Browsing by Author "Mabhena, C."

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    Community Share Ownership Trust scheme and empowerment: The case of Gwanda Rural district, Matabeleland South Province in Zimbabwe.
    (2014) Mabhena, C.; Moyo, F.
    The article primarily analyses the effectiveness of social and economic empowerment strategies targeted at the community of Gwanda Rural district. Despite abundant mineral resources, the indigenous communities living close to the mines have been deprived of the right to directly or indirectly benefit from the mineral resources. The study utilised a descriptive survey to collect data. The article gives a strong indication of how communities of Gwanda Rural district can utilise the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act and the Statutory Instrument 21 of 2010 (Community Share Ownership Trust) to empower themselves. The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act and the Community Share Ownership Trusts as the major strategies currently adopted by the Government of Zimbabwe to empower local communities were evaluated. The findings of the study indicated that the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act and Statutory Instrument for Community Share Ownership Trust were the pro poor mining policies that ensured the harnessing of mineral resources for the empowerment of local indigenous communities. It was also found out that the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act needed to be harmonised with the Rural District Councils’ Act, the Mines and Minerals Act, and the Communal Areas Management Act. The article concluded that the development of infrastructure and provision of public utilities such as electricity, water, establishing micro-credit to small and medium enterprises and implementing broad-based indigenisation policies were some of the strategies of improving rural livelihoods and stimulating entrepreneurship in communities living close to mines. Similarly direct and indirect linkages between the mining sector and local economy could be enhanced through the provision of food supply to the mine, manufacture of mining inputs, provision of security services and supply of labour by the local community. The article recommends that the harmonisation of these acts will ensure that empowerment is integrated in all legislation focused on rural development and promote sustainable ways of utilising the Community Share Ownership Trusts
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    Does Urban Agriculture help improve women`s resilience to poverty? Evidence from low- income generating women in Bulawayo
    (2014) Sebata, N.; Mabhena, C.; Sithole, M.
    This article analyses how women have used Urban Agriculture (UA) as a resilience strategy to poverty in Bulawayo`s high density suburb of Cowdray Park. Women, who are naturally the primary care givers tend to suffer the most in urban areas as quite often they have to bear the responsibility of food provision at home. The article focuses on how UA contributes to food security, employment, income and empowerment for women engaged in the practice. The research for this article is largely qualitative and uses primary data collected from 30 respondents using questionnaires, 5 key informant interviews, 2 focus group discussions and observations. Secondary data from government and non-governmental organisations documents was also used. The results indicate that UA contributes significantly to food availability and access for women engaged in the practice. However nutritional contribution is low and less diverse as farmers concentrate on growing maize than other crops. Income generation is also very low as women concentrate on subsistence production. This article further discusses the relative empowerment function of UA to women. It argues that despite problems encountered by women farmers such as marginalization of UA as a land use activity, shortage of water and lack of institutional support, UA still improved the socio- economic status and empowered urban women. The article therefore recommends that local authorities set aside land specifically for UA and provide institutional support such as sinking of boreholes and provision of inputs
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    Echoes From the Rocks: Contextualising Land Reform and Resettled Farmer Experiences in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
    (2020) Nel. A.; Mabhena, C.
    This article seeks to characterise and contextualise land reform, and the experiences of resettled farmers, in the under-researched Matabeleland South. It does so through a historicised, landscape approach to changes in the post-Fast Track Land Reform Programme agrarian structure in two wards in Matobo District. While new land dispensation is still consolidating, outcomes are varied, and while beneficiaries are vulnerable to drought in mixed farming there is also notable resilience. Importantly, we argue that changes in the landscape ‘echo’ the past, where material and discursive changes play out at the same time as agrarian livelihoods evolve.
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    Harnessing Mineral Resources in Gwanda district of Zimbabwe: A Myth or a Reality?
    (2011) Moyo, F.; Mabhena, C.
    The article examines strategies of harnessing mineral resources for community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development in mining areas of Zimbabwe. Despite abundant mineral resources, the majority of Zimbabwean indigenous communities living close to the mines have limited access to directly or indirectly benefit from the mineral resources. Using a descriptive survey to collect data, this research article gives a strong proposition on how the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act can be used as a vehicle of harnessing mineral resources. The article argues that pro poor mining policies that ensure the harnessing of mineral resources for community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development are paramount. The article further argues that the Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act needs to be harmonised with other sector legislation in the country. The article concludes that the development of infrastructure and provision of public utilities such as electricity, water, establishing micro-credit to small and medium enterprises and implementing broad-based indigenisation policies are some of the strategies of improving rural livelihoods. Similarly direct and indirect linkages between the mining sector and local economy could be enhanced through the provision of food supply to the mine, manufacture of mining inputs, provision of security services and supply of labour by the local community. The article recommends that the harmonisation of legislation that has an effect on harnessing of mineral resources by local communities will ensure community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development.
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    Women’s Vulnerability to Climate Change: Gender-skewed Implications on Agrobased Livelihoods in Rural Zvishavane, Zimbabwe
    (2020-06) Chidakwa, P.; Mabhena, C.; Mucherera, B.; Chikuni, J; Mudavanhu, C.
    Climate change presents a considerable threat to human security, with notable gender disproportions. Women’s vulnerability to climate change has implications on agro-based livelihoods, especially the rural populace. The primary purpose of this study was to assess women’s vulnerability to climate change and the gender-skewed implications on agro-based livelihoods in rural Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. A qualitative approach that used purposive sampling techniques was adopted. Data was collected through 20 in-depth interviews with 11 de jure and 9 de facto small-scale female-headed farmer households. Two focus group discussions with mixed de facto and de jure small-scale female-headed farmer households were also conducted. Five key informant interviews were held with departmental heads of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development; the Agriculture Technical Extension Service Department; the Livestock Production Department; the Runde Rural District Council and the Meteorological Services Department. Gendered effects were noted in terms of increased roles and responsibilities for women. Observations showed that there was an increase in distances travelled by women to fetch water owing to a depleted water table. Climate-induced migration of men due to depleted livelihoods in rural areas has also increased roles and responsibilities for women. The traditional male responsibilities assumed by women included cattle herding and ox-driven ploughing. This study concluded that adaptation strategies towards vulnerability to climate change have to be gendersensitive and area-specific. This study also recommended that response programmes and policies meant to curb existing gendered vulnerabilities should be informed by evidence because climate-change effects are unique for different geographical areas. Moreover, adaptation activities should be mainstreamed in community processes so as to reduce the burden on women and increase sustainability opportunities.