Zimbabwean Context Research Articles

The Relevance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Local Governance toward Environmental Management for Sustainable Development: A Case of Bulawayo City Council, Zimbabwe

Background: Inspired by Bertalanffy (1954)’s Systems Theory, this study sought to establish the relevance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in local governance. Regardless of the overwhelming research on IKS, less attention has been put on its relevance to m.odern service delivery and seems to have lost its impact in influencing decision making. It was at the centre of this study,, therefore, to establish the relevance of IKS in local governance and establish the interconnectedness among local governance, IKS and environmental management for sustainable development. Predominantly, it focused on how IKS can be utilised as an integral system that contributes to the effective management of natural environment in urban cities, precisely Bulawayo
 Objective: The study strived towards contributing to the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals within the Zimbabwean context in the best interest of the furtherance of sustainable cities for development with IKS at the centre of it all.
 Methods: Informed by the ontological interpretivist approach, this study adopted mixed methods of collecting data from 90 randomly selected residents of Bulawayo, three Environmental Management Agency officers and three Bulawayo City Council employees.
 Findings: One of the major findings was that IKS is silent in urban areas compared to the rural because of (although not limited to) a) lack of historical and sacred sites, b) ignorance of theexistence of IKS and c) adoption of technology. Referring to how IKS has been effectively utilised in the rural set up, this paper strongly believed that IKS as a system has an important role to play in this development discourse.
 Conclusions and Recommendations: Research should focus on the applicability of IKS in urban set up especial on its applicability to other environmental management aspects such as pollution and waste management.
 Implications: There must also be adequate transmission of information using proper channels for affirmation of IKS especially to the young generation and stakeholders should work together for sustainable management of the environment.

Interpretation and Translation as Disciplines and Professions in Zimbabwe: A Critical Appraisal

This article examines the status of translation and interpretation as disciplines and professions in Zimbabwe. A critical appraisal of both past and present Zimbabwean language policy documents, triangulated with data from semi- structured interviews and observations, reveals that the two disciplines and professions are still in their formative stages despite their long history. It emerged that translation and interpretation are para-professions and are neither fully-fledged nor well-established disciplines. The lack of an enabling language policy seems to account for this underdevelopment, at least to some extent. The marginalisation of the majority of local languages thus appears to stifle and thwart efforts to promote the disciplinary and professional growth of both translation and interpretation in Zimbabwe. These observations suggest that language policy, translation, and interpretation in the Zimbabwean context have an intricate and symbiotic relationship; thus the lack of an enabling language policy environment both past and present constrains their development.

Management Competencies in the Health Sector: Case of Zimbabwean Doctors in Matabeleland South Province

The Zimbabwean Health Sector had commendable management and was a top performer in the African Continent. In the mid 1990’s the country experienced a socio-economic collapse resulting in deterioration of the national health system. The weakening of the Zimbabwean health sector has mainly been attributed to the poor economic performance in the past two decades, however the contribution of management to the problem has not been analyzed. In the Zimbabwean context, all doctors have some management responsibilities that they are expected to deliver, because of shortage of the skilled health workers, often clinicians end up running medical institutions even in interim capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate current management competencies in the Zimbabwean health sector.An online questionnaire was used to assess the management competencies of 28 medical and dental practitioners in Matebeleland South Province. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with key informants in varying levels of the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) Human Resource departments. Research findings revealed that most medical and dental practitioners have poor management competencies in running health institutions due to lack of training in management and administration in their undergraduate medical training and compromised various human resource processes. On this basis, it is recommended that training in management be incorporated into undergraduate medical training curriculums, the medical and dental practitioners’ council to work with professional bodies to implement current business management guidelines and the Health Service Board to collaborate with the Public Service Commission to revive management and administrative training programs for the MOHCC. Keywords: Management competencies, medical and dental practitioners, human resources, health management DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-14-05 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Being a mother of a child with HIV-related Neurodevelopmental Disorders in the Zimbabwean Context

BACKGROUND: There is a growing population of mothers caring for their biological children who are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), in Zimbabwe. Many of these children present with HIV-related Neuro Developmental Delays (NDDs). The occupation of being a mother is a complex and multifaceted role geared towards caring for and nurturing children. The different ways in which mothers negotiate the unique circumstances linked to the occupation of being a mother to a child with diagnosis of HIV-related NDDs warrants exploration. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe the mother's experiences of engaging in daily occupations relating to caring for their child with HIV-related NDDs. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive qualitative study using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to uncover the mothers' lived experiences of caring for their child with HIV-related NDDs. Data generated from phenomenological interviews conducted with five mothers were analysed inductively using a simplified version of the StevickColaizzKeen method FINDINGS: Two major themes, namely 'Ndozvazviri' (Resilient Acceptance) and 'Rekindled hope for the future' emerged from the findings. These themes revealed that caring for a child with HIV-related NDDs is a difficult and demanding role. Despite this, mothers accepted and found meaning in this caring role. Their meaning was expressed through the opportunity to care for their own child and to observe their progress in occupational development and engagement. These interactions created positive experiences for the mothers and rekindled their hope for the future of their child. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Despite the huge demands associated with being a mother of a child with HIV-related NDDs, mothers were committed to this role and were reluctant to entrust this role to others. The findings of this study encourage occupational therapists designing interventions for families, to carefully consider how the mothering role positively shapes the identities of mothers caring for children with HIV-related NDDs. Key words: mothering, HIV-related NDDs, caregiver

Inter-sectoral work practice in Zimbabwe: Professional competencies required by occupational therapists to facilitate work participation of persons with disabilities

Background Persons with disabilities experience higher unemployment rates and limited participation in work. Occupational therapy can promote participation and engagement in work by persons with disabilities. However, there is no clarity on the required set of competencies for entry-level occupational therapists with a bachelor’s degree to start up and participate in inter-sectoral work practice initiatives in Zimbabwe. Aims To explore what work practice competencies entry-level occupational therapists require to meet the work-related needs of persons with disabilities. Material and Methods This exploratory qualitative research sought to explore what professional competencies entry-level occupational therapists required for them to offer collaborative inter-sectoral work practice initiatives for persons with disabilities within the Zimbabwean context. Six participants selected using criterion sampling, participated in semi-structured interviews. Inductive content analysis was conducted. The Stellenbosch Health Research Ethics Committee and Medical Rehabilitation Practitioner’s Council of Zimbabwe gave ethical clearance and permissions to conduct the study. Results Three themes; core knowledge for work practice, skills for work practice and occupational therapy professional attributes; emerged. These were used in formulation of ten professional competency statements for occupational therapists offering work practice services. Conclusions Although Zimbabwean occupational therapists require similar competencies for work practice as those required in other countries, additional competencies that fall outside traditional health care contexts are essential in order to promote contextually relevant practice.

Impact of Technology on Business Performance in Zimbabwean Context in the 21st Century

Many scholars hold various views concerning the impact of technology on business performance in the 21th century. Some denotes that technology has altered considerably over the last decade, empowered with an unequivocal consensus about where it is headed. Some also posits that technology has had a positive effect on the internal operations of organizations and companies have automated many processes and eliminated unnecessary work. This paper intends to bring a discussion on the impact of technology on business performance in the 21th century. To put this discussion into a proper context, the author shall first define key terms such as organization, technology and business performance. Examples of Zimbabwean organizations such as Coverlink Microinsurance pvt ltd and Telecel Zimbabwe shall be used in application.

Towards a Postcolonial Curriculum in Zimbabwe: A Critical Review of the Literature

The purpose of the study reported on was to explore the empirical literature related to the implementation and effectiveness of a postcolonial curriculum in Zimbabwe. A systematic review of the literature utilised an inductive analytical approach to characterise the results of previous empirical studies to proffer research-based conclusions and recommendations for the reimagination of a postcolonial curriculum from a Zimbabwean context. The results provided insights concerning enduring elements of colonialism that are present in a postcolonial curriculum. The chosen research approach focuses attention on Zimbabwean concerns, but calls attention to many challenges germane to postcolonial curricula across Africa. Thus, the study included implications regarding the development of an authentic postcolonial curriculum that is inclusive, reflective, and representative of the students’ needs. The study will contribute to the literature on postcolonial education as it further explored the nuanced implementations and conceptualisations present in the academic community.

Open science disrupting the status quo in academic libraries: A perspective of Zimbabwe

The ever-increasing journal subscriptions have seen many universities and research institutions failing to provide access to the much-needed scholarship for propagation of research and development due to dwindling budget allocations. Hence, the adoption of open access (OA) institutional repositories (IR) by the institutions to increase access, availability and visibility of their research output to a wider readership. Institutional repository (IR) technologies have transformed the traditional academic library practice, thus upsetting the work culture of librarians. Though studies there have been studies on the impact of IRs on academic librarians elsewhere in the world, none have been done on the Zimbabwean context. This study draws from a wider study which explored utilisation of institutional repositories in Zimbabwe's public universities. The study sought to answer the question: What is the role of the academic librarian in promoting the institutional repository? The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of technology (UTAUT) informed the study, while a mixed methods approach was employed using document analysis, questionnaires and interviews to collect data from librarians in eight public universities. Findings revealed that in some instances IR responsibilities were added to existing duties for incumbent staff while in others, staff were reassigned to IR roles resulting in diverse staff categories maintaining the IRs across the universities. Recommendations for effective and efficient management of the repositories by the universities are made. The study is relevant to other academic libraries in developing countries and Africa particularly countries whose economies are crumbling.

Gender-based dichotomies in various psychographic attributes for environmentally friendly products

Orientation: Environmentally friendly consumption behaviour is one of the topical issues in contemporary marketing discourse. However, this subject has received considerable research attention mostly in middle- and high-income markets at the expense of developing world contexts. Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore if there is a dichotomy between gender groups on the following consumer attributes: green attitude, green personality, green values and green purchasing intention. Producers and retailers of environmentally friendly products need to understand the profile of their customers if they are to effectively segment and target them. Motivation for the study : The study is motivated by a need to understand any potential differences in customer attributes in green markets. An appreciation of such differences will supply marketers of environmentally products with critical information which can help them to design and position their value propositions. Research design, approach and method: An exploratory and cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected from a total of 284 respondents using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The student’s t -test and multiple regression analyses were used for data analysis. Main findings: The study unveiled significant gender-based disparities in social altruistic values, but none in green personality, green attitude and green purchasing intention. Moreover, it was discovered that green attitude, green values and green personality had different levels of influence on the green purchasing intention of different gender groups, with a stronger impact observed among the sample of male respondents. The implication is that marketers of green products should consider gender-informed disparities in various psychographic attributes of consumers of environmentally friendly products. Practical/managerial implications: The findings of this study can assist producers and marketers of environmentally friendly products to develop value propositions that are appropriate for young consumers who belong to different gender groups. Contribution/value-add: Very little research in the Zimbabwean context exists with specific reference to how gender affects the green attributes of young, college-level consumers. This article adds value by unravelling some of the factors that influence the green purchasing intention of college students in Zimbabwe.

Lessons learned: Retrospective assessment of outcomes and management of patients with advanced HIV disease in a semi-urban polyclinic in Epworth, Zimbabwe.

IntroductionHIV continues to be one of the leading causes of infectious death worldwide and presentation with advanced HIV disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recommendations for the management of advanced HIV disease include prompt screening and treatment of opportunistic infections, rapid initiation of ART and intensified adherence support. We present treatment outcomes of a cohort of patients presenting with advanced HIV disease in a semi-urban Zimbabwean polyclinic.MethodsRetrospective cohort analysis of adult patients enrolled for care at Epworth polyclinic, Zimbabwe between 2007 and end June 2016. Treatment outcomes at 6 and 12 months were recorded. Multivariate logistical regression analysis was undertaken to identify risk factors for presentation with advanced HIV Disease (CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 or WHO stage 3 or 4) and risks for attrition at 12 months.Results16,007 anti-retroviral therapy naive adult patients were included in the final analysis, 47.4% of whom presented with advanced HIV disease. Patients presenting with advanced HIV disease had a higher mortality rate at 12 months following enrollment compared to early stage patients (5.11% vs 0.45%). Introduction of a package of differentiated care for patients with a CD4 count of less than 100 cells/mm3 resulted in diagnosis of cryptococcal antigenaemia in 7% of patients and a significant increase in the diagnosis of TB, although there was no significant difference in attrition at 6 or 12 months for these patients compared to those enrolled prior to the introduction of the differentiated care.ConclusionsThe burden of advanced HIV disease remained high over the study period in this semi-urban polyclinic in Zimbabwe. Introduction of a package of differentiated care for those with advanced HIV disease increased the diagnosis of opportunistic infections and represents a model of care which can be replicated in other polyclinics in the resource constrained Zimbabwean context.

The effects of organisational commitment and employee perceptions of equity on organisational citizenship behaviour in Zimbabwean SMEs

Organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour have been extensively researched from the perspective of antecedents and outcomes. Literature shows that employee perceptions of equity relationships in organsations have been less extensively chronicled in research, especially in respect of organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour, within a Zimbabwean context. The objective of the study was to explore the relationship between organisational commitment, employee perceptions of equity and organisational citizenship behaviours among employees of small and medium enterprises in Zimbabwe. The research design is located within a quantitative research paradigm, undertaken through a cross-sectional, non-probabilty covenience sample (n=464). Descriptive statistics, correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the data. The results showed that perceptions of equity, organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour are low among employees in the Zimbabwean small and medium enterprise sector. The correlation analysis exhibits strong positive linear relationship between the constructs. Further, the results of the multiple regression analysis show that employee perceptions of equity and organisational commitment are strong predictors of organisational citizenship behaviour. The findings of the study will benefit owners/managers of SMEs and government entities in improving their understanding of the issues of equity and organisational commitment effects on organisational citizenship behaviour within the Zimbabwean context.

Chibende

AbstractPlay language practices are common around the globe and have been described for several parts of the world. While some contributions on play language focus on the structure, manipulative strategies, and rules, this paper ties in with approaches that seek to view play language practices in their respective sociolinguistic contexts (e.g.Sherzer 2002;Storch 2011). Chibende, the play language practice under study in this paper, is analyzed in its Zimbabwean context. By looking at Zimbabwean examples and by broadening the perspective on these creative linguistic phenomena, it becomes evident that play languages are not performed in isolation but are deeply entangled with other language practices, such as youth language, as part of complex repertoires and social practices as well as acts of identity. By focusing on creativity and also taking the aspect of fun into account, the agency of the speakers becomes a central feature which is also reflected by the metalinguistic knowledge of the practitioners of Zimbabwean play language. In this regard, the discussion in this paper centers on the speakers’ ideologies of play language.

Mapping the spatial variations in crime in rural Zimbabwe using geographic information systems

Understanding the distribution and densities of crimes is of importance in order to facilitate the development of investigation preference strategies for policing. Within the Zimbabwean context, le...

Factor Analysis of Motivational Factors among Experienced Blood Donors: A Case of High Schools in Manicaland Province Zimbabwe

Background: Blood is a non-pharmaceutical product obtained through voluntary donations. Donations in Zimbabwe are inadequate to meet the insatiable appetite from patients in need of transfusion for various therapies and procedures. The adequacy of blood products is attributable to a profound donor recruitment and retention strategy that is largely influenced by the motives driving the blood donors. Understanding the motivations, preferred incentives and potential barriers to donation among high school aged blood donors may prove to be critical in the success of National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ). Methods: A cross sectional study of experienced high school donors was conducted in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe consisting of a sample of 215 student donors irrespective of gender. A self-administered questionnaire requested donors to rate importance of: motivational factors, potential deterrents that may influence future decisions to donate blood and the appeal of various incentives offered by NBSZ. Results: Factor analysis with oblique rotation revealed a three factor solution of blood donor motivation. The Understanding factor explained 57.3% of the total variation, Enhancement and value factor explained 22.3% and the social factor explained 12.7% hence the three factors explained 92.3% of the total variation in the data. 83% of the respondents were also motivated by helping their respective schools donate more than any other. None of the deterrents were rated as important. Three incentives (coffee mugs, T-shirts and Key holders) received a high level of support from majority of the respondents. The ratings were 79%,74% and 67% respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the study provide empirical evidence for the utilization of the Voluntary Functions Inventory (VFI) in the Zimbabwean context and high school aged donors were motivated mainly by the Understanding factor. Young donors are more attracted to concrete items as incentives and males have a greater desire to donate than females.

Humanitarianism in Praxis? Probing Power Dynamics around Key Actors in Zimbabwe’s Forced Migration

Globally, humanitarian organisations are ideally expected to render expedient and effective assistance to all (indiscriminately) vulnerable populations, ranging from victims of adverse natural hazards to those fleeing from intra-state or inter-state conflicts. Consequently, the role played by international organisations vis-a-vis creating structural justice in these contexts can be equated to restoring the displaced people’s capabilities. Capabilities are entrenched in the ability to do or be what one values in life while entitlements denote the resources that individuals should access through legal channels. Therefore, this paper intends to explore the differences between the application of the capability approach and entitlement approach and the role of international organisations (in praxis) in enhancing or hindering human capabilities. Using qualitative data from participants who work for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe, the paper discusses the assumed, conventional role of humanitarian institutions juxtaposed with the reality of their activities in alleviating challenges faced by the displaced communities in Zimbabwe. The findings of the paper indicate that effective interventions for the displaced communities are adversely affected by power dynamics around key actors in internal displacement. This connotes that the bid to remain politically correct hinders the NGOs from enforcing their mandated roles towards IDPs in Zimbabwe. Therefore, the paper reaches the conclusion that the Zimbabwean context of internal displacement has exposed the gaps created by the polarity between theory on displaced people’s humanitarian assistance and praxis in real-life contexts. This has particularly exposed the forced migrants to increased vulnerabilities as well as reducing the IDPs’ chances of gaining their capabilities.

Rereading Narratives of Safety and Security in Ancient Israel from a Pastoral Perspective

The present study investigates the concept of safety and security in the Hebrew Bible in order to demonstrate that our concern for self-defence in the modern post-biblical world was also a prerogative among biblical societies. Numerous inferences to self-defence in the Hebrew Bible show that ancient Israelite societies did not take preparedness against enemy attack lightly. In this essay, lessons on safety and security drawn from ancient Israelite societies will be appropriated in the Zimbabwean context. This appropriation is necessary because safety and security was critical in ancient Israel as it is in our post-colonial Zimbabwean society. Constructive themes from the Hebrew Bible will be appropriated as lessons to be learnt from the narratives about ancient Semitic peoples who are purported to have lived in a “real” physical, yet historical, space. Admittedly, the biblical text depicts that bad/negative things happened in ancient Israel. However, in this study self-defence is explored in a positive light in order to sensitise modern societies to the importance of preparedness against potential aggressors. In addition, the study attempts to encourage the readership to conceptualise ideals of moral values and high ethical integrity which the biblical text seeks to promote. Having said that, some pastoral perspectives on safety and security, as well as self-defence, are also explored.

A Preliminary Investigation of the factorial validity of the Four- Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) in the Zimbabwean working population

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factorial validity of the 4DSQ in a Zimbabwean working population. The 4DSQ is a recently developed measure of distress, depression, anxiety and somatisation developed by Terluin (1996). An online survey was administered through survey monkey to employees on the database of a local consulting firm. A convenient sample (N= 819) provided the data set for this analysis. The Cronbach’s α for the 4DSQ ranged from .89 to .96 based on the whole sample. The sample was randomly split into two samples; test sample (N= 410) and holdout sample (409). The data on the test sample was subjected to exploratory factor analysis yielding 4 factors. When subjected to confirmatory factor analysis 3 factors fitted the data better than the 4 factor model. The three factors in the new scale are depression, anxiety and somatisation excluding the distress factor. The 3 factor scale was then validated on holdout sample and it was replicated. The Cronbach’s α for the 3 factor scale ranged from .78 to .96. Results are discussed in relation to the Zimbabwean context.

Unsettled spirits, performance and aesthetics of power: the public life of liberation heritage in zimbabwe

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates how meanings of liberation heritage have been constructed and institutionalised in Zimbabwe, and how this has elicited responses from local communities. While most treatises on liberation heritage have focussed on the politics of election of heroes and heroines or the contested meanings and symbolism of sites, archives or objects associated with liberation heritage, this analysis, drawing from the Zimbabwean context, examines the strategies used to frame ideas and practices around liberation heritage. The article brings together different practices centred around the Zimbabwean liberation war, where practices around burials became a way of renewing the legitimacy of the state in a period of increasing economic and political turmoil in post 2000 Zimbabwe. The selected curatorial projects and state sponsored commemorations or rituals, show that the conferment of official heritage status to spaces, sites, routes or personalities associated with liberation wars provides space for public performance of the state’s narrative of the past, conferring it with an accentuated visibility in the public sphere. The paper highlights the strategies deployed and the language used to entrench the liberation war narrative as part of official heritage, all choreographed and performed at burials, visitations, rituals and other commemorative practices. While the configuration of the war past as official heritage confers visibility to the state, it also produces a fractured and highly contested heritage complex, stimulated by emerging counter practices that resist state-sponsored forms of memorialisation. The production of heritage in post-2000 Zimbabwe points to the intensifying politicisation of heritage in times of increasing economic and political tensions. The developments foreground the fluid and ever-changing nature of the uses of heritage and are a demonstration of how tropes of heritage continue to take a central role in contemporary politics in Southern Africa.

Towards the development of cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe

PurposeZimbabwean tourism, whose draw-card is wildlife, has been on the decline since land invasions that occurred in 2000. Due to the farm invasions, wildlife-based tourism is no longer a viable option. In cases where traditional industries are declining, cultural tourism has been found to be an effective alternative source of revenue. Cultural and heritage tourism represents a growing special interest market whose demand is very high; however, this sector is yet to be sufficiently explored in the empirical context of Northern Zimbabwe. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development potential of the sector.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative methodology was applied in this study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to 500 international tourists who visited Northern Zimbabwe’s cultural and heritage attractions between October 2013 and February 2014. Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 19.0 was employed in data coding and analysis. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and one way analysis of variance were used in this study.FindingsOn the whole, the study found that there is potential to develop cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe. Results showed that there exists a certain demand for cultural and heritage tourism in Northern Zimbabwe and should be developed. Cultural and heritage tourists’ spending is high per visit, despite the fact that Zimbabwe is an expensive destination. The intention to repeat visitation was found to be significant with the age, level of qualification and nationality of respondents.Originality/valueThe findings provides insights for cultural and heritage tourism managers in Northern Zimbabwe and similar places around the country to invest in this special interest tourism. The development of cultural and heritage tourism will contribute towards the diversification of the seasonal and threatened nature-based tourism in Zimbabwe. With a better understanding of the motivations, trip behaviour characteristics and perceptions of Northern region, this paper presents insights that are important in developing the cultural and heritage tourism sector. Research on tourism growth in Zimbabwe has predominantly focused on nature-based tourism, suggesting a clear relegation of the contribution that cultural and heritage resources can make towards tourism growth; thus, this study provides a significant contribution in the Zimbabwean context with regards to literature.

Towards eradication: adopting a community-directed intervention strategy in the prevention and management of malaria in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe continues to struggle to eliminate malaria despite the availability of several global health initiatives to manage the disease There is little empirical evidence on how to achieve the integration of community level interventions in the context of malaria prevention and management and public health in general This monograph traverses the dangers posed by malaria as a disease within the Zimbabwean context It proposes and encourages the conducting of theory based research to generate appropriate data that can be used in the implementation of strategies aimed at eventual eradication of malaria and management and control of other diseases