ZEGU Journals Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
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Exploring Impact of Mining -induced Displacement on Access to HIV&AIDS medications among Primary School Learners in Zimbabwe
No full textThis research output, based on a qualitative research methodology, explores the impact of mining-induced displacement on access to HIV&AIDS medications among primary school learners in rural Zimbabwe, highlighting the implications for health equity on educational outcomes. Despite growing discourse on the socioeconomic impacts of mining in Zimbabwe, there is a significant gap in understanding how these displacements specifically affect vulnerable populations, particularly children. The main argument presented in this article is that there is need to explore the impact of Mininginduced Displacement on Access to HIV&AIDS Medications among Primary School Learners in Zimbabwe. The research focuses on a diverse group of 22 participants, selected purposively based on gender, expertise and geographical location. These included two nurses, six learners, four teachers, four parents, two village heads, two representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and two human rights lawyers. Data was collected through two focus group discussions – one with learners and the other with adults – to facilitate open dialogue. Ethical considerations were prioritised. Data was analysed thematically. Findings reveal that mining-induced displacement severely disrupts the continuity of healthcare services leading to decreased access to HIV&AIDS medications for affected learners, thereby exacerbating health vulnerabilities. It is recommended that policy-makers implement targeted interventions to ensure the provision of uninterrupted healthcare services, particularly in mining-affected communities, to safeguard the health rights of primary learner
Life Insurance Uptake in Zimbabwe’s Predominantly Informal Economy
No full textThe study examines the factors influencing life insurance uptake in Zimbabwe‘s largely informal economy, addressing structural barriers often overlooked in conventional models. The study is relevant to Zimbabwe‘s current economic context as it highlights the structural barriers to life insurance uptake in a predominantly informal economy, offering policy insights on financial inclusion, microinsurance, and economic resilience amid high unemployment and financial instability. By integrating informal sector dynamics with economic, demographic, and institutional variables, it provides a comprehensive analysis of insurance adoption in a financially excluded environment. Using the Life Cycle Hypothesis, an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is applied to macroeconomic data from 1990 to 2022. Key determinants include informal sector size, inflation, central bank independence, per capita income, financial development, insurance literacy, age dependency, life expectancy, and unemployment, capturing both short-term fluctuations and long-term equilibrium dynamics. Findings show that larger informal sector size, higher age dependency, and increased insurance literacy reduce long-term insurance uptake, while shortterm demand rises with temporary income gains and economic uncertainty. Inflation and central bank independence have minimal impact, highlighting the need for policies tailored to informal sector dynamics.
Climate Change in Africa: Vulnerabilities and Options for Building Resilience
No full textAfrican countries and regions are experiencing extreme weather events and this contributes to socio-economic lagging. The aim of the article is to explore factors which contribute towards the vulnerability of the African region and examine the viable options which may be employed to reduce such vulnerability and thus promote climate change resilience. The motivation for this study is the heavy toll of climate change effects on the continent and thus the study is justified in that it may open some avenues among policy-makers and other stakeholders, which may reduce climate change-related carnage and destruction. As such, the study is desktop research which involving a review of relevant literature. As such, the study confirms that climate change is among the factors contributing towards a slow development pace in Africa. Furthermore, the effects of climate change were found to be fuelled by poor rural and urban planning and a lack of resources, particularly funding. As such, whereas the less economically developed countries of Africa are worse off in combating climate change, countries of the global North are less vulnerable to the climate change vagaries. It is, therefore, recommended that the more vulnerable African countries should partner with better-off countries to allow effective pooling of resources. Furthermore, resilience building against climate change is recommended to include participatory engagement with all stakeholders and a bottom-up decision-making strategy is seen to be effectiv
Decrypting Community Engagement Practices by Chinese Mining Companies: A Focus on the Perspectives of Local Stakeholders in Shamva Rural District, Zimbabwe
No full textThe article is based on a study that investigated the effects of community engagement practices by Chinese mining companies from the perspectives of local stakeholders in the Shamva District of Zimbabwe. The influx of Chinese mining investments in Zimbabwe, driven by the country\u27s Look East Policy, has brought significant economic benefits. However, it has also raised concerns about the social and environmental impacts on local communities. This research aims to explore how these community engagement practices influence community development and social cohesion. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through in-depth interviews and participant observations with local stakeholders, including community leaders, residents and representatives from Chinese mining companies. The study reveals that while Chinese mining companies have implemented various community engagement initiatives, such as infrastructure development, health services and educational support, there are significant gaps in addressing the needs and concerns of the local population. Local stakeholders expressed mixed feelings about the effectiveness of these engagement practices. While some appreciated the tangible
benefits, others highlighted issues such as inadequate consultation, lack of transparency and insufficient involvement of local communities in decision-making processes. These shortcomings have led to tensions and conflicts between the mining companies and the local population, undermining social cohesion and trust. The findings suggest that for community engagement practices to be truly effective, they must be inclusive, transparent and participatory. Recommendations include fostering genuine partnerships between mining companies and local communities, enhancing communication and transparency and ensuring that community members have a meaningful role in decision-making processes. By addressing these issues, Chinese mining companies can contribute to sustainable community development and strengthen social cohesion in the Shamva District. This study contributes to the broader understanding of socio-economic impacts of foreign direct investment in mining regions and provides valuable insights for policy-makers, mining companies and community leaders seeking to improve community engagement practice
Early Childhood Education as an Instrument for Design Thinking: Cases and Examples
No full textThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has adopted Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a child rights issue, obligating every nation to implement it for it promoted design thinking. Though the 2004 ECD policy in Zimbabwe calls for the universal adoption of the ECD programme, most low-income rural communities still lacked behind, thus depriving children their right and opportunity to thrive. This qualitative study adopts the collective case study design and triangulated interviews, focus group discussions and observations, was undertaken to understand the challenges and to ultimately proffer suggestions on how ECD education could be utilised as an instrument for design thinking. The design thinking model informs the study. The themes that came up from the educators, parents and learners who participated revealed that, ECD packages, including play, promote creativity, confidence, collaboration and cooperation in learners and these were deemed important for design thinking. Even though, the mandate of ECD is misconstrued, hence less supported by some parents. Resources were inadequate and ECD centres were far apart, thus limiting some learners to enrol early. Experiential pedagogy innovation shows, community advocacy and policy formulation, increased ECD centres and extensive training of ECD specialists are recommended
Contextual Analysis of poverty in Zimbabwe
No full textTo effectively analyse economic causes and propose potential solutions to the problem of poverty, the article starts the review by outlining available working historic, contemporary economists‘ and contemporary institutions‘ definitions of poverty. It proceeds to the characteristics of the Third World and shows the treatment each of the definitions receives under different analytical perspectives. The views on the responses to poverty by the different schools of thought are highly influenced by the definition that each of them utilises. After the provision of 12 definitions of poverty and the characteristics of the Third World, this essay provides a critical analysis divided into sections describing the broad economic frameworks to which each of the poverty theories belongs. It begins with the treatment of poverty by the classical and neoclassical schools, then proceeds to those theories that emerged partially as a reaction to the assumptions, hypotheses and conclusions derived by the classical economists. Within this group of theories are those which accept and depart from the foundational premises of classical economics but introduce several novelties, namely the theories of economic liberals, such as Keynes and those that examine the problem from a completely dissimilar perception of the socio-economic system, namely the radical economic theorists, such as the Marxist
Embracing Special Needs Of Visually Impaired Students’ Education In Institutions Of Higher Learning In Zimbabwe An Inclusive Education Agenda In Action
No full textIt is apparent that students with visual impairments are not accommodated in most tertiary institutions. This study aims to analyse the content of seven journal papers which delve into studies on inclusive education for visually impaired students. The articles were chosen from several journals based on the period from 2018 to 2024. Then, the studies are analysed according to the following seven themes: classroom situations and examinations, lectures‘ methodology, participation in classroom, academic performance and assessment, subject difficulty, psychological challenges and social challenges. Most of the selected studies focused on inclusive education for students with visual impairments and their support for academic achievements. Additionally, positive results of inclusive education are yielded in seven papers. These outcomes suggest that students with visual impairments can advance in attaining professional qualifications by adopting the following strategies: training lecturers to address the needs of students with visual impairments, changing attitudes of lecturers towards students with visual impairments, maximum support for visually impaired students, appropriate teaching and learning infrastructure for visually impaired students, material provisions and building confidence in visually impaired students. However, further research is required to confirm how resources in tertiary institutions can be provided to address the needs of visually impaired students and enhance their advancement in tertiary education
Dynamics of Good Corporate Governance Practices by Selected Dry Leaning Companies in Harare Metropolitan Province and Implications for Development
No full textThe study seeks to assess the implications of adhering to good corporate governance practices by selected dry-cleaning companies in Zimbabwe and implications for development. The research adopts mixed-method research approach guided by pragmatism research philosophy anchored on descriptive research design. Random sampling was used to select 15 dr- cleaning companies in the Harare Metropolitan Province which have been operating in the same business for more than 30 years where 66 senior employees were selected as the study sample size from a population of 80. TheKrejcieandMorgan (1970) sample size table was used to determine sample size. Structured questionnaires and guided interviews were used to solicit data which was then uploaded on SPSS version 29 and analysed using descriptive statistics, correlations and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Data was then presented in tables, numbers and themes. Due care to ethics were done (informed consent, confidentiality and voluntary participation) where respondents were informed that data was used for research purposes only. Study results highlight that dry cleaning companies are adhering to some of the following corporate governance practices: effective board reporting, implementation of a code of conduct and ethics policy, protecting minority shareholder rights, ensuring transparency and disclosure in financial reporting. Major challenges identified in the study are lack of corporate governance framework in place for dry-cleaning companies, information asymmetry, and data security and implantation strategies. Based on the study results, conclusions drawn are that dry-cleaning companies in Zimbabwe are adhering to selected corporate governance practices, except some which compromised their operations and sustainable development due to corporate scandals. Proffered recommendations are that they need to foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership, establish a risk management framework and establish a board of directors with clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. However, there is need for development of a corporate governance framework to guide dry-cleaning companies in Zimbabwe for sustainable developmen
The Relationship between Reward Management and Organisational Growth: Evidence from Commercial Banks in Zimbabwe through Balanced Panel Data Analysis (2017-2023)
No full textThe study aims to analyse the impact of reward management on organisational growth in the Zimbabwean banking sector. The objectives of the study are to analyse the nature of relationship between reward management and organisational growth as well as examine the impact of reward management on organisational growth. Economic growth is regarded as way through which a country can achieve its developmental goals, such as reducing poverty, eliminating hunger and creating employment. Organisational growth is one area through which private institutions and organisations can support the economic growth drive of a country. To achieve growth, organisations have normally used various reward management methods. In Zimbabwe many organisations have been failing to manage reward management practices, leading to poor performance by employees and retarded organisational growth prospects. Employees in Zimbabwean banks are dissatisfied with the reward management practices that they are exposed to, posing a huge threat to the growth of the banking industry. Despite the increased interest, there are a few studies on reward management in the banking sector, especially in developing countries. The study employs panel cointegration and pooled ordinary least squares regression to analyse the impact of reward management on organisational growth. The study uses secondary data from 2017 to 2023, collected from a sample of 10 Zimbabwean banks. The panel cointegration study results show that reward management and organisational growth have a long-term relationship, whilst the pooled regression results show that reward management has a negative impact on organisational growth. A 1% increase in innovation and adaptability and social benefits results in a respectively 22% and 6% decline in organisational growth. The study recommends digital transformation of banks, streamlining of processes, adoption of strong ethical leadership andmanagement practices and foster macroeconomic stability by policy-makers in order to promote growth of banks
Water provision will trigger us into action and livelihood vibrancy and skyrocketing Deciphering messages from Biriri wards, Chimanimani
No full textWater remains the source of all human activities and its availability in arid and semi-arid regions has been erratic with most rural communities of Zimbabwe affected the unavailability. The article explores how the dwindling of water resources can push communities into water conservation practices and how the availing of water provision projects has pushed rural communities into action. Climate change has pushed the groundwater further and caused low rainfall, leaving rural communities that depend on rain-fed agriculture and borehole irrigation short of water. The article is based on the argument that groundwater and rainfall patterns with periodic droughts and extreme weather events. The study engaged a qualitative research methodology with a case study research design. The study used purposive sampling to sample for the participants. The study used in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. It adhered to all ethical principles. The study revealed that the availability of water will trigger communities into livelihoods diversification and changing of of rural communities‟ lifestyles. The study found that rural communities have begun to diversify their livelihoods and taking advantage of the water provision projects. The study concludes that the increase of water provision can be the missing link for rural development. The study recommends diversification of water provision. Keywords: semi-arid, groundwater, agriculture, diversification, conservation, drought