Browsing by Author "Tshuma, L.A."

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    Immortalizing “Buried Memories”: Photographs of the Gukurahundi Online
    (Journal of Genocide Research, 2020-11-10) Tshuma, L.A.; Ndlovu, M.
    This article examines how photographs displayed online preserve, mediate and circulate memories of the Gukurahundi “genocide.” The Gukurahundi denotes mass killings of more than 20,000 predominantly Ndebele-speaking people in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces orchestrated by the Zimbabwean government between 1983 and 1987. Many of the victims consider this to be a genocide, but their memories are subject to repression under the current regime. In this context, online news sites serve as alternative spaces in which knowledge of this traumatic past is transmitted through photographs. Anchored in an understanding that photographs constitute a “mirror with a memory,” this article uses critical discourse analysis to analyse selected images from Bulawayo24.com news website. It finds that Bulawayo24.com serves as an arena for preserving and circulating Gukurahundi memories by enabling audiences to bear witness to their experience-as-genocide. The images reinforce human rights discourses, contributing to the growing calls for justice, commemoration, and memorialization of Gukurahundi victims.
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    The Media and the Commemoration of Robert Mugabe’s Death through the Camera’s Lens
    (SAGE, 2024) Tshuma, L.A.; Sibanda, M
    This paper analyses the photographic representation of former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, with the aim of understanding memories that were produced following his death in September 2019. Mugabe was in power for 37years before being dethroned through a military coup in November 2017. His rule divided opinion with some viewing him as a liberator and African icon, while some view him a dictator and tyrant for his role in disregarding human rights. This paper seeks to explore the role of photography in memory with particular interest being on commemorating contesting figure like Mugabe. We analysed photographs used by The Herald and NewsDay to commemorate Mugabe’s death. Photographs remain one of the under researched genres in communication, especially in the Global South, yet scholars have argued that contemporary societies have, through the use of photographs, turned their citizens into ‘image junkies’ and created ‘the most irresistible form of mental pollution’. The findings demonstrate that photographs are being used to give a ‘testimony’ about the contested legacy of Mugabe. Mugabe is framed as a liberator, Pan African. On the contrary, he is seen as a tyrant and ruled by an iron fist.
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    The why of humour during a crisis: An exploration of COVID-19 memes in South Africa and Zimbabwe
    (Journal of African Media Studies, 2021-02-26) Msimanga, M.J.; Tshuma, L.A.; Matsilele, T.
    This article inquires why humour flourishes in face of tragedy. Memes, as we argue, give people a sense of power as they offer commentary that critiques and mocks the government policies and ineptness, simultaneously offering a sense of hope and relief in face of the pandemic. With a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, this study probed the nature, character and the why of humour in two southern African countries: South Africa and Zimbabwe. Findings show that memes were used to comment on lockdown regulations and speak against public authorities, to raise awareness of COVID-19 and expose poor health delivery systems. Our findings show that memes in South and Zimbabwe were used to bring dialogue about the COVID-19 pandemic and communicate health-related issues.