National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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The survival of the Varemba cultural practices in Zvishavane district-Zimbabwe (1890-2016)
No full textThe study‘s main aim is to demonstrate how the Varemba people preserved their cultural activities and to unpack the reasons behind the survival of the Varemba cultural practices in Zvishavane district. The Varemba ethnic group is a distinct group in Zvishavane, this is due to their unique way of life, their cultural practices includes Komba initiation rite, Murundu, virginity testing, testing for fertility, Female genital Mutilation (FGM), Child marriages, and inheritance. Komba is an initiation school for girls and Murundu is a school for boys and the Varemba people always attends these initiations and they serve to pass their tradition from one generation to the other, thus the survival of the Varemba cultural practices in Zvishavane district. Varemba culture survives due to the fact that it had been hidden in secrecy; therefore it has not been pervaded. There are various reasons for the survival of Varemba cultural practices and these include formation of alliances with emergent powers, acquiring higher post in their communities for instance becoming the Members of Parliament in the Varemba ethnic group and creation of their dynasties such as the Mposi dynasty. Many tribes’ cultural practices were washed away by colonialism but for the Varemba this was not the case due to various factors such as geographical location, the observance of strict endogamous way of life and the nature of the Varemba cultural practices. The Varemba ethnic groups make use of their medical knowledge to earn respect from other tribes and they managed to influence other groups to adopt their own religious practices and this preserved the Varemba cultural practices. There is lot of criticisms which were put forward by many local and international organizations concerning the Varemba cultural practices but it did not whip away their cultural practices. Thus, the survival of the Varemba cultural activities due to the fact that all the police which were introduced was not efficient
Evaluating the effects of chemical ripening with fluazifop-p-butyl on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) yield and sugar content
No full textRipening in sugarcane refers to an increase in sugar content on a fresh weight basis prior to commercial harvesting. Ripening is often prompted by use of chemicals and environmental cues such as moisture stress. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of Fluazifop- pbutyl, a chemical ripener on sugarcane yield and sugar content. The experiment was laid out as a Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. Treatments were: Fluazifop- p- butyl (0.45 lha-1), drying off, Fluazifop- p- butyl (0.45 lha-1) + drying off and the control (no Dry off, no Fluazifop- p- butyl). The experiment was carried out at Triangle Estate which is located in the South East Lowveld of Zimbabwe from March 2012 to May 2012. Data on sugarcane yield, sugar quality (Pol % and ERC %) and sugar yield was collected 56 days after establishment of the experiment. Analysis of variance was done on yield and quality data using Genstat 14th edition. Results showed that there were significant differences (P = 0.05) among treatments on sugarcane yield, sugar yield, Pol% and ERC%. The sugarcane yield was highest for the control where no ripener was used.
Fluazifop- p- butyl treatment attained 13.9% lower sugarcane yield relative to the control. Application of Fluazifop- p- butyl resulted in the highest sugar yield which was 35.6% higher than that of the control where no ripener was used. A combination of Fluazifop- p- butyl and Dry of resulted in the highest Pol % and highest ERC %. It can be concluded that Fluazifop- p- butyl is effective in increasing sugar yield although it results in a reduction in sugarcane yield. Combining Fluazifop- p- butyl with Dry off results in increased Pol% and ERC%. There is need for further studies to determine the optimum period from spraying Fluazifop- p-butyl to harvesting of sugarcane as this was only done at the end of the drying-off period
A reflection on agricultural land tax in Zimbabwe: paper presented at a conference held on the 14th-16th July 2015, Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Fallls, Zimbabwe
No full textTheme:1st International Research Conference On Driving Socio-Economic Development Through Value Addition And Sustainable Use Of Resources. Sub Theme: Water resources management, climate change, food security and sustainable development,The Government of Zimbabwe seeks to introduce land rentals to all land reform beneficiaries to raise revenue to compensate white former farmers and raise funds for periodic land audits among other reasons. Nonetheless, this is met with mixed feelings and hence, this paper affirms that there is a knowledge gap between policymakers and the public regarding land taxation. The purpose of this paper is to provide enlightenment on why land rentals maybe the best choice for Zimbabwe considering fiscal stress, limitations in financing options for public expenditure and shrinking tax bases. The methodology follows an extended literature review from which lessons are drawn and applied to Zimbabwe. By evaluating land taxation against the postulations of theory and empirical evidence, it emerges that land rent is the best option that government has in order to meet objectives and belligerence to it may abate efforts towards sustainable development. Altruism from policy makers and the general public is critical in bearing the costs of adjustments. An independent commission may implement and administrate land tax and supporting programmes to balance the trade-off of gains to government and the public. Publicity on internet forums may aid to increase transparency and accountability
Trade and growth nexus in Zimbabwe: quantifying the economic implications of joining the Tripartite Free Trade Area: paper presented at the Midlands State University and University of Venda conference on Economic Integration, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development held at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe on the 14th-16th October, 2015
No full textZimbabwe, just like many other developing countries, engages and participates in various regional trade arrangements (RTAs) as one building block in a key strategy towards trade-led growth. This paper sought to analyse the medium to long-range implications of Zimbabwe joining the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) from that perspective. The empirical evidence shows that a more open trade regime under the TFTA contributes more to the country’s aggregate economic growth than under the SADC and COMESA FTAs only. However, the study also notes that the level of protectionism towards third parties in the country is still very high and exceptions to free trade with regional trade partners are frequent. Moreover, joining a FTA is not an end in itself. In order to enjoy and exploit the full benefits from its regional integration efforts, Zimbabwe needs to fully utilize its existing trading arrangements under the SADC and COMESA agreement
Is dollarization an answer to economic crisis: evidence from Zimbabwe
No full textThis study seeks to establish the role of dollarization as a stabilisation policy in response to economic crises. Using an autoregressive distributed lag model, with data spanning the period 1980 through 2012, findings suggest that dollarization can be used as alternative monetary arrangement for economic stabilization. The results of the study indicate that the mean GDP per capita in the dollarized era is on a high side as compared to the non-dollarized period. More so, past growth contributes positively and significantly to growth in an economy and the contribution declines with space
Optimization of non revenue water management for Livingstone Town-Zambia: A case study of Lizuma Ward.
No full textLivingstone Town has a water supply service coverage of 81% and has been experiencing a high Non-Revenue Water(NRW) which stands at 43%compared to the recommended value of 23% suggested for developing countries. The high NRW poses a threat to the sustainability of service provision as more resources are used compared to the revenue generated.Despite the town having a water audit team in place, high non-revenue water is still a challenge. It is from this background that a study was carried out in Livingstone Town in the periodfrom December 2015 to March 2016. The objective was to determine the trends of NRW from 2008 to 2015, establish factors contributing to NRW and estimate real losses using a hydraulic model (EPANET).The study focused on Lizuma Ward. Historical data maintained by the water utility on volume of water supplied and billed from 2008 to 2015 was analysed to determine the NRW trends for Livingstone Town.Determination of billing and meter errors was done through an independent meter reading exercise and meter testing respectively in Lizuma Ward. The results showed that yearly minimum and maximum NRW for Livingstone Town from 2008 to 2015 was 43% and 49% respectively with an average of 45%. The minimum and maximum NRW for Lizuma Ward was 62 % and 68% respectively with an average of 65% of which 85%were real losses and 15 % were apparent losses.Statistical analysis performed on the NRW for the eight year period gave a coefficient of variation of 0.04 which showed low variability of NRW from year to year.The Mann-Kendall trend tests indicated that there was no distinctive trend observed for NRW during the period under investigation as the computed p-value (0.898) was greater than significant level (0.05). The study also established that apparent losses included under billing (18 %), over registering of meters by 3.1 % and unauthorized consumption (85.1 %). Unauthorized consumption was deduced from total apparent losses, billing and meter errors. The accuracy ofEPANET for estimating real losses was determined by performing a t-test on simulated and measured inflow to the ward. The test gave a p-value of 0.852 suggesting that there was no significant difference in the means. The t-tests was also performed on the simulated and measured pressure on five different location in Lizuma Ward distribution network which gave p-values of 0.842, 0.18, 0.131, 0.247 and 0.66 which were higher than significant level (0.05). Therefore there was no difference in the means of simulated and measured pressure hence suggesting that EPANET could be used to estimate real losses. The study concluded that there was no distinctive pattern observed for NRW trend.The main contributing factor to NRW were the real losses (85 %) while the unauthorized consumption (85%) was the major contributing factor to apparent water losses. EPANET can be used to estimate real losses. The study recommends that Southern Water and Sewerage Companyshould consider using EPANET in estimating the real losses, replace old pipes and water audit team should investigate unauthorized consumption.,WaterNe
The Impact of Climate Change on Agro-Ecological Based Livelihoods in Africa: A Review
No full textSeveral local studies have been carried out on the impact of climate change on livelihoods and development especially in developing countries. However, there is a general scarcity of literature that makes a comparative appraisal of the impacts of climate change on agro-ecological based livelihoods across the African continent. This paper seeks to address that gap by making a comparative analysis of the effects of climate change on agro-based livelihoods across the African continent, focusing on Eastern, Western, Southern Africa and the Sahel region. A cross continental perspective on this issue is important in informing current global climate change negotiations and response strategies both at global level and national levels. While some studies have been conducted at individual country levels about the projected and recorded impacts of climate change, there remains a dearth of literature that reviews and consolidates these findings to give an overall holistic picture about continental and sub-continental impacts in Africa especially as relating to local agro and ecological based livelihoods. This study finds out that the impact of climate change is invariably negative across the whole of Africa as it leads to failing agricultural yields and a reduction of bio-diversity. The paper recommends an intensification for the support of livelihood diversification strategies in rural development planning. It further recommends policy strategies that particularly targets the poor and vulnerable communities whose livelihoods hinge on agriculture and natural ecosystems as these will suffer the most from the impact of climate change
Adaptation to climate change and promotion of environmental sustainability in Zimbabwe’s semi-arid areas: the case of Ngundu ward in Chivi: paper presented at a conference held on the 14th-16th July 2015, Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Fallls, Zimbabwe
No full textTheme: 1st International Research Conference On Driving Socio-Economic Development Through Value Addition And Sustainable Use Of Resources,Promotion of environmental sustainability is a vital way in safeguarding resources across the globe .All human survival and well-being depend upon natural resources which are a source of livelihood for everyone. Yet in recent decades the resource base in many countries has diminished due to such issues as deforestation, desertification and climate change. The loss of resources is a global challenge, especially for the world’s poor, who largely depend on resources for food, clean water and shelter. While this paper acknowledges that promotion of environmental sustainability is a prerequisite if development is to be realized, it argues that, climate chnage can be a major hindrance to the achievement of such development. In this regard, this paper examined ways of promoting environmental sustainability given the challenges posed by climate change in Ngundu ward of Chivi District within Masvingo Province. The study discovered that adaptation can play a significant role in promoting environmental sustainability. The study in many respects promotes adaptation measures at community level so as to achieve environmental sustainability. Adaptation involves adjustments to enhance the viability of social and economic activities by reducing vulnerability to climate change. It involves changing agricultural practices to suit current climate and weather patterns. Questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were the data sources implemented in this study. The study discovered that people in Ngundu ward have implemented adaptation measures like the practice of conservation agriculture, crop selection among others. These adaptation measures can ensure environmental sustainability and reduction of poverty and hunger
Genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area
No full textThe Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) is one of the last refuges for the endangered African wild dog and hosts roughly one-tenth of the global population. Wild dogs in this area are currently threatened by human encroachment, habitat fragmentation and scarcity of suitable connecting habitat between protected areas. We derived genetic data from mitochondrial and nuclear markers to test the following hypotheses: (i) demographic declines in wild dogs have caused a loss of genetic variation, and (ii) Zimbabwean and South African populations in the GLTFCA have diverged due to the effects of isolation and genetic drift. Genetic patterns among five populations, taken with comparisons to known information, illustrate that allelic richness and heterozygosity have been lost over time, presumably due to effects of inbreeding and genetic drift. Genetic structuring has occurred due to low dispersal rates, which was most apparent between Kruger National Park and the Zimbabwean Lowveld. Immediate strategies to improve gene flow should focus on increasing the quality of habitat corridors between reserves in the GLTFCA and securing higher wild dog survival rates in unprotected areas, with human-mediated translocation only undertaken as a last resort
Criminal Law Defences and the Right to Life in the New Constitution
No full textThis article explores the status of defences to criminal liability for causing the death of another person in the light of the nature of the right to life guarantee in section 48 of the 2013
Constitution