https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2930 2026-04-09T12:17:32Z 2026-04-09T12:17:32Z Mahamba Devotion Tatenda Mavuso Lwazi Chidyausiku Weston https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6777 2025-09-25T14:26:16Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Centering African Epistemologies: A Decolonial Approach to Juvenile Recidivism in Zimbabwe and Eswatini Authors: Mahamba Devotion Tatenda; Mavuso Lwazi; Chidyausiku Weston Abstract: Juvenile Recidivism remains a persistent challenge in Zimbabwe and Eswatini and the world at large, with rising cases of children reoffending despite going through rehabilitation to mend their behaviors. This study adopts a decolonial lens exploring the causes of recidivism amongst the juveniles and appreciating the culturally sensitive strategies for reducing the phenomenon. Drawing on indigenous knowledge ways and restorative justice principles, this research investigates the interconnectedness of community participation, social justice and culture. The study utilized a qualitative approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Juvenile offenders were engaged, the community elders and also professionals such as social workers, psychologists and superintendents from rehabilitation homes who worked with the juvenile offenders in Zimbabwe and Eswatini. Data collected from participants revealed that factors such as; poverty, negative peer influence, mass media, poor parental skills, poor implementation of reforms and substance abuse are causing children to reoffend. The findings highlight the limitations of colonial- era justice systems and the potential of decolonial community interventions to reduce recidivism amongst juveniles.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Mahamba Devotion Tatenda Mavuso Lwazi Chidyausiku Weston Kenward Siambale Taruvinga Muzingili Floyd A. Sadomba Evidence Dube https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6665 2025-07-31T08:40:12Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessing the Effectiveness of Resilience Strategies Adopted by Female-Headed Households During Drought-Induced Challenges in Zimbabwe Authors: Kenward Siambale; Taruvinga Muzingili; Floyd A. Sadomba; Evidence Dube Abstract: This study examines resilience strategies adopted by female-headed households (FHHs) in rural Zimbabwe during drought-induced challenges using the Vulnerability and Resilience Framework (VRF). An interpretive phenomenology design with semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews explored the lived experiences of 20 FHHs and community leaders in the Goromonzi District. Findings reveal that FHHs employ strategies like livelihood diversification, agricultural adaptation, and social networks, but systemic barriers, resource limitations, and gender inequities constrain these. The study concludes that gender-sensitive interventions addressing structural vulnerabilities are essential to enhance resilience, emphasizing agricultural support, economic empowerment, and strengthened social networks for sustainable recovery.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Kenward Siambale Taruvinga Muzingili Floyd A. Sadomba Evidence Dube Muzingili, Taruvinga Muntanga, Willard Mwiinde Laison Quegas Mutale Weston Chidyausiku https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6650 2025-07-28T07:52:56Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A predictive analysis of risk factors contributing to low examination registration rate by secondary schools’ learners in Zimbabwe’s rural areas Authors: Muzingili, Taruvinga; Muntanga, Willard; Mwiinde Laison; Quegas Mutale; Weston Chidyausiku Abstract: The study investigates the risk factors that contribute to low examination registration among secondary school learners in Zimbabwe’s rural areas. Data was collected from 525 secondary school learners who had failed to register for their ordinary and advanced level examinations from 2019 to 2023. Regression modeling was used to assess the impact of four major categories of independent variables that included family characteristics, learner characteristics, access-based factors, and school-level factors. Using regression analysis, findings revealed that failure to register for the examination was mostly influenced by family characteristics, with an estimated variation in examination registration of around 35.4%, followed by learners’ characteristics with a variation of 24.7%, school-based factors with 16.0%, and access factors at 13.3%. Analysis of sub-factors revealed that the low examination rate in rural areas was mostly explained by factors associated with affordability that were exacerbated by vulnerability associated with the learner’s characteristics. The study recommended a holistic approach to improving examination registration around the harmonization of current social protection schemes, community empowerment, and learner’s specific educational needs assessments and interventions.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Muzingili, Taruvinga Muntanga, Willard Mwiinde Laison Quegas Mutale Weston Chidyausiku Charamba, Sunungurayi Ezra Pedzisai Rudo Mukurazhizha https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6642 2025-07-17T10:33:05Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The voices of Zionist women in responding to disasters in Chivi District, Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe Authors: Charamba, Sunungurayi; Ezra Pedzisai; Rudo Mukurazhizha Abstract: While global warming affects people globally, in Africa, women are particularly more vulnerable than men because of the gendered nature of climate change impacts. Climate change increasingly threatens humanity by causing disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones and heat waves which negatively impact human beings and the ecosystem. The socio-cultural beliefs and practices of women in African Independent Churches (AICs) increase their vulnerability as they are socialised to depend on decisions made by their male counterparts. The study focuses on Zionist women in Chivi, a rural area where women practice agriculture for their livelihoods. Many men migrate to neighbouring countries in search of employment, leaving women at the centre of climate change discourse. The study was guided by the intersectionality theory and Moser’s gender analysis framework as there are connected variables. A constructivist paradigm utilising a qualitative approach was adopted. The study used the narrative research design through in-depth interviews from stories and experiences of women in Zion church as primary participants and key informants who are knowledgeable about the phenomenon under study. In-depth interview guides and focus group discussion guides were used to collect data. The data collected was analysed thematically as follows: response to early warning signs, effects of droughts and flooding, resistance towards vaccinations, alternative livelihood strategies, collaboration and partnership with different organisations and proposed initiatives to church leadership including women in leadership positions. The study concluded that a multi-disciplinary approach to integrating environmental issues, religion, and gender is needed to preserve Mother Earth for sustainable use.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Charamba, Sunungurayi Ezra Pedzisai Rudo Mukurazhizha