Participatory empirical research on water and sanitation demand in central northern Namibia: a method for technology development with a user perspective

Improvements in water infrastructure in developing countries are of major importance for achieving access to clean water. CuveWaters, a research based IWRM project, currently underway in Namibia, is testing different technical options to de-centralise water supply and upgrade sanitation. The Cuvelai Basin is affected by highly variable precipitation, mostly saline groundwater and a lack of perennial rivers. Water management is characterised by strong dependency on a water pipeline. Finding ways to improve the situation calls for a good grasp of the local situation regarding water utilisation patterns. Technologically sophisticated concepts can easily clash with users’ socio-cultural needs and everyday behaviour as well as their understanding of planning and maintenance. A demand-responsive approach has therefore been developed. It combines a qualitative socio-empirical perspective with participatory planning. This paper discusses method development, empirical application and results. The approaches aim is to support mutual learning as a basis for a sustainable change process

Woodfuel Traps And Consumption Patterns In Salisbury's Townships

The problem of getting cheap firewood is now common is Salisbury's townships. It is getting worse each day as the removal of indigenous timber in the townships' surroundings becomes widespread. Many third world countries face a major problem of wood fuel crisis. In historic times wood fuel shortages dislodged many population centers. Shortage of wood fuel was one of the reasons for the fall of the 'Great Zimbabwe’ Kingdom in the mid-fifteenth century. The 'unnaturally large population, concentrated in one spot ... sooner or later exhausted the grazing, the fertility of the soil and timber available for building and firewood (Garlake, 1973). Beach (1930) noted that 'the people (of Great Zimbabwe) after the year 1100, had begun to make superior huts with walls made of thick daga rather than poles and daga'. The timber needed was therefore, for use mainly as firewood

Peri-Urban Deforestation In Harare, 1955 - 1980

Deforestation is the removal or destruction of woody plant species, or of forest and woodland vegetation types. This may be in the form of selective felling of trees from woodlands or the entire clearance of wooded areas, (Whitlow, 1979). Deforestation in the peripheral areas of Harare is perpetrated by low income families resident in the city’s townships (Low-income residential areas). The principal cause is gathering wood fuel. for cooking and heating. Therefore, the process is a direct result of an energy crisis among the low-income families. Similar occurrences have been reported in other Third World urban centers (Morgan, 1978; Le Houeron and Lundholm, 1976; and F.A.O., 1974)

Improving Zimbabwe\u27s Public Policy Environment as a Regional and Global Strategy for Re-Engagement

For almost four decades, Zimbabwe\u27s economy has been on a downward trend. Several economic policies have been adopted in an effort to mend the ailing economy, to no avail. According to the World Bank (2005), for public policies to be effectively implemented, political and economic fundamentals should balance. However, the politics of Zimbabwe continues to negatively impact on economic recovery and integration with regional and international trade networks. The net effect of this public policy imbalance is the ballooning of the national debt, skyrocketing of national inflation and pathetic positioning of the country on the human development index. The current government\u27s \u27Zimbabwe is now open for business\u27 mantra is failing to turn the country\u27s economic fortunes. It is against this backdrop that this qualitative research paper interrogated through desk research, the main challenges curtailing Zimbabwe\u27s complete re-engagement with international economic communities so as to proffer recommendations for successful economic re-engagement

Enhancing youth participation in local governance: an assessment of urban and rural junior councils in Zimbabwe

Over the years, youth participation in local decision-making across Africa has been minimal, despite the existence of enabling human rights frameworks on youth participation as well as institutions such as junior councils. This research aimed to compare the efficacy of Zimbabwe’s urban and rural junior councils in enhancing youth participation in local governance, which in turn would promote reform of the current participation frameworks, the realisation of children’s rights and ultimately productive community development. This paper is a product of qualitative research, combining desk research and key informant interviews with 22 council and ministry officials as well as eight focus group discussions with sitting and former junior councillors in Harare, Bulawayo, Bindura, Mutare, Masvingo, Rushinga, Makonde and Mbire. It was found that junior councils lacked adequate funding and technical support, resulting in tokenistic participation in local governance. Their legal status is unclear as both government ministries and local governments claim ownership. The research findings suggest that junior councils could be strengthened through the enactment of a specific legal framework to regulate their activities

Attractions of Cape Town to African Francophone Students.

This study set out to find the attractions of Cape Town as an educational destination for African francophone students using a qualitative interview-based research methodology. Francophone students migrate to Cape Town to firstly learn the English language and then seek tertiary education of global repute. The natural environment, lifestyle, personal safety and generally tolerant local people are added attractions. Incidences of racism, xenophobic attacks, high rentals and college fees negate students' experiences in the city and leave abad tsate in the mouth. Insightful recommendations are drawn to address the real needs of African francophone students which generally appear to be misunderstood and unaddressed by formal tertiary learning institutions and other interested organizations

Financial inclusion: disrupted liquidity and redundancy of mobile money agents in Zimbabwe

Mobile money agents (MMAs) are the pedestal of inclusive finance by bringing financial services closer to unbanked people by offering them capabilities to move from cash to electronic money and vice versa. This function is effective in an environment where hard cash is in uninterrupted circulation. The aim of this paper is to investigate implications of cash liquidity challenges in Zimbabwe to the development of financial inclusion through MMAs in a rural set-up. Phenomenological in-depth interviews were conducted with MMAs. Due to national liquidity challenges, MMAs ceased to receive cash float support, limiting their cash-in and cash-out services. Pure agents were adversely affected, while those who operate retail goods services reported increased goods sales through mobile money point-of-sale payments. Consumers are restricted to deal in electronic funds in the cashless economy making the cash-in and cash-out function of MMAs redundant. MMAs need support to sustain their operations and recoup invested capital in infrastructure. Risk management strategies, including the principal-agent contracts that minimize the exposure of MMAs to disruption of the service are important. MMAs could form an association to lobby financial regulators for support, negotiation with principals, market research, political power and active participation of agents in deepening financial inclusion. Perhaps pure MMAs could improve their economic sustainability by diversifying their businesses

Conflicts Around Forest Reserves in Zimbabwe: What Prospects for Community Management?

Summary Due to the failure of the post?independent state to address the land inequities of the colonial era, conflicts over land resources are prevalent in Zimbabwe. This is particularly the case in and around state forest reserves. Recognising these conflicts, the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission has been exploring possibilities of co?management arrangements for forest reserves. This article examines one such pilot programme, exploring its historical origins in both national and local debates about forest policy The way historical experiences of forest management impinge on current thinking are highlighted, including how these feed into the contrasting perceptions of the ecological, economic and social values of forest resources of officials and local people. Major social differences among communities surrounding forest areas mean that local perceptions are highly varied. Given this context, the prospects for co?management arrangements where forest resources are shared are discussed