The complex nature of archiving the documentary heritage of the nationalist movements in Zimbabwe (1961-2024)

Abstract

The study explores the complexities surrounding archiving liberation struggle collections in Zimbabwe from 1961 to 2024. It was guided by four objectives meant to analyse memory contestations related to the liberation struggle (1961-2024); evaluate the nature of war archives (1964-2024); review the politics of archiving at the National Archives of Zimbabwe (1980- 2024); and investigate issues of custody, ownership, and access (1980-2024). The research used a historical multiple case study design, with data collected through interviews, document analysis, and observations. Research participants included the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) archivists, the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZPRA) war veterans, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), and the Zimbabwe National Liberation Army (ZANLA) war veterans, as well as Trusts and individual families who hold liberation struggle archives. The critical archival praxis, postcolonial theory, and postcustodial theory provide the framework for analysing the challenges of archiving Zimbabwe’s liberation heritage. Findings reveal that dominant societal groups in government positions influence the archiving process to shape official narratives. Drawing on Trouillot’s concept of silences in historical production, the study highlights instances of silences, contestations, and political influences affecting these archives. Notable cases include the seizure of ZAPU/ZPRA archives and the Gukurahundi disturbances. The research also exposes a significant lack of effort to preserve documents pertaining to the roles of former nationalist movements. It underscores the damaging effects of archival silences, which hinder access for various stakeholders, including archivists and researchers, to vital historiographical sources related to the liberation struggle, thus impairing societal memory. Consequently, the study advocates for negotiations to improve access, promote reconciliation, and resolve disagreements over ownership, management, and accessibility that currently obstruct engagement with the nationalist movement’s archives.