Land readjustment: The missing link in urban Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has been experiencing a rapid rate of urbanization amidst a failure by conventional approaches of urban land management to cope with the demand for housing. In view of these challenges, this paper investigates the feasibility and nature of land readjustment for urban land management in Zimbabwe. Using case study research methodology and a desk review of evidence from developed and developing countries the potential use of land readjustment in Zimbabwe is examined. Findings from Zimbabwe show the existence of opportunities for use of land readjustment in rationalizing urban land use. However, the study revealed constraints concerning the legal framework, limited public participation in planning, and the complexity of the land readjustment process. Overall, it is the authors’ conclusion that evident opportunities for land readjustment would require legal and institutional reforms providing for the concept in law and the adoption of more inclusive planning methods by urban authorities

Land Patronage and Static Urban Boundaries in Zimbabwe Implications for Land Tenure Security

The political dysfunction that had come to characterize an imploding Zimbabwean economy is beyond dispute. This paper explores how a government that had become weakened in the face of a formidable opposition in urban areas turned to use land as a reward for supporters and as a means of luring new members to join the ruling party. It argues that land patronage has been used as a means for legitimating fledgling state rule while undermining the tenure security of the poor. Any policy to support the poor in post–crisis Zimbabwe will need to prioritize the idea of land as a social and economic asset rather than a political instrument of the state

Farm Labourers in Rhodesia

A symposium paper on the working conditions of farm laborers in the then Rhodesia, originally presented at a symposium on: Current Economic problems in Rhodesia.Although a few studies of urban workers in Rhodesia have now been done, farm workers have received little attention. We know very little about farm workers, that is, their social composition, family life, mobility, attitudes to work, wages, and other related matters. With this in mind four European farms were studied in 1971. This is not a large-scale study designed to produce a great deal of statistical evidence for the country-wide illumination of a series of specific questions. Rather, it is an exploratory study intended, at best, to suggest areas of interest for those concerned with the study of rural social and economic life which might, at a later date, be examined in the light of more specific questions suitable for more comprehensive inquiry

Social change in a Shona ward

A research paper on social change in a village of Shona people in Zimbabwe.The fieldwork on which this study is based was conducted in six villages in Mashonaland, Rhodesia. These villages which are near the Roman Catholic Mission of Musami, about 50 miles from Salisbury, were first studied by Dr. Bernardi in 1948, and in 1958 Dr. Garbett made a replication study of the same villages. In 1968 I was asked by Professor D. H. Reader, Head of the Department of Sociology in the University College of Rhodesia, to make another study of these villages, the main aim being to assess changes over the last 20 years. Fieldwork began towards the end of August and was completed in the middle of November 1968

The University of Zimbabwe: a profile

A lecture paper profiling the history of the University of Zimbabwe given by one of its later Vice Chancellors in Norway's University of Oslo.This national university (University of Zimbabwe) has been in existence for 28 years. It was established on the 11th of February 1955, as the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. It served the whole of the then Federation of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. These three countries later became Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. The college enjoyed a special relation with the University of London, whose degrees it awarded until it became the University of Rhodesia in 1970. In that year the college and the University of London agreed to a phased termination of the Scheme of Special Relation so that the last intake for degrees of the University of London was that of 1970.Center for International Development Studies, University of Osl

Practicality Of Exemplary Curriculum Implementation Materials: The Case Of A Chemistry Module In Science Education In-Service Teacher Training Programme

A ZJER investigation into the practicality of a Chemistry module.This paper reports on a research study that investigated the practicality of a chemistry module. Practicality was with respect to two intentions of the module, i.e. to bring about learner centred teaching and learning as well as teaching subject content in context. The two changes were directly related to the need to bring about teaching with understanding at advanced level. As such, the module was written with the intention to exemplify the necessarily pedagogic changes as discussed by teachers at workshop level to classroom level. In light of the above, this paper describes a case study that involved two teachers at two different schools teaching chemistry using the module. Classroom observations by two researchers as well as student and teacher interviews were employed as data gathering procedures. It was found that 'contextualization’ of subject content improved the quality of dialogue among students as well as between teachers and students. There was also a change in classroom interactions towards more student involvement

Strategic Planning Intensity and Firm Performance: A Case of Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation

There has been a widespread embracement of the concept of strategic planning in developing countries as a tool for turning around non-performing entities to viability. In Zimbabwe the current economic environment, where the country is faced with a possible slide into deflation characterized by numerous company closures, has called for astute planning systems. It is however not clear whether this planning benefits the firms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strategic planning intensity and performance amongst mining firms.  The case study approach was adopted, focusing on Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC). The objectives of this study were to identify factors affecting strategic planning intensity at ZMDC and to establish the influence of strategic planning intensity on the performance of mining firms. The study mainly used quantitative data collection methods. Data was collected through questionnaires and key informant interview guide. The data was analyzed using SPSS. The study established a variety of factors that affect the organizations’ strategic planning process. Further, a positive relationship was found between strategic planning intensity variables and organizational performance. The study recommends that the strategic planning workshops be encouraged for all firms in the mining industry. Keywords: Firm Performance, Planning Intensity, Strategic Planning.

Women board members as a diversity tool for enhancing corporate governance and stakeholder value.

The continued failure of companies mainly with the majority of male board members prompted this research to establish the importance of board heterogeneity, the role of women board members, their characteristics and how their board presence can be utilised for improving corporate governance and stakeholder value.  This study derives from board composition which dictates that directors of substance should populate boards.  The debate on the utility value of women on boards was investigated using an interpretive enquiry.  Document review coupled with a semi-structured interview was administered to forty-two (42) respondents.  Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select respondents.  Results of the research showed that women are thinly populated in boards yet they are risk averse, prepare for meetings diligently, are objective, have integrity and are protective of the organisation.  The research recommends that bursaries and scholarships should be availed to women and girls so that they get chances to go through all levels of education and end up as managers, a step towards board membership.  The government of Zimbabwe should make sure that steps are taken to enforce the 50:50 principle in management and that to cascade to boards.  There should be advocacy for the need to infuse women leadership in all walks of life. Key words: Corporate Governance, Board Diversity, Women on Boards, NVivo, qualitative and Stakeholder Satisfaction

Impact of Corporate Governance on Service Delivery in Murewa Rural District Council (MRDC), Zimbabwe

Past studies on corporate governance sought to outline the best practices in corporate governance and other related areas. However, a study on the impact of corporate governance on service delivery in rural local authorities, especially Murewa Rural District Council (MRDC) has never been done.  Data was collected through questionnaires administered to MRDC management, staff, District Administrator and the Council Committee while a focus group discussion was held with MRDC staff and the Council chairperson. The study established that corporate governance has an impact on service delivery. The study also established that corporate governance at MRDC is hindered by structural and deliberate factors. Structural factors were policy and national in nature while deliberate factors were administrative and could be solved at local level. The study also noted that, Murewa RDC is doing its best in trying to adhere to best practices in corporate governance regardless of the militating factors.  The research recommends that government should take a deliberate stance in resolving militating factors by coming up with minimum qualifications for councillors and a quota system for women representation in Council. There is a feasibility of coming up with a Code of Corporate Governance for Local Authorities in Zimbabwe. Keywords: Agency, corporate governance, rural local authorities, service delivery, stakeholders, Zimbabwe