Summary

Political Indaba Resource is a book of views, examples, models, questions, stories, analogies and more, to provoke thought and provide material for any political indaba. It is presented as a text of political reference with particular emphasis on the continent of Africa, including the Middle East's influence on her northern states, and is based on views, observations, experiences, and research carried out throughout Africa and the Middle East over a 20-year period from the mid-1970s.

Many African states have now achieved an almost irredeemable position socially and politically, this is not true of Zimbabwe today (2004). Although little time remains to correct this, their position is still redeemable. The models, lessons learned and examples presented in this book, although aimed mainly at the way forward for Zimbabwe, are equally valid for other countries; that is, nations with similar resources of a comparable or younger post-conflict or post-independence age.

This book presents well-established political models and how they apply to Africa. The opening chapters offer a good foundation for those unfamiliar with electoral and parliamentary models of the world and also consider the use, failings, unsuitability and corruption of such models throughout the African continent.

Following the basic reference of political models and how they apply to Africa, the text then turns its attentions to Southern Africa, presenting social responsibilities, views and issues, and the important role they play in the successful governing and stability of any nation. After considering these social issues, having presented the reader with the standard selection of electoral models while putting forward views regarding why they are unsuitable for Africa, the text examines successful forms of governing. Theoretical and specific examples are reviewed as a means of identifying key ingredients needed to achieve suitable alternatives for the choice of electoral model and an acceptable resulting system of governance. The final chapters present a proposed alternative model for a successful system of governance, with particular reference to Zimbabwe and the rest of the Southern Africa.