National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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Decentralized domestic wastewater systems in developing countries: The case study of Harare (Zimbabwe)
No full textUntil recently there has been little, if any,
concern over revamping let alone improving wastewater
management system in Zimbabwe’s urban areas given the
dominance and institutionalised water-borne system. Yet,
the current constraints in this system and the immensity of
urbanisation in the country begs and compels planners,
engineers and systems thinkers to rethink what best can
work as a sustainable wastewater system. With particular
reference to the ever-expanding Harare metropolitan
region, this article provides an evaluative analysis on the
potentiality, risks and strategies that can be adopted by
Harare and its satellites in addressing the problems of the
conventional wastewater management system. The suggested
framework of operation is a decentralised domestic
wastewater collection and treatment system which however
has its own multifarious risks. Using systems dynamics
conceptualisation of the potentiality, opportunities, risks
and strategies, the paper seeks to model the path and outcomes
of this decentralised domestic wastewater collection
and treatment system and also suggests a number of policy
measures and strategies that the city of Harare and its
satellites can adopt
Speciation and persistence of tetracycline antibiotics in the aquatic environment: Characterization in terms of a linear rate model
No full textThe present work aimed at studying the degradation of tetracycline antibiotics in the aquatic environment with a view of arriving at a linear rate model taking into account microbial, photolytic and hydrolytic degradation, as well as adsorption/desorption equilibria. The degradation of the antibiotics was monitored both in river water and sediment of the aquatic microcosm experiments, as well as in control experiments consisting of distilled water over a period of 90 days. Ultrasonic assisted dispersive solid phase extraction was used to extract the antibiotics from water and sediment samples. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to a variable ultra violet detector was used to determine the changes in concentration of antibiotics over the period of 90 days. An initial loss of up to 35% at most, due to adsorption by the sediment was observed in the microcosm experiments soon after charging. Triphasic linear rates attributed to microbial degradation of free and sediment or colloidal particle 1 and 2 adsorbed antibiotic for both water phase and sediment phase of the aquatic microcosm experiments were observed for oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and tetracycline, while biphasic kinetics attributed to degradation of free, colloidal or sediment particle bound antibiotic were observed for doxycycline. The initial rates of degradation ranged from 1.35 - 3.07 x 10-2 μg/g/day (water phase), and 7.90 x 10-3 to 4.79 x 10-2 μg/g/day (sediment phase). Oxytetracycline exhibited the highest rate of degradation while that for tetracycline was the least. The covered distilled water control experiments for all the antibiotics showed a biphasic degradation pattern attributed to hydrolysis ranging from 2 x 10-6 to 5 x 10-4μg/g/day and microbial degradation ranging from 1.8 - 2.7 x 10-3 μg/g/day. In the distilled water exposed to natural light experiments, monophasic degradation (6.9 x 10-3μg/g/day) was observed for oxytetracycline, while biphasic degradation was observed for the other antibiotics. Addition of nitrates increased slightly the initial degradation rates for the light exposed distilled water experiments while the rates increased significantly in the microcosm experiments. The slight increase observed in the control experiments consisting of distilled water is attributed to photosensitization by the nitrate ions, which form hydroxyl radicals that further degrade the antibiotics while the huge increase in the microcosm experiments is attributed to increased population of microorganisms, due to availability of nutrients (added nitrates). The addition of nitrates did not affect the subsequent slow degradation rates. This is because the degradation rates depend on the rate of desorption of the antibiotic from colloidal and sediment particle surfaces. A kinetic model taking into account hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial degradation, as well as adsorption/ desorption equilibrium is presented to explain the observed zero order kinetics in the present study
Assessment of the impacts of artisanal small scale gold mining on environmental governance within the Mazowe catchment
No full textThis study focused on assessing the impacts of artisanal small-scale gold activities on the environmental governance of the Mazowe catchment. A representative sample of 32 respondents was selected from three sites with the Upper Mazowe sub-catchment. To gain further perspectives into the environmental conflicts occurring within the Mazowe catchment, 6 key informant interviews and 3 focus group discussions were conducted. The findings from the research showed that artisanal gold mining has surpassed agriculture as the main livelihood activity, providing income for both men and women. Due to the success of artisanal gold mining in the area, environmental conflicts among different users within the catchment became inevitable, with the conflicts based on the usage of land and water resources. Most of the conflicts occurred between artisanal gold miners and regulatory authorities due to the illegal status of artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe and the need for the regulatory authorities to maintain the integrity of the environment while attempting to eliminate artisanal gold mining activities. The conflicts within the Mazowe Catchment were reflective of how environmental governance is being implemented in the area. The study recommends that the government recognize artisanal gold mining activities and to provide opportunities for artisanal miners that will formalize them as small-scale miners. Stakeholders should be funded to enable them to rehabilitate the environment as well as to engage with artisanal small-scale gold miners so as to minimize environmental conflicts and to impose good environmental governance within the area
An assessment on the role of cost and management innovations in creating and sustaining competitive advantage: case of Jet Stores
No full textThis research sought to investigate the Effectiveness of the role of cost and management innovations in creating and sustaining competitive advantage: Case of Jet Stores ’’.
. The study was carried out as a result of the noted persistent loss of business to competitors and inability to fulfill the company’s growth strategy during the period of 2011 to 2014. The research covered a body of literature for a further exhaustive knowledge of cost and management accounting techniques that an entity may adopt to achieve competitiveness and improve performance. A population of 24 respondents to gather relevant information was adopted at Jet. Descriptive research methods were adopted during the study where questionnaires (92% successful and 8% unsuccessful) and personal interviews (80% successful and 20% unsuccessful) were used for gathering data.
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that Jet applies management accounting practices which were conceptually effective but technically ineffective with the current position of the organization. The practices at Jet reflected problems in, lack of documented implementation guidelines, inadequacy of communication to staff, and lack of raw materials and working capital challenges are affecting the implementation of management accounting. The researcher recommended that there should be top management participation in project development, management should provide clearly defined guidelines for the implementation of management accounting and they should consider the adoption of other management accounting techniques like ABC and balanced scorecard
Seasonality and Households Livelihoods in Umguza District: a Case of Ward 12.
No full textSeasonality is one if the chief livelihood constraints in agro-based newly resettled areas of Zimbabwe that bears serious problems on poor households. This study dwells on finding out the seasonality induced challenges that are faced by households in newly resettled areas of Zimbabwe
particularly in ward 12 of Umguza District. Opportunities, adaptation strategies and constraining factors in the study area are also part of this research. This study will also dwell on the background of the newly resettled areas of Zimbabwe that significantly denies the opportunities for households’ livelihoods diversifications and adaptation to seasonal trends and shocks. The study
reveals that households are hit hard by seasonality because of poor infrastructure development and livelihoods support in agro based areas of Zimbabwe. A significant finding of the study area is that the majority of those who got land were the land hungry poverty stricken households who fail to develop themselves and become self-reliant in an underdeveloped rural area. Existing research shows that rain fed agriculture is a seasonality sensitive livelihood strategy which is responsible for improving the standard of living of newly resettled households of Zimbabwe and save the purpose of enabling households to deal with their economic challenges that they face. This research tries to significantly meet its objectives through a qualitative research method. The study objectives dwells on finding the implications of seasonality induced challenges faced by households, the factors constraining livelihood adaptation and diversification, taking into consideration the opportunities and strategies perused by households to cope with seasonal variability and shocks. It emanates on this study that seasonality poses a significant threat to households’ food security, health, income, market, infrastructure and education. The recommendations also invite the government and other stakeholders to assist the community with educative projects, infrastructure development projects, financial support and reach the poor families who constitute the most vulnerable households to seasonality
The Outcomes Evaluation Of the Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health Program at Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Matabeleland North
No full textZimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) implemented the Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health Programme (ARSH) in all its provinces. The programme is to enable young people to have access to comprehensive range of quality Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services and to make informed and responsible decisions about their SRH, reducing their risk of HIV infection and be supported appropriately by their communities, development partners and other relevant stakeholders. This programme was implemented and operated within the Zimbabwe National ASRH strategy, 2010-2015, ZINASP II and the broader goals of ZNFPC strategy. To date various funding partners have made efforts to strengthen the ARSH program. ZNFPC have received funding from International Parenthood Federation (IPPF), National AIDS Council (NAC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
The program used the 3 approaches to address the needs of the adolescents and youth. These are i.) Youth Centre approach ii.) The health facility based i.e. the youth friendly corners at health institutions and iii.) The school-based approaches through the HIV clubs, guidance and counseling and peer education, edutainment, awareness raising activities, and social responsibility activities. Using the 3 approaches ZNFPC sought to reach out to the youth that are both in and out of school. With these activities the programme sought to improve and increase knowledge and skills on safe sexual and reproductive health practices amongst young people.
Therefore the purpose and scope of this evaluation are to measure the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the ZNFPC’s adolescents sexual Reproductive Health Program to meeting the needs of the young people aged between 10-24-year-old in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North province. Specifically its main objectives were to determine whether exposure to the ZNFPC ARSH comprehensive, integrated program resulted in improved ASRH knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among young people aged between 10-24 years in the 2 provinces. This was done in order to facilitate an understanding and broader appreciation amongst the stakeholders of the extent to which the envisioned change(s) was achieved during the project’s implementation
and in the period immediately after and also to make recommendations for improving the programme. The evaluation focused on young people’s exposure to 6 program components of the program namely (i) Youth Friendly Clinical Services, (ii) Peer education and (iii) life livelihood skills training, (iv.) information education and communication services and (v) institutional capacity building (vi.) distribution and advocating for condom use.
The programme was therefore evaluated against the five OECD/DAC evaluation guidelines of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Outcome and Impact and Sustainability. Triangulation Methods were adopted for this evaluation and the findings
An Examination of the Socio-Economic Effects of Early Child Marriage on the Well-Being of Children in Ward 35 of Chisamba Village Dora, Mutare.
No full textEarly child marriage is a social vice that has cut across childhood and compromised fundaments rights in many societies. Early child marriage effects, translate to economic stress due to loss of access to education, lack of access to health care, lack of job opportunities, social stratification, low self-esteem, isolation and discrimination which all emphasize gendered poverty. The study derives from the fact that children are different from adults, are in need of particular concern, education and health care and that people within this category are not suitable for marriage. The study thus focused primarily on finding the socio-economic impact of early child marriage and challenges that the marriage bears on children on a daily basis. The research further aimed at producing an updated central to Manicaland study recommendations to curb challenges faced by young children who are married, critically analysing formerly generalized solutions when the setting of the unit of analysis is geographical, socially, politically and economically alien to the Zimbabwean situation. The study employed an explorative research design, quantitative and qualitative research approaches to this effect. The researcher further used purposive sampling to select respondents based on the knowledge of early child marriage. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a socio-economic scale were tools used to solicit information from respondents in Dora ward 35 of Chisamba village. In line with the research objectives, the research findings revealed that early child marriage is driven by factors such as personal willingness/voluntary early child marriage, physical maturity, socialization of the girl child and cultural beliefs. The findings further revealed that early child marriage effects cause a cycle of occurrences and are vastly perpetuated by socio-economic effects. Ultimately, the single effort of the law cannot curb early child marriage. The study thus made significant recommendations to the Government, child protection urgencies, Dora community leaders, members, and policy makers
AN ASSESSMENT OF STREET VENDORS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE RISKY HEALTH BEHAVIOUR OF CHILDREN LIVING AND OR WORKING ON THE STREETS: A CASE STUDY OF THE HARARE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE.
Get PDFDriven by the lack of studies specific to Zimbabwe on street children’ s risky health behaviour, the
study assessed street vendors’ perceptions towards the risky health behaviour of children living and
or working on the streets (CLWS) in the Harare Central Business District. To achieve this aim, the
study was guided by general systems and social learning theories to critically assess views of street
vendors on the behaviour patterns exhibited by CLWS, investigated the views of street vendors on
the psychosocial wellbeing of CLWS and explored strategies for reducing the number of CLWS. 81
street vendors participated in the study which utilised mixed research methods. To collect data, the
researcher administered multiple response questionnaires, facilitated a focus group discussion and
sought expert knowledge from a key informant from a child welfare agency. Findings were analysed
using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) and themes identified through the survey
part of the study. The study established that CLWS practice risky health behaviours with a risk
taking component ranging from commercial sex work to intoxicating substance abuse. These risky
health behaviours are being purposively used by CLWS either as a source of income or for
recreation. CLWS have assimilated these behaviours through observational learning from street
peers and the behaviours are negatively affecting their psychosocial wellbeing. It was also
established that most of the available programmes for CLWS are either church or NGO run and are
being implemented in an ad hoc manner as the study revealed that Zimbabwe lacks a unified
approach in assisting street children. The study therefore gave recommendations to assist in
addressing the street child trend such as encouraging and supporting the extended family system
which traditionally was an effective safety net for vulnerable children
Annals of Social and Behavioural Sciences
No full texthis special issue of Annals of Social and Behavioral Sciences containsseven articles. These articles focus on diverse issues concerning biodiversity and wildlife conservation of the Z i m b a b w e a n savanna ecosystem. Biodiversity i s important to human livelihoods (Persha et al., 2011), and in particular, protected areas play an important role in conserving such biodiversity and also sustaining livelihoods (Olff et al., 2002, NaughtonTreves et al., 2005), especially in tropical savanna ecosystems. Although savanna ecosystems harbor high diversity of large mammals (Prins and Olff, 1998, Du Toit and Cumming, 1999), there are increasing pressures, e.g., illegal resource harvesting, climate change, and habitat encroachment on these ecosystems which have implications on biodiversity conservation. The articles in this special issue bring together original research findings on behavioural animal ecology, human-wildlife interactions, conservation relationships, remote sensing applications in biodiversity conservation and resource utilisation. The studies reported were conducted by researchers from Zimbabwe and South Africa. Below are the brief accounts of articles in the current issue. The article by Kupika et al. assesses livestock depredation by large carnivores using a mixed- methods approach of rural communities in resettlement areas adjacent to hunting areas. This study highlights the importance of barriers (e.g., fences) in managing large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes as a way of mitigating human-carnivore conflicts. Mabika et al. presents a detailed analysis of elephant trophy quality trends in a hunting area. This study provides important findings which have implications for the adaptive management systems for elephant utilisation and conservation at the ecosystem level and beyond. Muboko et al. documents the extent and nature of human-elephant (Loxodonta africana) interactions in rural communities living adjacent to a large protected area. This study shows the importance of integrated land-use planning as a way of ensuring harmonious human and elephant co-
xistence in human-dominated ecosystems. Muposhi et al. assesses the vigilance of a large herbivore species in an urban protected area using systematic scan sampling approach. The study shows the differential influence of human presence on animal behaviour related to animal herd composition.,Chinhoyi University of Technolog
Nationalistic historiography or patriotic history? A Look at the discourses of Chronicles from the second Chimurenga: a Sunday Mail Column.
No full textThe study set out to explore the discourses in the column Chronicles from the Second Chimurenga in The Sunday Mail .The intention was to find out if it is nationalistic historiography or patriotic history or both histories being propagated on the Column Chronicles from the Second Chimurenga .The theoretical framework of the study is informed by the framing theory and concepts of nationalistic historiography and patriotic history .Methodologically the study is grounded in the qualitative research approach .Archival research was used to gather data from the Sunday Mails online archives .critical discourse analysis and qualitative content analysis was employed to analyse the data .The study found out that the Column Chronicles from the Second Chimurenga is propagating patriotic history as evidenced by the one sided narrative which is always in favour of the ruling party .The column does not give a voice to other parties that also played a role in the liberation of this country but are considered as hostile to ZANU PF