Staff articles
http://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/64
2024-03-29T15:08:44ZTowards Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management in Zimbabwe: Evaluating Masvingo Rural District’s Community Drought Management Program (MRDCCDMP)
http://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/296
Towards Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management in Zimbabwe: Evaluating Masvingo Rural District’s Community Drought Management Program (MRDCCDMP)
Chitongo, Leonard
The research sought to explore the effectiveness of the Masvingo Rural District’s Community
Drought Management Program (MRDCCDMP) in mitigating the cumulative effects posed by
successive droughts which have threatened rural livelihoods. The cumulative occurrence of drought
in rural Zimbabwe since 2002 has culminated in the stagnation of rural livelihoods which have
enormously been agro-based. This deliberation has not only entrenched rural poverty, but, has seen
the introduction of new strategies such as conservation farming and food handouts, all of which
have failed to usher into a comprehensive remedy primarily because of the palliative nature of the
solutions. As a consequence, the community resorted to traditional drought management strategies
as a complement of the existing conventional drought management efforts that have been implemented by the
Rural District Council in the community. The research therefore was an anatomy of the feasibility of
synchronizing indigenous drought management knowledge and conventional or modern methods of mitigating
the adversity of droughts in this community. This endeavor was anabled through the analytical framework of
technocatic approach to disaster management which stresses on the need for institutions to be proactive rather
than being reactionary as was characteristically with the traditional approach to disaster management. This was
complemented by the Disaster Mangement Cycle as a conceptual framwork. Methodologically, the research used
both quantitative and qualititative designs and data was gathered through questionnaires, informal and semistructured interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Among other findings, the research found out
that, inasmuch as the harmonization of the traditional and modern techniques proved to be positive, the grassroots
were more comfortable with the adoption of the traditional strategies which they argued were
compatible with their culture. The research consequently recommended further training programs
for the community to comprehend and appreciate the efficacy of harmonising indigenous
knowledge in the broad drought management strategy if the efforts are to culminate in
sustainability of rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
2013-08-01T00:00:00ZPUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND HOUSING PROVISION IN ZIMBABWE: THE CASE OF RUNYARARO SOUTH WEST HOUSING SCHEME (MBUDZI) MASVINGO
http://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/295
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND HOUSING PROVISION IN ZIMBABWE: THE CASE OF RUNYARARO SOUTH WEST HOUSING SCHEME (MBUDZI) MASVINGO
Chitongo, Leonard
The city of Masvingo has been experiencing serious housing problems leading to a housing
backlog of about 9297. This study eximines the contribution of public private partnerships
(PPPs) towards the provision of urban housing. The study was focused on Masvingo urban
district (Runyararo South West housing scheme) of Masvingo province. The area has a welldeveloped public private partnership. Out of a population of 520 beneficiaries, a sample of 50
was selected. Random sampling was used in the selection of beneficiaries that participated in
this study. Key informants included members from, Treasury Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Great
Zimbabwe University and Old Mutual/CABS. The researcher concluded that PPPs to a
greater extent have contributed to housing provision in Masvingo. The integrated approach
involved, surveying, construction of houses, drainage and sewage systems. Whilst
administrative work were management of funds for the beneficiaries mainly by the developer.
The researcher recommends the need by the government of Zimbabwe through its ministries
and local authorities. To come up with sustainable housing models which will ensure
efficiency and effectiveness in housing provision. The Ministry of Local Government should
also consider the inclusion of international bodies such as US AID to assist in funding low
income housing provision.
2017-01-01T00:00:00ZProspects and Challenges for Food Security in Rural Zimbabwe: Unearthing the Contestations in Conservation Farming in Mukore Village of Bikita
http://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/294
Prospects and Challenges for Food Security in Rural Zimbabwe: Unearthing the Contestations in Conservation Farming in Mukore Village of Bikita
Chitongo, Leonard
The paper sought to investigate the challenges and prospects for effective
institutionalization of conservation farming as a food security measure amidst the gross
incidence of drought and failure of traditional subsistence agriculture in Zimbabwean rural areas.
The study endeavored to achieve this through exploring the contestations among various
stakeholders in their efforts to educate the rural folk about the viability of cons ervation farming
as an option for curbing the proliferation of droughts and improve livelihoods of the rural
communities. Of the many findings elicited by the research, it was established that, the
perceptual, technocratic and political contestations among various actors in conservation farming
should be addressed and rationalized for the fruition of the efforts to create sustainable
agricultural framework and rural livelihoods. The research thrived through Norman Long’s Actor
Oriented Approach in which the various power dynamics between agents due to different
positions, knowledge and influence presented differential ‘lifeworlds’ for contestations. The
research methodologically proceeded within the qualitative framework in which case, in -depth
interviews with key informants and focus group discussions were used as data gathering tools.
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZCooperative Gardens and Rural Development the Case of Help German in Gutu Ward 25 Zimbabwe
http://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/293
Cooperative Gardens and Rural Development the Case of Help German in Gutu Ward 25 Zimbabwe
Chitongo, Bernard; Magaya, Emilia V.
The study assesses the contributions of cooperative gardens brought by Help German
in the process of reducing vulnerability and enhancing rural development through putting the
poor as their first target in the community. The research was conducted in ward 25 of Gutu
District which is situated in Masvingo Province. Rushwaya community has experienced severe
droughts due to erratic rainfalls being received in the area as a result of climate change. In a bid
to reduce vulnerability of such communities to further disasters, NGOs like Help German came
in to help the people. The research pinpoints how the beneficiaries benefited from participating
in the program and indicates how Help German helped the local people in improving their
livelihoods. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques to
solicit information related to the study. Questionnaires and interviews were administered to the
respondents by the researcher. Focus group discussions and observation were also used to collect
data from the respondents. Stratified random sampling and simple random sampling were used
as sampling procedures to select respondent a sample of 30 respondents was obtained
representing a population of 15 villages participating in the project. The researcher concluded
that Cooperative Gardens have greatly improved the standards of living of Rushwaya community.
The community`s capitals have been improved through the livelihoods brought by Help German
which are cooperative gardens, livestock production and rehabilitation projects. The researcher
recommends that for the programme to be sustainable a lot has to be done on water harvesting
because the community is still receiving inadequate rainfall for gardening
2013-01-01T00:00:00Z