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Case study of policies that support sustainable development in Africa: The Save Vaalley Conservancy, Zimbabwe
No full textSeminar paper,Save Valley Conservancy in south-eastern Zimbabwe is the largest amalgamation of privately owned
ranches devoted to wildlife production, in Africa. Its members have converted their properties from
cattle operations into components of what is in effect a private game reserve, with internal game
fencing having been removed in accordance with a constitution that was adopted m . 991. his land
use transition has not been a smooth process because the policy environment has not been conducive
to the ongoing development of the conservancy since 1995. Despite recognition at a technical level of
the conservancy as a new model for sustain; bk land use, the attitudes of government authorities
towards commercial wildlife production have hardened, mainly because of underlying and
intensifying political trends related to land ownership within Zimbabwe.
The individuals and agencies that have catalyzed the development of this conservancy have exerted
their efforts along three dimensions: ecological sustainability, economic sustainability and sociopolitical
sustainability. Although the ecological and economic achievements of the conservancy are
already clear, its socio-political sustainability is less certain. The policy environment under which the
conservancy has evolved, and the policy environment which it must now adapt to, warrant analysis m
view of the applicability of this large-scale conservancy model to other African areas of limited
agricultural potential
Let us prey! Prey selection and dietary overlap amongst large predators in a semi-arid landscape, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
No full textComprehensive knowledge on the distribution and densities of large carnivores and their prey is necessary in order to understand conservation of carnivores and to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. In order to understand large carnivore ecologies, their diet, dietary overlap, niche breadth and seasonal variation was determined. Fecal analysis method was used in the determination of the diet of lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas was studied in a semi-arid savannah ecosystem of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Fecal analysis revealed 20 Mammalian, 1 Rodentia and 1 Avian species ranging from small birds and rodents to large mammals. No domestic livestock prey item was found in the feces. The diet of the five large carnivores overlapped significantly. Large and medium-sized ungulates were the most frequent, with buffalo and impala being the most important prey species. Buffalo was the primary and secondary prey species for lions and hyenas respectively, and impala was the primary prey species for leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas, and secondary prey
species for lions. Diets of the carnivores significantly varied in the utilization of different prey-size categories (p 100 kg) contributed mostly to the diet of lions and hyenas, medium-sized prey (25-100 kg) contributed mostly to the diet of leopards and wild dogs, and small prey (5-25 kg) to the diet of cheetahs. Seasonal variation was not significant (p = 0.29) in the utilization of different prey size categories. For the diet of lions significant variation (p < 0.05) was detected in the large and medium-sized categories and no significant variation (p = 0.11) in the small sized category. Continuous annual investigations
into the seasonal variations of diet selection by the large carnivores in Hwange National Park are recommended
An assessment of strategies that have been adopted to increase life assurance penetration in Zimbabwe
No full textThe Zimbabwean Insurance and Pension Commission (IPEC) aspire to reach a double digit penetration rate by end of year 2017. Therefore, this research intend to identify factors causing low life assurance penetration, assess the strategies adopted to increase the penetration rate by life assurance companies and recommend alternative strategies that can be implemented to increase life assurance in Zimbabwe. To achieve the set objectives, a descriptive research design was used to gather qualitative and quantitative data about the effectiveness of each strategy. A sample size of 55 respondents with 5 respondents from each company was used. A combination of stratified random sampling and judgemental sampling methods were employed for this study. The primary data was collected using personal interviews and questionnaires. The findings revealed that from the consumer side low life assurance consumption is caused by low income per capita, lack of trust and confidence in the public, low financial literacy or poor saving culture, lack of awareness about life assurance products among other causes. Causes emanating from the supplier side include inappropriate products, lack of reliable data, inadequate financial resources, limited distribution channels, lack of intellectual capital, to mention but a few. Among the strategies adopted micro-insurance, product innovation, bancaasurance, training of agents and aggressive marketing ranks as the most effective penetration strategies given the state of the country`s economic condition. The researcher recommend the following as alternative strategies that can increase life assurance penetration. Prioritisation in implementing strategies, human capital development, collaboration of life assurance companies with IPEC to raise awareness, a reform of the regulatory framework, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions as well as government intervention
Chiefs and contestations over power and territory: the case of Njanja of Buhera district, 1950s-2016.
No full textThe study looked at chiefs and contestations over power and territory: The case of Njanja people of Buhera District, 1950-2016. The research was motivated by the keenness to find the instability of chieftaincy which was informed by contingent socio-economic and political factors. Contestation over power and territory is the prime problem. This was caused by colonial land policies which started in the 1950s such as the NLHA and the abolition of some chieftaincy that
disrupt the customary law of rotational succession system. The study looked at the origins of Njanja tribe, its genealogy and expansion. It also focused on Njanja, chiefly disputes over power and territory. Again, in addition the research looked at the disputes resolution strategies in the Njanja and the effect of contestations over power and territory culturally, economically and politically. The research used various published books such as those written by Weinrich and Holleman. They talked about chiefs in the colonial state and also the book by Jocelyn Alexander
which analyses unsettled disputes over land from colonial to post-colonial era in Zimbabwe. These books gave the researcher a clear background of chiefs’ disputes from Rhodesia beyond community development to post-colonial era in Zimbabwe. The dissertation used primary sources such as delineation reports, NADAs from National Archives of Zimbabwe which mapped the history of the Njanja people genealogy and its rotational succession system. Of the major
concern, the dissertation used qualitative technique as the methodology of the study
Teaching environmental and economic consciousness in the English language classroom: A concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
No full textOccasional Paper,This paper reports on a study that focused on how environmental and economic consciousness can be taught through the English language subject area. Environmental and economic consciousness is a competence that is often associated with geography or science subjects, and is also often incorporated when dealing with the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD). A teacher of English language, therefore, may not automatically think of a project linked with either that competence or the ESD concept. This study sets out to change that. Research work was done through a graduate diploma in education (Grad DE) programme with one of the student teachers on attachment (also called teaching practice) at an urban suburban school in Harare. It was during the teaching practice (TP) session, between May and August 2015, that this research was carried out with the student teacher and 51 students in form one. The methodology used was qualitative research with a project approach design. The results showed that the English language classroom is an ideal space for inculcating environmental and economic consciousness as a competence, and as an ESD concept. The learning process and experience led to a number of positive outcomes which were life-changing for the pupils and the student-teacher. Pupils started improving proficiency in English. Assessment of the student teacher’s teaching practice also indicated a transformation in her approach to teaching English language and she developed into a very confident teacher over-night. Teaching English language was no longer routine, but a vehicle through which knowledge on environmental and economic consciousness, as a concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) could be gained. Practical projects could be done with students to make them practise the language more, and contextually. Attitudes towards the environment started changing and skills were gained by both the student teacher and pupils and this would lead to sustained activities that promote the environment. Information was supplied by students who, with the assistance of the student teacher, evaluated the impact of their work on their lives and its influence on their education. A sample of what they said is included in this paper. The transformation was evident in the
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Occasional Papers May 2017
student teacher who continued to promote education for sustainable development, and raising awareness on environmental and economic consciousness after completion of the diploma programme.
Introduction
This paper reports on a study that focused on how environmental and economic consciousness can be taught through the English language subject. Studying environmental and economic consciousness is often associated with geography or science subjects. It is also often incorporated when dealing with the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD). This author strongly believes that environmental and economic consciousness is a competence that can be taught and learned through the English language subject. The competence also incorporates the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) in that once one is environmentally conscious, they may work hard to preserve it by the way they control behaviour that is likely to erode any environmental space. In addition, one would work hard to make that space economically viable through entrepreneurship to empower oneself. It was considered feasible to impart all these ideas through the English language classroom because that language is a vehicle of communication studied by every school learner in Zimbabwe.
Therefore, it was thought logically possible for learners to be able to use this vehicle to study that competence (i.e., environmental and economic consciousness), and the ESD concept which is one of the ―cross-curricular themes‖ listed in the Handbook on Teacher Professional Standards, p. 6). In order to prove the veracity and workability of this idea, work was carried out with a pre-service teacher on a Graduate Diploma in Education (Grad DE) programme at the University of Zimbabwe. The author was the supervisor, overseeing the facilitation of learning by a form one class that the student teacher was teaching English language, incorporating the competence and the ESD concept
An assessment of poor governance as a challenge affecting service delivery in local authorities: a case study of Zvishavane town council, 2013-2016
No full textThe study is an assessment of poor governance and service delivery in Zimbabwean Urban local authorities using Zvishavane Town Council as a case study. It focuses at the issue of poor governance and how it affects service delivery. The research hypotheses of the study postulate that due to poor governance in local authorities the effective and efficient delivery of service is
being compromised. The major research objectives of this study were to examine the issue of poor governance as a challenge affecting service delivery at Zvishavane Town council, to examine the causes of poor governance and to outline the services that Zvishavane Town council is failing to deliver among others. Zvishavane Town council is the closest tier of government which deals with the people at grassroots levels and it acts as a helping hand to the
central government. During the research different data collection methods were used which were questionnaires, key informant interviews and documentary interviews as well as direct observations. During the course of the research the causes of poor governance were established which are corruption, economic instability as well as political interference among others. Local authorities are failing to deliver services such as water, health, solid waste management, street lighting and refuse collection, sanitation and hygiene and road maintenances. The recommendations were also made to ZTC which are citizen involvement in
decision making as well as governance issues, engage in partnerships with big companies and embark on income generating projects in order to have a broad revenue base. Therefore the study will focus on the issue of poor governance and how it affects effective service delivery
The influence of culture on capturing and management of tacit knowledge in the energy sector
No full textThe cost of energy has a significant bearing on the performance of economy of societies , thus management of energy resources is crucial . The available energy resources should be utilised more effectively with minimum incremental costs. In Zimbabwe the electricity generation , transmission and distribution industry aims to ensure minimum disruptions in power supply . The industry is characterised with zero tolerance for mistakes as the equipment involved is highly valued. The industry therefore relies much on the specialised knowledge of employees. This calls for the need to capture their experience based knowledge so that it is not lost as employees leave the organisation due to diverse reasons. Culture of the organisation is critical as it forms the base for the success of efforts directed towards the capturing of such knowledge. This research sought to establish the influence of culture on the capturing and management of tacit knowledge with the aim of identifying possible avenues of improvement . Various authors are of the assertion that culture of an organisation should foster the retention of experiential knowledge . The study took a quantitative approach in which a sample size of 89 was selected from the possible 115 , triangulation of data collection methods was utilised in which questionnaires and interviews were used. The research findings show that culture influences the capturing and management of tacit knowledge . The study concludes which recommendations which can be used to address cultural inertia and ensure that experiential knowledge loss is minimised
Evaluating risk management practices on performance of corporates: a case of listed mining entities in Zimbabwe.
No full textThe research project sought to evaluate risk management practices on performance of listed mining entities in Zimbabwe for the period December 2015 to March 2017. Copious of the risk management research was focused on difficulties and not solutions and no one organization was in charge of managing these risk issues to get a comprehensive view of risk. This prompted the researcher to evaluate the risk management frameworks used by listed mining corporate entities as a way to gain insights to their competitive advantage on overall performance. The research objectives sought to identify risk management frameworks that have been applied to the mining sector, controls designed and operating on the established risk management frameworks, identify challenges experienced in implementing the risk management frameworks, and identify best practices which are being pursued in the mining sector for creating effective risk management frameworks. A mixed methodology approach was employed to provide information on the premise of objectivity by combining qualitative and quantitative methods for a broader perspective in evaluating risk management practices in the mining sector. Likert scale questionnaires, interviews, publications and management reports were used as the research instruments. A sample of 14 senior to middle level management employees was identified using purposeful judgement sampling, a non-probability sampling technique. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to organise and analyse raw data gathered from participants. It was found that the effective application of risk management principles early lays the foundation for good relationships throughout the whole mine life cycle. The study also established that mines are generally not capable to implement a fully integrated risk management framework as there are hurdles to overcome that include Information Communication Technology (ICT) support, skills flight and raplex external factors affecting the sector as a whole. The study recommends that mining entities should establish a risk universe approach to risk management with a comprehensive view of risks that promotes an aligned analysis of risks across all parts on the business rather than stick to one methodology approach. Viewing risks from a global approach will add the value of research to literature and allow those charged with governance identify key business risks on an ongoing basis to develop an organisation specific risk universe that is benchmarked against other frameworks. Future work may be needed to examine the impact of risk assessment methodologies on cultivating firm value
Adoption and use of information and communications technology in rural councils: a case of Nyanga rural district council
No full textThe rise and rapid advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) has been at the centre of global socio-economic revolutions. The use of these ICTs has become a vital component for business success in developed countries. ICTs affect the performance, growth, expansion and services delivery of any business or organization. However Zimbabwe is a developing country and as such lags behind in terms of ICT adoption. This study focused on ICT adoption and use in Rural Councils, using Nyanga Rural District Council as a case study. The research used mainly quantitative methodology were interviews and questionnaires were used to gather relevant information to the study. Various authorities were used as a guide to the study. The technology acceptance model (TAM) proposed that ICT adoption is mainly influence by perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The results suggest that perceived usefulness is more important in determining adoption of ICTs, that is, if the management of the organisation discover how ICTs can help their business they are more inclined to adopt it. However the study also revealed a number of factors that hinder the Rural Council from adopting ICTs that include the lack of training and the inability to use the technologies among others. This study also revealed the influence the semi-adoptive state was having on their clientele. The study recommended various ways that the council can communicate with their customers and other ways the council can integrate information technologies in their operations