The use of heroism in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) intra-party factional dynamics

Abstract

Much of what we know about Zimbabwe's liberation war heroes and heroines is associated with the Zimbabwe African Notional Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF)'s recognition of individuals who defended its hold on power. However, of late, an upsurge in factionalism in the party has resulted in increasing reference to heroism as a means to exert factional dominance. An understanding of how this had been done can be used to explain ZANU-PF factional dynamics.