The persistence of extreme poverty among ethnic minorities in Zimbabwe: a case of the San Community in Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North

Abstract

The study focused on the persistence of poverty among ethnic minorities in Zimbabwe using the San Community as a case study. Four objectives guided the research and these were: assessing the extent of poverty levels among the San community, understanding the reasons for the persistence of poverty among the San community, examining the gestures that government has made towards addressing the state of extreme poverty among the San community and examining the gestures that NGOs and other non-state players have made toward addressing the state of extreme poverty among ethnic minorities. To achieve the objectives the researcher used both the qualitative and quantitative research design which entailed the use of interviews, questionnaires and personal observations. The research findings were analyzed using tables and graphs and the results revealed that the San community’s poverty is principally caused by lack of assets and education which stem from their historical background and minority status. Their integration into the mainstream agricultural economy from a hunting and gathering lifestyle was not followed by capitalisation for empowerment. The San people’s grievances mostly go to the government for neglecting and marginalising them in all matters significant to their wellbeing through not ensuring that they have representation in some or all decision making positions such as the chieftaincy, headmen and in other government offices. The study concluded that it would be imperative that the San community is capacitated and empowered through government initiatives such as the Heifer project, BEAM and put in place policies that recognize and allow for the participation of minority groups in decision making. The role of non-state actors was also discussed whereby they can come up with aid or assistance that does not create a dependency syndrome but creates assets and empowers communities. The role of the media in poverty alleviation was also emphasised. The potential in the San community has not been tapped into yet and there is no telling what great things might come out of them if they are given the platform.