Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University

The objective of the study was to capture the challenges that are faced by young informal traders in Bindura town, Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the lack of attention to the challenges faced by young informal traders by the governing authorities at local and national level. We believe our study extends the understanding of the challenges faced by young informal traders, drawing on their everyday experiences and the navigation of the complex challenges they face. Deploying a qualitative research approach with in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and documentary analysis as data generation tools, the study found that young informal traders face several challenges that include lack of capital and harassment from municipal authorities as well as lack of mentoring and competition from established traders. Thus, the study established and concluded that within this difficult environment, young entrepreneurs employ different survival strategies such as raising capital from friends and relatives, relying on multifarious mentoring and coaching programmes from various sources. The paper recommends that government and private sector take up responsibility in nurturing these young entrepreneurs.

Blended e-learning has become a common phenomenon in higher education globally.Most affluent economies embraced e-learning by design through strategic moves to augment their competitiveness.However, in most emerging economies, e-learning implementation was impulsively reactive to the Covid-19s demands.Thus, the study examined the impact of perceived e-learning service quality on students' satisfaction and loyalty in a developing country.The expectation-confirmation thty -35eory informs the development of the conceptual framework.A causal research design enshrined in the positivism research philosophy was adopted.The research population was made up of students enrolled in public and private universities in Zimbabwe.Data was collected through person-administered survey and a stratified sample of 354 students was obtained.The results from structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed significant positive relationships between perceived e-learning service quality dimensions and e-learning student satisfaction.It was also reflected that student satisfaction positively affected student loyalty with e-learning (P < 0.05).It was therefore concluded that system quality, information quality and service quality significantly influence student satisfaction and loyalty with e-learning.The study thus recommended that the higher education industry should design e-learning systems that enhance easy access, easy navigation and user flexibility.

This article discusses the principles and practice of monitoring and evaluation and emphasises that monitoring and evaluation (M and E) is paraphernalia for effective development. The discourse of monitoring and evaluation in development practice and theory has gained prominence over the years. It is uncontested that the purveyors of development are increasingly prioritising monitoring and evaluation as a platform for learning and accountability. This growing importance has been caused by the growing voice of the civil society’s scrutiny on good governance, and a demand for efficient public administration. At the same time, a plethora of development funders demand that M and E be implemented as a platform for learning and accountability. Despite growing importance of M and E, there seems to be a lack of clarity on the principles of M and E. The article finds its value in locating how M and E, augmented by appropriate principles, leads to effective development. Underlined by qualitative data collection methods, the article discusses relevant principles such as learning, accountability, participatory approaches, quality assurance, and reporting in monitoring and evaluation.

Smallholder farmers across Zimbabwe have been facing a problem of food insecurity because of climate-induced droughts and lack of effective use of irrigation schemes. Rainfall patterns in the country have become more unpredictable and inconsistent with the traditional farming seasons. Faced with such challenges, many smallholder farmers in Shurugwi district in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe adopted small-scale irrigation schemes to improve food security. The principal objectives of this study were to examine the status of the irrigation schemes in the district; analyse the need to rehabilitate small-scale irrigation schemes; assess the initiatives towards the revival of irrigation schemes; establish the benefits that can accrue to smallholder farmers from small-scale irrigation schemes and discuss challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the running of small-scale irrigation schemes in rural areas. This qualitative study employed literature and interviews to obtain data from 40 purposively selected participants. The direct observation method was used to compliment the interviews. The findings of the study were that small-scale rural irrigation schemes have the capacity to significantly transform the lives of rural farmers through earning increased reliable income from farming if institutional and capacity issues of the farmers are addressed. Furthermore, the study found that small-scale irrigation schemes can also be a panacea to food security challenges mainly faced by rural households. As such, the article concluded that irrigation schemes are fortress and antidote to the effects of climate change. The study calls for capacity promotion on technical skills for the farmers, the establishment of many new irrigation schemes and the rehabilitation of the existing small-scale irrigation schemes in the country as well as calling on the farmers to adopt climate-smart irrigation.

The article reviews child protection services in Zimbabwe and its interface with the changing social and economic environment. Within the qualitative research design, the study deployed the documentary analysis and the interview of six key informants only, which created an epistemological front for knowledge production. The study was guided by the Human Rights Perspective and established that the Child Protection Services in Zimbabwe have been marred with a plethora of socioeconomic encounters which stretch from policy inconsistency, corruption, brain drain, lack of operational research, lack of capacity of Department of Social Development and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these issues are global concerns. Drawing from Human Rights Perspective, the study concludes that the socio-economic challenges associated with child protection services in Zimbabwe demonstrate the violation of children’s as enshrined in provisions of Convention on the Rights of the Child. The research concludes by arguing for provision of more investment towards child service programmes in Zimbabwe. The study respectfully recommends that key stakeholders can improve this state of affairs by promoting child rights.

Renaissance studies continue to grow in post-colonial Africa. This study explores the Ndau culture in a bid to assess its vitality and relevance to contemporary society&rsquo;s water technology in Zimbabwe. The thesis of the study posits that the Ndau people have indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) that can be tapped in the implementation of water resource management. Some Ndau beliefs and practices on water resources can be used as environmental management tools in order to do justice to climate change. These, if blended with western technologies, can be effective intervention strategies to mitigate the challenges posed by climate change. &nbsp;The study adopted a qualitative research design in a case study approach. Purposive sampling was used to select community elders and traditional practitioners who are associated with the in-depth knowledge on traditional beliefs and practices. The data collection techniques included interviews, participant observations and documentary analysis. The study observed that the particular Ndau cultural beliefs and practices that are not only relevant but consistent with water technological changes and these must be strengthened as part of a people&rsquo;s heritage.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words: Climate change, climate justice, culture, indigenous knowledge systems, Ndau people, renaissance studies, water technology. &nbsp;

The study discusses the contribution of volunteerism to monitoring and evaluation (M and E) of NGO projects using the case study of a NGO in Chegutu district, Zimbabwe. While there is significant body of literature on contribution of volunteerism to social development in Zimbabwe and elsewhere, there is no literature that specifically discuss the nexus between formal volunteerism and monitoring and evaluation. The study was limited to formal volunteerism organised in Non-Governmental Organisation. It emerged that volunteers perform several M and E roles that include data collection, reporting, feedback of project success, peer to peer mentoring and beneficiary verification. These roles are embedded in the broader project functions. While performing these roles several challenges affects the outcomes of M and E roles. Low literacy levels affect effective performance of M and E roles. Similarly, desire to sustain households’ livelihoods conflict with performance of M and E roles resulting in little commitment by some of the volunteers. Data in the study were collected from volunteers and NGOs officials. Data were collected using in-depth interview. The findings are presented and discussed thematically.

Abstract The study investigated the cybersecurity awareness (CSA) in Zimbabwean universities from the perspectives of the students. The study hypothesized a model to proffer theoretical and practical solutions to higher education students on cybersecurity training programs. The paper used a positivist approach to test three hypotheses on CSA among Zimbabwe universities. To test the hypothesized model, a total of 322 questionnaires were distributed among three universities in Zimbabwe. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to test the data. ANOVA tests and regressions were used to test three hypotheses from the hypothesized model. Chi square was used for cross‐case analysis to test relationships between age, gender, education level, and institution on recoded variable CSA. The findings reveal that the social engineering attacks, malware attacks, and the internet of things attacks are all positively related to CSA findings from cross‐case analysis indicated that there were no differences on gender and age on CSA while there were differences on education level and institution on CSA. The findings from this study have implications for decision‐makers to come up with policies concerning CSA in the higher education sector.

Propositions in favor of biophysical environmental sustainability have proliferated governance, business and academic debates globally.initiatives promoting consumer health and environmental preservation have been epitomised through production and marketing of green products.however, the establishment of green brand equity to expedite green purchase has been a widely observed obstacle for most green brands.the study examined the antecedents of green brand equity for organic foods in Zimbabwe.the paper proposed that green satisfaction stimulates development of green trust, green brand image and green brand equity.it also hypothesized that green brand image influences green trust.green brand image and green trust were modelled to affect green brand equity.the study targeted green consumers who purchased organic foods in the upmarket suburbs in harare (n = 319).Model validation through confirmatory Factor analysis (cFa) and covariance based structural equation Modelling (seM) revealed that green satisfaction positively affected green brand image, green trust and green brand equity.green brand image and green trust also positively influenced green brand equity.the relationship between green brand image and green trust was also positive and significant.the paper flags the multifaceted role of green satisfaction in the development of green brand equity.Findings suggest that green satisfaction provides key leverage for reducing consumer perceived risk and green phobias through green trust and green brand image.Organic food marketers were urged to design a two-fold green value proposition that delivers both functional satisfaction and green fulfilment as drivers for cultivating sustainable green brand equity.

The study analyses the contribution of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) in accessing financial, physical and natural capital by the newly resettled farmers and the implications on farmers’ livelihoods in Norton, Zimbabwe. There are no studies in Zimbabwe that interrogate how the FTLRP facilitated access to the above-referred three forms of capital and the effects on farmers’ livelihoods. To cover this gap, the study employed a qualitative approach characterised by use of in-depth interviews, documentary analysis and observation to collect data. The study found out that the FTLRP has enabled access to natural capital (land) to many families but there is inequality in terms of ownership of land by women and the youth as they are significantly disadvantaged. With time the farmers have accumulated physical assets in form of investments in irrigation equipment, ploughs, hoes, vehicles and many other assets. The early years of the newly resettled farmers were marked by declining productivity and attendant low financial income. With time farmers’ productivity has improved and consequently reaping of financial rewards has allowed the accumulation of physical assets. The farmers in Norton exist in a vulnerable context characterised by droughts, lack of government support, economic challenges and lack of timely inputs support. This has militated against success in the past and these challenges continue to affect farmers’ livelihoods. The study recommends timely government support to the farmers.

Abstract Der Nobelpreis für Physik wurde 1986 je zur Hälfte dem Berliner Physiker Ernst Ruska für seinen bedeutenden Beitrag zur Entwicklung des Durchstrahlungs‐Elektronenmikroskops und den Physikern Gerd Binnig und Heinrich Rohrer in Zürich für die Erfindung des Raster‐Tunnelmikroskops zuerkannt. Die Auswahl der Preisträger verdeutlicht, welche Bedeutung Methoden der „Übermikroskopie”︁, mit denen eine weit höhere Auflösung [1] als mit der Licht‐mikroskopie erreicht werden kann, inzwischen zukommt. Besonders mit Hilfe der Durchstrahlungs‐Elektronenmikroskopie gelang es der Biologie und Medizin, den feineren Aufbau der Zelle kennenzulernen. Darüber hinaus stößt diese leistungsfähige Untersuchungsmethode bis in atomare Dimensionen vor und ist deshalb aus der Werkstoffkunde, der Mineralogie, der Physik und der Festkörperchemie nicht mehr wegzudenken.

Informal trading in the town of Bindura, Zimbabwe is a competitive venture just like in other parts of the world. The competitiveness is characterized by young traders aged 18 to 24 years being elbowed out by those established in the business, hence, the study sought to interrogate the experiences of young informal traders. Employing a qualitative research framework with an interpretive philosophical dimension, the study established that young informal traders deploy their agency to survive in such a harsh environment. Their survival is depended on developing multiple streams of income, professionalizing their trade, setting up some associations, and establishing close-knit social networks that enables them to remain in business and eke a living. The study recommends that there is a need for forging up cooperative mechanisms of working in harmony amongst all informal traders since the Bindura market is ever-growing and may accommodate them all.

The study uses the case of Hopley, Harare, to reflect on the challenges of accessing water in the area and how this affects women and children regarding gender inequality. We argue that there is an intricate interplay between water, gender and public health as water takes on a gendered dimension. Through the lens of the Moser gender analytical framework and social justice theory, we analyse the interplay of water-gender health by examining gender roles and implications of water use and access and public health. This interplay is critical as it provides research and policy insights for enhancing the liveability of human settlements. A mixed method research design is adopted through which data is collected from both primary and secondary data sources. The findings reveal that water quantity and quality scarcity is prevalent in Hopley. This scarcity disadvantages women and girls are responsible for household water tasks. Subsequently, beyond the water-bone diseases, women and girls are more vulnerable to emotional, physical, and psychological stress associated with accessing water. We conclude that the gendered roles and perceptions rooted in patriarchal societal values and norms perpetuate social injustices among women and girls presenting an unescapable interconnectedness of water-gender-health.

There is a growing interest in the teaching of science in early childhood development (ECD) classrooms the world over. This has led to some countries crafting and implementing policies that ensure the teaching of science process skills. This study explored the teaching of science process skills in ECD classrooms of Zimbabwe through an interpretive multiple case study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, still photographs and field notes from four purposively selected ECD teachers. Findings show that the participants had knowledge of science process skills namely, communication, observation, measuring, comparing, classifying, predicting and inferring. The study found that science process skills were best taught using child-centred approaches such as explorations, play, experiments and guided discovery because such methodology encourages an active participation of learners. Effective teaching of science process skills in prepared science environments lays a foundation of acquiring scientific knowledge, content and skills in young learners. The study concluded that participants' knowledge and experience of teaching science process skills afforded them a strong foundation for developing science skills in ECD learners. Hence, there is a need for parents and school administrators to support teachers through resource mobilisation, provision and allocation. The study recommends the ECD teachers to teach science process skills as a way of perpetuating the nation's goal of introducing STEM subjects in ECD classes.

AbstractThe goal of sustainable marketing remains mainstreaming consumer behavior change towards better and healthier products. This study examined the nexus between organic food adoption behavior and perceived consumer longevity in a post-peak COVID-19 period in Zimbabwe. The proposed model is grounded in the theory of planned behavior and the expectancy-disconfirmation paradigm. Organic food consumers in the upmarket suburbs in Harare were targeted. Using convenience sampling, a structured and person administered questionnaire, 256 valid responses were collected in a cross-sectional survey. Structural Equation Modelling in AMOS was used to analyse the survey data. The positive influence of green attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on green adoption intentions was confirmed. Further, the results also revealed that green behavioral intentions positively affected organic food adoption behavior. The findings were also confirmatory of the positive impact of green adoption behavior on perceived consumer longevity (p < 0.05). The study concludes that green attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control significantly influence consumer intentions to adopt organic foods and their subsequent adoption behavior. More importantly, green adoption behavior has a significant impact on perceived consumer longevity in organic food markets. Therefore, to enhance long-term organic food consumption behavior, organic food marketers should leverage their embedded pro-health benefits that positively correlate with consumer perceptions of good health and longevity.

The study interrogated the reasons that underlie student entrepreneurship, the nature of student entrepreneurship, and the outcomes of student entrepreneurship, the challenges encountered and how the students cope with the challenges. Theoretically, the study is informed by the human agency theory that views entrepreneurship as an intentional goal by students to satisfy their varied goals. The study was qualitative since the study sought to capture the voices of student entrepreneurs. Consequently, data were gathered using in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Emerging themes were presented thematically. It was discovered that there are a preponderance of reasons that underline student entrepreneurship that include, future career prospects, family background, poverty, the influence of the curriculum and the desire to satisfy conspicuous consumption patterns. Student entrepreneurship is characterised by both male and female students running varied businesses. Student entrepreneurs face a quantum of challenges that interferes with their businesses including lack of capital, bureaucratic impediments and the need for the delicate balancing act of studies and running a business. The study recommends the establishment of universities sovereign funds to support students to start and grow their businesses as well as the removal of bureaucratic impediments that deter student entrepreneurship on campus.

A survey among 888 inhabitants of Mashonaland Central reveals that malaria and its symptoms is generally well known. In the area with an altitude below 600 metres 26 pc of those interviewed and their relatives said they had suffered an attack of malaria in the last rainy season, while 6.7 pc of those in the higher areas claimed to have had malaria. The role of mosquitoes is less well known and 44 pc of the people were not really aware that mosquitoes transmit malaria. Less than half of the population knew of an effective protective or preventive means against malaria. Skin repellents as a preventive means were unknown and the understanding of residual spraying against malaria almost non-existent. Knowledge of malaria was less in the age groups over 50 and in the under 16 group. Knowledge of preventive measures against malaria was less in the higher incidence area.

small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) are faced with a myriad of competitive business organisations which are broadly categorised as formal industries. These organisations exhibit varying marketing strategies to remain viable, survive and to be a going concern. This study investigated marketing strategies employed by clothing entrepreneurs in the SMEs over big formal clothing companies in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study sought to understand why customers prefer to buy from small clothing entrepreneurs over big clothing entrepreneurs. Non-probability sampling and purposive sampling techniques were adopted and a total of 75 entrepreneurs constituted the research participants. A post-positivism research philosophy was adopted, and a combination of questionnaires and open-ended interviews were the research instruments of choice. The study found that small clothing manufactures in Harare are increasingly becoming competitive in their marketing strategies as compared to rigid large formal clothing companies. The study found that, large companies need to implement creative and decisive marketing strategies and catch up with the prevailing winning marketing strategic practices suitable for the Zimbabwean economic environment. The study found that legal and illegal imported clothes (mainly from Mozambique) are threatening the viability and sustainability of Harare clothing manufacturers. It is therefore recommended that the Zimbabwean government needs to capacitate the small-scale clothing manufacturers, curb illegal smuggling of clothes from Mozambique and fight anti-competitive practices of large clothing manufacturers. Small-scale clothing manufacturers are contributing to employment creation in Harare and Zimbabwe at large.

This Voices from Practice note delineates institutional and non-institutional enablers of asset accumulation in Zimbabwe. It argues that in promoting asset accumulation and poverty reduction, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) rely on the support of government ministries, partner NGOs, community volunteers, and community leaders. That perspective shifts and moves away from placing NGOs at the center of asset accumulation and poverty reduction efforts in communities. This article concludes that social work practice can be integral in contributing to poverty reduction when there are various stakeholders collaborating to enhance the welfare of communities at risk.

Purpose This study aims to establish the online teaching behaviour of university lecturers as well as examine issues and challenges for online teaching in universities in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 era and beyond. Design/methodology/approach The study assumed a quantitative approach that employed a structured questionnaire for data collection. Structural equation modelling using AMOS version 22 and independent samples t -test were used for data analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used for data purification. Findings The results of the study showed that organisational factors, technological factors, pedagogical factors, student factors and the gender of lecturers have a significant influence on the behavioural intentions of lecturers to teach online. The results also showed that the behavioural intentions of lecturers to teach online has a significant influence on the actual online teaching behaviour of the lecturers. The results also showed that lecturers mostly used the WhatsApp platform for teaching. Issues and challenges affecting the online teaching behaviour of lecturers in universities in Zimbabwe were also identified. Research limitations/implications The results of this study have implications for policy and practice with regard to online teaching and learning during periods of pandemics and beyond. Practical implications The results showed that for effective teaching to be done in universities, universities should not continue focusing on single platforms such as blackboard, Moodle and others, but should allow for a multimedia approach that factors in platforms such as WhatsApp, Google Classroom and others. This will ensure that even universities with limited technology infrastructure will be able to have online teaching occurring. Social implications The study demonstrated the influence of gender in online teaching by showing that there are gender differences in the way university lecturers conduct online teaching. This also has implication on teaching and policy as these results demonstrate a need for universities to come up with strategies and policies that ensure despite gender differences, university lecturers should be able to effective teach online. Originality/value While the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology has been widely used in research, the current study represents the first opportunity that the theory has been used to establish the online teaching behaviour of university lecturers in the context of Zimbabwe.