Communities In Zimbabwe Research Articles

The impact of digital finance on financial inclusion in Zimbabwe

This study looks at how digital finance affects financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. There has been a noticeable change in Zimbabwe's financial services sector with the introduction of digital technology, especially mobile money and digital banking services. The present study investigates the ways in which digital finance initiatives have facilitated the expansion of financial services accessibility, the advancement of financial literacy, and the promotion of economic empowerment among marginalised communities in Zimbabwe. This study offers insights into the potential obstacles related to digital finance in achieving financial inclusion objectives in Zimbabwe through an extensive analysis of current research and empirical data.

A qualitative study of knowledge, beliefs and misinformation regarding COVID-19 in selected districts in Zimbabwe

BackgroundLack of appropriate knowledge, incorrect beliefs and misinformation misleads people about the risks they face and how best to protect themselves. A study was conducted to explore the knowledge, beliefs and misinformation regarding COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in September-October 2022 with a purposive sample of religious leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, health workers, village health workers, teachers, traditional healers, transporters, and the general population selected from ten sites across the country. In total there were 128 participants (30 key informants and 98 focus group discussion participants). At each site, 3 key informant interviews and one homogenous focus group discussion were conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion guides, respectively. The data were recorded on audiotapes, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Manual thematic analysis of the data was performed.FindingsThree themes were identified in this study: (1) beliefs about COVID-19, (2) knowledge about COVID-19 (knowledge of origin, definition, transmission, signs and symptoms and recommended preventive measures), and (3) misinformation about COVID-19 (regarding its nature, existence and recommended preventive measures). There was awareness of the origin, transmission, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 among the participants. Participants reported that Zimbabwean communities were conversant with public health measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and maintaining hand hygiene. However, misinformation was also observed to have circulated among the communities.ConclusionParticipants demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19. However, the misinformation circulating in the country calls for the government to establish structures to monitor the legitimacy of information coming through different sources and invest in providing information through trusted sources. In any disease outbreak, the government should engage its citizenry to understand their knowledge, beliefs and any misinformation that might influence adherence to disease preventive measures.

‘Road runners’ and Fanta: Intersectional cultural food in/security among Zimbabwean migrants living in UK cities

The incidence of food insecurity among migrant and diasporic communities living in rich global North cities is growing. A key dimension of this is the absence of culturally appropriate food which is integral to both feeding and nourishing mobile bodies. In this paper, we deploy an intersectional approach to cultural food in/security to explore the foodscapes of Zimbabwean communities living in British cities. We unpack how and why food cultures are critical in shaping migrant experiences of food in/security and the diversification of food cultures over time and place and mediated by intersectional subjectivities. We map local, regional and transnational food supply chains as migrants seek to redress issues of access and availability to source foods familiar to them to maintain the cultural significance of food and food practices within families and diaspora communities.

The relevance of indigenous knowledge systems in social work education and practice in Zimbabwe: A human rights perspective

Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are central to communities in Africa. They shape, influence, and define the behaviour of societies. Most communities in Zimbabwe have consistently recognised the human rights of individuals. Understanding how IKS can influence social work theory and practice to uphold human rights is important. Human rights are an inherent part of the social work profession. The article explores the views of social work educators in Zimbabwe on the intersection of IKS and human rights in social work education and practice. Data were qualitatively collected from ten purposefully selected social work educators using an instrumental case study design. Evidence from the participants shows four essential aspects, which are, the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems in social work education and practice in Zimbabwe, the role of indigenous knowledge systems in the application of human rights in social work in Zimbabwe, ways to utilise IKS best to uphold human rights; the challenges faced by educators in utilising indigenous knowledge systems in social work in Zimbabwe. The article concludes that IKS upholds human rights perspectives in social work theory and practice. The article recommends that IKS, informed by a human rights perspective, be integrated into social work education and practice in Zimbabwe and practised at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Dynamics and socio-environmental impacts of mopane worm harvesting in rural communities in Zimbabwe: prospects for climate-smart approaches

Dynamics and socio-environmental impacts of mopane worm harvesting in rural communities in Zimbabwe: prospects for climate-smart approaches

The Church in the context of corruption: A case of the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe

Corruption has caused serious dysfunction in most of the public institutions in Zimbabwe. The effectiveness of public institutions on providing meaningful services today hinges upon the capacity of the Church and other social institutions to combat corruption. Regrettably, corruption has infected and affected both the Church and the secular institutions. This theoretical qualitative study explores the potential of the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (COCZ) in curbing corruption in Zimbabwe. It employs a combination of the Christological kenosis and Ubuntu or Hunhu as its theoretical lenses. The article argues that the Church has great potential to tackle corruption. The potential of the COCZ manifests in its organisation and public engagement. The restorative nature of the COCZ Restoration Movement (RM) magnifies scripture, the gospel of Christ (Christological kenosis) as a tool of conviction and behaviour change in public spaces to combat corruption. These unique attributes of the COCZ provide the rationale for choosing it as a case study in this article. The data were collected through the engagement with literature largely from the Zimbabwean scholars on the subject and the COCZ documents. The findings were that the COCZ can only unlock its potential if it is committed to taking a self-introspection and reconfigure itself in order to take a robust anti-corruption stance.Contribution: The study poses questions about the potential of the Church’s voice, through the case of the COCZ, in the context of corruption in Zimbabwe. It pushes for the Church to reclaim its authentic status in order to root out corruption and have relevance in the Zimbabwean communities’ lived experiences. Religion has always claimed higher ground in ethical and moral issues, but there is scanty literature on the COCZ’s role in combating corruption in Zimbabwe. The study maintains that the Church has a consequential opportunity to either drive the agenda to end corruption or lose relevance due to perceived complicit attitudes towards the same.

Exploring the determinants of disaster and climate resilience building in Zimbabwe’s rural communities

With the burgeoning threats from natural hazards and extreme weather events driven by climate change in every section and sector of society, building resilience against disasters and risks posed by climate change has become an unescapable discourse. The study’s main thrust is to establish the determinants of resilience building in Zimbabwe’s rural communities. The study adopted the qualitative constructivist grounded theory approach in conjunction with participatory action research to gain insights from community members and traditional leaders. A total of forty-six participants from Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe participated in the study. The findings revealed that the availability of natural and human resources, collective efficacy, government and development agency support systems, indigenous knowledge systems, and livelihood diversification were crucial determinants of resilience building for rural communities in Zimbabwe. The identified determinants for resilience building signal that these determinants need to be harnessed to inform policy and practice interventions. Furthermore, the availability of the identified determinants implies that rural communities can minimise, and prevent losses, reduce exposure to natural hazards, disasters and climate change risks and manage the impacts of natural hazards whenever they emerge. The study recommends that these determinants be complemented by access to technology, resilient community infrastructures, robust social protection systems, and hazard risk assessment participatory processes by rural communities. In addition, effective emergency and health services, among other contingent measures essential to improve community resilience.

Restrictions on Funeral Gatherings during COVID-19: A Religious/Spiritual Perspective among the Zimbabwean Community Living in South Africa

This essay endeavors to understand the impact of COVID-19 hard lockdown restrictions on funeral gatherings from a Zimbabwean religious/spiritual perspective. For most Zimbabwean Christians and non-Christians, funeral rites of passage are at the apex of all religious activities and are revered in most social settings. The central questions to this study are: How have funeral gathering restrictions impacted on the religious/spiritual beliefs of many Zimbabwean immigrants living in South Africa, who were not able to attend funeral ceremonies back home in Zimbabwe? What religious/spiritual implications does it have to attend or not attend funeral ceremonies from a Zimbabwean religious perspective? These questions are raised because during the pandemic, most Zimbabweans who lived in South Africa were forbidden to go home to attend funeral ceremonies due to travelling restrictions between the two countries. This study found that most Zimbabwean immigrants who did not participate in funeral rites of passage due to COVID restrictions were left with spiritual distress after the pandemic. Data for this article were collected through interviews with individuals from Zimbabwe who are living in South Africa. Interviewees were selected using purposive sampling. Confidentiality, anonymity, and suppression of names are some of the ethical considerations maintained throughout this research.

Theology for sustainable development in Zimbabwe: Unpacking Deuteronomy 20:19–20 in light of SDG 15

This article aims at a ‘green’ reading of Deuteronomy 20:19–20 with special reference to combat deforestation in Zimbabwe. The article relates to Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) of the United Nations Agenda 2030, namely Goal 15 – Life and Land. The article demonstrates that the depletion of the natural environment in Zimbabwe is happening in a way unknown before. It argues that the government of Zimbabwe’s legislative framework for mitigating deforestation is proving to be unsuccessful. This is a pointer that environmental conservation problems in Zimbabwe are also spiritual, hence the need to incorporate additional conservation strategies like biblical hermeneutics. The value addition of this article is the application of the Deuteronomic laws. From the perspective of the exegesis of Deuteronomy 20:19–20 and the surrounding texts, the article focuses on the deforestation in Zimbabwe and aims at the recovering of spiritual strategies of valuing human life without compromising the right of the natural environment. Applying the reading for recovery design, the study gathered data through extensive literature review and biblical exegesis.Contribution: The exegesis of Deuteronomy 20:19–20 is applied to desist from the disproportionate cutting down of trees even during the difficult times such as war, economic hardship and health pandemics. The article contributes to the SDG 15, namely Life and Land. The research envisions that Zimbabwean communities, with the support of the aforementioned exegesis will introduce a programme of deforestation. Trees ought to be considered as of equal value to human beings. The Bible continues to be not bound by space and time and can still be applicable to the contemporary needs of the believers.

Do community measures impact the effectiveness of a community led HIV testing intervention. Secondary analysis of an HIV self-testing intervention in rural communities in Zimbabwe

BackgroundThere is a growing body of evidence for the role that communities can have in producing beneficial health outcomes. There is also an increasing recognition of the effectiveness and success of community-led interventions to promote public health efforts. This study investigated whether and how community-level measures facilitate a community-led intervention to achieve improved HIV outcomes.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of survey data from a cluster randomised trial in 40 rural communities in Zimbabwe. The survey was conducted four months after the intervention was initiated. Communities were randomised 1:1 to either paid distribution arm, where HIV self-test (HIVST) kits were distributed by a paid distributor, or community-led whereby members of the community were responsible for organising and conducting the distribution of HIVST kits. We used mixed effects logistic regression to assess the effect of social cohesion, problem solving, and HIV awareness on HIV testing and prevention.ResultsWe found no association between community measures and the three HIV outcomes (self-testing, new HIV diagnosis and linkage to VMMC or confirmatory testing). However, the interaction analyses highlighted that in high social cohesion communities, the odds of new HIV diagnosis was greater in the community-led arm than paid distribution arm (OR 2.06 95% CI 1.03–4.19).ConclusionWe found some evidence that community-led interventions reached more undiagnosed people living with HIV in places with high social cohesion. Additional research should seek to understand whether the effect of social cohesion is persistent across other community interventions and outcomes.Trial registrationPACTR201607001701788.

LGBTI+ persons’ concealed displacement in Zimbabwe

abstract In many parts of the world individuals are subjected to serious human rights abuses because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, and sex characteristics, particularly when these do not conform to dominant social and cultural norms. Severe persecution and discrimination from both state and non-state actors force LGBTI+ persons to leave their places of habitual residence in search of a safe environment in which they can fully exercise their gender and sexual rights, and Zimbabwe is no exception. This article is drawn from the findings of qualitative research conducted on the relationship of LGBTI+ persons with their communities in Zimbabwe. The study elicited data from participants who identified as LGBTI+ (the Shona term ngochani, which means homosexual, is disparagingly used to refer to all members of this group). The major findings of the study are that the Zimbabwean government’s position has created a climate of fear, vulnerability, and victimisation among LGBTI+ persons, which has led to their displacement and migration. The study found that although in some cases the displacement and migration were caused by the violence from the state actors such as the police, other drivers include being rejected by families or fear of the communities’ reaction and treatment, which this study would call ‘concealed displacement’. The study thus argues that not all displacements and migrations of LGBTI+ persons are caused by visible public violence; however, in some cases it is concealed and as a response to desperation or mental and psychological exhaustion, even in the ‘quietest’ environment. Hence this article focuses on concealed displacement, diverting from the popular researched narrative of displacements as a result of overt public war and violence, but with the more or less common goal of finding space for safety, peace, acceptance, and inclusion.

Can social marketing undo the COVID-19 infodemic? Predicting consumer preventive health behavior in the marginalized communities in Zimbabwe

Can social marketing undo the COVID-19 infodemic? Predicting consumer preventive health behavior in the marginalized communities in Zimbabwe

Music as a medium for communication, education and information dissemination: enhancing resilience among urban dwellers in Zimbabwe

The major focus of the study was to use music to communicate, educate and disseminate information that helps curb suicidal and drug abuse cases among Zimbabwean communities. Zimbabwe as a country is facing severe economic challenges, which in turn has brought about much suffering to the people. As a result, some of them end up engaging in drugs or committing suicide in response to the challenges bewildering the country. This study was qualitative, superimposed on action research and a survey. Roadshows targeting some members of the Gweru communities were organised. The songs performed at the road shows carried lyrics meant to disseminate information about hope, inspiration, and patience. Purposively sampled respondents were drawn from a population of three communities in Gweru who attended the road shows that were held in their respective constituencies. The informants were picked up on the researchers’ knowledge of their capacity to inform the study. Open-ended interviews were conducted after the shows were held, to appreciate how effective the songs were in disseminating intended messages. The findings of this study revealed that the songs that were performed at roadshows helped in giving the people hope, encouragement, and perseverance in the wake of economic challenges as well as cultivating the spirit of hard work and resilience among them. It can therefore be recommended that music therapy centres, road shows and other such performances be organised in various communities to help counsel people reeling from depression and other related illnesses.

Institutionalized “Culture Development” and the Development of Local Communities in Zimbabwe

Institutionalized “Culture Development” and the Development of Local Communities in Zimbabwe

The Value of Informal Peace Committees as a Developmental Strategy to Deal with Post-Conflict in Zimbabwe

In this article, I investigate the extent to which community-based initiatives such as informal peace committees can serve as vehicles for developmental social work practice to promote community empowerment and capacity development in Zimbabwe. The formation of self-initiated peace committees by Zimbabwean communities demonstrates local agency, self-reliance and resilience. This type of local agency resulted in community members working together to unite, participate and form a peacebuilding committee. The study was based on action research data from Ward 8 in the Seke District, in which 42 male and female adults participated. Given the study’s participatory nature, 14 informants took on multiple roles, including co-planning, co-designing and establishing a ward-level peace committee. The findings revealed that informal peace committees have a close relationship with developmental social intervention strategies that seek to deal with development challenges such as poverty, inequality, and violence and, the major one, community development. These attributes reflect the strengths and empowerment potential that developmental social work can explore to increase the impact of informal peace committees at the community level in the Seke District and beyond.

Policy Inconsistencies and Community Development

Since 1980, rural communities in Zimbabwe have historically suffered poverty and underdevelopment despite being endowed with rich natural resources. The government of Zimbabwe established community share ownership trusts (CSOTs) in 2011 under the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act (IEE Act) to accomplish the beneficiation of locals. Policies are important for they provide consistency and clarity. Under the Act, it was mandatory for companies operating to give back to the community. In 2017, the Second Republic indicated in the Financial Bill that indigenisation terms had been revised and companies would operate with or without CSOTs. This paper advances the argument that Zimplats Mhondoro Ngezi Chegutu Zvimba community share ownership trust (ZMNCZCSOT) has been playing a significant role in community development prior to changes in the IEE Act. After changes, intervention has been minimal, focusing mainly on previously initiated projects. Data was collected using primary and secondary sources; that is, through face to face interviews with key stakeholders and from documentary sources.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Community Voices from Shurugwi, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Zvishavane in Zimbabwe

The main reason for the prominence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining sector is a result of the fact that, in general, the sector negatively affects local communities socially, economically, and environmentally. The sector is criticised by civil society, the Government, and local activists in the host areas. Hence, mining companies are forced to respond by implementing CSR programmes that address issues like education, health, environmental and infrastructural issues. Minerals are finite resources, and mining companies close operations once minerals are exhausted in a given area, leaving some potentially harmful damage to the communities in terms of the environment, animals, and social lives and livelihoods of the local people. However, the whole issue about CSR is volunteerism, where companies contribute to the social, economic, and environmental welfare of society without any mechanism to regulate their actions. Through participant observation, key informant interviews, and desk research, the paper discusses the community views with regard to CSR within the platinum mining communities in Zimbabwe. The paper attempts to link these voices to Carroll's (1979) pyramid on CSR. The general conclusion is that local communities are not concerned about the business factor of CSR. However, they feel that mining companies have an obligation to assist them from a purely social justice perspective.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fishery sector in Zimbabwe: a case study of fish farmers in Binga district

Background: Goats are of economic importance to livelihoods of many rural communities in Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, very few farmers are into goat production. Therefore, this study was carried out in order to establish the factors that are affecting goat production in Mushowani, Zimbabwe. Methods: A household survey, using a structured questionnaire was administered in October 2022. The Spearman correlation coefficients were used to test the associations between number of goats against farm size, gender, age, marital status, education, household size, formal training, diseases, income and extension services. Results: Of the 52 respondents surveyed, 59.6% were males and more than half (51.9%) of the farmers attended secondary school, followed by tertiary education (36.6%). Most of the farmers (69.2%) had a herd size of less than 20. The main source of income in the area was the selling of crops. The majority (77%) of the farmers indicated that they planned to increase their goat herd. Goat production in Mushowani is constrained by diseases, feed, water, theft, heat stress, market, transport, veterinary services, insufficient funds, lack of extension services and lack of commercial breeds. Results showed that farm size, age of the farmer, education and extension visits were associated with herd size. Age, education and extension visits were significant at 5%, while farm size was significant at 1%. Conclusions: The results of this study are anticipated to give an insight to the government, policy makers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on improving goat production in rural communities.

Institutional constraints affecting secondary school student performance: A case study of rural communities in Zimbabwe

The study analyses the institutional constraints affecting child performance in secondary schools within rural communities in Zimbabwe. A qualitative approach employing purposive sampling of participants was incorporated in the study. Eight focus group discussions (FDGs), 16 in-depth interviews and four key informant interviews were conducted in eight rural secondary schools located in Seke and Shamva districts. The general systems theory was embraced as the theoretical framework in this study. The principle of theoretical saturation was applied in both the focus group discussion sessions and interviews where they ran up until a clear pattern emerged and subsequent groups produced no new information. Data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques which systematically coded data to discover prevailing trends. The major highlight of the results is that rural learners have to grapple with a lot of challenges in trying to access education. Inadequate resources, long distances to school and demotivated teachers constitute the main highlights of the findings. The study established that there is a need to explore more issues affecting the realisation of equitable and inclusive education systems specifically for learners in rural communities. This article also posits that addressing institutional constraints that are affecting child performance in rural secondary schools is not cast in stone. Thus, this requires a holistic approach through engagement of all stakeholders involved in the drive towards quality education and leaving no one behind.

Medical Pluralism and Cultural Practices Associated with Umbilical Cord-Care in Rural Communities in Zimbabwe

This study explores how Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in rural Zimbabwe care for babies’ umbilical cords, examining cultural practices associated with umbilical cord care. This study relies on a qualitative interpretive approach, guided by symbolic interactionist theory, involving 16 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The respondents were de jure (trained) and de facto (untrained) TBAs in Mawadza village in Mutasa District in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The data from the KIIs were analysed using the framework analysis method. Umbilical cord care is embedded in cultural practices and symbolic meanings. There are various local substances, such as cooking oil, petroleum jelly, local herbs, mothers’ breast milk and vaginal discharge as well as pet (cat and chicken) dung, used for cord care. Many of the substances are harmful and associated with a high risk of child morbidity and mortality in the study area. Only a few TBAs revealed that they used bio-medically recommended substances. The finding suggests that the risks associated with harmful umbilical cord care methods are high in the study communities. This points to the need to strengthen concerted initiatives to improve universal access to modern postnatal healthcare to reduce neonatal mortality..