Whose Great Betrayal? Strategies of Self-Defense in Ian Smith and Joshua Nkomoâs Political Memoirs

Astrid Rasch

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Chapter 5 Whose Great Betrayal? Strategies of Self-Defense in Ian Smith and Joshua Nkomoâs Political Memoirs

äºThe Politics of the Past in Zimbabwe

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Astrid Rasch

Astrid Rasch
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Page Range:: 117â142

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004728004_007

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Abstract

This chapter examines the political memoirs of two key political figures, Ian Smith, the last prime minister of Rhodesia, and Joshua Nkomo, leader of the independence movement ZAPU. Written at different historical junctures, 1997 and 1984 respectively, each author responds to accusations against him of subversive or illegal behaviour. In Smithâs case, the accusation was that his Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1965 was an unconstitutional act of treason; in Nkomoâs case, that he had plotted to overthrow Robert Mugabeâs government. This chapter examines what strategies of self-defence the author-politicians employ. It argues that while the authors share the overarching ambition of clearing their names and showing themselves to be the betrayed rather than the traitor, there are important differences in their approaches. Using Ware and Linkugelâs framework for examining the genre of the apologia, the chapter suggests that Smith engages in a justificative form of address, and Nkomo in an absolutive one, with Smith attempting to silence the accusations against him and Nkomo tackling them explicitly. They both portray themselves as incapable of treason, but whereas Nkomo stresses his trust of others, Smith presents himself as an honest realist, capable of predicting the dishonesty of others. Finally, a close reading of their counter-accusations against others reveals different implicit conceptions of imagined (supra)national community held respectively by the two authors.

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The Politics of the Past in Zimbabwe

ä¸ç¼ï¼ Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies, å·ï¼ 35

ISBN:: 9789004728004

åºçç¤¾:: Brill

å°å·åºçæ¥æ:: 31 Mar 2025

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Chapter 5 Whose Great Betrayal? Strategies of Self-Defense in Ian Smith and Joshua Nkomoâs Political Memoirs

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The Politics of the Past in Zimbabwe

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Chapter 5 Whose Great Betrayal? Strategies of Self-Defense in Ian Smith and Joshua Nkomoâs Political Memoirs

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