Ernest Dube

In Zimbabwe, cases of men's violence against other men are prevalent, but are seemingly to have been neglected in modern discourses. This case study was based on the patriarchal society of Binga district, in Matabeleland North province. The study sought to explore the nature and impact of violence perpetrated by men against other men in societies; to analyze factors that promote contemporary men's and masculine practices of violence; to establish reasons why men's violence against other men has somewhat escaped scrutiny; to suggest possible strategies for dealing with contemporary men's violence against other men in human societies. A qualitative approach was employed to study a purposive sample of 20 participants through unstructured interviews. The study found that physical assaults, domestic violence, political violence, sexual violence and threats of violence form the nature of men's violence over men. The major causes of such violence include amongst others, confrontation from rival suitors, accusations of witchcraft, differing of political opinion and misunderstandings during beer drink. This type of violence has escaped scrutiny because many incidents have been solved amicably, men also are shy to report their cases, and others withdraw cases before they are taken to courts. This study concluded that male violence in whatever form, is harmful to all human beings, even if it is directed to other men. In addition, the study concluded that male violence is a social creation that can be ended in societies. The study recommends the reporting of all forms of male violence against other men to law enforcement agents. It also recommends that religious and traditional leaders should continue to enlighten their subjects on the dangers of violence. The study again advocates for stiffer penalties by the judiciary on the perpetrators of violence in human societies. Human rights groups, victim friendly practitioners and law enforcement agencies are expected to benefit from the study's findings.

The main focus of the research was to analyse the role of cooperatives in sustaining the
livelihoods of local rural communities in Shurugwi District in Zimbabwe. Descriptive survey
design was used in this mixed method approach to the study. A questionnaire, interviews and
observation methods were employed as the main research instruments. Purposive sampling
technique was adopted and data were collected from government officials and from members
of the six cooperatives in Shurugwi District. A total of 50 research participants were involved
in the study. It was found that cooperatives were established as a strategy to sustain livelihoods
of rural communities. With the adoption of cooperatives, people in the rural communities
managed to generate employment, boost food production, empower the marginalised,
especially women, and promote social cohesion and integration, thereby improving their
livelihoods and reducing poverty. Most cooperatives face a number of challenges that include
lack of financial support, poor management and lack of management skills, and lack of
competitive markets to sell their produce. The study recommends that the government and the
banking sector render financial support to cooperatives in rural communities to allow them to
expand and diversify their business operations; constant training on leadership and
management skills is provided to cooperatives’ members. There is also a need for cooperatives,
especially those in the agricultural sector, to form some producer associations so as to easily
market their produce. Lastly, the study recommends that future research should focus on
investigating issues that hinder the growth of the cooperative movement in rural communities
of Zimbabwe. It is hoped that policy-makers, the academia and communities would benefit
from the study.

Flooding and poverty are the two social problems that have coexisted within the rural
communities of Tsholotsho district. As a result, both problems have negatively affected and
disrupted the everyday pattern of lives of people living in the district. This study sought to
highlight how the two problems combine to impact human societies. The objectives that the
study sought to fulfil were to establish the impact of flooding on the development of rural
communities, to analyse how poverty manifests itself in rural communities, to analyse the
relationship that exists between flooding and poverty and to suggest ways for dealing with the
two problems. A qualitative research approach, using interviews and observations, was used
to gather data from the research participants. The study findings were that flooding impeded
development through shifting of human populations, destruction of crops, shelter and
livestock. Floods also affected human capital through causing injuries to members of the
community. Poverty manifested itself in three ways – as a development barrier, a vulnerability
amplifier and a non-discriminatory agent. The study further found that a strong relationship
exists between flooding and poverty because of the fact that flooding causes or worsens
poverty, whereas poverty increases flood vulnerability. The study concluded that the poor
need government assistance to reconstruct shelter destroyed by floods. Furthermore, programs
aimed at improving livelihoods of the poor are an indispensable imperative. This study
informs policymakers and offers a methodological significance to development and disaster
practitioners. It also adds to the body of literature on flooding and poverty.

This article is about managing flood disasters affecting the built environment in the rural
communities of Zimbabwe. Using Tsholotsho district in Matabeleland North province as a case
study, the authors argue that flooding has adversely impacted the built environment through
destroying infrastructure. The principal objectives of this study were to establish the impact of
flood disasters on the built environment, to demarcate factors that perpetuate communities’
vulnerabilities to flooding and to delineate challenges that negate the management of flood
disasters in the built environment. This qualitative study was based on a purposive sample
of 40 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observation
methods. The findings were that floods can damage human shelter, roads, bridges and dams.
Locating homesteads near rivers and dams, using poor-quality construction materials, and lack
of flood warning were found to perpetuate vulnerability to flooding. Poverty and costs of
rebuilding infrastructure, lack of cooperation between the communities and duty-bearers, and
failure to use indigenous knowledge were found to be impeding the management of flood
disasters. The study concluded that flood disasters can wipe out community development
gains accumulated over many years. Further, community vulnerability to flooding in the built
environment is socially constructed. The study posits that addressing the root causes, reducing
flood vulnerability and avoiding risk creation are viable options to development in the built
environment. Lastly, reconstruction following flood disasters is arduous and gruelling, and not
an easy exercise.

This article examines the causes of poverty in Africa and the use of theories as a roadmap to dealing with poverty in African settings. The African continent is characterised by widespread poverty that includes lack of access to basic needs (such as shelter, clothes, food, clean water and clean environment) in addition to lack of income, opportunities, freedoms and choices. The main aim of the study was to explain the relevance—rarity or reality—of the theories of poverty in dealing with poverty in Africa in general, and Zimbabwe in particular. This desktop research analysed the theory of individualism of poverty, Karl Marx’s capitalist theory and opportunity theory of poverty. Through document analysis involving 47 publications, the study found that the theory of individual poverty lacks relevance—is a rarity—in analysing poverty in Africa, whilst the Marxian theory and opportunity theory are highly relevant—are a reality—because of Africa’s colonial history and current invasion of Africa by multi-national corporations. The study concluded that some theories of poverty are a panacea to understanding development in Africa. The theories are important in understanding the nature, causes and interventions of poverty in general. As such, theories of poverty are both a rarity and a reality when it comes to understanding poverty in African settings, particularly in Zimbabwe.

This original research confronted challenges to environmental management and sustainability
posed by veld fires in the Bulilima and Mangwe Districts of Matabeleland in the South Province
in southern Zimbabwe. Veld fires have affected the fauna and flora, polluted air and water, and
destroyed livelihoods. The study aimed at establishing challenges to environmental sustainability
posed by veld fires, identifying the type of environment upon which veld fires have impacted,
analysing legal issues and other interventions surrounding the control of veld fires and suggesting
new control measures for veld fires. A qualitative research design and quota sampling were used.
The study involved 30 participants. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview
guide and participant observation. Challenges to environmental management and sustainability
posed by veld fires include property damage, reduced soil fertility, destruction of vegetation, air
and water pollution and destruction of wildlife. Most veld fires are a result of human actions that
emanate from the disposal of cigarettes, the burning of vegetation when preparing fields, the use
of fire by hunters, smoking out bees and the making of fires by motorists along highways. The
government should consider reviewing the current environmental statues. Fireguards should
be wide enough to lessen veld-fire impact. Lastly, veld-fire campaigns and rehearsals should be
run on a regular basis. It is hoped that this work would make a significant contribution through
improving the current thinking about environmental management and sustainability, thereby
benefiting policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders.

The contribution of models in the management of disasters has been less understood by some practitioners. As such, the use of models seems to have been ignored by policy-makers and practitioners when dealing with all forms of disasters in Zimbabwe. Various kinds of hazards and disasters in Zimbabwe, that include droughts, floods, cholera epidemics and veld fires have heavily impacted communities, resulting in the complexity of disaster management that calls for the use of models. This desktop study sought to analyze the contribution of models in managing hazards and disasters in Zimbabwe. The study was based on a qualitative literature survey and document analysis. Through literature and document analysis, the study found that models are crucial in disaster management as they can simplify practitioners' understanding of hazards and disasters. Models are also a useful and indispensable decision-making support tool as they can assist the practitioners to make appropriate decisions. The study further found that models that are common to the practitioners included the traditional model, expand-contract model, and the disaster crunch model. Furthermore, a close relationship exists between the disaster PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences ISSN 2454-5899 Available Online at: http://grdspublishing.org/ 112 management models. Most of the models are based on the disaster management phases of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Since the models play a significant role in the management of hazards and disasters, the study concluded that they are an indispensable tool and a proper trajectory towards managing disaster events in Zimbabwe. Therefore, the study recommends the adoption of the models in the management of all forms of disasters. The significance of this study is in its potential to inform policy and practice. The future scope should focus on the nature of models applicable to selected disaster situations in Zimbabwe.

This article analysed disaster risk reduction capacity of District Civil Protection Units (DCPUs) in managing veld fires in Mangwe District of Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe. Veld fires have resulted in unnecessary material, environmental and economic losses. Communities' livelihoods and property have been destroyed, and the natural environment depleted. The research sought to improve disaster risk reduction capacity of DCPUs in managing veld fires, through new intervention strategies and a new model. The objectives of the study were to investigate the main causes of veld fires; to analyse their impacts; to examine the effectiveness of the current intervention strategies; and to identify challenges in implementing these interventions. Furthermore, the study sought to recommend new possible intervention strategies. This mainly qualitative study employed self-administered questionnaires, interviews and focus-group discussions. Questionnaires were used to investigate members of the DCPU's ideas, views and experiences, interviews solicited perceptions of community leaders and their subjects, whilst focus-group discussions assisted with information from members of the District Civil Protection Planning Committee. Veld fires in the district are mainly caused by human activities, and they are prevalent during the months of September and October. They affect livelihoods and the natural environment the most. This study found that DCPUs are not prepared to manage veld fires and therefore recommended new strategies and adoption of the community-based disaster risk reduction model. The new strategies include involving community leaders and members of the communities in DCPUs; regular training and workshops to members of DCPUs on veld fire management; creation of fire protection associations; regular campaigns and rehearsal of emergency drills by the DCPU personnel; the introduction of competitions and incentives in veld fire management; vigorous public education on the erection of proper fireguards around homes, cattle pens, crop fields and vegetable gardens; and the imposition of stiffer penalties for carelessly or deliberately causing veld fires. Policy-makers, governments and stakeholders would benefit from the new intervention strategies. The community-based disaster risk reduction model would benefit researchers and disaster risk reduction practitioners.

This article examined the contribution of indigenous knowledge to disaster risk reduction
activities in Zimbabwe. The current discourse underrates the use of indigenous knowledge of
communities by practitioners when dealing with disasters’, as the knowledge is often viewed
as outdated and primitive. This study, which was conducted in 2016, sought to examine this
problem through analysing the potential contribution of indigenous knowledge as a useful
disaster risk reduction intervention. Tsholotsho district in Matabeleland, North province of
Zimbabwe, which frequently experiences perennial devastating floods, was used as a case
study. Interviews and researcher observations were used to gather data from 40 research
participants. The findings were that communities understand weather patterns and could
predict imminent flooding after studying trees and clouds, and the behaviours of certain
animal species. Local communities also use available local resources to put structural measures
in place as part of disaster risk reduction interventions. Despite this important potential, the
study found that the indigenous knowledge of disaster risk reduction of the communities
is often shunned by practitioners. The practitioners claim that indigenous knowledge lacks
documentation, it is not found in all generational classes, it is contextualised to particular
communities and the knowledge cannot be scientifically validated. The study concluded that
both local communities and disaster risk reduction practitioners can benefit from the indigenous
knowledge of communities. This research has the potential to benefit communities, policymakers
and disaster risk reduction practitioners.

This article extends the build-back-better disaster risk reduction knowledge. It highlights the importance of the
build-back-better during disaster recovery in Zimbabwe. Using literature, the author discusses the benefits of the
build-back-better; analyses how the build-back-better can contribute to the reconstruction and sustainable
development; and, discusses build-back-better strategies for reconstruction. The findings are that the build-backbetter
supports the aims of sustainable development goals. The build-back-better provides stronger, better and
safer infrastructure, recovery surpluses, and is a learn-and-act endeavour. The study concluded that through
providing stronger infrastructure, resilient and sustainable communities, build-back-better supports both
reconstruction and sustainable development.

The focus of the study was to analyse the prospects and challenges of Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) in Zimbabwe. The research was mainly qualitative in nature and Shurugwi District was used as a case study. Interviews, questionnaires and observations were the primary research tools used to collect data. Secondary sources such as records and published articles were also employed. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to deal with 46 participants and data were collected from the District Administrator, Unki Mine management staff, community members, key informants in the form of community leaders. The study found that CSOTs play a major role in the development of rural communities through providing infrastructure that include vocational training centres, schools and clinics. The CSOTs help to improve water and sanitation situation of rural communities, through drilling of boreholes. The Trusts also help to facilitate the running of income generating projects. As part of challenges, the study found that participants were not being consulted in projects initiation and that there was a lot of interference on the operations of the Trusts from external sources such as politicians. However, the CSOTs to experience meaningful empowerment they must concentrate more on entrepreneurial projects which focus on employment creation and there is need for the Trusts management to involve local communities in the formulation and implementation of community projects.

Urban agriculture is a common strategy used by urban dwellers in their endeavor to pursue sustainable food security. This article analyzed the practice of urban agriculture by urban dwellers in the city of Gweru in Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on Mkoba suburb. This qualitative study sought as its objectives, to discuss factors that have contributed to the growth of urban agriculture; to analyze how urban agriculture contributes to the well-being of urban dwellers; to examine the legal framework governing urban agriculture in Zimbabwe; and, to ascertain challenges faced by urban farmers in pursuit of urban agriculture. Purposive sampling was used and data were gathered from 26 participants through interviews and focus group discussions. 27 The findings were that the growth of urban agriculture is influenced by rapid population growth, high levels of poverty, high food prices, and high rate of unemployment. The study further found that urban agriculture promotes food security, provides employment and encourages savings. These Acts do not support, but impede the practice of urban agriculture. There are also challenges that impede the practice of urban agriculture, including the absence of supportive legislation, lack of support from central and local governments, and lack of funding. The study concluded that urban agriculture is an important practice that cannot be dispensed with, as strengthens food security of urban dwellers. The study recommends enactment of supportive legislation, provision of small grants to urban farmers, and creation of farmers associations. Future research should focus on ways of improving the livelihoods of urban farmers. Urban farmers and key stakeholders are largely expected to benefit from the study.