And Now the Poets Do Not Speak: The Politics of Representation in Zimbabwean Writing in Shona and English (1954–2023)

Abstract

The article analyses the politics of representation in Zimbabwean literature written in Shona and English, particularly exploring the policing of creative writing from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. We argue that the position of the Zimbabwean writer portends a dilemma that amounts to being gagged from depicting certain truths about the nation or not speaking at all. In Rhodesia, the black writer was under surveillance by the Rhodesia Literature Bureau, which forced the writer to focus on issues that were considered apolitical. Those who wanted to confront colonialism head-on published outside Rhodesia, but at a time when the nationalist struggle was gaining momentum, these writers were expected to demonise colonialism while praising the nationalist movement regardless of existing evidence of its leaders becoming tyrants in the independent nation. The same dilemmas afflict the new crop of Zimbabwe’s writers who feel the need to depict the ills of Zimbabwe as they are, while at the same time exposing themselves to the nationalist and Afropolitan critic’s accusations of churning out poverty porn. Our central argument is that regardless of these accusations from certain sections of their readers, writers are free to depict what they see in society, whether good or bad. In our exploration of these dilemmas, we refer to notable works by writers and critics from Zimbabwe. We also give attention to relevant critical works and reviews and critically analyse the perspectives that animate such critical works and reviews. The researchers only speak Shona and English, which has necessitated the scope of the research to be limited to writings in Shona and English only.