FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE INCREASE IN EARLY CHILD MARRIAGES: A CASE OF GURUVE DISTRCT BY HAPPYMORE MUDAMBO

The study sought to explore factors contributing towards the increase in early child marriages in Guruve District with a view to proffer possible intervention to curb the menace brought by early marriages. The study was guided by three objectives which were to identify social factors contributing to early marriages, examine cultural practices that contribute towards the phenomenon and evaluate the legal framework in place to mitigate the problem. A review of literature from numerous scholars who examined the broad subject of early marriages was utilised as the basis of this study. The knowledge gathered was integrated and synthesised to link various concepts with the main dominant themes of the study. The mixed method approach was adopted, and the descriptive survey design employed for the study. The target population comprised of 179 survivors of child marriages where a sample of 38 subjects was extracted from using a simple random sampling technique. Data was elicited through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data elicited through questionnaires was presented in tabular, pie charts and bar graphs formats while qualitative data solicited from the key informants who incorporated four (4) Victim Friendly Unit Police Officers, two (2) Chiefs and two (2) officials from the Ministry of Youth, Gender and Welfare from Guruve District using a non-probabilistic sampling namely purposive sampling was transcribed in textual form and coded into themes falling into the same categories. The findings of the study revealed that the major factors perpetuating child marriages in Guruve District were poverty, religion, sexual orientation, inheritance of right of marriage and weak marriage laws. In order to curb the menace brought by child marriages, the study postulated that there was need to conduct awareness campaigns, education and training of girl child and community, prosecution of all child marriages offenders, imposition of deterrent sentences against child marriages offenders and realignment and synchronization of marriage laws to comply with the dictates of the Constitution

2016-2017 Zimbabwe Research Index

The Zimbabwe Research Index (ZRI) is a publication produced by the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) that gives information about the latest research being conducted at various institutions in the country. The major objective of the Zimbabwe Research Index is to direct attention to research being carried out in Zimbabwean institutions. The Index is an annual publication that promotes coordination and collaboration among researchers and research institutes while offering institutes a platform to showcase their research prowess. Abstracts about on-going and completed research are grouped by institutions. The abstracts contained in this index were obtained from Government Departments, Universities, Research Institutions, Polytechnic Colleges, Teachers Colleges and Private Organisations. The RCZ is grateful to all institutions who readily submitted their abstracts upon request. It is through the cooperation and support from these institutions that the 2016-2017 Zimbabwe Research Index came into place. The abstracts in the 2016- 2017 ZRI were captured as received, except where obvious grammatical errors existed. Some institutions submitted research titles of their published research instead of abstracts; given the significance of these research studies they have been included in this publication. Information in this index is listed in the alphabetical sequence of submitting institution‘s names. The Index contained 1184 abstracts received from 22 institutions. This is an increase from 598 abstracts received from 29 institutions for the 2014- 2015 Zimbabwe Research Index. The increase in the number of entries received shows that there has been intensification of research activities within Zimbabwean institutions

A semiotic reading of ‘munhu wese kuna amai’ in Zimbabwean political discursive realities

The Zimbabwean political landscape has provided fertile ground for the breeding of very interesting linguistic as well as discursive expressions. These linguistic expressions to some extent signify socio-political dementia of the populace as reflected in the political and behavioural acts of the same in the negotiation for political and socio-cultural space in the country. The political realities in Zimbabwe, especially from 2013 to present, has clearly marked the landscape as a theatre, where political players and their institutions, illustriously use language to onion-peel-off the socio-political drama and cultural realities for historians to document, political scientists to analyse, journalists to report, the povo to debate and academics to study. Using semiotics, the paper dissects one instance of this linguistic inventive; what has now become a popular expression, ‘munhu wese kuna amai’ (Everyone should go to the mother), among the many, in the Zimbabwean socio-political performance from which various ideological, historical and cultural realities are presented. The paper further argues that such expressions are strategies which reflect efforts by ZANU (PF) to declare, define, demarcate, command, propagate as well as express socio-political and cultural dogmas the populace should adhere to

ATTITUDES OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TOWARDS WORKING IN MENTAL HEALTH SETTINGS IN ZIMBABWE: A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE FINAL YEAR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS.

The bid to better understand the non-uptake of psychiatric social work in Zimbabwe resulted in carrying out a mixed methods study assessing the attitudes of undergraduate social work students towards working in mental health settings in Zimbabwe. To achieve this aim, the social learning theory guided the study in establishing social work students’ attitudes towards mental ill health, investigated social work students’ attitude towards seeking employment in psychiatric social work settings, and identified factors associated with non�uptake of mental health posts. It also explored strategies for improving uptake of psychiatric social work in Zimbabwe. Analysis of findings using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist and Microsoft Excel as well as themes unearthed by the study revealed that there are generally positive mental health attitudes among students. Students also had the conviction that clinical social work is an important field of practice which champions the rights and aspirations of the mentally challenged who are one of society’s most vulnerable and less prioritised minority groups. It was however established that absence of adequate mental health information and training, favourable working conditions that guarantees safety and competitive remuneration packages are some of the many factors responsible for non�uptake of psychiatric social work positions in Zimbabwe. In order to make psychiatric social work more appealing to prospective practitioners, the study recommends that social work training has to be more attuned to mental health issues by embracing contemporary best teaching and learning practices. Mental health organizations also have to consider introducing lucrative salaries and competitive incentives to lure more social workers into the mental health field

Analysis of the effects of cost cutting measures on financial performance: a case of ZETDC

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of cost cutting measure on financial performance using ZETDC as a case. The research objectives outlined the nature of cost cutting techniques, how cost cutting affect financial performance and challenges faced in the implementation of cost cutting. The descriptive survey research design was used and data was gathered through the use of structured questionnaires and interviews and a total population of 41 employees which included the top management, Accountants, HR and internal auditors was sampled using convenience and purposive sampling. A case study approach was undertaken using both qualitative and quantitative data hence the study is therefore a mixed design approach. The research was designed in a way that allows both field research and secondary sources to be used. Research instruments considered for the purposes of this research are questionnaires which had 88% response rate and interviews which yielded 100% response rate. The data gathered was presented through histograms, bar graphs, pie charts and tables. The data accumulated was analysed using descriptive statistics specifically percentages and mode and rational conclusions were drawn from this. Upon data analysis, it was revealed that ZETDC cost cutting measures positively affects the financial performance in the long run but in the short run the financial woes will worsen before they improve. The recommendations passed by the researcher included the improvement of current cost cutting measures and continuation with the application of the cost cutting measures. The researcher also recommended ZETDC to implement controls so as to make sure that all current cost control procedures and policies are adhered to, budget formulation and introduction of incentives and bonuses for meeting budgets and lastly renegotiating existing transfer prices in contracts agreed with other subsidiaries of ZESA

An evaluation of the cash aid strategy by actionaid in promoting food security: the case of Ruwangwe ward 4, Nyanga district

It is no longer a secret that food insecurity is a global virus. Due to shortages of nutritious and safe food millions of people have been driven into graves. Malnutrition and the rise of diseases have not spared the ones left behind. Initially food aid was seen as the best solution by the developed countries but the prevalence of conflicts in recipient countries and the nature of foreign aid threw the dream of having a food secure world into the dungeons. Governments tried but to provide agricultural subsidies to boost production to developing countries. Climate change derailed this plan and the only solution remaining is the adoption of cash aid as a panacea. It is in this study that the researcher makes an effective evaluation of the viability of cash aid in promoting food security in Zimbabwe generally. The study focuses on Ruwangwe Ward 4 found in Nyanga North under Manicaland Province. The remote area lies near the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border where the effects of climate change have led to chronic food insecurity. The researcher conducted a study to see if the problem can be solved. The success of the cash aid in this area will then be used as a model in tackling similar cases that have bedevilled Zimbabwe and the whole world in the past decades. Examples have been drawn from other countries in a bid to motivate Action Aid Organisation in carrying out this project in Ward 4. The researcher tried to make use of all professional procedures that should be adhered to in making academic research. Use of diagrams and lucid cases has been done to provide a clear understanding to anyone who is interested in consulting this study for any meaningful use

GGE biplot analysisof genotypes by environment interaction on sorghum bicolor L. (Moench) in Zimbabwe

The genotype by environment interaction (GEI) reduces the success of genotype selection and recommendations by breeders, thus slowing down the progress of plant breeding. The understanding of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) multi-locational yield trials (MLYT) enables researchers to identify locations which are efficient in distinguishing tested genotypes, which are ideal across the test-locations as well as environments which are good representatives of the target regions of interest. The main objective of the study was to assess the genotype by environment interaction on grain yield stability of promising sorghum genotypes across five diverse environments of Zimbabwe. Sorghum yield data of twenty-seven cultivars was obtained from the replicated trials. After performing a pooled analysis of variance for grain yield across five diverse environments during the 2013/14 rainy season, the GxE interaction was significant (P<0.001), and this justified need for testing for GEI components using the GGE biplot analysis to enhance the understanding the effects of components. The results revealed that three mega-environments were identifiable which are Matopos, Save-Valley and Kadoma falling in one mega-environment, then Makoholi was identified as a second mega-environment and then Gwebi was identified as the third mega-environment. Gwebi had the most discriminating ability and good representativeness whereby Save Valley had a poor discriminating ability as well as least representativeness

An investigation into the challenges that are being faced in the use and teaching of computers in schools: a case of six secondary schools in Chihota district Mashonaland East province, for the period (2012-2017).

This study sought to find out the challenges being faced in the use and teaching of computers in secondary schools in Chihota District, Zimbabwe. Six secondary schools in the Chihota rural area participated in the study. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. Literature related to the topic was reviewed in Chapter Two in order to get an insight on the topic so as to develop a framework upon which findings were based. The findings revealed that there were problems in the use and teaching of computers in schools. The major problems were lack of a dedicated ICT policy on education, shortage of computer equipment, shortage of computer teachers and technical personnel, inadequate funding to procure and repair computers and lack of electricity. The study recommended the government to put in place a dedicated policy for the use and teaching of computers in education. The policy would make it possible for the government to fully support the education sector by providing the necessary resources for the full implementation of the programme. Schools on the other hand were recommended to create specific computer budgets to buy computers, computer software and cater for computer repairs. Schools were also recommended to send their computer teachers for computer refresher courses and also buy reliable standby power supply equipment such as powerful generators and UPS systems in the event that there were power outages. Finally, school heads were recommended to engage the corporate world and form PPPs with whom they could ensure the smooth running of computer departments

The impact of colonial taxation system in Chirumanzu district from 1900- 1980.

The period between 1900-1980 witnessed effective occupation by the colonialists administration in Rhodesia. The colonial regime imposed potentate rule through their introduction of the colonial taxation system on black people in Chirumanzu district. The plight of black people in Chirumanzu district towards the impact of colonial taxes has been largely ignored by post-colonial historians. In this study l take perspective to primarily focus on how black people were exposed to deplorable conditions coupled with their reactionary tendencies as an impact of the colonial taxation system mainly in Chirumanzu district and partially Zimbabwe. Generally this study argues that in Chirumanzu reserve the colonial taxation system infringed black people rights and further acted as a blockade to their economic development whilst favouring more profits towards the white community. Laws such as the Masters and Servants Ordinance of 1901 which made it a criminal offence to break a labour contract, and denying favourable markets for African produce among many others were imposed on Africans so as to secure cheap labour and achieve the settlers’ main goal of making immense profits in Rhodesia. The colonial taxation system in Chirumanzu district was “a great vampire squid, wrapped around the face of humanityâ€. This study also argues that colonial taxes were an emotional and sensitive issue to black people in Chirumanzu since they were taxed from domestic animals to property, personal belongings and almost everything. It cornered Africans to the point of formulating resistance. Methodologically this study depends on primary sources in form of oral testimonies and also written sources with original pictorial evidence

Chiefs and contestations over power and territory: the case of Njanja of Buhera district, 1950s-2016.

The study looked at chiefs and contestations over power and territory: The case of Njanja people of Buhera District, 1950-2016. The research was motivated by the keenness to find the instability of chieftaincy which was informed by contingent socio-economic and political factors. Contestation over power and territory is the prime problem. This was caused by colonial land policies which started in the 1950s such as the NLHA and the abolition of some chieftaincy that disrupt the customary law of rotational succession system. The study looked at the origins of Njanja tribe, its genealogy and expansion. It also focused on Njanja, chiefly disputes over power and territory. Again, in addition the research looked at the disputes resolution strategies in the Njanja and the effect of contestations over power and territory culturally, economically and politically. The research used various published books such as those written by Weinrich and Holleman. They talked about chiefs in the colonial state and also the book by Jocelyn Alexander which analyses unsettled disputes over land from colonial to post-colonial era in Zimbabwe. These books gave the researcher a clear background of chiefs’ disputes from Rhodesia beyond community development to post-colonial era in Zimbabwe. The dissertation used primary sources such as delineation reports, NADAs from National Archives of Zimbabwe which mapped the history of the Njanja people genealogy and its rotational succession system. Of the major concern, the dissertation used qualitative technique as the methodology of the study