DSpace 9

This site is running DSpace 9. For more information, see the DSpace 9 Release Notes.

DSpace is the world leading open source repository platform that enables organisations to:

easily ingest documents, audio, video, datasets and their corresponding Dublin Core metadata
open up this content to local and global audiences, thanks to the OAI-PMH interface and Google Scholar optimizations
issue permanent urls and trustworthy identifiers, including optional integrations with handle.net and DataCite DOI

Join an international community of leading institutions using DSpace.

The test user accounts below have their password set to the name of this software in lowercase.

Demo Site Administrator = dspacedemo+admin@gmail.com
Demo Community Administrator = dspacedemo+commadmin@gmail.com
Demo Collection Administrator = dspacedemo+colladmin@gmail.com
Demo Submitter = dspacedemo+submit@gmail.com

Photo by @inspiredimages

Communities in DSpace

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

Applied Science
Faculty of Applied Science
Built Environment
Faculty of the Built Environment
Business and Economic Sciences
Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
Communication and Information Science
Faculty of Communication and Information Science
Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Recent Submissions

Emotional Intelligence and Ageing in a Sedentary World: Impacts on Quality of Life
(IntechOpen, 2025) Dube, A.; Shaw, B.; Gundani, M.; Mathunjwa, M.; Shaw, I.
Ageing is a multidimensional process shaped by biological decline, psychosocial adaptation, and shifting societal roles. While much of the focus in gerontology remains on physical, and cognitive deterioration, emotional intelligence (EI) emerges as a powerful yet underutilised resource that enhances resilience, self-regulation, and social functioning in later life. In parallel, sedentary lifestyles, characterised by prolonged physical inactivity, are on the rise globally, compounding risks of chronic illness, cognitive decline, depression, and reduced quality of life among older adults. This chapter explores how EI functions as a buffer against the emotional, and psychological toll of sedentarism by enabling older individuals to reframe challenges, maintain social connection, and engage in meaningful routines. Drawing on cross-cultural case studies from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the chapter illustrates how socioeconomic, and cultural contexts shape the development and expression of EI, and influence ageing experiences. Community-based initiatives, such as faith-driven programmes, lifelong learning, and intergenerational activities, are shown to foster emotional resilience, and reduce social isolation. Institutional strategies and policy interventions are also discussed as mechanisms to promote EI and active ageing in diverse populations. Ultimately, the integration of EI, along with physical activity, into ageing policy, and practice is positioned as both a preventive, and empowering approach, one that offers a low-cost, scalable, and culturally adaptable means of enhancing quality of life in an increasingly sedentary world. By addressing both emotional and physical dimensions of ageing, interventions hold significant promise for creating more inclusive, sustainable, and emotionally intelligent frameworks for elder care.
Role of Macroeconomic Factors Predicting Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Zimbabwe 1990-2023
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in social Science (IJRISS), 2025-04-01) Nyathi, L.D.; Kureya, D.; Petegumbo, W.
The financial performance of commercial banks is intricately linked to the macroeconomic environment in which they operate. In Zimbabwe, a country characterized by economic volatility, hyperinflation, and fluctuating exchange rates, understanding the role of macroeconomic factors in shaping bank performance is critical. Therefore, this study investigates the extent to which key macroeconomic variables influence the profitability, stability, and overall financial health of commercial banks. Using a General Moments Methods (GMM) approach the study reveal that macroeconomic instability, particularly high inflation and volatile exchange rates, significantly impacts bank profitability and asset quality. Conversely, periods of economic growth and stable monetary policies are associated with improved financial performance. The study also highlights the resilience of Zimbabwean banks in navigating economic challenges, underscoring the importance of adaptive strategies and robust risk management practices. This research contributes to the broader discourse on the interplay between macroeconomic conditions and banking performance, offering valuable insights for policymakers, bank managers, and financial analysts. Therefore, the study recommends that government of Zimbabwe should address economic problems facing the entire economy. The poor macroeconomic instability facing the country also weighs down heavily to the banking sector. Due because of the poor economic environment and perceived risk tied to the country, local commercial banks are facing significant challenges to attract fresh capital from the international market.
An Assessment and Evaluation of Underwriting Factors that Affect Profitability of Crop Insurance: A case Study of the Zimbabwean Insurance Market
(African Development Finance Journal, 2025-06-05) Dube, M.; Dlakama, M.; Munyala, S.
This study evaluates the underwriting factors influencing the profitability of crop insurance in Zimbabwe, a sector facing significant viability challenges. Crop insurance worldwide is vulnerable to climate hazards such as hailstorms, strong winds, dry spells, and floods, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Zimbabwe has experienced devastating effects from events like Cyclone Idai, leading to substantial claims that threaten the financial stability of insurers. The study's objectives are threefold: to identify and evaluate underwriting factors affecting profitability, to ascertain the relationship between these factors and business profitability, and to propose strategies to enhance the profitability of crop insurers. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative in-depth interviews with managers of agriculture underwriting departments and quantitative surveys administered to senior-level employees in both claims and underwriting departments. Key factors identified include product pricing, underwriting capacity, and loss assessments. Findings reveal that loss assessments is the most influential factor. Accurate product pricing, underpinned by international models, and enhanced underwriting capacity, supported by reinsurance and government subsidies, are critical for improving profitability. Regression analysis further quantifies these relationships, indicating that improvements in product pricing and underwriting capacity significantly enhance profitability, whereas inaccuracies in loss assessments detract from it. The study concludes that crop insurance in Zimbabwe is largely unprofitable, with most crops and insurance products showing loss ratios exceeding 100%. To improve financial outcomes, the study recommends adopting accurate pricing models, building underwriting capacity, and implementing technological advancements in loss assessments. Keywords: Crop insurance, Underwriting factors, Profitability, Climate hazards, Product pricing, underwriting capacity, Loss assessment
Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households’ livelihoods in Zimbabwe: A qualitative study using the sustainable urban livelihood framework.
(Wellcome Open Research, 2025-07-09) Taruvinga, T.; Chingono, R.S.; Tembo, M.; Tshuma, M.; Masiye, K.; Madanhire, C.; Munhenzva, S.; Sibanda, S.; Mafuva, L.; Chimberengwa, P.T.; Webb, K.
Background Pandemics such as COVID-19 affect lives in complex ways, disrupting economic activities and impacting livelihoods. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) helps us to understand these diverse effects beyond health impacts. We investigate the impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods of urban households in Zimbabwe. Methods We conducted a qualitative study utilizing an iteration of the SLF, the Sustainable Urban Livelihoods Framework (SULF), as our theoretical foundation for exploring urban living in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Between April and December 2021, we collected primary data through household surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews with the key informants. Following SULF, we performed hybrid deductive and inductive thematic analysis of the data. Results Households from various socioeconomic backgrounds have experienced notable negative effects owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic and its related control measures, such as social distancing and lockdowns, have led to job losses, income reductions, food insecurity, and the illness or death of household members. Additionally, many individuals faced decreased access to essential health services and education, which are vital for maintaining their livelihoods. Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were particularly affected, struggling to sustain their livelihoods more than those from higher income brackets. Conclusions The disproportionate impact on low-income households highlights the lack of properly established social support systems stemming from the challenging political and economic conditions in Zimbabwe. While low- and middle-income countries should consider international policy recommendations, we advocate evidence-based policy decision making that carefully evaluates the effects of COVID-19 policies on health, livelihoods, and the wider economy. Plain Language Summary The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households’ livelihoods in Zimbabwe Pandemics such as COVID-19 impact lives in various ways. While they cause illness and fatalities, they also significantly affect people's livelihoods, which in turn affects their ability to access healthcare. A valuable tool for understanding these dynamics is the sustainable livelihood framework, which illustrates interrelated aspects of people’s lives. To explore the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban households' livelihoods in Zimbabwe from April to December 2021, we qualitatively collected data from 40 household surveys, conducted four focus group discussions in Harare and Bulawayo, and interviewed 18 key informants involved in policy formulation and implementation. Our findings indicate that, while the pandemic affected everyone, households from poorer backgrounds faced the greatest challenges in maintaining their ways of living during the COVID-19 period. These households struggled more due to pre-existing socioeconomic and governance issues, which forced them to adopt unsustainable shortterm survival strategies. This study highlights the need for evidence-based decision making that carefully assesses the impact of COVID-19 policies on health, livelihoods, and the broader economy. This emphasizes the importance of implementing a sustainable social safety support system in Zimbabwe and similarly resource-constrained settings.
A Review of AI and IoT Integration Frameworks for Sustainable Soil Health Management
(Proceedings of the 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems, 2025-11-26) Phiri, H.; Maphosa, V.; Moyo, S.; Sebata, A.
The rising global population and increasing food demand, exacerbated by extreme climate changes in Sub-Saharan Africa, have accelerated soil degradation on arable lands critical for crop production. This has prompted calls for continental and national interventions to mitigate the trend. Among the proposed solutions are digitally enabled tools leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which have demonstrated significant success in developed regions. Recent advancements—such as cheaper, more accurate sensors, Edge AI, lightweight machine learning (ML) models running on edge devices, and open-source microcontrollers with enhanced computational capabilities—present promising opportunities for Sub-Saharan Africa, where small-scale farmers dominate agriculture. This study conducts a systematic literature review to evaluate AI and IoT integration frameworks for sustainable soil health management, examining the types of tools deployed and their contributions. The review analyses peer-reviewed publications from 2014 to 2024, sourced from Scopus, Google Scholar, the ACM Digital Library, and AJOL-CGspace. Findings indicate that while a layered approach framework is commonly adopted, it is often modified to suit specific contextual needs. However, many tools remain in the experimental stage, with proof-of-concept demonstrations but limited quantifiable evidence of their impact on sustainable soil health management. A key limitation of this study is the scarcity of long-term, large-scale field trials in Sub-Saharan Africa, restricting the generalisability of the findings to real-world farming conditions. Addressing this gap, calls for partnerships between researchers, governments, and local farming communities to implement pilot projects that test and refine these technologies in diverse agroecological zones across the region.