1,720,969 research outputs found
Interrogating the Inadequacies of the Promotional and Protective Mandate of the African Charter’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Provisions
Get PDFThere is a plethora of rights that are provided in different international and regional instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human and People’s Rights (UDHR) and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The conspicuous nature of socio-economic and cultural rights is that they require immediate and progressive realisation and cannot be deferred. Economic, social and cultural rights include the right to education, social security, food, water, health and other rights that enable people to live a dignified life. It is a strand of human rights that require so much specifics to the extent that vagueness may culminate in misinterpretation and even the creation of crises. This paper seeks to deliberate on those economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs) which are contained in the African Charter, and the extent to which the provisions of the African Charter fall short of international human rights standards in articulating these rights. Key words: Socio-economic and cultural rights; Universal Declaration; Promotional and Protective Mandate; African Charter; Human Rights DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/102-03 Publication date: January 31st 202
Enhancing local governance through local initiatives: Residents' associations in Zimbabwe
No full textResidents associations are a local initiative by residents within a specific community. Through residents associations, citizens have been able to keep local authorities in check and to demand accountability. With the economic crises facing many countries across the globe and the world recession setting in, as well as the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe over the last few years, which was exacerbated by a hyperinflationary environment, local authorities have had to contend with shortages of resources to dispense services to local communities. This has increased restiveness on the part of residents. The article eclectically draws from the mobilisation theory whose premise is that a disgruntled citizenry is easy to mobilise. The study of the Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA) has shown that residents' associations are a conduit through which residents can demand accountability and participatory spaces in promoting good local governance. This article seeks to explore the extent to which residents associations have enhanced citizen participation and promote good local governance. This article deliberates on the prospects and challenges which residents associations as residents' initiative can enhance citizen participation in local governance
Sustainable Local Governance Reforms and Development: An Urban Planning Theoretical Perspective
Get PDFLocal governance and urban development are fraught with challenges ranging from poor service delivery, inadequate stakeholder participation to skewed implementation of urban planning policies. The root cause of these challenges emanate from poor and uninformed planning by urban planners. Town planners need to appropriately determine the type of urban development approaches to be executed.. A critique of different urban development approaches is given and a determination made to see which of these best suited for integrated and sustainable urban planning and development. The paper recommends the vital significance of stakeholder participation, crafting of an enabling regulatory framework as well as education and training for local government personnel. Keywords: Urban Panning; Sustainable development; Service delivery; managerialism; New Public Management; Integrated Development Management; Stakeholder participatio
Putting Democratic Urban Governance in Zimbabwe yo Test through Appointment of ‘Special Interest’ Councillors
Get PDFThe appointment of special interest councillors in urban councils has courted a lot of controversy as this has been viewed as a political ploy by ZANU PF to counter the MDC-run councils. Both political and official views have been accorded to the appointment of ‘special interest councillors. The arbitrary powers of the Minister of Local Government Rural and Urban development (MLGRUD) has incurred the wrath of the public who view these legislative powers as being used to gain political mileage by ZANU PF party as well as a vindictive measure against residents for failing to vote for ZANU PF in Local Government elections, among other electoral processes. In this paper a normative legislative framework involving international, regional instruments as well as national legislation is used to determine the extent to which the legislation and practice of appointing ‘special interest’ councillors in terms of section 4 A of the Urban Councils Act (2008) complies and resonates with democratic practice. The position of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe on local governance provides a more democratic dispensation
Unpacking Regional Economic Integration Challenges Bedevilling the Sadc Regional Grouping: A Synopsis
Get PDFWhile different regional economic communities (RECs) have sought to grapple with economic and political challenges within their areas of jurisdiction, those of the SAD have been conspicuous in that they are many and varied. These challenges have negatively impacted on the region’s propensity to provide economic benefits to the people of the region, unlike other groupings with have identified ways of dealing with their challenges. Among the most prevalent challenge to SADC’s economic development has been the low gross domestic product (GDP) that has characterized the region’s economic standing. Most importantly, the different challenges in the SAD have equally impacted on the region’s economic integration, although the conditions created by the region’s members’ small economies would have been ideal for regional economic integration and development
Interrogating NGO Intervention in Poverty Alleviation and Community Empowerment for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: Case of Ward 22, Bikita District (Zimbabwe)
Get PDFGenerally, NGO intervention have sought to addressing humanitarian gaps through various livelihood intervention programmes. This paper focuses on the interventions of the selected NGOs in ward 22 of Bikita District. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to gather data. Major livelihood interventions included conservation farming, agriculture extension and training, small grain production, asset creation, vegetable gardens and food assistance. The research findings revealed that the livelihoods of the beneficiaries were enhanced through improved access to food, employment opportunities, increased yields, and increased access to water for livestock and small irrigations. Against this, the research confirmed that the interventions have not fully addressed livelihood challenges of many people in ward 22 owing to climatic variability. High rates of evaporation, premature farming seasons and drought have compromised the effectiveness of the interventions. The research recommends that NGOs should focus on longer-term projects that are community-driven to build resilience and adaptive capacity among the vulnerable people. This would ensure the attainment of better livelihood outcomes for sustainable rural livelihoods. Keywords: Interventions, Livelihoods, Beneficiarie
Civil society and citizen participation in governance processes in Zimbabwe, 1997-2010
No full textPhilosophiae Doctor - PhDThe deteriorating political environment in Zimbabwe, especially from the mid-1990s culminated in the emergence of pro-democracy CSOs that sought to engage the authoritarian to encapsulate democratic principles and enhance citizen participation in governance processes in Zimbabwe, especially from 1997 to 2010. The case studies are the Combined Harare Residents ' Association (CHRA), the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organization (ZimRights). Interviews and questionnaires conducted on CSO secretariats and members and complemented by documentary analysis presented as qualitative and quantitative data respectively. Data is drawn from a cumulative total of 300 tasks. The analytical framework is drawn from debates around the interconnectedness between democracy, governance, civil society and citizen participation provide
An examination of the role played by selected civil society organizations in promoting democracy in Zimbabwe, 1980-2007
Get PDFMasters in Public Administration - MPAThis study attempted to examine the role that selected civil society groups played to promote citizen participation in governance processes.South Afric
A critical analysis of the ministerial powers to appoint 'special interest' councillors in terms of Section 4 A of Zimbabwe's Urban Councils Act (2008)
Get PDFMagister Philosophiae - MPhilIntroduction: The appointment of special interest councillors in terms of section 4A of the Urban Councils Act has encountered much opposition from residents in many urban areas.8 The appointment has also attracted public attention, especially through the media which has highlighted the plight of urban councils most of which have failed to contend with additional unelected personnel on their payrolls. There has also been a claim that the process of appointing special interest councillors may be or that it is being abused.9 What has further exacerbated this situation is the fact that there is no legal provision to check the powers of the Minister, leaving room for the anipulation of the powers to appoint.10 Since the enactment of section 4A of the Urban
Councils Act (UCA) in April 2008, numerous elected councillors and mayors belonging to the MDC have been dismissed, or summarily suspended pending dismissal to justify the appointment of special interest councillors over and above elected councillors. At the same time the Minister seeks to discredit the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) councillors as incompetent to gain political mileage for the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front
(ZANU PF).11 The rampant dismissal and suspension of MDC-T (the MDC faction led by Mr Morgan Tsvangirai) councillors and mayors and dissolving urban councils has led to allegations that the Minister seeks to weaken MDC in urban local councils and to justify the existence of special interest councillors in urban councils. By highlighting and examining the implications of these appointments on urban governance and the general functioning of urban local councils, the researcher will be able to assess the practice of appointing special interest councillors against internationally accepted norms.South Afric
Special interest councillors in Zimbabwe: a review of law and practice in terms of the 2013 Constitution
No full textLocal governance in Zimbabwe has a chequered history. Despite high hopes for democratic local governance on the attainment of political independence in 1980, it has often defied democratic practice and is yet to bring tangible benefits to communities. Attempts at democratising local governance through the amendment of local government legislation have not yet brought about vibrant democratic practices. This article explores section 4A of the Urban Councils Act, which provides that the Minister of Local Government may appoint special interest councillors onto urban councils. It examines the extent to which this has enhanced or inhibited democratic local governance. It then proceeds to examine this phenomenon against regional instruments on local democracy and finally assesses whether it can stand the test of the freshly promulgated Constitution.Department of HE and Training approved lis
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