Teurai Rapa”, which translates to “spill blood” in the language of Shona.
Following this period in combat, she proceeded to become a member within the central committee of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) in 1977 until 6 December 2004, where she was sworn in as vice-president. In addition to her role as vice-president of the Republic and the ruling party ZANU PF until 2014, she held several governmental portfolios, two of which include Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation and Minister of Community and Development.
The President at the time, Robert Mugabe, had been in power for four decades and said reign had created a void of power within his party. Said power void led to the emergence of multiple factions which aimed to succeed him. On the 3rd April 2015, Mujuru had been expelled from the ruling party based on the suspicions of planning to assassinate Robert Mugabe. Mujuru was later associated with the faction, Gamatox , which consisted mainly of centrist politicians, who previously served as former ZANU PF members. Furthermore the term “Gamatox” was coined by the opposing faction, which operated under the administration of Mugabe. Gamatox was a local pesticide sold in Zimbabwe and this reference suggests how Mujuru was perceived by the nation especially after her expulsion from ZANU-PF.
Seven days following her expulsion, Mujuru mobilized previous cabinet ministers who were also dismissed on the basis of suspicion and proceeded to form the Zimbabwe People First Party, in opposition to ZANU-PF. The manifesto of her newly established party emphasized the promise to rid Zimbabwe of corruption and the imagery of fortitude and invincibility held by the ruling party. In addition to said manifesto, the Zimbabwe People First Party declared that their main objective was to create a new government through the electoral process which would occur during the next presidential elections of 2018.
Upon the formation of the Zimbabwe People First Party in 2015 leading up to the presidential elections of 2018, Zimbabwe had found itself in an economic crisis that continued to worsen due to factors such as substantial external debt, lack of infrastructural development, the overconsumption of the national budget due to recurrent expenditure as well as power and water shortages. Hence, a socio-economic state of this nature had created an ideal environment for Mujuru to contest the presidential elections in alignment with the manifesto of her party.
The contest of the 2018 presidential elections as made by Joice Mujuru faced responses of both a negative and positive nature. Those of which were negative included the skepticism among citizens due to previously failed attempts to succeed former President Robert Mugabe. Mujuru’s ability to survive the falling political landscape of Zimbabwe, especially after years of state repression and factional separation was also questioned by fellow opposition party members.
Nevertheless, the responses of which were positive, not only outweighed those of which were negative, but were also in support of Mujuru’s attempt to promote the significance and continuation of democracy through her political background, ideals and activities. With regards to her political background, Mujuru’s active participation during the fight for independence from British colonial rule and her marriage to the first black chief of Zimbabwe’s national army, General Solomon Mujuru, demonstrated an authentic expression of democracy as realized and admired by the people of Zimbabwe.
In relation to her ideals during the period of contest, Mujuru aimed to not only implement policies that would rebuild the economy of Zimbabwe but also achieve a peaceful nation through an electoral process that was free, fair and credible. This increased the support from citizens who had wished to be liberated from the long-term presidency served by Robert Mugabe. This stipulates the nature of democracy which requires elected officials to be accountable to those they govern and a stable economic environment is also a significant element of a successful democracy.
A smooth transition of power is also an important element of democracy which simultaneously promoted non-violence and Mujuru demonstrated this ideal through the activity of forming and maintaining relationships with powerful allies from the security and defense sector.
The inclusion of women in political decision-making is an indication of a successful democracy or one that is making progress. The participation of women in politics, especially the electoral process improves democracy and occurs through various democratic institutions. Said institutions include political parties, civil society’s, government ministries and elected decision-making bodies. Hence, the contest of Joice Mujuru against the 2018 Presidential elections in Zimbabwe was significant for the vocalization of beliefs that aimed to expose the repressive nature of the state under the ruling party. Such vocalization not only encapsulated the nature of democracy but also encouraged African women in politics to express their stance on the political sphere within the continent without fear of judgment and condemnation.
Despite the criticism and doubt she faced throughout her political career, Joice Mujuru displayed courage while remaining committed to her beliefs and ideals which formed the foundation for her to contest the 2018 presidential elections in Zimbabwe. Her expulsion from the ruling party , ZANU-PF did not hinder her ambitions of achieving free and fair elections and hopefully a peaceful democracy for Zimbabwe. In addition to her challenge against the administration of Robert Mugabe, her participation in the electoral process as a woman has remained an inspiration for other women in Africa and throughout the globe to partake in political activism and to continue the struggle to be acknowledged as an important demographic during elections. This combined effort therefore displays her commitment towards the empowerment of women in politics and the continuation of democracy throughout the African continent.
