Exploring the socioeconomic hurdles faced by older persons: the Case of Marondera, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mbulayi, Shingirai P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7412-6234
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Economics -- Sociological aspects , Welfare economics , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22390 , vital:52039
- Description: Zimbabwe is entering into an era of rapid population ageing and like many other countries in the developing world, the country appears to be oblivion or at least trivializing the importance of setting up systems and infrastructures to accommodate this impending demographic shift. This qualitative study explored the socioeconomic conditions faced by older persons in Dombotombo high density Suburb of Marondera in Zimbabwe. The study aimed to generate credible evidence to stimulate and provoke a serious discourse regarding the welfare of older persons both in the short and long term. The study was predicated on three fundamental objectives stated as: (i) To demonstrate the socioeconomic challenges encountered by older persons in Dombotombo high density suburb of Marondera in Zimbabwe, (ii) To determine the survival strategies used by the older persons in Dombotombo high density suburb of Marondera in Zimbabwe and (iii) To appraise the role played by the government and donor organizations in supporting the welfare of older persons in Dombotombo high density suburb of Marondera in Zimbabwe. Methodologically, the study was designed and undertaken using the qualitative research approach, design and techniques. The total sample size in the study was forty-eight (48) participants’ including twenty (20) older persons who took part in in-depth interviews, twentyfour (24) older persons who took part in three focus group discussions and four (4) key informants who took part in key informant interviews. All participants were purposively selected for inclusion in the study. Data for the study was collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Data collection was guided by predesigned in-depth interview and focus group discussion schedules which included a number of questions. Collected data sets were subjected to thematic data analysis. The study was convienecd through the lens of the Modernisation Theory of Ageing and the Social Exchange Theory of Ageing. Findings demonstrated that older persons in Dombotombo suburb of Marondera were not a homogenous group, they faced multiple socioeconomic conditions ranging from ageism, poverty, abuse, exploitation, geriatric related morbidities, vicarious bereavement, low coverage by social protection programmes, limited support from the government and donor communities. Amid these challenges, findings demonstrated that older persons in Dombotombo were not passive victims of their advanced ages and circumstances; rather, they had devised and embraced various socioeconomic, cultural and religious survival strategies. The study recommended the need for the government and its allied development partners to invest in geriatric welfare by setting up systems and mobilizing communities and families and other social institutions to be companionate and supportive of their ageing members. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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Indigenisation and participatory development in Zimbabwe: the case of the indigenisation and empowerment policy
- Authors: Musasa, Gabriel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1906-5624
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Community development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20359 , vital:45657
- Description: The study analysed the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme (IEEP) with regard to majority participation and its implementation, given the unfriendly macroeconomic and international environment the country is currently facing. The IEEP is claimed to be addressing poverty and seeking to promote economic participation of indigenous Zimbabweans, particularly targeting women, youth and disabled sections of society. The main aim of the study was to analyse the outcomes of the IEEP with regard to creating space for participation and to promote social justice of Zimbabwean nationals in the main economic sectors of the country, which are agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism. Using a qualitative approach, this study analysed the perspectives of government, non-governmental organisations, academics and the marginalised groups of women, disabled and youth in Zimbabwe through interviews and focus group discussions. The data from the fieldwork was analysed using the thematic approach. The findings revealed that a new elite of black entrepreneurs has emerged and foreign capital is diminishing, with limited success being attributed to policy outputs, particularly the community share ownership schemes and employee share ownership scheme. However, the policy did not produce positive outcomes as expected, owing to lack of policy clarity, heavy politicisation and political manoeuvring, as well as lack of information, education and training. Further problems were corruption, lack of support for beneficiaries, lack of funding, the unfavourable macro-economic environment, the liquidity crisis, limited access to credit facilities, broken internal politics and exclusion, lack of monitoring and evaluation, economic sanctions and international isolation. The programme fell victim to improper association and some institutional inertia. Participation in the IEEP, as implied in the social justice approach, does not fully embrace attainment of basic liberties and equality of opportunity, mainly because of the patterns of accumulation, dispossession, economic structures and social relations that are politicised. Elite capture, ethnic and regional segregation, the macro-economic environment and the narrow focus on the formal sector that led to the collapse of industry are the major hurdles to participation. Efforts to facilitate equality of opportunity for women and people with disabilities are heavily subdued by the lack of good institutional support that may enable meaningful participation and possibly yield better outcomes for the worst off in society. The IEEP has failed to redress the inequalities inherent in Zimbabwean economy, with evidence from the findings that the majority cannot take the opportunities that are offered by the programme. The study identified a way forward on how participation can be incorporated in the comprehensive framework for socio-economic development in Zimbabwe through a menu of intervention, giving direction to what needs to be done for individuals and communities to participate in the IEEP in a meaningful way. In particular, this will involve land entitlement, promoting innovation in global value chains, a hybridised two-pathway model of indigenisation, a disability intervention model, and a sustainable model of community share ownership schemes. These interventions are ideal for bringing about the desired aspiration of transformation in a sustainable way in Zimbabwe, as well as fostering social justice for people with disabilities. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
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The effect of indigenisation on the empowerment of rural youth in Zimbabwe: a case of Shurugwi district in the Midlands Province
- Authors: Nyoni, Effort
- Date: 2015-07
- Subjects: Affirmative action program , Community development , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25449 , vital:64276
- Description: This research investigated the effect of indigenisation on the empowerment of rural youth in the Shurugwi district in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Using thematiccontent analysis, the thesis demonstrates that the effect of indigenisation on the empowerment of rural youth is a perturbing issue, as most of the youths upon whom the study focused are being marginalised and are not participating in the indigenisation program at all. Lacks of human and social capital and socio-economic environment as well as the unavailability of capital have all been cited as factors hindering the effective empowerment of rural youth through the indigenisation program. Examining the perceptions of the participants led to the conclusion that the program has failed to cater for the needs of rural youth. This conclusion in turn resulted in the assessment that although the indigenisation program attempts to correct past imbalances in the ownership of resources through the equitable redistribution of wealth to those groups which have been marginalised, the problems created by the program‟s lack of success still constitute a domain which requires a great deal of attention from academics and researchers. On the basis of the findings of this research, appropriate recommendations are offered to various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, policy-makers, researchers and the government. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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Social protection and secondary education in Zimbabwe: the case of Masvingo District in Masvingo Province
- Authors: Mago, David
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Elementary school dropouts , Zimbabwe -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24554 , vital:63170
- Description: The study sought to examine the role of social protection in reducing school dropouts in secondary education in Masvingo District of Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the idea that despite the social assistance interventions that are in place, the school dropout phenomenon is still continuing among secondary school learners in the Masvingo District. This was achieved by discussing various programmes delivered by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the government in reducing the number of school dropouts. The thesis also outlined various economic, social and political depressions that affected secondary education since Zimbabwe’s gaining of independence. From 1962 until 1980 the colonial government catered for the European child, this meant that secondary education was difficult to be accessed by blacks. Education maintained a bottleneck structure that favoured whites more than black people. After gaining independence, the Zimbabwe African Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party introduced laws that allowed the black majority an opportunity to proceed with their education. Over the years the number of school dropouts is still increasing. This was curtailed by the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) in 1991 to 1995. The introduction of the SAPs led to the introduction of user fees in education and health. This raised poverty levels which were curtailed by the macroeconomic situation in Zimbabwe. This was beyond the reach of many and led to the increase of school dropouts in Zimbabwe. The major objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of social assistance in the reduction of school dropouts in Zimbabwe. The specific objectives are to analyse the role played by social assistance on the provision of secondary education and reduction of school dropouts and examining the impact of assistance on the education of the girl child. The last objective in the study was to identify a more comprehensive social assistance intervention for the support of secondary education. A more comprehensive social assistance intervention is intervention that provides support to secondary learners that includes among them uniforms, transport food and school fees. The study adopted the qualitative research methodology. The qualitative research methodology was used because it seeks to go deeper in what people experience on day to day activities. In-depth information helps to understand the successes and failures faced by NGOs and government in reducing the number of school dropouts. The study looked at how effective government and NGO assistance has been in reducing the number of school dropouts. Today there are a majority of NGOs, private organisations and government programmes that are working in secondary education assistance in Masvingo District. What matters most is that despite the growing rate of assistance by NGOs, individual help and government assistance the number of school dropouts is still increasing. The study’s theoretical framework is based on the Human rights based approach and the Transformative paradigm. The analysis relates to social assistance programmes focusing on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and NGOs and their contribution in reducing the number of school dropouts. From the research findings, the research established the way forward that can be used to reduce the rate of school dropouts in Masvingo District and Zimbabwe at large. Lack of school fees, school uniforms, food and transport are the major causes of school dropouts in Masvingo District. The findings of the study revealed that Zimbabwe’s social assistance programmes are not adequate in reducing the number of school dropouts. The way forward that was proposed in the study in that the assistance to children at secondary education should be holistic approach. NGOs and government should work together to educate parents and children on the importance of secondary education. , Thesis (MSoc Dev.) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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An assessment of the role played by social protection in addressing poverty and vulnerability in Zimbabwe: the case of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Daitai, Joseph
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Zimbabwe -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25983 , vital:64639
- Description: The focus of this study was based on the role played by social protection programs to alleviate poverty. This was achieved through analyzing generally the various social assistance programs delivered by both the government and the non-governmental organizations in trying to alleviate the scourge of wide spread poverty in Zimbabwe. The study also clearly outlined the endless list of various factors that contributed to some economic depressions and recessions that affected the country ever since the dawn of new Zimbabwe at independence in April of 1980. This study places social protection within the wider context of social assistance and relates to both concepts to poverty alleviation and wellbeing of the Zimbabwean citizens. The research made use of one of the major approaches in social science which is the qualitative method. The use of qualitative technique reflects an attempt to ensure an in-depth understanding of the phenomena under study, that is, to understand the successes and challenges faced by the government and non-governmental organizations in alleviating poverty.The study adopted a qualitative research methodology and mainly desktop approach was used meaning that data used was obtained from secondary sources whereby already exciting data within the area of social protection is analyzed and a conclusion is reached. This paper analyses the field of social protection, viewed within the broader concept of social assistance programs. The analysis relates both social protection and social assistance programs focusing on the (WFP) programs of Vulnerable group Feeding (VGF) and the government of Zimbabwe’s Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), their contribution to poverty alleviation. This study widens the focus from conventional narrowly defined elements of social protection to a broader interpretation which emphasizes the interface between social protection and its contribution to poverty alleviation. The linkage to poverty alleviation is also thoroughly discussed; various government and nongovernmental interventions have been also discussed where appropriate. The study also argues that many forms of socio-economic vulnerability need to be addressed from the central level to the grassroots level and also that local institutional structures are very crucial in the successful design, implementation and monitoring of these interventions. The study also suggested a possible government social protection framework that can be implemented by the government in order to achieve remarkable change and achievement in the social protection field. Recommendations were also given as the way forward for the proper and positive existence of social protection in Zimbabwe. In the theoretical framework, the study used two theories as the back bone of the study; the Capability approach and the State Welfare theory. The findings of the study revealed that in Zimbabwe, there are quite a number of social assistance programs underway but the problems discovered are that the coverage of the programs is very much inadequate and unequal hence larger percentages of citizens in the country remain unattended to, the government does not have strong financial muscles to implement successful assistance programs, political interferences also hinder success of the programs implemented by non-state organizations and also a poor grass root involvement in these programs makes them fail to achieve their purpose. , Thesis (MSoc Dev) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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The developmental role of migrant worker remittances: A case study of Tsholotsho District in the Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Nzima, Divane
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Foreign workers -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Sociology)
- Identifier: vital:11957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015360 , Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Foreign workers -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Description: Migrant remittances have been cited as one of the most rising forms of development financing. Migration-development scholarly debates have often made comparisons between migrant remittances and some of the most popular forms of development financing such as development aid. The development-migration debates have often contended that migrant remittances are fast growing and surpassing the popular forms of development financing. This study sought to examine the developmental role of migrant remittances in the rural district of Tsholotsho in Zimbabwe. Given that there are millions of Zimbabwean migrants working in South Africa, the study sought to examine the possible use of migrant remittances in the creation of sustainable livelihoods. In addition, the study focused on examining the skills and opportunities that are necessary in the creation of an enabling environment for investment as well as assessing the multiplier effect that result from the inflow of migrant remittances within the local economy. The study followed a mixed methods methodological approach wherein a quantitative survey and qualitative in-depth interviews were used to gather data. The findings of this study revealed that migrant remittances are central in the livelihoods of poor people in Tsholotsho and they have potential to create sustainable livelihoods. While skills and opportunities to drive entrepreneurial activity exist, there is need to deal with structural barriers in order to create an enabling environment for the creation of sustainable livelihoods through savings and investment. The study recommends the prioritization of education, improved access to the credit system and the development of cooperatives. These could assist in achieving sustainable livelihoods through migrant remittances.
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