CUZ ePublications (Catholic University of Zimbabwe)
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Academic dishonesty, a cancer devouring academia: A Case Study of Academic Dishonesty at Two Zimbabwean Universities
Full text linkAcademic dishonesty has dominated academia for a long time with researchers defining it, identifying its causes, forms, and probable ways of reducing or stopping it. The outbreak of COVID-19 saw many institutions of higher learning adopt technology in their teaching and learning which brought about new forms of academic dishonesty. This study aims to understand the perceptions and views of students (n=6) from two different universities in Zimbabwe and writers (n=2) about practicing academic dishonesty when writing their Bachelor dissertations. This qualitative study adopted an explanatory case study research design. Interviews were mainly used for data collection and data was analyzed using Moustakas’ (1994) modified Stevick-ColaizziKeen phenomenological data analysis process. The study results showed that students practice academic dishonesty when writing their dissertations by manipulating the plagiarism check index, ghost writing, and spousal academic-based dishonesty. The students also gave reasons for practicing academic dishonesty, and the flaws of academic dishonesty. The recommendations of the study are varied but what stands out most is for academic systems to come up with a system that may do away with the current structure of dissertation writing
Ethics and Crisis in Africa: A Critique of the Rights-Based Approach to Homosexuality in Zimbabwe.
Full text linkIssues relating to homosexuality are one of the primary topics of moral debates in Africa. This is necessitated by the different perceptions that Africans have towards homosexuality. Some African societies condemn it while others embrace it with open hands. In Zimbabwe, gays and lesbians have been seen as chaos being unleashed by the profane Western society which is endeavouring to unseat governments and replace them with fiefdoms in the name of human rights. So, the challenges presented by homosexuality in different cultures of the world assume various degrees but in Africa, the phenomenon has raised issues that have proved to be a thorn in the flesh. The view of this paper is that there is moral danger if we base our moral values on the rights-based approach to homosexuality in Zimbabwe. To achieve this, the authors of this article used the qualitative approach which included interviews, published documents and internet sources to glean data. The paper argues that homosexuality is un-African and unnatural sexual perversions that are not only alien, but perceived as outlawed in traditional Zimbabwean societies. The paper discovered that the issue of homosexuality in Zimbabwe and beyond is dividing people through what Oliver Phillips (2010) refers to as ‘Blackmail.’ The paper argues that the best way forward in dealing with issues of homosexuality in Zimbabwe is to use hunhu or ubuntu as the spring board of morality not human rights
The Adoption of Google Classroom at the Catholic University of Zimbabwe
Full text linkE-learning platforms are becoming a more popular learning approach in the higher education sector because of the rapid growth in internet technologies in Zimbabwe. It has been integrated in most Zimbabwe university programs including the Catholic University of Zimbabwe which has adopted the Google Classroom platform. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is used to assess the adoption of the Google Classroom by lecturers at its campuses. The TAM model proposes the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use to predict an application usage. The survey and observation methods were used in the study. This study’s contribution is threefold. Firstly, it assesses whether lecturers are receptive to the Google Classroom in this institution. Secondly, it seeks to determine factors that influence the adoption of the Google Classroom as an e-learning platform. Thirdly, as far as we know, the study is among the first to assess the Google Classroom using the technology acceptance model. It is recommended that there should be increased usage of this technology to assess technology based initiatives
Resilient entrepreneurial poor in urban housing by the homeless people in Chimanimani post-Cyclone Idai disaster in Zimbabwe.
Full text linkDespite the homelessness escalated by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani town in Manicaland province, in Zimbabwe, entrepreneurial poor continued with their resilience in accessing affordable housing in urban areas. In spite of these efforts, little has been theorized on the homeless entrepreneurial poor strategies in accessing low cost urban housing in urban areas. Therefore, it is against this backdrop that the paper seeks to explore the resilience theory and how it informs entrepreneurial poor in accessing housing, institutional resilience and household transformation in post disaster situations, the national housing policy and how it accommodated the entrepreneurial poor in Zimbabwe and lastly how assets and transforming structures and processes contributed to the transformation of the entrepreneurial homeless households into a secure, vulnerability free and more secure Chimanimani town
An Evaluation of The Effectiveness of Policy Implementation on Sustainable Informal Trading in the City of Gweru, Zimbabwe
Full text linkSince the implementation of the ESAP policy in 1991 formal employment shrinked as the economy contracted. This was further intensified by the Fast Track Land Reform Program (FTLRP) were capacity utilisation nose-dived resulting in enormous retrenchments in both the private and public sector. As a result, the majority of the people have turned to informal trading activities for survival. It has been realized that both skilled and unskilled labour in underperforming economies survive on informal sector activities. The city of Gweru has been not spared of deindustrialisation that has affected other parts of the country. The mushrooming of informal enterprise has revived economy activity in the city despite the numerous challenges they face. Therefore, the paper investigated the benefits and challenges of informal trading towards economic development, a case study of Gweru, which has also been hit by massive deindustrialization. Descriptive design was employed to investigate the benefits and challenges of informal trading towards economic development, in the city of Gweru and it was supported by purposive sampling technique. The sample consisted of 500 stakeholders participating informal trading. A mixed method approach was adopted. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS V16 using principal component extraction method with Varimax rotation. The study revealed that informal trading generated revenue, sustained livelihoods, provided cheap goods and services, created employment and contributed significantly to the development of the economy Gweru. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs are constrained in their manoeuvres because of lack of harassment by law enforcement agents, lack financial support and infrastructure among others. Given their significance to the economy of Gweru, the paper suggests that these businesses should be assisted by the relevant stakeholders with all possible policy options for promoting sustainable trading activities so that they to graduate from informal to formal sector. This will boost rapid economic growt
Bereavement and Counselling in Bikita District: Cultures Battling for Survival.
No full textDeath is an essential end, and it comes when it resolves. This unfortunately does not remove sorrow over the loss of someone. This then calls for consolation from the others who do not experience the same loss at that time. The bereaved persons need support. In the western world, a professional counsellor goes to funerals with the sole purpose of helping the person impacted by loss to cope with it. The counsellor tries to give hope to the bereaved person. It is not rare to find the professional counsellor sitting down with the bereaved giving some counselling. In an African setting, bereavement is carried out by villagers and a counsellor may be irrelevant and even his presence is often ignored. People feel that bereavement is carried out by nearly everyone in the village in one way or another. The main finding is that the villagers have an upper hand in the process of bereavement because they have a long-lasting support system rather than that of the professional counsellor who does his job and goes away. Consequently, the physical support given by villagers is more than the psychological support given by the professional counsellor. At funerals people are observed to spend nights and days with the bereaved and bring food to the family something a counsellor could not do. The study recommends that people’s traditional ways of bereavement must be given the same prominence as that of professional counsellors
The African Ecological Spirituality in the Light of Henrik Gregersen’s Christology of Deep Incarnation
Full text linkThe world is witnessing the growing destruction of the world’s ecosystems prompting nations of the world and religious leaders to embark on the search for extensive scientific, cultural, and religious frameworks for analysing and mitigating this cosmological disaster. At the centre of this crisis is modern man’s failure to manage the environment in the manner that our pre-colonial forefathers used to do thereby posing a threat to the subsistence of human life. Using a framework of inculturation, this article reviews Gregersen’s theology of deep incarnation that focuses on understanding Jesus’ incarnation as implying a complete union of the divine with biological existence. Through the incarnation, Jesus became matter and hence matter was divinized. The article argues that traditional African cosmological spirituality manifests elements of deep incarnation. Hence, the environment through the incarnation of Jesus has received the dignity often thought to be the preserve of human beings
Climate Justice in Zimbabwe: An Exploration of Equity, Adaptation, and Sustainable Development
Full text linkClimate change poses a significant and multifaceted threat to the developing nation of Zimbabwe, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and creating a complex web of challenges. This paper examines the intricate relationship between climate change policy, governance structures, and decision-making processes within the Zimbabwean context. Through a rigorous analysis of scholarly literature, government documents, and reports from international organizations, the study explores Zimbabwe's climate change risks, the effectiveness of policy frameworks, and the critical role of inclusive governance and decision-making in building resilience. The findings reveal that Zimbabwe's limited resources, economic instability, and heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture render it highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the research highlights governance and accountability deficits, as well as shortcomings in decision-making processes, as key barriers to the successful formulation and implementation of climate change strategies. This paper argues that addressing Zimbabwe's climate change vulnerabilities requires a holistic approach that strengthens institutional capacity, promotes innovative financing mechanisms, invests in climate-resilient agriculture, and fosters meaningful community engagement. By adopting such a comprehensive strategy, Zimbabwe can chart a path towards a more resilient and sustainable future
Deconstruction and consumption of traditionally designed pottery vessels in contemporary Zimbabwe, with Special Reference to Apostolic Christian Church Sects
Full text linkThis qualitative study interrogates the consumption of traditional pottery vessels within the Apostolic Christian church sects in Zimbabwe. The study argues that with the sudden increase in African-initiated churches, especially the Vapositori (Apostolic) sects a noticeable increase in the distribution and consumption of pottery products as worshipping accessories has been observed. It also posits that while there has not been a major change in the form and shapes of the vessels, there has been a significant shift in the end use of the vessels to include tourist souvenirs and symbolic prayer accessories. It is thus observed that to a larger extent, the symbolic function has been found to have motivated the continued existence of pottery-making in Zimbabwe. We argue that traditional pottery-making has become a major source of symbolic substance with the capacity to be used as prayer accessories with economic potentia
Edible Insects: A Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Livelihood Strategy for Zimbabwe
Full text linkInnovative farming methods are critical in a world under siege of increasing climate change induced food insecurity. This study explores the transformative opportunity that edible insects commercial farming propounds towards climate change livelihood adaptation in Zimbabwe. The study focuses on marginalised groups - women and the youth - examining how gendered challenges create barriers to decision-making, accessing resources and full participation and growth in the edible insect value chain in the country. 20 participants engaged in the edible insects’ sector were engaged through semi-structured qualitative individual interviews, three focus group discussions and field observations. The data were then analysed to identify patterns leading to the formulation of key themes. The findings suggest that commercialising the production of edible insects increases food security, advances women and youths’ business agency within the agrobusiness sector, increases income, all while promoting environmental sustainability. However, despite the critical role that women play in the edible insects’ value chain - from insect gathering, preparation and retailing, they face a multitude of challenges and barriers in accessing business resources, markets and in decision-making power. Likewise, the youth though drawn to the edible insects’ sector due to its attractive income potential and low entry barriers, face challenges in the form of lack of business, technical and structural support. The commercial production of edible insects provides an attainable means towards climate change resilience and inclusive development in Zimbabwe. However, in order to realise this pathway’s full potential, targeted support for the youth and gender transformative support for women in the edible insects’ value chain are necessary from both the private and public sectors. Thus, through the engagement of the business’ ecosystem towards overcoming these barriers and challenges, edible insects’ production can contribute to sustainability and equity in Zimbabwe