Book Description:
This book shows that in pre-Rhodes Zimbabwe, Africans suffered many deprivations including survival, economic provisioning, education and health. Colonialism not only accelerated the exploitation and abuse of Africans but it also exacerbated poverty. Ironically, independence in 1980 temporarily ameliorated but nevertheless exacerbated poverty. Where Prime Minister Smith stifled the emergence of a black middle class, President Mugabe promoted one but forced much of it into the diaspora. Smith oppressed black farmers and Mugabe destroyed white commercial agriculture. Both leaders neglected the needs of poor people. Their style of leadership not only courted international sanctions but also destroyed public and investor confidence in the economy. Both leaders used violence, intolerance, death, intimidation, torture and harassment (VIDITH) to suppress dissent and discontent. Smith used VIDITH to sustain UDI while Mugabe deployed it to quash opposition. Economic factors were secondary to illiberal democracy in explaining poverty in Zimbabwe because the first priority of white and black politicians was political survival. A fundamental relationship exists between good governance, foreign investment, economic growth and the eradication of poverty. Over 70 per cent of Zimbabweans were poor during UDI. It was déjà vu for Zimbabweans in the 1990s and 2000s when poverty increased from 62 to over 75 per cent. A minority of Zimbabweans became rich overnight while the majority lived in abject poverty, creating a huge gap between the wealthy and the poor. Zimbabweans found themselves fighting for the same basic rights they had fought for during the liberation struggle.

Table of Contents:
Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
Historical Context

Chapter 1. Defining of Poverty, pp. 1-14

Chapter 2. Colonial Poverty 1890-1980, pp. 15-28

Chapter 3. First Decade of Independence, 1980-1990, pp. 29-48

Chapter 4. Second Decade of Independence, 1990-2000, pp. 49-71

Chapter 5. Witchcraft from above, 2000-2010, pp. 73-93

Chapter 6. Environment and Poverty 2000-C.2010, pp. 95-115

Conclusion, pp. 117-118

Appendix 1: Lack of Access to Health Care by Reason, pp. 119
Appendix 2: Life Expectancy and Adult Literacy, pp. 121
Appendix 3: Male Life Expectancy, Adult Literacy, and Income, pp. 123
Appendix 4: Urban/Rural Life Expectancy, Adult Literacy and Income, pp. 125
Appendix 5: Human Development Index Rankings of the 77 Districts in Zimbabwe, pp. 127-129

Acknowledgment
Select Bibliography
Photographs
Index