JOCAP

Beyond the Euphoria: Examining the Unfulfilled Promises of Independence in Africa and Pathways for Renewal in the Contemporary Era

Isaac Mutelo — 2026-01-30

The attainment of independence across Africa from the 1950s onwards generated widespread euphoria, hope, and expectations for democratic governance, constitutionalism, economic transformation, and social progress. Drawing on historical and contemporary analyses, this paper examines why these expectations were largely unfulfilled in many post-independence African states. It revisits the independence euphoria, emphasising how nationalist movements envisioned political freedom, self-determination, and the establishment of accountable and democratic institutions. The paper also analyses the factors that undermined these aspirations, including institutional foundations, the adoption of constitutions without constitutionalism, authoritarian consolidation, corruption, ethnic tensions, and pervasive governance failures. While proposing pathways for renewal in the contemporary era, this paper argues that revitalising the original ideals of independence requires strengthening constitutionalism, promoting good governance and accountability, enhancing the notion of separation of powers, combating corruption, fostering inclusive socio-economic development, and deepening regional and international cooperation.

Making Development Work: Philosophy and the Challenge of Relevance in Africa; the Imperatives of a Sustainable Philosophy

Edema Philip — 2026-01-30

African philosophy, having emerged from the shackles of a debilitating debate as to the fact very fact of its existence, needs to make itself relevant to the current predicaments of the continent. There is now an urgent need for African philosophers to distance themselves from the blame game syndrome (blaming the white man for all African problems) and focus on a thoroughgoing philosophy that will contribute concretely to the search for the solution of Africa’s many problems. Blaming the white man deprives Africa of the mental and intellectual energy required for dealing with the task at hand, while making philosophy appear irrelevant on the continent. This paper, using the philosophical tools of analysis and criticism, submits that African philosophers need to do more to remain relevant in the current search for development in Africa, rather than expending energy on fleeting pursuits such as blaming the white man. It is the position of this paper that African philosophy should be transformed to become a sustainable philosophy. A sustainable philosophy is a philosophy that will deal with current problems while keeping an eye on the protection of a possible future generation. It is only when we philosophise in a sustainable way that African philosophy becomes relevant in the development debate on the continent.

Ensuring Equitable Access to Reproductive Health and Assisted Reproduction for Women with Fertility Challenges: Towards a More Just and Health-Equitable Zimbabwe

Tawanda Mbewe — 2026-01-30

Even though access to reproductive health is a fundamental aspect of social justice, women in Zimbabwe continue to bear the pain and effects of fertility challenges. This normally takes a toll on their health and well-being. The struggle for women is well-documented, but the plight of women with fertility challenges has not been given adequate attention. Access to health care has been a perennial challenge in Zimbabwe, but the ordeal of women with fertility challenges is further compounded. Societal perception of fertility challenges has made it difficult for those with fertility challenges, and most of the brunt has been on women. Developments in medicine through assisted reproduction have been a relief to such couples, but access to such technologies has been minimal in Zimbabwe. The paper argues that reproductive health is a key aspect of social justice. Women in Africa should enjoy their reproductive rights, health equity, and bodily autonomy so that they are spared from social pressure associated with fertility challenges. The work will highlight the fate of women with infertility in Africa and how access to reproductive health can be a panacea to issues of social injustices suffered by such women. The paper also highlights ways in which these assisted reproductive technologies can be adopted and adapted to effectively address fertility challenges in Africa.

The Intersection Between Kantian Human Dignity and Ubuntu/Hunhu: A Critical Engagement with Oliver Sensen’s Perspective

Felix Mofolo — 2026-01-30

Human dignity is a central concept in moral, legal, and political discourse, often invoked as the foundation of rights and ethical treatment. Traditional interpretations of Kantian dignity emphasise its intrinsic worth, tied to rational autonomy. However, Oliver Sensen offers a nuanced view, contending that, for Kant, dignity should be understood as a relational property, arising from our moral relations rather than from internal capacities. Sensen argues that human dignity, in the Kantian sense, is not a quality possessed in degrees or based on individual traits, but is rooted in the moral status rational beings hold by virtue of their autonomy. Particularly, Sensen’s conception of human dignity resonates with the classical understanding of Hunhu/ Ubuntu in an African Ethical context. Ubuntu, a Southern African philosophical tradition, centres on the idea of personhood as inherently relational. It upholds values of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and ethical living within the community. In this worldview, human dignity is not a solitary possession but a quality nurtured through meaningful relationships, moral behaviour, and the recognition of each person’s humanity. The guiding principle, ‘I am because we are’, captures this ethic, affirming that dignity flourishes through collective care and moral solidarity. It is therefore the aim of this paper to examine the relationship between Sensen’s relational reading and Ubuntu in the African context. The paper will also consider the relevance of Sensen’s understanding to contemporary African societies while looking at the significance of human dignity in contemporary moral thought.

Gullible Legitimation of Poverty through Prophetism: The Case of Zimbabwe

Gaudencia Mudada — 2026-01-30

Prophetism has become a controversial and contested terrain in Zimbabwe, despite some taking it as the solution to Africa’s problem of democracy and lack of human development. Prophetism is declared as part of the developmental package. The discourse of Prophetism in Zimbabwe has been invoked and implicated in the power and political dynamics, with it being accused of perpetuating the dominance and subordination of ordinary Zimbabweans by those in power and their access to national resources. The birth of the new crop of prophets in Zimbabwe around the turn of the century was heralded as a new beginning for Zimbabwe, which would see the ushering in of an era of prophets who would stand with the people while guiding them to the promised land of ‘milk and honey’. However, with the passage of time, this wave of positivism soon gave way to harsh economic meltdown and poisoned politics which also realised the birthing of ‘portfolio or briefcase prophets’ whose lifeline or benefits and true allegiance was to political leaders and not the masses or ordinary congregants, while in some cases the state has turned a blind eye on the publicised omission and commission of Prophets’ transgressions. This paper makes the case that prophetism in Zimbabwe has legitimised certain political players while delegitimising and silencing both alternative players and the suffering masses.