National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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What drives milex in Zimbabwe? A comparative study: Paper presented at ‘The Fourteenth Annual International Conference on Economics and Security at Izmir University of Economics, Turkey, on June 17-18, 2010.
No full textMost of the papers on the determinants of milex in Africa have taken a quantitative or econometric approach. Few have attempted a qualitative approach that investigates underlying motives for huge milex especially in Southern Africa. This study tests a model located within the public choice approach to economics using data drawn from interviews with key informants and documentary sources to derive salient determinants of milex in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The empirical findings suggest that Zimbabwe’s milex since 1980 has been influenced by internal political dynamics and to a lesser extend by economic factors. The most significant factors include regime security, elite corruption and liberation war hang-over and fear. In South Africa the milex level and composition are clearly formulated, transparent and are adhered to with respect to recurrent expenditures. However, recent military procurement history reveals increasing cabinet authoritarianism, a lack of transparency, significant opportunities for corruption and, arguably, inappropriate decisions
Climate change adaptability: the economic efficacy of investing in irrigation in Chivi Rural District, 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,In Zimbabwe, food insecurity is linked to factors ranging from climate-change, low capitalisation of the agriculture sectorand weak landholding rights. In the country,irrigation is generally regarded as a sustainable climate change adaptability strategy especially for semi-arid regions. While there is consensus on the notion that irrigation is the solution to social development ills at community level (World Bank 2008), there is no consensus on economic benefits of investing in small irrigation in dry areas. The study collected data from 30 farmers drawn from two communal irrigation schemes (CRD1 and CRD2) in Chivi District. Scheme CRD1 is located in an area that receives 400ml - 450mlof rainfall per year while CRD2 receives >300ml of rainfall per year. The District has a population of 166 049 people of which 111 944 are females (ZimStat 2012). The study established that farmers in the District know the effects of climate change on food security but they (farmers) differed on what causes climate change.This suggests that dealing with climate change requires a multi-faceted approach. By using the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and the Net Present Value (NPV) tests, the study established that irrigation has the highest economic return on investment made in CRD1 compared to the returns on investment in CRD2. The study concluded that irrigation does not always bring about positive economic returns on investment
An investigation into the funding gap on operations: a case study of African Sun limited.
No full textThis research was undertaken to investigate the impact of funding shortages on the operations using the case study of African Sun Ltd. The background to the study, research problems and objectives were identified which included the identification of possible sources of funding, determining the existence of a funding policy at African Sun Ltd and determining the best funding practices possible. Funding related literature was reviewed with major authors Dzirutwe (2015) asserting that the existence of stringent regulatory settings and tight policies in an economy, ministry or sector discourage the flow of funds especially through Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)and Garg (2014) arguing that it is a firm’s debt level and its creditworthiness that attract or discourage investors. The main sources of data used in the research were primary and secondary sources of data. One research design method was used which is the descriptive research design method. Questionnaires were administered to middle management and the finance department staff. Major findings showed that majority of the employees are not fully aware of the funding policy of African Sun and respondents asserted that the prevailing economic conditions have also been the major reason why the funding gap has widened overtime
Term creation : an analysis of the strategies used in some selected Shona specialised terms dictionaries
No full textThis study is in the area of terminology activities in Zimbabwe and it analyses the term creation used in the following selected specialised terms dictionaries: Duramazwi Reurapi Neutano (Dictionary of Biomedical Terms), Duramazwi Remimhanzi (Dictionary of Shona Musical Terms), and Duramazwi Redudziramutauro NeUvaranomwe (Dictionary of Shona Linguistic and Literature Terms). The study specifically analyses and explores how terminographers together with health, music, language and literature specialists made use of their term creation skills and strategies in the creation of new specialised terms for the field of music, health and linguistics. In addition, this research takes into account the impact of factors such as culture, socio- economic, etymological purity, attitudes of the target users, language policy, as well as availability of resources on term creation. Hence, term creation is an exercise that involves many aspects and interlinked factors. This research advances the argument that while some term creation strategies (compounding, coining and derivation) can be adequate and appropriate, however, at times; they are some which result in created terms that are rather cumbersome, vague, artificial, and difficult to master and remember. In addition, this study found out that some term creation strategies (semantic expansion and loan translations) are unproductive; that means they do not add any value on the Shona language vocabulary. Moreover, the borrowing term creation strategy was analysed on the basis of whether it is promoting and elevating the Shona language or is it undermining its value and vitality. This study emphasises the need for a collaborative approach to term creation, with terminologists, linguists, subject area specialists and target language users during the different phases of word formation processes for the collective ownership of the created term and their acceptability to the target users. This study highlights that, through good term creation strategies the Shona Language can significantly contribute to the promotion and development of Shona language in Zimbabwe. Overally, the research yields a substantial amount of information in the terminological formation processes as well as the identification of factors that can be used to improve term creation strategies in order to develop indigenous languages for use in all spheres of life. The major contribution of this study is the identification and highlighting of the major strength and weaknesses of term creation strategies as a way of developing indigenous languages. The useful findings in this study will benefit the indigenous language development and language policy planners and terminologists in Zimbabwe and other African languages in similar situations. The significant amount of information about term creation that was used in the analysis of term creation in the three dictionaries was solicited from questionnaires and interviews that were carried out with linguists, the specialised dictionary compilers, music students, medical students and high school students doing Shona language and literature subject in Zimbabwe. More information on the term creation was done through content analysis of the three specialised dictionaries and the present researcher’s own experiences as a former Shona high school teacher, linguist and above all as a Shona language speaker
Exploring performances versus reality in “reality†shows. In Big Brother Mzansi double trouble 2015.
No full textThe research explores the performances versus reality in “reality†the reality television show Big Brother Mzansi double trouble 2015. The research sought to explore whether what is termed reality is indeed ‘real’ or is a combination of performances by the housemates. The research deploys theories of framing and realism to ascertain the extent to which the show was a depiction of ‘reality’ or simply conformed to predetermined frames constructed by Endemol, the producers of the show. The research employed archival research to collect data. The archive was constituted of episodes of the show downloaded from YouTube. The study employed qualitative methodology designed as a case study in attempt to answer the question why and what aspects of Big Brother Mzansi double trouble 2015 constitute reality and performances. In the analysis of the data semiotics and hermeneutics of interpretation were used. The study found out that what we term “reality†is not in actual fact real as there are many factors such as house rules and cinematographic decisions that distort reality hence at the end of the day describing the show as reality becomes a misnomer. In such a scenario the researcher found out that realities have never been real
An analysis of the impacts of prepaid water meters in three towns in Namibia.
No full textNamibia’s climate is hot and dry with erratic rainfall.Groundwateristhe main source of water. Namibian municipalities are responsible for drinking water delivery in urban areas. They buy bulk water from the national water utility (NamWater) and many face challenges in paying for the water. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of prepaid water metering systems in three selected towns (Karibib, Swakopmund and Usakos). The specific objectives were to investigate the drivers for the installation of Prepaid Water Meters(PPWMs), to investigate stakeholder involvement and their perceptions of PPWMs. The study also analysed the impacts of PPWMs on residents in the selected towns. Individual PPWMs in Usakos Town and communal standpipes PPWMs in the three town’s informal settlements were studied. Purposive sampling method was used to identify customers that use PPWMs. Methods usedto collect data included focus group discussions, household surveys, interviews with key informants and observations. A total of 321 household questionnaires investigating household/water user perceptions on service delivery, access and reliability, affordability of water and water use changes were administered. The study found out that the PPWMs were installed to recover costs as a result of poor revenue collection efficiency, illegal water connections and high debts of the water users. The study also found out that customers were not consulted before the introduction of the PPWMs. Although most of the respondents stated that PPWMs had a number of problems, such as the availability of tokens to top up credit, the majority preferred PPWMs to postpaid meters. The study established that the PPWMs were considered unreliable and are non-functional most of the time with along cycle time for repairs between weeks to a month. The impact on the quality of life of standpipes prepaid users was said to be positive, for example, because water was perceived to be affordable and more accessible tothe PPWMs system. The impact on the quality of life of PPWMs in Usakos was found to benegative, as customers first need to pay for municipal services before they can purchase water units, high cost in replacing token or meter, no service after municipal’s working hours and limitations in water use.,WaterNe
Misconception about photosynthesis and respiration held by grade 11 and 12 biology learners in Onathinge circuit in Namibia.
No full textThe study sought to investigate the misconception about photosynthesis and respiration held by Grade 11 and 12 Biology learners in Onathinge circuit in Namibia.
The research employed the descriptive survey design. Data was gathered through the uses of tests, observations and interviews. The population was made up of 4 secondary schools, 80 learners and 4 Biology teachers. The sample consists of 80 learners 20 from each school and 4 Biology teachers 1 per school. The researcher used random simple sampling in selecting 1 teacher from each school, by the drawing the names of the teachers in a box. The study involved both Grade 11 and 12 students in the secondary school. Stratified random sampling was employed for selecting 20 learners per school each acted as a strata. Simple random sampling was employed whereby names was drawn from a box and 10 was selected from each grade,10 from Grade 11 and another 10 from Grade 12, make them 20 learners per school and in all 4 secondary school make the 80 (eighty) students. Data were presented in a table form and interpreted. During data analysis, the frequencies of correct responses, incorrect responses because of misconceptions, incorrect responses for lack of evidence of understanding and response items was noted for each item. Percentages of the responds in each category were calculated too. Qualitative data obtained through interviews was summarized and analyses by interpretation. Descriptive statistical analyses quantitative data, it was found that majority of the students had misconceptions about photosynthesis and respiration. The misconception identified was that photosynthesis and respiration are functioning in an opposite and contrasting manner. Learners held misconception that plants photosynthesis during the day, where as they respire at night, another held this misconception that only animals need oxygen for them to survive and more students held misconception that plant photosynthesis, whereas animal respire and many more other misconception. Findings from the study reveal that the terms and explanation used by teachers, presentations of concepts in textbooks and ineffective communication between students and teachers are the cause of students’ misconceptions. However it was found that these misconceptions can be minimized or dealt with by use of the conceptual change model when teaching. Recommendations made were that graduating teachers should be well equipped with the various strategies for teaching skills in sciences so as to improve teaching and learning in the subject
On the Analysis of the Fibonacci Numbers: Critique to Kepler
No full textWhat has the theoretical breeding of
rabbits got to do with geometry? The connection of the
Fibonacci sequence to the Golden Mean was made by
Johannes Kepler in the 17th century CE, which
sequence was introduced by Leonardo Pissano, better
known as Fibonacci, in the Liber Abaci in the 13th
century CE. We judiciously ignore the historical
background of the Fibonacci sequence, and proceed
to analyse it mindful of the fact that the so-called
Fibonacci numbers were known well before 1202.
Herein the author, after presenting the ‘Kepler
Paradox’ proposes and pursues a more precise
analysis of the Fibonacci sequence with regard the
Golden Mean using an existing geometric tool, and
henceforth shows how similar sequences can be
assembled, among which is the Lucas sequence
ICT Usage and its Effect on Export Performance: Empirical Evidence from Small and Medium Enterprises in the Manufacturing Sector in Zimbabwe
No full textSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe have been considered as the future driver of economic development. And yet they are not spared from global competition that threatens their existence. Adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) has been regarded as one of the strategies for survival in this global competitive environment. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence on the effect of ICT usage on export performance of SMEs. This study was, therefore, undertaken to examine the effect of ICT usage on the export performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey of 243 SMEs was conducted in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Results show that overall ICT usage positively predicts the export performance of manufacturing SMEs. However, the ICT’s prediction of the export performance is dimension-specific. Of the three dimensions of ICT usage, only relationship building capabilities significantly predicts export performance while market intelligence and marketing capabilities do not significantly predict export performance. The paper recommends that the use of ICT should be aligned with the goals of the firms
The impact of the movement for democratic change (MDC) on the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe
No full textThe failure by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) to address the problems of growing poverty, unemployment and the adoption of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP) resulted in the deterioration of the living conditions of the hard working peasants in Zimbabwe. These problems led to a growing opposition by the Labour movement which was harboured by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU). The alliance now included a broad coalition of labour and citizens groups such as churches, cooperatives, human rights organisations, and student groups, organised into the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA). The deterioration of these living conditions gave rise to a political movement known up to today as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Motivated by the need to bring about democratic change and being a voice of the voiceless, MDC advocated for the basic human rights and democratic human centred development, development that is to transform the Zimbabwean peasantry. In doing so the MDC as an offshoot from the ZCTU organized strikes in a bid to put across their message to the ruling government and the masses of Zimbabwe. In a bid to explain more about the rise of MDC this research has used three theories which are the human development index (HDI), the basic needs approach and the democratisation theory. As a way of collecting data this research has employed qualitative research in includes the use questionnaires and interviews. The MDC has being involved in a GNU with Zanu PF and during its time in government it has made tangible results during its time in the government. It has offered itself as the voice of the voiceless through various demonstrations. It has made significant electoral reforms. Even to this day MDC wishes to offer itself as the way to return to normalcy, and blames the Zanu PF led government for three decades of misrule and poor governance at the hands of power hungry politicians that have transformed the jewel of Africa into an ailing state