FRS Sample Questions for Advanced Level Paper 1

1.  The definition of religion is incomplete and misleading without the inclusion of Indigenous Religion. Discuss.
2.  Discuss the attributes of the Supreme Being Indigenous Religion.
3.  Analyse the concept of Dziva/Perennial river in light of God's providence in Indigenous Religion.
4. The spiritual dimension of life is more pronounced than the physical dimension in Indigenous Religion. Critically evaluate this notion.
5.  Ability to amass wealth is viewed as a blessing from ancestors and poverty as a curse from ancestors.To what extent do you agree with this statement?
6. "Avenging spirits, Ngozi play an instrumental role in the promotion of Ubuntu spirit among the Shona/Ndebele." Critically analyse this statement.
7.  Discuss the status of women in Indigenous Religion.
8. Indigenous Religion is too anthropocentric. How far true is this statement in the study of IR?
9.  Globalisation is a major threat to Ubuntu in contemporary Zimbabwe. Is this a fair assessment?
10. "Tourism in Zimbabwe plays a very important role in the preservation of sacred places in Zimbabwe." How far true is this statement?
11.  Critically evaluate the view that, "marriage in Indigenous Religion is nothing more than a sexual union."
12. Marriage in Indigenous religion has no place for women's rights. Discuss
13. How far true is the view that Indigenous Religion has no place for women in the political sphere.
14. "The concept of medium-ship has degraded the status of women in Indigenous Religion." To what extent do you agree/disagree?
15.  "Indigenous health methods have failed to address health challenges in contemporary society in Zimbabwe." How valid is this statement?
16.  "Totemism has resulted in the preservation of the natural environment and the promotion of tourism in Zimbabwe." Discuss.
17.  Traditional leadership provides a model of good governance that state governance should adopt in Zimbabwe. Evaluate.
18.  Analyse the centrality of the covenant in Judaism.
19. "The origins of prophecy in Judaism are shrouded in obscurity." Discuss the validity of this statement.
20. Prophets were nothing more than a hindrance in the political affairs of Judaism. Evaluate.
21.  Analyse the connection between covenant and land in Judaism.
22.  Evaluate Jewish attitude towards the Environment.

Know your Authors in Family and Religious Studies: Wilson Zivave

By Brian Maregedze

The New Curriculum in Zimbabwe has seen students and teachers alike struggle to have access to teaching aids particularly reading material, thereby relying on internet sources. In a number of circumstances, the internet isn’t adequate to address the demands set out in the syllabus. This series of Know your authors has opened avenues for me to meet and engage with some of the authors whom I share the same interests, that is, interpreting the New Curriculum as an opportunity for academic entrepreneurship rather than an impediment to learning in Zimbabwe.

Wilson Zivave is the author of two books, namely, A Practical Approach to Family and Religious Studies Form 4 under Secondary Book Press in Harare. More interesting from the author is that the book is approved by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, an indicator of progress within the Family and Religious Studies (FRS) fraternity. An upcoming book from Zivave, co-authored text with Chivhenge E. and Mazuruse, M. is titled, Family and Religious studies: A dynamic guide to Indigenous religion at ‘A’ level under Booklove publishers in Gweru.
Wilson Zivave is an exceptional author and young rising scholar in Religious Studies with vast teaching experience of the subject currently based in Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. Zivave’s research interests include but not limited to Media and literature representations and religious practices, Curriculum Development and Technology, Old Testament and Contextual Concerns affecting Africa (for instance HIV-AIDS, gender, social justice and landlessness etc.) and also Old Testament prophecy (pre-classical and classical prophets).

The rising thought power, Zivave is currently pursuing his PhD Studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA), the same university he attended and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies in 2018. Zivave worked his M.A in Religious Studies titled, Gender and Power: A Feminist Critique of Hosea’s Sexual Imaging in Hosea 1-3 And Its Implications for Contemporary Shona Women.
In Zimbabwe, Zivave attained his B.A General at the then Masvingo State University (2003-2005) and later on B. A Honours (Special) in Religious Studies at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in 2011.

Zivave has learning experiences from different universities and attained his Post Graduate Diploma at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) in 2016.  The 2016 research by Zivave is titled;  E-Learning Pedagogy: An Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of E-Learning In The Teaching And Learning Of Religious Studies At Rural Day Secondary School-A Case Of Ndawi Secondary School In Gutu.

The well experienced teacher, Zivave taught at Chikwanda High School (2006-2010) in Gutu, Masvingo province and now currently at Ndawi High School from 2010 to present. Some of his upcoming journal articles focus on examining, assessing and critically engaging with the Zimbabwe’s New Curriculum in Family and Religious Studies. For example, Indigenous Religion and the stability of Marriage Institution: A critical review of Indigenous ways of reducing divorce in Zimbabwe. Above all, Zivave is a husband to wife- Shoko Angela-Billiet.

*Brian Maregedze is an author, historian and columnist. He can be contacted at bmaregedze@gmail.com

Seke One High School Rules the Roost in History Advanced Levels 2018 Zimsec Exams

By Brian Maregedze

Seke One High school in Chitungwiza defied the odds in the November 2018 public examinations under the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec), under the tutelage of Shepherd Mundondo popularly known as “the Consultant.” History advanced levels learners scored high in Chitungwiza District with 15 As, 27Bs, 18Cs, 14Ds and 4Es making the 100% pass rate possible. Seke One High received the Certificate of Merit with the specific recipient, Shepherd Mundondo for 2018 ‘A’ Level Quality Results (History). The school is headed by Mr Muduzu R.

This comes at a time when a number of schools in Zimbabwe were uncertain on the best way to tackle the New Curriculum subjects. With twenty five years teaching experience, Mr Mundondo has proved beyond reasonable doubt that indeed he is “the Consultant” in pedagogy of History at advanced level. On Saturday 2 February 2019, attending a Chitungwiza History Seminar under the guidance of Manners Msongelwa who is the History Teachers Association of Zimbabwe President, Mr Mundondo informed students on the exceptional results produced by the Seke One High school 2018 candidates to much applause from the audience. After being granted access to the Seke One High 2018 results analysis dated 21 January 2019, it was also observable that 5 candidates had 15 points in the Humanities department, a remarkable achievement under the tutelage of Mr Mundondo. Mundondo is also the Head of Department for Humanities department.

In addition to that, the Seke One High 2018 results analysis indicated that Family and Religious Studies candidates had 5As, Literature in English 9As and Literature in Shona 4As among others.

More importantly, Arts candidates who sat for the 2018 public examinations dominated other departments in Communication Skills with 93.10%.
Mr Mundondo, trained at Gweru Teachers’ college and finally the University of Zimbabwe holds a Master’s degree in History as well as pursuing PhD Studies in the same discipline. He is a Curriculum Development specialist who has previously taught at Mukai High, Mabvuku High and Ndawi High in Gutu, Masvingo province.

Also notable being the excellent results produced by “the Consultant.”
Mundondo didn’t waste words in terms of sharing tips on how the 2018 candidates attained the high grades. “Diversified teaching strategies, seminars/workshops, educational tours, inviting resource persons/facilitators made the success story possible,” echoed Mr Mundondo in an interview after the Chitungwiza History Seminar.

Mr Mundondo besides repositioning Seke High One School to its glorious days, he occupies various leadership positions including the Harare History Teachers Association Organizing Secretary, Chitungwiza District History Teachers Association Chairperson and above all, National Coordinator for Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (ZINATU).

*Brian Maregedze is an author, historian and columnist writing in his own capacity. For feedback contact, bmaregedze@gmail.com

Mushava’s Rhyme and Resistance

Book review by Brian Maregedze

It is possible but not so easy for artists to write in good and bad times without reflecting their life experiences. Rhyme and Resistance is a poetic work by Stan Mushava, who was born in Gutu Mission, Masvingo, in 1990, and pursued his primary and secondary education in Buhera and Gutu.

This 2019 collection of poems published in Zimbabwe by Underclass Books and Films is political and autobiographical, telling the life-journey of an award-winning author and journalist, while the Zimbabwe crisis unfolds in almost all the poems.

Interestingly, to some analysts, Stan’s poetic genius writing has given birth to contemplations on “dethroning” the greats. Journos in Zimbabwe are indeed defining the pace as wordsmiths, with Tichaona Zindoga, Phillip Chidavaenzi, Lazarus Sauti and Tendai Makaripe, among others, chasing literary clout.
The 87-page poetry anthology has 37 poems, a number of which speak to Zimbabwe’s so-called New Dispensation. It is no coincidence that the poet, Stan, reflects on a number of key events which took shape prior to the ouster of the longtime political leader, Robert Mugabe and the ascendancy of Emmerson D. Mnangagwa to the presidium.

The poem, “The Evolution Will Not Be Televised” (p. 7-10) takes the reader into the journey of the poet, tracing his passion for creative writing traced from primary school to the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), accompanied by the accolades and reputation won.

From this poem, Dambudzo Marechera is an inspiration to the poet, while Winky D (given name, Wallace Chirumiko) is viewed as representative of the voices of weak, championing their cause:
When injured at the money game I would bleed ink,
Downtown scholar from day one like conscious Winky.” (p.7)

Old peers and teachers are invoked, foreseeing the “philosopher-king of Gutu” would “write for the povo.” It is undisputed the journey to the 2018 National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) Outstanding Fiction Prize was not a walk in the park for the young poet. High school experiences, teenage fantasies, young love and the rural-to-urban shift are well articulated in curated terms and the “rhymes” from which “resistance” arises. Here is the story of a uniquely talented poet trying to find a place in society.
To the young, unsure of a career path, this poem I recommend since the journey is not always easy but it is the dogged that do it. My musings with Journalism and Media Studies are being rekindled as Stan naturally pushes one to the motivational edge in creative writing.

In Sungura Timekeeper, the poet proffers the moral value of music in the face of hardships. Sungura is one of the most popular music genres in Zimbabwe. While the young generation in Zimbabwe youths is all in for Zimdancehall, Stan has a broader cultural horizon.
Sungura music, or museve as it is known in street lingo, is celebrated with shout-outs to notables such as  Leonard Dembo, John Chibadura, Biggie Tembo, Solomon Skuza, Nicholas Zakaria, Simon Chimbetu, Alick Macheso, “the living protégé,” among many.

One is left with the desire to listen to sungura as it is poetically unpacked by Stan. Sungura is also explored in various moments in Zimbabwe’s independent history with “Love in the Time of Austerity” being typical (p.19-20).Stan in stanza two of, Love in the time of austerity notes:
Let sungura awaken my soul by a sunset brook,
And raw strains of jit stud my new timepiece. (p.19)

No wonder Tanaka Chidora, a poet, literary critic and my academic wizard argued that Mushava is a “poet worthy of serious attention” in his analytics.

More notable is that Stan never stops being political in some of his poems. “A Croc-and-Bull Story” is the longest poem and prototype among the politically rich poems in this collection (p.23-28).

To literature aficionados, the poem is reminiscent of George Orwell’s Animal Farm.For instance, anyone familiar with Zimbabwe’s post independent political landscape easily captures the symbolism found in animals such as lizard-crocodile, the rooster and dogs among others. The last stanza of the poem is worthy capturing;
The lizard, who soaked up secrets of the house and the bush,
Had the king’s right hand of fellowship till a fateful ambush;
Having grown on farm supplements from lizard to crocodile,
He plucked the rooster for lunch to serfs’ captive applause. (p.28)

Although names of people are not explicit in the poem assuming feudal-like language where ‘serfs’ exist, Stan speaks volumes to power dynamics in Zimbabwe’s politics. To retain the value of the poetic texts, I am persuaded to leave it to the readers to take their time in reading this powerful collection of my generation.

Some of the politically themed poems include "Harare by Bicycle," “Send Us No More Patriots,” “The Planting of New Flags,” “No Country for Young Men,” “Blueroof Freestyle” among others. However, other themes beyond the political realm are tackled with succinct expressions, the spiritually tuned “Dead Prophets’ Society” being typical of many such.

Having said that, for universal appeal, Rhyme and Resistance demands space for explaining names of places, people and terms which seem to be indigenous to Zimbabwe. Also, abbreviations and the full meanings encompassing SADC, ESAP, CIA among others need attention.

Stan Mushava shared a free electronic version of anthology with the public on his Facebook wall, mixtape-style, during the internet blackout, “for the love of Zimbabwe.” Some of the poems are drawn frown his upcoming collaborative anthology with iconic singer-songwriter Michael Lannas while few are culled from his award-winning debut collection, Survivors Café.

Above all, Stan’s intertextual poetry is indeed a welcome contribution to literary critics, ethnomusicologists and aspiring young poets of this generation and future writers. He is unquestionably a voice to recognise among the youthful and mature poets.

If Marechera pushed Zimbabwe’s prose to the world, then Stan Mushava is here to revive the glorious days of Zimbabwean poetry and stoke the creative flame among the youths. A reading of Rhyme and Resistance opens one’s interpretation to the elasticities found in exploring the “philosopher-king” of Gutu.

Brian Maregedze is an author, historian and columnist. He can be contacted at bmaregedze@gmail.com. He is currently a tutor at Valley Crest Academy in Waterfalls – Parktown, Harare.