The Zimbabwe Review (review)

The Zimbabwe Review, 3 Donaldson Lane, P/Bag A 6177, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe. E-mail: zimreview@mango.zw

Launched in 1994, The Zimbabwe Review (TZR) is a quarterly review "for and by Zimbabweans" (Carole Pearce, the editor) that focuses on cultural issues not covered adequately elsewhere. It focuses on books, film, theater, dance, architecture, gender issues, science, law, medicine, environment, art, poetry, and music that are part of both high and popular cultures. TZR is international in scope, but Zimbabwean in perspective. It encourages diversity of opinion, debate, and analysis of issues, some of which are narrowly debated through the state-controlled mass media (Pearce, TZR, review 1994). Reviews (1000 words) and articles (3000 words) are not targeted at a specialized readership. A balance is stuck between scholarliness and non-specialization to enhance sharing of ideas by specialists and nonspecialists. Readers without first-hand experience of some issues benefit from the comprehensive review. The reflected diversity of thought reflects cultural pluralism in society. Polemics are handled within the bounds of good taste. Examples are Hamadziripi's review of Bloch and Robertson's book Facing Facts (TZR 3.1, 1997), which underscores the discrepancy between "facts" and "truth" in a racial context. Eppel's review of Songs from the Temple by Ngara and Flag of Rags by Chingono shows one sensibility pitted against another. Chigwedere's "Recovering History," which engages Beach's A Zimbabwean Past (TZR 2.1, 1996), Mlambo's review of the book edited by Olukoshi and Laako, Challenges to the Nation-State in Africa, as well as his rigorous critique of Krieger's Peasant Voices are a few examples. The reviews highlight works that are heading for the mainstream culture.

Economic history comes through in reviews like Moyo's The Land Question in Zimbabwe (2.1, 1996) and others that highlight the cost, in human terms, of the mining industry. Liberation war literature is reviewed in, for instance, synopses of McLaughlin's On the Frontline: Catholic Missions in the Liberation Struggle, and Bhebe and Ranger's edited work, Society in Zimbabwe's Liberation War, Volume 2. These give an overview of the role of soldiers, society, and the church in the war. Through a review of Tears of the Dead by Werbner, Gundani draws readers' attention to the plight of the victims of the postindependence civil war--an era that has hitherto
been cordoned off from researchers because it ruffles the establishment's feathers.

Literature is discussed in the Zimbabwean as well as Commonwealth contexts. TZR 3.4 (1997) gives an overview of the developments in Shona poetry through Zhuwarara's review of A Critical History of Shona Poetry by Chiwome. Malaba draws a profile of authors who have become prominent since independence, in his review of Ngara's Authors That Have Become Prominent since 1980. The TZR Preview issue (1996) discusses Vera and Kanengoni's achievements in the context of Commonwealth writings (2.1, 1996). Critical theory, children's books, and literary events such as the Zimbabwean International Book Fair are found in a number of issues.

Films on circuit and film festivals are critiqued from the point of view of relevance. Letters to the editor offer reader-critics an opportunity to articulate interesting views on topical issues in a nonacademic style. TZR 3.1 (1997), for instance, carries a review of Sinclair's war film Flame by Pfukwau, a former guerrilla. Sculpture, architecture, and visual arts are given high profile in articles that examine the interface of tradition and modernity.

Evidently, TZR keeps readers informed about significant cultural developments. Readers and writers get regular opportunities to debate and discuss matters of mutual interest. More original articles could be solicited to counterbalance book reviews.

Emmanuel Chiwome

Emmanuel Chiwome in the Department of African Languages at the University of Zimbabwe (Mount Pleasant Harare).

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