CUT Journals Online Chinhoyi University of Technology
Not a member yet
91 research outputs found
Sort by
Conflicting Values and the Preservation of Heritage Sites: Case Studies from Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
Full text linkThis paper examines how conflicting values surrounding heritage sites compromise heritage preservation efforts. Focusing on the Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, Musimbira National Monument, Old Fort Victoria, and the Providential Pass in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, this paper explores how different actors are using the sites, the impact of the use on their preservation and the various ways in which actors can collaborate to preserve the sites. To gain a deeper understanding of the conflicting values associated with heritage sites, site visits, archival research, and semi-structured interviews were employed. The sites were visited in three different years. Archival research involved the use of journal articles and textbooks. A total of thirteen research participants were selected for the study using a purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), small-scale miners, and farmers with maize fields at Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, as well as local communities surrounding Musimbira National Monument. The results of the research indicate that a heritage site can be utilised differently by many people, and this compromises the conservation of the site. The Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, Musimbira National Monument, Old Fort Victoria, and the Providential Pass were affected in many ways due to the various activities happening around them. The study also found that little effort is being made to protect the sites from damage. The paper argues that the preservation of heritage sites is of importance, depending on how the sites are valued. The research is essential in that it reflects the various purposes a heritage site serves and the impact on its preservation
Editorial note
No full textAs we unveil this second issue of Volume 1 of the Journal of Cultural Heritage and Development, we are reminded that heritage is not static, nor is it a relic of the past that belongs to the dustbins of history and dark and dim memories. It is a living, often contested, but profoundly generative institution and pillar of humanity. The nine contributions that are featured in this issue collectively illuminate a central truth: sustainable development in postcolonial contexts like Zimbabwe cannot proceed without a profound reckoning with how knowledge is produced, whose knowledge counts, and how heritage is valued and safeguarded. These articles cut across diverse domains such as climate resilience, mental well-being, digital culture, education, linguistic identity, and archaeological governance. What features prominently is that these articles converge on a common and resonant theme: that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs), cultural practices, and decolonial epistemologies are not vestiges of the past but are vital resources for navigating contemporary and future challenges
Tourist perspectives of the culinary tourism product of Zimbabwe
No full textCulinary tourism has necessitated the development and use of local food as a gateway to a destination's cultural heritage. In culinary tourism, tourists travel to experience unique and authentic culinary traditions. The uniqueness is in the manner in which the cuisine is prepared, produced and presented. Destinations are using their local foods to bring out that uniqueness, luring tourists to visit them. However, in Zimbabwe the destination is seemingly less visible as an attraction on local food. Since time immemorial, tourist resort areas like Victoria Falls have been the main attraction for tourists visiting Zimbabwe. Besides the provision of local foods such as game meat, mushrooms, fish and local vegetables and a few food activities held, not much is known about the destination's culinary heritage. In fact, culinary tourism is still in its infancy in Zimbabwe. This study therefore used a quantitative research methodology to explore the culinary heritage of Zimbabwe. Data was collected from local and international tourists in Victoria Falls and Harare using a closed ended questionnaire. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 23, Findings indicated that culinary tourism was not yet an attraction for tourists visiting Zimbabwe. The results showed that though most hotels and restaurants were providing indigenous cuisines, there was limited variety, the prices were not favourable, and the cuisines' authenticity was also questionable. Implications of these results was that a lot needs to be done to illuminate the uniqueness of Zimbabwe's culinary heritage
Evaluating the Impact of Board Members' Attributes on Corporate Governance
No full textThis study evaluated the impact of public entity board attributes on organisational performance of state entities in Zimbabwe, guided by the Upper Echelon Theory. Boards have been criticised for scandals that contributed to persistent losses. A pragmatist philosophy, mixed methods approach, and cross-sectional survey design were adopted. The study targeted permanent secretaries, executive and non-executive board members, using a sample of 261 participants for quantitative data and 25 for qualitative data. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, with reliability tested using Cronbach’s alpha (α). Analysis was conducted in SPSS Version 25 and AMOS Version 21. Findings showed that age, gender balance, limits on membership and tenure, strong leadership, and sound ethics significantly influence performance. Visionary leadership and ethical standards emerged as critical for public entity success. Gender diversity was linked to improved profitability, innovation, decision-making, and risk awareness, while age diversity brought innovation, risk-taking, and leadership continuity. The study recommends introducing an age diversity policy for boards to enhance energy and innovation. Future research could explore the effectiveness of board appointment systems in Zimbabwe’s private secto
The Effects of Social Influence on Mobile Life Insurance Purchase Intention in Zimbabwe: Mediating Role of Brand Attitude
Full text linkThis study investigated the influence of social factors and brand attitude on consumers’ intention to purchase mobile life insurance in Zimbabwe, where mobile distribution remains a developing channel. Grounded in the theory of reasoned action, the research employed Structural Equation Modelling to analyse data collected via an online survey. A questionnaire utilising a five-point Likert scale was distributed to a randomly selected sample of 250 customers from a prominent life insurance provider. Findings indicate that social influence and brand attitude have a substantial impact on purchase intention, with brand attitude acting as a crucial mediator that enhances the influence of social factors. The study concludes that a positive brand attitude is critical in enhancing the adoption of mobile life insurance. The study recommends that insurers invest in strategies that strengthen brand perception to leverage social influence more effectively. The study provides new insights into consumer behaviour in the digital insurance landscape and advances the emerging literature on mobile insurance adoption in developing nations, notably Zimbabwe
Evaluation of Synchronization Protocols and Semen Quality Characteristics on Reproductive Efficiency and Fertility Outcomes in Zimbabwean Dairy Cattle Production.
Full text linkThis review addresses the technical challenges affecting the success rate of artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cattle, with a specific focus on heat synchronization protocols and semen quality for artificial insemination. Both heat synchronization and semen quality play significant roles in determining artificial insemination success rates. Furthermore, the influence of body condition score on reproductive performance and AI outcomes has been reviewed, particularly in dairy cattle in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, artificial insemination success rates are notably low, particularly on communal farms, despite over 80% of the country's cattle population being located in the smallholder sector. A systematic literature review was conducted from January 2022 to January 2024 utilizing Google Scholar and PubMed to assess how heat synchronization protocols, semen quality, and body condition scores affect artificial insemination success, mainly in dairy cattle in Zimbabwe. The review also considered the impact of body condition scores on offspring sex determination. A total of 62 full articles were included, consisting of 45 research papers and 17 narrative reviews. In Zimbabwe, the demand for artificial insemination services has significantly risen over the past four years across both communal and commercial farms. However, many farmers are unaware of the factors influencing artificial insemination success. Various elements contribute to the low artificial insemination success rates in the country which are poor heat detection and timing, inseminator skill,animal healh and nutrition and semen handling technics. In conclusion, systematically identifying the factors that affect AI success in cattle can aid AI technicians and farmers in better understanding the animal requirements and technical procedures involved, fostering cooperation to enhance AI outcomes
The effect of consuming a local Ready- to - Use Supplementary Food on human blood sugar concentration
Full text linkBlood sugar may spike after meals and then stabilises as the sugars are converted to energy or fat. Bioactive phytochemicals, fibres, minerals, and proteins can stabilise blood glucose concentration. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of consuming a local Ready -to -Use Supplementary Food and a reference meal on postprandial blood glucose concentration, insulin concentration, and urine glucose concentration on 32 participants by using the Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyser machine. The post meal blood glucose concentration was measured after one hour and two hours for group one that ate RUSF only, group two that consumed the reference meal plus the local RUSF, and group three that ate reference meal only. Satiety was rated using a 7-point rating scale. Data was analysed by Sigma Plot Version 12. There was no significant spike (p 0.05) in glucose concentration in all participants after two hours but there was a statistically significant rise (p0.05) in blood glucose levels one hour after meal treatments. The mean postprandial blood glucose concentrations were 5.50 ± 1.34 mmol/L for group one, 5.51 ± 1.34 mmol/L for group three, and 5.42 ± 1.78 mmol/L for group two respectively. Satiety was rated between two and four at base line testing and between five and seven after meal treatments. Mean Insulin and urine sugar levels changes were insignificant (p 0.05). The local Ready -to -Use Supplementary Food had low glycemic index due to bio-active compounds, proteins, and fibres which regulated the release of glucose into the blood stream and maintained the steady blood glucose concentration in participants. From this study, it was concluded that incorporation of the local Ready -to -Use Supplementary Food in routine diets could reduce spiking of postprandial blood glucose, insulin, and urine glucose levels, and maintain satiety for long hours in humans
Bridging the Divide: Western and Indigenous Systems of Heritage Management in the African Context
Full text linkWestern heritage management systems were introduced as part of a colonial package throughout Africa to preserve monuments and sites that bore witness to the development of indigenous peoples. Before colonialism, indigenous management systems were in place to maintain respect and the survival of cultural heritage sites. These included taboos, restrictions, legends, myths, and ritual ceremonies, and these measures were effective in ensuring the survival of heritage places. This was mainly because traditional communities shared common values and respect for these places, which represented points of communication with the ancestral world. The new Western system of heritage management, however, sought to protect only tangible heritage and considered Western-centric techniques as the only relevant ways of conservation. This scenario prevailed throughout the colonial period, and heritage institutions even inherited the rigid policies towards conservation after independence. Coupled with aspects like the introduction of Christianity, science and technology, and legislation about land ownership, the environment led to the 'suffocation' of indigenous management systems in many parts of Africa. The two systems have different aspects that they cater for and present a conflict, though in a few cases, there have been integrations. This paper adopts a qualitative research approach, which includes interviews with archaeologists, cultural heritage practitioners, and community members in an attempt to get more insights on the possibilities of integrating Western and Indigenous management systems for heritage in the African context. Engaging communities enables the discovery of significant narratives that can provide deeper and more valuable information
Digital Memorials: The Internet as a New Space for Remembrance and Countermemory in Zimbabwe
Full text linkIn Zimbabwe, where memory, identity, and heritage are deeply entwined with struggles for liberation, post-colonial nation-building, and personal loss, digital memorials are emerging as powerful tools for reimagining remembrance. This paper investigates how Zimbabweans are increasingly using the internet through social media, online archives, and digital storytelling platforms to commemorate individuals, events, and cultural legacies that are often marginalised or contested in official heritage narratives. From Facebook tributes for political activists and COVID-19 victims to YouTube documentaries about Gukurahundi and WhatsApp-based oral history sharing, digital memorials offer new avenues for meaning-making that are accessible, participatory, and transnational. Drawing on case studies and interviews, the paper explores how these digital practices contribute to intangible cultural heritage, challenge state-controlled memory, and foster intergenerational dialogue within the Zimbabwean diaspora and at home. The study highlights how digital memorialisation in Zimbabwe is reshaping heritage into a living, evolving process rooted in everyday experience and digital citizenship. It also considers the implications of digital memorials for intangible cultural heritage, intergenerational transmission, and collective identity in an increasingly global and digital society. Ultimately, the paper argues that digital memorials not only preserve memory but actively reshape how heritage is created, experienced, and sustained in the 21st century
Reviving Indigenous Wisdom: The BaTonga’s Role in Environmental Conservation
Full text linkThe thrust of this paper is on Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems (IKBS) of the BaTonga, which they used to preserve and conserve the natural environment. It is based on the cultural, religious, and ecological study of the BaTonga. The main objective of the study is to establish the extent of use and efficacy examines the environmental IKBS of the BaTonga people in their efforts to preserve the environment. The study is motivated by the unprecedented environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources in the Binga communal area in Matabeleland North Province. Regardless of the existence of IKBS and modern environmental management strategies, the environment is under siege, with local people complaining that modern ways should be complemented with IKBS, hence triggering this study. In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews and storytelling were conducted with traditional leaders and community elders of the BaTonga to collect data. Document analysis was also used to collect IKBS-related data from this indigenous community. In this study, thematic analysis is anchored on interpretive and ontological paradigms utilised within the Decoloniality theory. IKBSs found in this study were thematically presented as water bodies, vegetation, animals, birds, insects, and cosmology. The study concluded that the use of IKBSs is undermined by minoritisation and paucity of information on IKBSs documentation of the BaTonga. It was noted that the IKBS has potential for preserving the environment for sustainable development