Controlling the Narrative: Understanding Propaganda and Reality in Zimbabwe's Political Landscape
In Electoral politics there’s need to control the Narrative. The narrative can be a propaganda tool that is powerful. It becomes effective when the target believes in the narrative. The narrative can be based on a lie and vividly sold to the people who buys it. It is strengthened by continuous repetition so that the audience start to believe so. In Zimbabwe ZANU PF have mastered this art. It backs date to the liberation struggle. The is a famous liberation statement that was used by Robert Mugabe, “ Victory is Certain.” This was dummy sold when ZANLA forces suffered grossly from Rhodesian forces attack. Through the alternative Radio Mozambique, Mugabe would deny that they attacked their solders but say it’s a civilian camp. To strengthen the Narrative, a gaudy counter attack would be done. Just as the attack on the fuel bases in Harare. The idea of the narrative have seen its links from trainings in Russia and China. If you look at these governments approach to information, laws ...