Land Rights and Their Impacts on Agricultural Efficiency, Investments and Land Markets in Zimbabwe

This paper summarizes results of case studies and panel group discussions carried out in Zimbabwe recently to find out the relationship between land rights and agricultural efficiency, investment and land markets in the smallholder agricultural sector. Results indicate that primary land user rights holders in the three perceived land tenure categories studied do not see security of tenure as a major problem. The major limiting factors cited as reasons for failure to realize full agricultural production potential include lack of or problem with one of the following: draft power, labor, credit, rural-urban migration and the AIDS pandemic among others. The opposite is true of secondary user rights holders such as grown up sons living with parents and some women and other social weak groups who indicate tenure insecurity as a problem of equal magnitude to the other limitations stated above. The results also show some relationship between investment and land rights between the small-scale commercial farming sector and the other two sectors (resettlement and communal). Total credit received is not significantly related to the form of land rights enjoyed by landowners. Land markets in the three categories are thin and 'transaction costs' are high limiting the amount of agricultural land that changed hands. Women access to and control over land, and their bargaining power with their husbands and relatives about land are weak across the three categories studied.Land Economics/Use,

Impediments to Effective Councilor Oversight at Nkayi Rural District Council in Zimbabwe

The paper seeks to examine and unpack the factors that are militating against councilor oversight at Nkayi Rural District Council. Councilor oversight is a crucial function for promoting and enhancing transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency in Zimbabwean local authorities. Despite the existence of councilor oversight, local authorities in Zimbabwe continue to face operational, regulatory and oversight challenges. To establish the factors militating against effective councilor oversight at Nkayi, the respondents were purposively selected and the research used both primary and secondary data. The study established that low academic qualifications among councilors, councilors terms of office, political affiliation and partisanship and limited timeframes as the key impediments to effective councilor oversight at Nkayi Rural District Council

Sur les citoyens et les minorités modèles : perspectives de la Critical Race Theory appliquées à l’éducation

Quel lien existe-t-il entre le biopouvoir et le racisme ? De quelles façons les institutions scolaires participent-elles à la production de citoyens et de minorités ? Cet article traite de formes d’exclusion souvent ignorées qui se manifestent dans un cadre éducatif parmi les jeunes issus de minorités. Il explore le potentiel de l’application de la Critical Race Theory et une critique du biopouvoir pour comprendre ce que vivent les Somaliens en Norvège et aux États-Unis. En s’appuyant sur les données trouvées, l’article défend que des formes sous-jacentes de racisme seraient souvent en jeu là où le biopouvoir opère, par exemple là où l’école introduit des formes particulières de diversité.What connection links biopower and racism? How do schools as institutions partake in producing citizens and minorities? This article engages with some of the often overlooked forms of exclusion and belonging that take place among minority youths within educational settings. It explores the combined uses of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and a critique of biopower in understanding the educational experiences of Somali immigrants in Norway and the United States. Based on findings made, the article suggests that covet forms of racism are often at play where biopower is operative, as when schools instil particular forms of diversity

The development of reading literacy skills in the early years of primary schooling : a case of Zimbabwean schools

Abstracts in English, Zulu and AfrikaansReading literacy is the key to all learning and success in life, especially in this information age. The effects of reading failure include poor performance at school and tertiary level, limited job opportunities and constrained participation in society. This study aimed to investigate the development of reading literacy among Grade 3 and 4 learners in four schools in Gweru. The study was informed by cognitive-linguistic models of reading that acknowledge the role of contextual variables in reading development. A mixed method approach was adopted where reading comprehension (RC), oral reading fluency (ORF), observations and interviews were carried out with the relevant participants from the four schools. Grade 3 and 4 syllabus documents and textbook excerpts were also analysed. The assessment results showed that learners had challenges with both reading fluency and reading comprehension. A strong relationship between RC and ORF was found across the grades; confirming what other studies have found. On the other hand, the classroom observations and teacher interviews highlighted the shortcomings that exist in the teaching and learning of reading literacy, with little attention given to explicit reading instruction. The analysis of the syllabus documents showed that reading literacy does not assume a prominent position in the syllabus, and few current evidence-based guidelines are provided as to how reading should be taught, assessed and monitored. With regard to the analysis of textbooks, information texts were generally beyond the learners’ grade levels while the narrative texts were below the grade levels. Both scenarios are detrimental to the development of reading literacy skills. . It is therefore recommended that the syllabus be upgraded so that it includes the current issues and trends in reading literacy development. At the same time educators should also continuously receive in-service training and material resources appropriate for reading literacy instruction. Teacher training institutions should consider revamping the reading literacy curriculum and making a number of reading courses compulsory in order to equip the preservice teachers with relevant pedagogic and content knowledge on reading literacy instruction. Given the close relationship between decoding and reading comprehension, pedagogical attention should be given to evidence-based best actice for the development of both decoding and meaning making skills and strategies. The curriculum developers should consider working with local and regional reading experts in order to improve on the syllabus content. They should also consider engaging reading experts when creating reading material as well as to subject the texts to rigorous analyses before availing them for use in schools. The government should also channel more resources to the acquisition of reading material in the schools and to develop programmes which aim to advance reading literacy development among primary school learners in order to build a strong foundation during the early stages of learning since this has far reaching effects. Key words: reading literacy, oral reading fluency, reading comprehension, decoding, foundation phase, classroom practices, information texts, narrative texts, vocabulary profilesD. Phil. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature)African Language

Special Interest Councillors in Zimbabwean Local Authorities: Challenges and Opportunities

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of integrating special interest councilors in the governance of Zimbabwean local authorities. The study revealed that the current way in which special interest councilors are appointed in local authorities is an assault on local democracy. The process spruces up the policy making base of the political party to which the appointing minister belongs. However the study also reveals that despite the political challenges posed by the integration of special interest councilors in Zimbabwean local authorities at the moment, such appointments may be a progressive measure if done in a genuinely and transparent manner. It can bring critical skills which democracy may filter in favour of populism

The interface between customary laws of succession in the traditional justice system and the formal justice system in

Doctor Legum - LLDTraditional justice systems (TJS), which apply African customary law (ACL), play a significant role in the regulation of various cultural, social, and economic spheres of individual lives in society. It is estimated that 90% of African countries use TJS in dispute resolution. Succession matters form one of the areas in which TJS are applied. In Kenya, it is estimated that the majority of succession matters are addressed through TJS given that only 36% of cases are taken to the formal justice system (FJS) for determination. This indicates the presence of legal pluralism where formal law co-exists with African customary law. However, the application of customary succession laws and their enforcement by the FJS encounter impediments which curtail the integration of ACL within the FJS. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the interface between African customary laws of succession in the TJS and the FJS. In order to achieve this objective the study applies the Historical School of Jurisprudence as its theoretical framework and applies document analysis as the research methodology. The major findings of the study indicated that though progressive recognition, application and enforcement of ACL in Kenya has been realised, there are several impediments to the integration and enforcement of customary succession decisions within the FJS. These include non-complimentary legal provisions, lack of in-depth knowledge on ACL by the FJS, and more importantly, lack of a policy guideline on the integration of ACL within the FJS. Based on these findings, this study finds it necessary to develop a guideline that will enhance the integration and enforcement of customary succession decisions by the FJS

Experiences of adults with physical disabilities at Kukura Neshungu Institute in Marondera, Zimbabwe : a social work experience

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019Physically disabled adults encounter many constraints in the societies they live in, and are often prone to stigma and discrimination, social exclusion and negative perceptions. Rooted in the qualitative research approach, this study is informed by a sample of 20 adults with physical disabilities. It gathered data relating to experiences of adults with physical disabilities. Participants were identified using purposive and convenience sampling and took part in comprehensive face to face interviews. This data collection method provided a platform to elicit experiences of adults living with physical disabilities. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. The major findings that came out of the study included the main challenges faced by adults with physical disabilities, established the accessibility barriers, assessed how adults cope with health challenges, evaluated the cultural and traditional prejudices of adults with physical disabilities and assessed the stigma and discrimination that they face. From the participants’ personal encounters and narratives, the study recommends assistance and support of physically disabled adults, implementation of awareness campaigns and donations to be specified according to their needs. More so, the study recommends extensively involving and consulting adults with physical disabilities in matters that directly or indirectly affects them and supervising and monitoring schools which accepts persons with disabilities

Quality of education : a case for Zambia and Norway

Global knowledge, GK 30

Assessing the changing relationship between trade unions and the state: a historical analysis of union/state relations in Zimbabwe

Drawing on semi-structured interviews and published documents, this thesis examines the changing union-state relationship in Zimbabwe. Unlike many existing work on the subject, this thesis is a holistic analysis in that it considers the views of the government officials, International Labour Organization (ILO) officials, Business Executives and trade unionists. An in-depth empirical study revealed that union-state relations in Zimbabwe are complex, unpredictable and can only be fully understood by fully understanding, acknowledging, and appreciating the local and international relations context at play. The conclusion challenges the established view which sought to focus on shop floor issues as key determinants of union-state relations. International political pressures and dynamics which are often selectively ignored do have a direct impact on union-state relations in postcolonial Africa. When the views of a single actor are only considered or examined, partial understanding of the relationship results, a problem that has characterised several previous works on the subject. The thesis contributes to existing related literature on union-party relations in Zimbabwe and Africa in general. Theoretically, it challenges the applicability to the Zimbabwean situation, of existing theoretical frameworks and typologies of union-party/union-state relations. The civil society narrative and national liberation narratives are the competing frameworks used by unions and the state to define their flagship and shape employment relations in contemporary Zimbabwe. One needs to examine the conflict generation systems, in particular, evaluating the extent to which they provide incentives to key actors on the political and economic front and assess the impact this has on employment relations. Methodologically, this thesis raises the need for a multi-actor’s perspective approach in researching union-state relations. Finally, the thesis points to the need for further research on the changing nature of union-state relations in Zimbabwe in particular and Sub Saharan Africa in general