Practice In Zimbabwe Research Articles

Noun classes, variation, and creativity in youth language practices in Zimbabwe and Tanzania

Abstract While classical accounts of Bantu linguistics often depict noun classes as an inherent feature of nouns, more recent studies show there is greater variation in the use of noun classes, especially in terms of their discursive and pragmatic context. Youth language practices, often characterized by creativity and conscious changes, are of particular interest in this regard. This paper explores whether Bantu youth language practices exhibit conscious variation in their noun class systems and agreement. I discuss data from Bantu-based youth language practices in Southern and Eastern Africa, especially Lugha ya mtaani (Tanzania) and S’ncamtho (Zimbabwe), looking at noun classes and agreement. The paper features a short discussion of variation in noun class usage in Bantu languages in general, including insights into relevant aspects such as information structure, the use of loan words, noun classes in multilingual or translanguaging situations, and semantics. The latter is particularly important, as speakers can make conscious use of noun classes as part of contextualized meaning making processes that reflect semantic nuances and stylistic choices. The objective of this contribution is to highlight the role of semantics and conscious meaning making in the choice of grammatical devices and the manifestations of microvariation in youth language practices.

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.

Malaria control and treatment: the role of indigenous practices in Zimbabwe

Malaria control and treatment: the role of indigenous practices in Zimbabwe

Skin ‘Bleaching’ Practices and Associated Adverse Health Effects in Zimbabwe: A Canonical Correlational Study of Harare

The study aimed to identify the ingredients, processes and practitioners involved in the skin lightening practices in Zimbabwe and to identify the associated, adverse health effects as well as to establish the user demographics. A technical field survey was carried out in Harare, Zimbabwe from October 2022 to March 2023. Out of a total of 450 potential participants, 382 individuals in 3 broad groups were successfully interviewed; these included 150 skin lightening practitioners and traders, 118 skin lightening products users and 114 individuals who have never practiced skin bleaching. A semi structured technical questionnaire was used for each group of participants and the collected data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study observed that both sexes are involved in skin lightening in Zimbabwe, the majority (52%) being women aged between 31-45 years. The established industry, is divers, including registered healthcare providers, commercial trade, informal markets and others. The majority of practitioners (65%) have less than 5 practising years. There are over 30 different skin lightening products available either as prescription medications, OTC treatments, commercial products, network marketing products as well as illegal bootleg concoctions. The products extends from creams, lotions and serums, to oral and injectable dosage forms. The most prevalent products being corticosteroid creams. 75% of users reported both reversible and non-reversible adverse health side effects and outcomes including skin irritations, inflammation, rashes, erythema, oedemas, ochronosis, dermal atrophy, photophobia, insomnia and unexplained weight gain. The most prevalent side effect being pruritus and irritations. It was observed that there is no formal registration, regulation or legislation covering the products, processes and practice of skin lightening in Zimbabwe.

The right to an interpreter in the Zimbabwean health care system: an appraisal

The right to an interpreter in the health care sector is an indispensable right, especially given that issues in this sector have a bearing on life and death if language becomes a barrier to diagnosis and prognosis. Against this background, this article examines the policy position and practice in Zimbabwe in relation to the right to health. It also examines the implications of the two on the right of access to health. Findings of this study show that the right to health care services and information in Zimbabwe is not guaranteed in the language understood by the patient and in forms of communication suitable for persons with disabilities or through an interpreter. Some patients’ right of access to health care services and information is compromised due to the language barrier. There are no linguistic considerations in the deployment of medical practitioners such that some practitioners find themselves in communities with languages they cannot speak or understand. This compromises diagnosis, prognosis and patient adherence to treatment. It was observed that persons with disabilities and minority language speakers are the most affected in this regard.

Fostering Healthy Workplace Practices Through Inclusive Leadership Mediated by Perceived Organizational Support in the Mining Industry in Zimbabwe

The mining industry is facing a plethora of challenges which are militating against its potential performance despite being regarded as a leading pillar in an extractive-oriented economy. One major issue of concern is unhealthy workplace practices resulting in avoidable accidents taking place. This paper argues that inclusive leadership fosters healthy workplace practices in Zimbabwe’s mining industry. The study was predicated on the belief that inclusive leadership plays an important role in reducing accidents and fostering healthy workplace practices which will enable the mining industry to achieve enormous advantages. Guided by the positivism philosophy and the deductive approach, the study adopted a quantitative research design where a cross-sectional survey was used to collect primary data from 257 participants in the mining industry. The study found that inclusive leadership had a strong positive relationship with healthy workplace practices. The study concluded that inclusive leadership has a strong and direct effect on healthy workplace practices. Leaders who use inclusive leadership impact strongly on the healthy workplace behaviour of employees. It is recommended that leaders should be open, available and accessible to their employees so that employees are free to convey their concerns and share ideas with their leaders that may assist in reducing the rate of accidents and fostering healthy workplace practices.

Social factors contributing to harmful child vending practices among children in Zimbabwe: The case of Epworth

The study explored the social forces behind harmful child vending practices in Zimbabwe. The research was triggered by an observation that vending has become one of the most menacing challenges among children in Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to explore social factors contributing to child vending in Zimbabwe. This research was informed by the Ubuntu-oriented Social Work, Welfare and Development Theory. A number of previous studies that focused on the same subject and age-group were consulted. The research utilized qualitative research methodology, in which four key informants were purposively selected for interviews and the convenience sampling (used to get the 12 child vendors who participated through in-depth interviews) and also the 6 community members (whom the researcher interacted with through focus group discussions). The research findings revealed that poverty is a leading factor forcing children in Zimbabwe to engage in vending. The research also revealed that some of the factors contributing to child vending include, child abandonment, orphanhood, bad modeling, and misinformation. The study recommended collaborative efforts to be made between government and other stakeholders in coming up with interventions to support children subjected to vending and other harsh conditions.How to cite this article using ASWNet styleMagavude T. J. (2023). Social factors contributing to harmful child vending practice among children in Zimbabwe. The case of Epworth. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(3), 75-82. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i3.4
 Visit journal website: https://jda.africasocialwork.net

Green burial conundrum: constructing the intersection between stakeholder perceptions and sustainable land use in a multi-cultural society

ABSTRACT Green burial is an emerging practice in Zimbabwe and is being encouraged as a strategy for enhancing sustainable land use. This study explores stakeholder perceptions towards green burial and its implications on environmental sustainability. Interview data was collected from a purposively selected sample of 26 participants drawn from Harare and Bulawayo, the major metropolitan cities in Zimbabwe. The results of the study showed that the most promising route to promote green burial is through religion by invoking the principles of spirituality and ecological faith. Green burial was also perceived to be more affordable suggesting that cost effectiveness may be used as a positioning strategy. Cultural beliefs and lack of green burial infrastructure were identified as the main inhibiting factors. The findings of this study point to the need for stakeholders to explore strategies to reconcile the conflict between green burial and cultural beliefs. The development of green burial legislation and supporting infrastructure is recommended as a way of promoting the mainstream adoption of the green burial practice.

Policy Reform in a Colonial Setting: A Historical Discourse Analysis of George Stark’s Advocacy for Technical-Vocational Education

Colonial education is often criticized for being conservative, static, oppressive, and irrelevant to the needs and interests of the colonized people. This theoretical paper, however, disrupts the established narrative of condemnation by challenging scholars of curriculum reform to take a fresh look at colonial education policy. This study teases George Stark’s policy of technical-vocational education for Africans by employing critical policy historiography as the theoretical framework and historical discourse analysis as its methodology. Two questions drive this theoretical paper: What were the central tenets of George Stark’s curriculum reform policy in Rhodesia, and what lessons can be drawn from this policy to inform contemporary education reform in Zimbabwean secondary schools? From the research findings, it cannot be disputed that Stark’s reform policy for African education in colonial Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) was fervently racist and discriminatory, as it was framed within the overarching scope of white hegemony. But his advocacy for a practical technical-vocational curriculum for Africans seems pragmatic, visionary, and prophetic. These findings become more compelling when considering the current clarion call for worldwide technical-vocational education. As if policy planners are scavenging nuggets from Stark’s widely condemned colonial script, the Zimbabwe government is currently piloting a reform initiative to transform secondary education from an academic to a practical-oriented curriculum. In light of these findings, it appears there are several lessons to be drawn from Stark’s colonial policy for technical-vocational education to inform current curriculum reform and practice in Zimbabwe and globally. Keywords: Curriculum reform, colonial education, critical policy historiography, historical discourse analysis, technical-vocational education

Pharmacy students' attitudes and beliefs about spirituality and spiritual care in professional education in Zimbabwe

IntroductionA majority of Zimbabweans are religious and/or spiritual. Spirituality and spiritual care (SC) are important parts of patient care. The study's objective was to investigate pharmacy students' attitudes/beliefs about spirituality and SC in pharmacy education and practice in Zimbabwe. MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive nationwide study gathered data from pharmacy students at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and Harare Institute of Technology. The 38-item survey measured students' spirituality and SC perspectives and their religious and demographic characteristics. ResultsMost respondents were Christian (89%), female (54%), and attended the UZ (63%). Slightly over half agreed/strongly agreed that they “would like to undertake coursework that will make them competent in providing SC to patients” (52%), SC education would improve their clinical performance (51%), and education that promotes spiritual well-being or integration will make them more empathetic and compassionate practitioners (63%). Pharmacy students also believed that more education on spirituality should be given to pharmacy students (48%), SC is an important part of pharmacy practice (74%), “discussing patients' spiritual or religious beliefs can improve the pharmacist-patient relationship” (74%), and anticipated to incorporate spirituality into professional practice upon graduation (50%). ConclusionsMost pharmacy students in Zimbabwe considered themselves spiritual/religious and had positive perceptions about spirituality and SC in pharmacy education and practice. There was a positive association between students' personal religiosity and their beliefs about SC. Students anticipated that SC would be incorporated into their education and future professional practice and indicated they wanted more education and training to feel competent in SC.

THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON CHILD RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE STUDY

The article explores child rights violations emanating from harmful cultural practices in Zimbabwe. A qualitative case study research design was used. The targeted population included people considered custodians of the Ndebele culture in the Nkayi district of Zimbabwe. Social workers familiar with Ndebele culture and working in the child protection field within the Nkayi district also participated in the study. In-depth interviews were used to collect data. The data were analysed using Creswell’s thematic analysis. Whilst culture undoubtedly provides some ecological resources for the realisation of child rights, findings highlight harmful cultural practices which violate children’s rights, and these are the focus of this article. Keywords: Child rights, culture, rights violations, social work, Ndebele, Zimbabwe

Drivers of and barriers to the adoption of green fleet management practices in Zimbabwe: A case study of the funeral assurance sector

Background: For complex fleet operations (e.g. unpredictable routing multiple corpse destinations, longer driver working hours and rough terrains) witnessed in the funeral assurance companies, it is increasingly difficult to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and reducing environmental impacts. Existing studies do not address this gap on how firms with complex fleet management practices can or should adopt green fleet management (GFM). Against this background, this study explores the organisational constraints faced by companies to go green, as a starting point for effective and sustainable GFM adoption.Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the drivers of and barriers to the adoption of sustainable fleet management, particularly in the context of complex transport operations as those prevailing in companies within the funeral assurance sector.Method: A qualitative research paradigm was adopted, based on a case study of three companies with a sizeable fleet size within the funeral assurance sector in Zimbabwe. We conducted extensive key informant interviews with different management levels of the three companies. Documentary analysis was performed on the legislative framework governing fleet management in Zimbabwe to assess its provision for GFM in Zimbabwe and its effectiveness therefrom.Results: An analysis of the institutional frameworks for environmental sustainability shows that Zimbabwe has some Acts of parliament that deal with GFM. However, there is a paucity in terms of enforcement. Furthermore, there are no financial or fiscal incentives for the acquisition of a green fleet. Environmental considerations were peripheral in the fleet acquisition, maintenance and disposal decisions.Conclusion and contribution: Environmental considerations are least prioritised when crafting fleet operations decisions; this is despite the existence of a myriad of Acts of Parliament championing environmental preservation from transport. This article contributes to transport policy and planning by calling for a close examination of the firm specific fleet operational characteristics with a view to develop appropriate strategies for GFM adoption.

Public and private media coverage of the military coup in Zimbabwe

This qualitative study examines coverage by Zimbabwe’s media of the events surrounding the military coup of November 2017. The study investigates 38 selected stories; 16 from the state controlled The Herald and 22 from the private owned Newsday newspapers. The sampled articles were considered relevant to the ‘military assisted political transition’ that took place in the period under study. Critically, the study is aimed to understand how events that transpired during the transitional period leading to President Robert Mugabe ouster, after three decades in power, have shaped journalism practice in Zimbabwe. Considering that the transitional period marked a major turning point in Zimbabwe’s political life, this study seeks to understand the role played by the country’s private and public media. In this paper, the authors try to find out who the two newspapers wrote about during the coup period, why the two normally opposite newspapers converged against Mugabe and how they framed his demise. Framing theory is used as an analytic lens of the study. The theory analyses meanings of statements, language and words used by the two newspapers. The study found out that, in an unusual situation, the newspapers reported a similar language and tone, demonstrating media convergence between a state-controlled newspaper and a private and oppositional publication that never existed since the country had gained independence in 1980. The study also observed that these media outlets violated journalistic ethics of fairness and right to reply as they saw the toppling of President Mugabe as crucial to the progress of the country.

Historical changes in wetland management legislation and practices in Zimbabwe, and their implications

Historical changes in wetland management legislation and practices in Zimbabwe, and their implications

Knowledge Sharing in Indigenous Communities of Practice in the Arts and Crafts Sector in Zimbabwe

The study that directed this article sought to understand the dynamics of knowledge sharing in operational engagements in art practice within the indigenous communities of practice in Zimbabwe. To this end, a qualitative study was conducted based on a phenomenology of practice research strategy. Purposive sampling was used to identify the research sites, to study participants at the sites and to review documents for analysis. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews in the field from seven participants, by observations at the research sites and by means of an analysis of documents on biographies of six participants. The findings were that indigenous communities of practice were central in facilitating the sharing and acquisition of artistic knowledge in the art world. In operational interactions, socialisation was the main mode of engagement, both among integrated and naïve artists. The commonly shared knowledge types were artistic and social knowledge, irrespective of the quality of the artworks produced. Rhythmic knowledge was applied largely in the production of airport art. The recommendations were for the indigenous communities of practice to develop knowledge-sharing strategies and for the artists to form a national association that would help them to harness their efforts.

Covid-19 Redefining School Leadership Practice in Zimbabwe

Covid-19 Redefining School Leadership Practice in Zimbabwe

Times of COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact: Rethinking the Public Sector Practices in Zimbabwe

Times of COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact: Rethinking the Public Sector Practices in Zimbabwe

The challenge for university teaching and research practice in Zimbabwe: an empirical study

ABSTRACT The article examines challenges faced by academics in Zimbabwe's universities. With a particular focus on university teaching and research, the article draws upon empirical evidence from a survey study and in-depth semi-structured interviews with academics from four public universities. The survey findings suggest that years of university teaching experience, area of specialisation, professional title, and education levels are not strong determinants on the academics’ view towards political instability as one of the main issues impacting their work. The qualitative interview data provide further evidence on how all the different academics consider political instability as a factor negatively impacting university teaching and research. The most significant finding is that academics blame government policies. The article identifies the variegated market-oriented policies adopted in the university as the cause of the challenges and consequently calls for an interrogation of the policy from Zimbabwean academics and all other concerned stakeholders in higher education.

Cash Assistance in an Inflationary Environment - best practices in Zimbabwe: The case of Mbire district.

Cash Assistance in an Inflationary Environment - best practices in Zimbabwe: The case of Mbire district.

Acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks collected from different farming systems in Zimbabwe.

The larval packet test (LPT) was used to investigate resistance in Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks to the amidine (amitraz) and organophosphate (chlorfenvinphos) chemical acaricides in different farming systems in Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The study results showed emerging resistance (ER) to amitraz in small-scale and commercial farming systems. The tick populations in communal farming systems were susceptible to both acaricides. A similar trend was observed for chlorfenvinphos, where ER was observed in the small-scale farming systems compared to communal and commercial farms. Furthermore, resistance ratios (RR) were higher for amitraz as compared to chlorfenvinphos. This study suggests that management practices, acaricide formulations, applications on cattle, intensity, and frequency of use could be pre-disposing factors for the emerging resistance towards amitraz observed in R. appendiculatus ticks found in small-scale and commercial farming systems. Amitraz is the most common and frequently used acaricides in all farming systems, and hence, resistance is developing much faster than organophosphates. There is a need to investigate further acaricide use and management practices in Zimbabwe's cattle farming systems to develop practical strategies for prevention and management of tick acaricide resistance.