Staff Writer
The Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), a Zimbabwean Pan-African think tank, successfully convened a Consultative Forum on the Writing of the First Edition of The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia at Heritage Village, Liberation City on 19 June 2024.
The Consultative Forum attracted the participation of more than 70 researchers and academics from across Zimbabwe in what was the first public engagement to lay the foundation for a publication that is the first of its kind in the history of publishing.
The monumental research and publishing initiative is a definitive multi-disciplinary publication that holistically captures the First, Second and Third Chimurenga in a single tome that will be available to Zimbabwe and the world digitally and in print formats.
Among the institutions of higher and tertiary learning represented at the Consultative Forum at Liberation City in Harare were Arrupe Jesuit University, Africa University, Bindura University of Science Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Catholic University, Great Zimbabwe University, Harare Polytechnic, Midlands State University, National University of Science and Technology, Reformed Church University, University of Zimbabwe and Women’s University in Africa. Also in attendance were participants from African Institute of International Trade and Diplomacy, Centre for Career and Leadership in Zimbabwe, Kryptos Solutions, Panyatsime Heritage and Cultural Centre, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre, and Tsebo Zimbabwe. In addition, several independent researchers and, crucially, veterans of the Second Chimurenga were in attendance.
As a collective, the participants have expertise in more than 30 areas of research specialisation, thereby providing a sound foundational framework for the daunting but necessary task of producing the Chimurenga Encyclopaedia.
Following the day-long proceedings moderated by INSTAK Board Member Mr Pritchard Zhou, participants roundly endorsed the initiative, highlighting that it was a timely intervention and they were keen to contribute to The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia.
Mr Zhou said, “This has been an extremely rewarding exercise and we are pleased with the level of interest shown by academics, researchers, the media and other stakeholders in the process that we have initiated to produce The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia. The level of interest alone validates the imperative of producing the publication.
“As the INSTAK Board, we are going to review the proceedings and organise all the brilliant ideas that have been presented. Thereafter, we will be in position to take the next steps in this monumental project.”
INSTAK Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi explained that the Consultative Forum was an important foundational activity in the process of delivering The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia.
“Inasmuch as INSTAK is driving this Project, it is a Zimbabwean Project for Zimbabweans and by Zimbabweans; which is why we convened the Consultative Forum so that we get the input and participation of our researchers, academics and experts right from the start.
“We have every confidence that The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia will contribute immensely to the nation-building agenda, and go a long way towards filling gaps and correcting outright fallacies about our history as a people.”
Professor Charles Pfukwa from Bindura University of Science Education, who was one of the programme facilitators, emphasised that this was both a historic and historical undertaking, which would help define the national character for generations.
Another facilitator, Professor Godfrey Chikowore of the Africa Change Development Studies Institute delivered a well-received outline of the encyclopaedia-production process.
Beyond merely collating events, dates and biographies, The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia will, among other things, provide the world’s first comprehensive accounts of:
- The philosophy and practice of the African Nationalism that inspired the First, Second and Third Chimurenga
- The ideological underpinnings of the formation of Zimbabwean anti-colonial, nationalist and economic liberation movements
- The major/key political and diplomatic events of the First, Second and Third Chimurenga
- The major/key military events of the First and Second Chimurenga
- The spiritual dimensions of the First, Second and Third Chimurenga
- The political, economic and social dimensions of land in Zimbabwe, and
- The major/key legislative landmarks associated with the First, Second and Third Chimurenga
Following the Consultative Forum, INSTAK is now in the process of establishing the necessary structures for the production of The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia, including an Editorial Board and a Committee of Experts. The two structures will determine thematic areas and steer the research and actual writing processes.
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