Zibabwe
Shanice Nevins
Professor Glover
AAS 232: African Civilization
April 22, 2013
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. The capital is Harare. Zimbabwe achieved sovereignty from the United Kingdom in April 1980.
Zimbabwe has three official languages: English, Shona and Sindebele. The present territory was first established by Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company, becoming a self-governing colony as Southern Rhodesia in 1923. President Robert Mugabe is head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces and Morgan Tsvangirai is the serving Prime Minister. Once renowned across the continent as a champion for the anti-colonial cause, Mugabe is now viewed as a repressive authoritarian responsible for human rights abuses and severe economic decline. He has held office since Zimbabwe’s internationally recognized independence in 1980.
When Robert Mugabe became the president of the independent nation of Zimbabwe in 1980, he pledged to make education his top priority. By 2004, the literacy rate in Zimbabwe had jumped from 77 percent in 1982 to 90 percent, a figure that placed the nation among the most literate on the continent.
Educational institutions in neighbouring countries sought graduates from Zimbabwe. Teaching was a respected profession. Teachers could afford to buy necessities and even luxuries; they were eligible for credit, and some teachers owned personal cars. They always retired with a good pension. However, it’s a very different story today. Teachers fail to pay school fees for their own children or even to take themselves and their families to school and work.
The economic and political crisis has destroyed the nation’s education system and its infrastructure. Several universities and schools have closed down; teachers and students roam the streets
Professor Glover
AAS 232: African Civilization
April 22, 2013
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. The capital is Harare. Zimbabwe achieved sovereignty from the United Kingdom in April 1980.
Zimbabwe has three official languages: English, Shona and Sindebele. The present territory was first established by Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company, becoming a self-governing colony as Southern Rhodesia in 1923. President Robert Mugabe is head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces and Morgan Tsvangirai is the serving Prime Minister. Once renowned across the continent as a champion for the anti-colonial cause, Mugabe is now viewed as a repressive authoritarian responsible for human rights abuses and severe economic decline. He has held office since Zimbabwe’s internationally recognized independence in 1980.
When Robert Mugabe became the president of the independent nation of Zimbabwe in 1980, he pledged to make education his top priority. By 2004, the literacy rate in Zimbabwe had jumped from 77 percent in 1982 to 90 percent, a figure that placed the nation among the most literate on the continent.
Educational institutions in neighbouring countries sought graduates from Zimbabwe. Teaching was a respected profession. Teachers could afford to buy necessities and even luxuries; they were eligible for credit, and some teachers owned personal cars. They always retired with a good pension. However, it’s a very different story today. Teachers fail to pay school fees for their own children or even to take themselves and their families to school and work.
The economic and political crisis has destroyed the nation’s education system and its infrastructure. Several universities and schools have closed down; teachers and students roam the streets