The new issue of Chimurenga’s pan African quarterly, the Chronic writes Zimbabwe beyond white fears and the Africa-South conundrum.

Titled “The Invention of Zimbabwe”, it features tough new work by Kudzanai Chiurai on the cover.

In its pages, Bernard Matambo returns to the moment of Mugabe’s deposition to grasp the intrigues of factional politics within Zimbabwe’s ruling party, while economist, Simbarashe Mumera reveals how South African retailers, continue to make a handsome profit from Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic crisis.

The story of politics and economics in Zimbabwe cannot be told without the music that has driven, documented and revolted against it. Ranga Mberi travels back in time to the heyday of sungura music and Percy Zvomuya delves into the history of reggae in Zimbabwe, charting a web of influences that are the groundations of today’s Zimdancehall.
Other contributors to the broadsheet include Jekesai Njikizanava, Brian Chikwa, Panashe Chigumadzi, Florence Madenga, Netsayi Chigwendere, Nora Chipaumire, Clapperton Mavhunga, Zenzele Ndebele and many many more..

The accompanying books magazine, XiBARUU TEERE YI (Chronic Books in Wolof) asks the urgent question: What can African Writers Learn from Cheikh Anta Diop?

The cover is a graphic homage to Diop’s Taxaw. Inside Boubacar Boris Diop engages Cheikh Anta Diop’s legacy to raise radical views on creative writing. Ayesha Attah travels from Diop through Ayi Kwei Armah to explore the ‘shared continuity’ of African cultures, histories and philosophies. Ibrahima Wane presents Kàddu (“Speech” in Wolof), as the missing link between Diop, Senegalese political scientist Pathé Diagne and filmmaker Ousmane Sembène.

Elsewhere Souleymane Bachir Diagne enters Diop’s legendary Laboratory of Carbon 14, while Mamadou Diallo channels exiled Cuban Carlos Moore to tell the story of the black bomb (watch this space). Other accounts are offer by Khadim Ndiaye and Sumesh Sharma.

XiBARUU TEERE YI also includes reviews and dispatches by Lindokuhle Nkosi, Gwen Ansell, Kibafika Louis Kakudji, Kiluanji Kia Henda, Akin Adesokan and many more.

Buy print copies of a digital (PDF) issue in the Chimurenga Shop.