National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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Zimdancehall: a rising platform in addressing socio-political injustices through lyrics.
No full textPresent day Zimbabwe though being deemed by the government as a free country embedding the concept of freedom of speech it is still plagued with massive music censorship amongst the predominant genres. Since the late 1800s music has been a major influencing player in indoctrinating people. Music is an essential tool use in public discourse to promote, affirm and subvert political hegemonies. Musicians play a pivotal role in society of exposing the injustices perpetuated by governments and those in power. This research explores the role played by Zimdancehall music in the conscientisation of society about political injustices and questioning of government actions that harm citizens. An investigation of the recent rising trend of the Zimdancehall music genre speaking out on the socio-political injustices occurring in Zimbabwe is the basis of this research. A thorough analysis of the lyrics and literary devices, is used to identify the mention of socio-political chaos in Zimbabwe and its effect
An Ethnography of setapa music of the Basotho in the context of holoba pula rain making ceremony
No full textCultural erosion is a cause of concern in all community in Africa. It is on this regard that I took interest to research on the Basotho community in Kafusi village in Gwanda South rural areas in Matabeleland South in Zimbabwe. The research is entitled “An ethnography of setapa music of the Basotho in the context of holoba pula rain making ceremony.†It was conducted qualitatively with aid of research instruments such as interview guides and observation guide. These were explored since there is limited literature on the subject. The sample was chosen purposively since I had a knowhow of where to find people who are likely to bring rightful information. The research was based on the age of elders for authentic data and hence the elderly people who have knowledge about holoba pula in pre-colonial era were the ones interviewed. Also the Basotho traditional healers were some of informants; these were regarded as culture bearers who still practice the ceremony. Kraal heads and headman were part of the research project enhancing its progress. Snowballing really worked in the ongoing of research and widened the population sample. Participant observation was used in the field to get a thick description and get rid of informants who would be suspicious of the reason beyond research. The setapa dance is seldom practiced except for the local artists who perform it out of context. The instruments for ntenela are: the kudu horn, the drum and leg wrestles and the props are spears, knobkerries civet cat and the brown tail. With holoba pula the dance is solemn with three drums leg wrestles, the black bison tail the snuff and the ostrich feathered hat. The songs for holoba pula are for rituals the performance includes the dragging of feet as to show that it is more sacrilegious and the dance venerates spirit medium. Only women beyond menopause may take part in beer brewing. The attire for holoba pula cannot be performed out of context and songs are sung particularly during rainy season only. Setapa music in the context of rain making is seldom practiced in its purity as it used to be. There is solid evidence found during the field that the terminology in the ceremony that precedes holoba pula known as ntenela ceremony was once called motlholo in pre-colonial era now the new coinage might be a result of modernization and hybridization of Shona Venda, Kalanga Sotho and Ndebele. Villagers are concerned about eroding culture saying that Christians no longer want to offer sorghum associating the act as evil. While on the other hand the ceremony is not perfected since people use transport to visit Njelele. Detergents are now used. All the cultural traits which are slowly dying out were stimuli for me to carry such a study
An investigation into the challenges faced by those infected with HIV at birth, the support systems available to them and their effectiveness: case study Mashonaland West province.
No full textChildren born with HIV survive with the pain and fears that come with it. They face many challenges some of which may even be life threatening. This therefore, requires them to have a clear understanding of their status and an effective and reliable support system so that they can effectively deal with these challenges. Mashonaland West Province is one of the Provinces with the highest HIV prevalence, prostitution, early marriages and pregnancies, hence this research intends to better help the community and the nation as a whole, better deal with this predicament. An inquiry was made on the HIV perinatals understanding of their status and the ART regimen, the challenges they face, the support systems available to them and their efficiency. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used to collect data from nurses, HIV infected perinatals and guardians. Results showed that the challenges they are facing include stigma, disclosure, poverty, sex and reproductive issues, feelings of resentment, lack inefficient support system and access to ARVs. Identified support systems were local support groups, information walls, ART regimen, hospital counselling services, churches and the family institution. All these support systems were not given a total thumps up by the very people they are mostly designed for. Therefore, among other recommendations, the government and NGO’s should erect a suitable and reliable support system and also expand services of Africaid Zvandiri Adolescent Support Group across the nation. Lastly, the media and publishing companies should create a platform for the HIV perinatals to share, learn, have fun and address their concerns
Design of an Automated Powered Peanut Shelling Machine.
No full textGroundnut is predominantly grown by communal farmers in Zimbabwe. The price of shelled kernel is approximately double that of pod. Hand shelling of peanuts is a time consuming and laborious process which is mostly used in the remote areas in Zimbabwe. Manual shelling of peanuts using “Manual Sheller’s†has been adopted to reduce the time invested in hand shelling. These machines have high defective rates of almost 50% which reduce the overall gain achieved by the farmer after harvesting. As a result, the need has risen to design an automated powered peanut Sheller machine automated using a Program Logic Controller and having a servomotor as its actuator to solve the high labour, huge amounts of time lost through shelling and the low efficiency of previous Sheller designs. First hand results were obtained in this project by determining the crushing force required to shell peanuts at approximately 10% moisture content. Regression models were then used to standardise these results to enhance accuracy. Shelling throughput, automatic gap adjustment, shelling efficiency, mechanical damage are some of the parameters used to determine the overall performance of the peanut Sheller. However exhaustive research on peanut engineering properties has to be done in future to lay out a foundation for improved future designs. On an overall note, this project includes the design and assembling of different components to come up with an environmentally friendly machine that meets the set objectives
Response of alectra vogelii benth to different crop root exudates
No full textAims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of root exudates from cowpea, groundnut, maize, sorghum and pearl millet genotypes on the germination and attachment of Alectra vogelii. It also aimed to identify functional groups in the powdered root samples that stimulate A. vogelli germination.
Study Design: In the laboratory, a Complete Randomised Design (CRD) replicated six times with six treatments; cowpea (IT18, CBC2 and CBC3); groundnuts (Nyanda), maize (PAN 413), sorghum (Landrace) pearl millet (Landrace) and a negative control (distilled water) were used.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agronomy Laboratory, Midlands State University Gweru, Zimbabwe (19°25’S and 29°50’E), between March 2014 to May 2014.
Methodology: To assess the germination and attachment of A. vogelii seeds, three seeds from each genotype were placed on a moistened filter paper in a petri dish with 0,01 g of preconditioned A. vogelii seeds. Identification of functional groups from the powdered root samples of all the crop genotypes using the FT-IR spectroscopy was also done.
Results: Significant differences (P<.05) in the germination of A. vogelii were observed among the crop genotypes. All Cowpea genotypes and groundnut showed no statistical differences and had the highest germination percentages ranging between 72%-80%. The pearl millet landrace (62%) and groundnut (72%) also showed no statistical differences. Sorghum and maize allowed for low germination percentages (29.6% and 24.5%, respectively) Significant differences were noted among attachment counts (P<.05), however, with no statistical differences noted among the three cowpea varieties, which had the highest counts recorded on attachments (123-139 attachments). Significantly low counts on attachment were recorded in groundnut and all the cereals, ranging between 9-15 counts. The FT-IR spectra obtained from the root samples showed differences and similarities as revealed by the peaks (groundnut, CBC2 and PAN 413 - 8 peaks; IT 18, CBC3 and sorghum – 7 peaks; pearl Millet – 5 peaks).
Conclusion: Groundnut and pearl millet genotypes caused effective suicidal germination of A. vogelii seeds and therefore can be used as trap crops in Integrated Weed Management Program. Maize and sorghum did not effectively support germination or attachment. Use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the strigolactones in each genotype is highly recommended
An investigation into the impact of the legal abolition of corporal punishment on the teaching and learning environment in secondary schools: a case of three schools in Marondera urban district.
No full textRecently, corporal punishment has been legally abolished in Zimbabwean schools as well as in other various countries surrounding the world. This is in keeping with the international inclinations of being on familiar terms with the rights of the child specified in the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the Zimbabwean constitution at large. There are laws and regulations in Zimbabwean schools that forbid teachers from administering corporal punishment to learners. However, despite this move to legally abolish corporal punishment in schools, the media and limited research indicates that corporal punishment is still being used as a disciplinary method in Zimbabwean schools. Matope and Mugodzwa (2011) suggest that corporal punishment is still prevalent in Zimbabwean schools. In light of the above, this research was conducted to explore impact of the legal abolition of corporal punishment on the teaching and learning environment in secondary schools. The descriptive survey design was employed in the study and the sample was made up of 3 school heads, 3 heads of the guidance and counseling department, 6 guidance and counseling teachers and 75 ordinary level pupils. These were selected using convenient sampling, purposive sampling, simple random sampling and stratified random sampling. Of the eight schools in the Marondera urban district, 3 made up the sample and were conveniently selected. Personally distributed questionnaires, personal interviews and document analysis schedule were the instruments used to collect data. The gathered data was presented using graphs, pie charts and frequency tables. Comparative and thematic analysis of data followed the data presentation. The study found out that the legal abolition of corporal punishment in secondary schools pose a threat to the teaching and learning environment. Both teachers and pupils are not in agreement with the decision that was taken by the Zimbabwean government to legally abolish corporal punishment in schools. They attribute the lack of discipline amongst learners in secondary schools to this decision. As such the study recommends that teachers and pupils be made aware of the evils of corporal punishment. The study also recommends that pupils be made aware of the legal abolition of corporal punishment. The Ministry of primary and secondary education should come out with effective strategies, educate teachers on these strategies and make follow ups to ensure that school heads and teachers adopt a democratic and professional conduct in their interaction with students
Motivations for remitting behaviour of Zimbabwean migrants in Johannesburg
No full textA Publication by Prof Chipo Hungwe, Executive Dean of Faculty of Social Social Sciences, Midlands State University,This paper explains the reasons, frequency, mode and factors affecting remitting behaviour of Zimbabwean migrants in Johannesburg. The paper is based on a study carried out in 2012 in two geographical areas of Johannesburg, Kempton Park and Tembisa. It argues that remitting behaviour is based on economic and social calculations made by migrants in terms of how they want to continue being involved in the affairs of their families in Zimbabwe and their own individual evaluations of what the future holds. It is also management of risk in the sense that migrants will remit more if they think their future in South Africa is not guaranteed. The economic circumstances definitely affect how frequent and how much one remits to their family. Remitting behaviour must be seen as a fully rational way of balancing levels of involvement in the two countries. It is also a way of assuring family members that the migrant has not yet become umadliwa. This paper reveals that remitting behaviour is related to the type of job a migrant has; which in turn is affected
by the type of social capital directly available to a migrant. Low status jobs affect the frequency and level of remittances
An assessment of the girl child participation in science subjects at advanced level with the introduction of the stem initiative: a case study of Glen View suburb schools.
No full textThe development discourse has proved beyond doubt that there is no development that we can talk about if it is still discriminating or marginalizing some groups of the society especially women and the girl child. Because of this, this document seeks to assess and analyze the extent to which the girl child is participating in science subjects at advanced level in Zimbabwe concentrating on the period starting 2016 when the STEM Initiative was introduced as a measure to promote a science-based economy and industrialization. It looks into similar situations from other nations that have also implemented the STEM Initiative, and make comparisons and distinctions from them. Case studies of Glen View 1 High and Glen View 2 High Schools from Glen View-Mufakose District of Harare Metropolitan Province were used in the research. Data was collected, Causes of the disparities were uncovered through interviews, questionnaires and observations and at the end conclusions and recommendations were made. This was all done in a bid to try and expose barriers to complete girl child emancipation through science education as well as to put forward measures that will help to encourage them to participate in science subjects, a step towards gender equality and national development inclusive of the girl-child
The impact of mobile banking adoption on financial performance: a case of Central Africa Building Society (CABS).
No full textThe purpose of the research was to investigate the impact of mobile banking on financial performance, using CABS a case. The research was mainly aimed at assessing the relationship between mobile banking and financial performance, identifying the risks associated with mobile banking, establishing the critical internal and external factors for successful mobile banking, identifying performance benefits and ways in which mobile banking has contributed to the overall performance of CABS. The study used a descriptive research design and data was presented using tables, graphs and charts. A sample of 28 participants was drawn out of a target population of 40 participants from finance, internal audit and electronic banking departments at CABS. It was found out that mobile banking, adoption affects financial performance positively and that the risks that affect mobile banking the most are fraud and money laundering. The study recommended for CABS to increase their investment in mobile banking. CABS should make a more active effort to educate its clients about the benefits of mobile banking and hence the stand to benefit much more from the adoption of mobile banking
Cultural interfaces and collisions: the influence of western cinema on Zimbabwean youth culture.
No full textTV has been considered as powerful on its watchers particularly on their behavioural limit and their social values. The review looked at the impact of western film on Zimbabwean adolescents. The review was tied down on the cultivation theory which takes a glimpse at the impacts of TV on the estimations of its group of onlookers. The second hypothesis which was utilized is cultural imperialism theory which demonstrates that overwhelming western media substance force their social values on underdeveloped nations. Using qualitative research design, the questionnaire as an instrument, 50 students from MSU Zvishavane campus responded .10 students were also interviewed and the researcher made some observations. Results publicised that western cinema prejudiced the dress sense, sexual orientation and beliefs of youths amongst others. As an outcome of watching western television programs youths now imitate foreign ways of living. The researcher settled that normally adolescences have a destructive attitude towards their country and the culture which comes with it. It was recommended that product producers should be more original in the production of local programs, parents should supervise their children on the type of media they watch and also teenage pregnancies should be presented as having dreadful negative effects