A historical analysis of the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa’s socio-political and economical influence on Zimbabwe (1890-1990)

Abstract

The PCSA has its roots in the Reformed Tradition, is embedded in the reformed culture, and, as such, it imparted reformed flavour into the community of service in Zimbabwe. This thesis offers a historical analysis and reformed theological perspective and inquiry relating to the issues of socio-politics and economics and the role of the PCSA in Zimbabwe from 1890 to 1990. It raised pertinent questions on the relevance, implications of, and work of, the PCSA; as to whether the celebration of the 100 year of mission work in Zimbabwe was of any relevance to the country. The study traced, the bearing of socio-political and economic influence as they were imparted through reformed perspectives, and interpreted the teachings and practices from a third world perspective. Four themes were used namely: 1. Exploring the Zimbabwean society before Presbyterianism; 2. Examining the missionary Presbyterianism's impact on politics during the period under review; 3. Delineating the Presbyterian teachings on politics and economics and, 4. Evaluating its influence in reconstructing the Zimbabwean society. A theoretical statement was also tested: “PCSA outlines a basis for constructive involvement in socio-politics and economics of Zimbabwe.” Successes and failures to develop the socio-political and economic context of Zimbabwe by PCSA were unearthed, presented and analysed. The study exposed the historical significance of the PCSA’s influence in the developments on Zimbabwean history and presents an historical account of the PCSA in Zimbabwe, a virgin ground to trade on. The methodology employed mainly included oral history and the southern approach to Church history with the intention to engage African perspectives. The study utilized archival and oral data as primary sources, the interpretation form of contextual theology, and the holistic framework for analyzing history. The study revealed that the PCSA had a special relationship with the colonial government from the Pioneer Column era, which determined how the PCSA responded and made demands on government until the country's independence in 1980. It also uncovered how the PCSA moved from acceptance and collaboration to acceptance and selective rejection of colonial policies, and how the PCSA contributed to the politics and the role played by the mission-educated group in Zimbabwe. The study showed how reformed theology enabled the PCSA to respond to the socio-political and economic situation in Zimbabwe from 1890 to 1990. Extracting from this the study further indicated what role the PCSA can play today as a reformed church in Zimbabwe.