Browsing by Author "Ncube, M."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Advanced prediction of soil shear strength parameters using index properties and artificial neural network approach
    (World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews (WJARR), 2024-01-03) Habte, E.T.; Vadlamudi, S.; Ncube, M.; Muusha, P.
    This study embarks on developing predictive models for soil shear strength parameters, cohesion (c) and angle of internal friction (ϕ), in Bishoftu town, employing Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). It aims at offering a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to traditional, often expensive, and labor-intensive laboratory methods. The research utilizes soil index properties such as Sand%, Fines%, Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index to construct separate ANN models for c and ϕ. These models use a multi-layer perceptron network with feed-forward back propagation, varying the number of hidden layers to optimize performance. The study's dataset comprises 316 soil test results, encompassing both primary and secondary data, conforming to ASTM Standards. Soil cohesion and internal friction angle were determined using the direct shear box method. The models demonstrated remarkable success in predicting shear strength parameters, evidenced by correlation values of approximately 0.99 for cohesion and 0.98 for internal friction angle, surpassing the capabilities of existing empirical methods. Further examination of the models included comparison with existing correlation techniques and cross-validation using primary soil test data. This validation process confirmed the ANN method's superior accuracy and fit for predicting shear strength parameters over selected empirical methods. This research substantiates the efficiency of ANN in geotechnical engineering, particularly for areas with limited resources for extensive soil testing. It establishes ANN as a powerful, efficient tool for estimating soil shear strength parameters, with significant implications for future planning, design, and construction projects in similar environments.
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    Climate-Change Resilience and Women’s Participation in Food-Security Initiatives. A Review of Amalima-Loko Programmes in Nkayi, Zimbabwe
    (SAGE, 2025) Moyo, F.; Dube, Z.L.; Nkala, P.; Ncube, V.; Mathe, T.T.; Murai, T.; Ndlovu, T.; Mamba, F.S.; Ncube, M.; Ndlovu, S.; Ndlovu, N.
    Climate change poses significant threats to food security, particularly in rural Zimbabwe. Food security is of paramount concern in Zimbabwe, particularly among smallholder farmers and vulnerable populations such as female-headed households. Women play a crucial role in enhancing food security, yet their participation in food-security programmes is often limited due to gender inequality, inequity and other discriminatory norms, a practice that is common rural areas such as Nkayi district. The objective of the article was to examine the nexus between climate-change resilience and women’s participation in food-security initiatives. Three hundred and thirty-one Amalima Loko beneficiaries completed the questionnaires, in addition to six key informants and three focus group discussions. Gender dynamics and food security tend to have a strong interplay. The study sought to examine the impact of climate change on food security and suggests strategies to improve food security through increased food access. The project also magnifies the role of meaningful women’s participation in building climate-change resilience through inclusive local ownership on food security and resilience planning. The study used the Zimmerman and Boserup theories as the analytical lens to evaluate women’s participation. Access and control of resources is key. The findings highlight the importance of inclusive local ownership on food security and climate resilience planning using the Zimmerman theory to challenge traditional gender perspectives that hinder certain groups from realising their full potential in meeting personal and community needs. Furthermore, rural women play a critical role as guardians of household food security, where their full control, delegated and partnership typologies of participation demands their inclusion in all levels of decision-making and implementation processes. This results in the empowerment of women in food-security initiatives, thereby enhancing the community’s climate resilience outcomes. As a case under review, the Amalima Loko project has made great strides in empowering women, and arguable addressed some of the issues that hindered their participation.
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    Examining the Nexus Between Migration and Family Planning Access: A Case Study of Zimbabwean Emigrants in South Africa
    (SAGE, 2025) Ndlovu, S.; Moyo, F.; Ndlovu, N.; Dube, Z.L.; Murai, T.; Ndlovu, T.; Ncube, M.; Nkala, P.; Ncube, V.; Mathe, T.; Mamba, F.S.
    Migration plays a significant role in shaping demographic patterns and access to healthcare services, including family planning. This study investigates the complex relationship and interconnection between migration and family planning access among Zimbabwean emigrants residing in South Africa. Despite the geographical separation from their country of origin, Zimbabwean emigrants have been observed to access family planning pills from back home. This phenomenon raises important questions regarding the factors influencing their decision to obtain family planning resources from their country of origin rather than from their current country of residence. Through a qualitative study approach, this research explored the motivations behind this behaviour and the implications it may have on the reproductive health outcomes of Zimbabwean emigrants in South Africa. Focus group discussions (n=6) and in-depth interviews (n=11) were conducted in Hillbrow, Berea and Orange Farm. Participants enrolled in the study encompassed females of the reproductive age group (18–45years), healthcare providers and key stakeholder informants. Thematic content analysis was employed to explore the data using NVivo14. Emergent themes were explained and thematically categorized. Reported results indicated that despite family planning and contraceptives being free in the host countries, and also having the same chemical compositions – perceived socio-cultural and structural barriers had a significant influence on the ‘home-is-best’ attitudes upheld by migrant Zimbabweans. By addressing the specific needs of migrants, including legal rights, cultural sensitivity and healthcare provision, efforts can be made to ensure universal access to reproductive healthcare services, thereby advancing both individual wellbeing and broader public health goals
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    Health Screening Strategies for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners for Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Silicosis: A Case of the USAID-Supported Kunda Nqob’iTB Project in Zimbabwe
    (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2024-01-08) Moyo, D.; Kavenga, F.; Moyo, F.; Muzvidziwa, O.; Madziva, G.; Chigaraza, B.; Ncube, M.; Madadangoma, P.; Masvingo, H.; Muperi, T.C.; Mando, T.C
    Artisanal and small-scale mining is characterized by excessive exposure to physical, chemical, ergonomic, psychosocial and biological hazards. There is a high burden of tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and silicosis among artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs). The aim of this project report is to describe lessons learned from strategies implemented to reach ASMs with screening services for TB, HIV and silicosis in Zimbabwe through the Kunda-Nqob’i TB (KNTB) project supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The intervention package for screening ASMs for TB, HIV and silicosis included service provision through two occupational health clinics at two provincial hospitals and a mobile workplace-based screening (WBS) facility at the mining sites. From 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2023, 10,668 ASMs were screened, with a high number of cases of silicosis (21%) and TB (7.4%). There was a high burden of HIV (30%) in ASMs attending the occupational health clinics. The two occupational health clinics screened 3453 ASMs, while the mobile WBS activities screened 7215 ASMs during the period. A total of 370 healthcare workers (doctors/clinical officers, nurses, environmental health technicians and district tuberculosis and Leprosy control officers) were trained on TB and the fundamental diagnostic principles of silicosis. The KNTB project has been successful in reaching out to many ASMs operating in remote and hard-to-reach mining areas. The KNTB project has brought to light the positive health-seeking behavior of ASMs operating in remote areas. The project has brought to the fore the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration in reaching out to ASMs in remote areas with health screening services. There is a high burden of TB, HIV and silicosis in ASMs. Screening for TB, HIV and silicosis using workplace-based screening and occupational health clinics is an effective strategy and should be rolled out to all areas with high artisanal and small-scale mining activity.
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    Mining and Development in Southern Zimbabwe: Myth or Reality in Gwanda District?
    (2023) Moyo, F.; Ncube, M.; Nkomo, S.; Mabhena, C.; Ncube, V.
    The book chapter explores mineral resource development strategies for community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development in Zimbabwe's mining areas. Using descriptive survey data, the authors present a proposal on how the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act can be used as a vehicle for mineral resource development. 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. The chapter argues that pro-poor mining policies that ensure the harnessing of mineral resources for community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development are paramount. The chapter further argues that the Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act needs to be harmonised with other sector legislation in the country. The book chapter concludes that the development of infrastructure and provision of public utilities such as electricity, and water, establishing micro-credit to small and medium enterprises and implementing broad-based indigenisation policies are some of the strategies for improving rural livelihoods. Similarly, direct and indirect linkages between the mining sector and the 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 harnessing of mineral resources in any country has been a contested terrain. Of late in Zimbabwe, the government has embarked on a massive indigenisation drive that has seen large-scale mines compelled by law to seed at least 10% of their mineral revenue to CSOTS. The authors recommend the harmonisation of legislation that affects harnessing of mineral resources by local communities will ensure community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development in mining districts in southern Zimbabwe.
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    Unravelling Artisanal Mining Land Use-Land CoverChange Nexus through Remote Sensing in Mining Areas of Filabusi, Zimbabwe
    (AJOPAES, 2025-03) Mathe, T.; Ncube, M.; Moyo, F.; Ncube, V.
    With the advent of artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) in areas around Filabusi, land use and land cover (LULC) has been changing in the past decades, affecting ecosystem-service-producing biodiversity. ASM has changed riverine ecosystem dynamics in the region, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services, according to this study, which uses satellite imagery to compare changes between 1992 and 2022 to investigate the effects of ASM on land use and land cover changes in Filabusi, Zimbabwe, over 30 years. To effectively examine the observed LULC changes, it was critical to refer to the period when such ASM was non-existent in the area. This allowed the research to quantify the observed effects with decisive findings on the observed impact ASM has had on environmental changes and ecosystems around Filabusi. The paper compared LULC changes between 1992 and 2022 using satellite imagery to unravel the impact of ASM on local riverine ecosystem dynamics in areas around Epoch Mine, Filabusi, over –30 years using multi-temporal satellites. It quantified the extent of land cover changes over 30 years through the analysis of Landsat 5 and Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager (OLI) imagery to confirm local communities’ ecosystem degradation concerns after artisanal mining took root using satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine remote-sensing analysis to detect and analyse LULC changes among ASM communities. Using remote sensing data to track LULC changes, the paper compares the LULC map from 1992 to 2022 in Filabusi, focusing on areas around the Insiza and Umzingwane Rivers. Results show minimal mining operations in the 1990s but increased ASM activities and related water features in the 20-23% land cover as ASM activities became widespread. The study concludes that ASM has affected local biodiversity marked by detrimental environmental changes on surface and water cover and the general landscape aesthetics. Since remote sensing technologies offer important insights into changes in land cover and their effects on local ecosystem goods and services through mining metals and mineral pollution, this study suggests using them more often for ongoing environmental monitoring and management.