Hope Deferred: Narratives of Zimbabwean Lives

The fifth volume of the Voice of Witness series explores the stories of Zimbabweans affected by political, economic, and human rights crises, describing their experiences of loss, torture, and escape.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Haymarket Books

The fifth installment in the Voice of Witness series delves into the compelling narratives of Zimbabweans who have been deeply impacted by the country's multifaceted crises, encompassing political, economic, and human rights dimensions. This profound exploration raises a crucial question: How did a nation with immense promise, boasting a robust education system, a burgeoning middle class of professionals, a sophisticated economic infrastructure, a liberal constitution, and an independent judiciary, find itself on the precipice of such profound distress? Through their own heartfelt accounts, these individuals vividly recount the devastating loss of their homes, land, livelihoods, and families, directly stemming from the pervasive political violence that has engulfed their country. They describe harrowing experiences of torture in detention, firebombs targeting their homes, or brutal beatings or rapes inflicted as punishment for casting votes for the opposition. Those living in exile or forced to flee to neighboring countries share their courageous tales of escape, involving daring acts such as cutting through fences, braving treacherous crocodile-infested rivers, and placing their trust in human smugglers. This book showcases a diverse range of Zimbabweans, spanning different ages, classes, and political affiliations, including farm laborers, academics, artists, opposition leaders, and ordinary citizens simply striving to survive as a once thriving nation teeters towards collapse.

Dimension: 139 x 209 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642595635