The relevance of Moltmann’s concept of hope for the discourse on hope in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Many Zimbabweans experienced its 18 April 1980 independence of Zimbabwe as ushering in an era of hope. However, it is shown that events like Operations Murambatsvina and Makavhotasei, the Land Reform Program, and the Economic Structural Adjustment Program significantly and negatively impacted on the initial hope of independence. The study traces and explores the potential of Moltmann’s work on hope for the Zimbabwean context. It is concluded that Moltmann’s work can make a constructive contribution the meta-discourse on hope in Zimbabwe. This is specifically the case with reference to the way in which Moltmann’s theology of hope integrates the role of history, God’s promise in a comprehensive eschatological framework, grounded in his Christology.