The study sought to establish the causes, manifestation and impact of classroom aggression on students’ physical and mental health and academic performance in Harare urban secondary schools in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research design methodology was used in this study. The participants in the study were 40 students and 15 teachers from 10 urban schools in Harare Metropolitan Province. In-depth interview schedules and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The study used a narrative analysis of interview and focus group texts. The data was analysed using a narrative approach. The findings are presented according to the research questions in narrative form illustrated by quotations. The findings of the study revealed that participants believed that classroom aggressive behaviour was caused by biological, social and economic factors. Biological factors included temperament, hormonal imbalances during the menstrual cycle, secondary changes during puberty such as physical strength and certain medical conditions. Social factors included jealousy between romantic suitors, group dynamics during sports competitions and school transitions, rogue prefects, gangs, peer pressure, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, family factors and religious and cultural beliefs. Aggressive behaviour was manifested in physical, relational, cyber and verbal forms. The study also revealed that aggressive behaviour resulted in negative effects that included students incurring physical injuries, committing suicide, experiencing depressive symptoms, anxiety, performing poorly academically and early school leaving. Recommendations for policy and further research were made. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Human activities such as urbanisation, sewage treatment, industrialisation and agriculture represent major human interference in water resources. The water resources are affected both quantitatively as well as qualitatively by these activities. The impact of human interference in the Mukuvisi River catchment hydrology was studied by determining the concentration values of eight selected physico - chemical and biological parameters. These are pH, temperature, total nitrates, total phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, lead, copper and Total Faecal Coliform Count. Seven sites were sampled along the river, from up the river in Mukuvisi woodlands up to the point where the river discharges into Lake Chivero. Analysis of the results obtained was undertaken using SPSS (paired sample T test) and descriptive graphs were drawn using Microsoft Excel 2010. Nitrates, phosphates, copper, lead and Total Faecal Coliform Counts were found to be higher than the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) maximum and World Health Organisation, 2011 (WHO) permissible standards from site 3 to site 7. Site 6 recorded the highest concentrations of all the measured parameters, except for pH and Dissolved Oxygen. Mean DO and BOD concentrations were 2.53 mg/l and 40 mg/l respectively at site 6. Mean total nitrates were 17.5 mg/l at site 6 above the ZINWA and WHO threshold of 10 mg/l. Site 6 also recorded a mean total phosphate of 5.9 mg/l which was above the ZINWA and WHO threshold of 0.5 mg/l. Mean TFCC was 992.6 mpn100ml-1 higher than the threshold of nil according to ZINWA and WHO threshold. Site 3 recorded the mean DO and TFCC of 2.4 mg/l and 2.80 mpn100ml-1 respectively. Site 2 had the lowest mean TFCC concentrations of 2.80 mpn100ml-1, which did not differ significantly from the WHO and ZINWA threshold of nil at p<0.05. The quality of water in the river varied from site to site in direct relation to the intensity and type of human activities along the river course. Levels of all the water quality indicators increased after discharge from the Firle sewage treatment plant at site 6 with the exception of temperature and pH. Sewage effluents, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents were found to be responsible for the high nutrient levels and high metal concentrations in the river which in turn reduced DO levels and increased BOD / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Evaluating the effectiveness of Thabo Mbeki’s political mediation in the Zimbabwean conflict of 2008, following a disputed election outcome, is the principal objective of this study. The Ripeness Theory of mediation and conflict resolution that was proposed by William Zartman and developed by other scholars is deployed as the theoretical framework of the study. The principal measure of the effectiveness of mediation lies in its success in resolving conflict in a sustainable manner. There is consensus in conflict resolution scholarship that the post-cold war era has witnessed a marked shift of conflicts from the inter-state scene to the intra-state domain, such as the one in Zimbabwe, 2008. This shift has brought with it increasing attention to issues of human security, human rights and democratisation in mediation and conflict resolution. As a result, a compelling need for the effective resolution of such conflicts, and guarantee of the enforcement of human rights, security and promotion of democratisation as part of mediation, has arisen. There is also a general acceptance, amongst scholars, that the success of mediation goes beyond the signing of mediated agreements as often case conflict has re-ignited after the signing of peace agreements. For that reason, the argument that mediation is counter-productive as it often puts a lid on the can of conflict without resolving the underlying conflict issues has achieved currency. There is therefore a general convergence of views in mediation literature that addressing the structural causes of disputes guarantees the sustainable resolution of conflict. It is in the context of these developments and views in international relations and politics that this study evaluates, using the Ripeness Theory, its limits noted, the effectiveness of Thabo Mbeki’s mediation in Zimbabwe, and the argument is advanced that often case mediated agreements are not effective mechanisms for the sustainable resolution of conflict and the achievement of democratisation and durable peace. Civil society groups need to be involved to expand the scope of negotiations and limit effects of mediator partiality. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)

This study searches for the management attributes of excellent companies in Zimbabwe in order to reveal the management practices that have made these companies successful. Seven most successful companies from among those quoted on the Zimbabwean Stock Exchange (ZSE) were selected in terms of their financial criteria and the macroeconomic criteria in their industrial categories. The research for attributes of excellence has been qualitative - consisting mainly of interviews of chief executives, departmental managers, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled employees of the companies. The interviewees were also asked to complete two quantitative instruments: a semantic differential and an observation chart. Altogether 408 people were interviewed and given a semantic differential and an observation chart to complete. Of these, 398 responded to the semantic differential while 308 responded to the observation chart. Qualitative data for the study were content analysed and the data obtained through the quantitative instruments were analysed through the use of the Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) at the Unisa Computer Services Centre. There was agreement in the results obtained through the use of the three different approaches of the research. The management attributes which were elicited by the study are that the Zimbabwean excellent companies : (a) have a participative style of management; (b) always engage in constant communication with all levels oftheir employees; (c) reward good work; (d) train their employees; (e) promote from within; (f) are concerned with the quality of their products and services; (g) care for customers; and (h) are involved in social responsibility. These management attributes can be applied by and could thus benefit any type of organisation, trading or non-trading, and private or public. The application of the attributes may not be limited to the enterprises in Zimbabwe - the host country in which the study was conducted - but it may also be effected in companies in other countries with a similar socioeconomic situation to Zimbabwe's. / Business Leadership / D.B.L.

This study is a critical examination of the complex search for peace, reconciliation and unity in Zimbabwe between the years 1978 and 2008, with a view to identify factors that have been blocking sustainable peace, national unity, reconciliation and development. It is a qualitative study which draws data from document analysis and oral interviews. The specific focus of the study is an analysis of the four peace agreements signed in this period namely; the 1978 Internal Settlement, the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement, the 1987 Unity Accord and the 2008 Global Political Agreement. Its central thesis is that coloniality in its multifaceted invisible forms is largely responsible for conflicts that have engulfed Zimbabwe and for compromising the chances of success of the four peace agreements. Coloniality has produced a ‘postcolonial’ leadership that has continued to practice politics in a violent, repressive, corrupt and unaccountable manner because of interpellation by the very immanent logic of colonialism that reproduces such inimical practices as racism, tribalism, regionalism and patriarchy. Theoretically, the study deploys de-colonial epistemic perspective in its endeavour to unmask and explain challenges to peace, unity, reconciliation and development in Zimbabwe. Finally, the thesis makes a strong case for pursuit of decoloniality as the panacea to conflicts and as an approach to conflict resolution and peace building that privileges decolonization and deimperialization so that Zimbabwe’s development goals could be achieved. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Management Science: Public Management (Peacebuilding), Durban University of Technology, 2017. / The thesis examines the operations and outcomes of the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Matetsi ward. It examines the causes of conflicts and consequences of the conflicts in the SHGs. This is achieved by adopting the conflict transformation approach. Succinctly, the theory views conflict as not necessarily destructive, but as a vehicle for change. This therefore, has implications for one’s understanding of the causes of conflicts. SHGs have been adopted by rural women so that they can work collectively to address their socio-economic problems. The study was conducted in Matetsi ward, Hwange District where conflicts within the groups were broadly detected. The information used in the study were produced from face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, minute books and testimonials throughout field work in the designated ward. The study exposed that conflicts in the study location emanated from delays in loan repayments by SHG members. Individuals’ failure to fulfil their obligations of saving and returning loans on time created tensions which in turn resulted in conflict among the group members. The conflicts became complex and recurred due to unaddressed animosity, fear and anger, resulting in frustrations in the groups. Conflicts in the groups also led to the collapse of some of the groups. The research findings indicated that SHGs were not only sources of income for rural women, but also represented a yearning for self-sufficiency among rural women in spite of the socio-economic strife in Hwange District. / M

The research revolves on the emergence of globalisation, change, competition, work pressure, and risks among others which have exposed insurance employees to work stress that can interfere with home activities. The research purpose was to determine the relationship between work stress, work-home interference, and organisational culture among insurance employees in the Zimbabwean context. The sample consisted of 240 participants, from which data was collected from 190 employees who responded to the questionnaires. The questionnaires were analysed using SPSS, internal consistency reliability analysis, and the inter-correlation analysis. The inferential statistics used were multiple linear regression and one way ANOVA. Substantial positive and negative correlations were noted for the six sub-scales of the Occupational roles questionnaire (ORQ), negative work-home interference (NWHI) and positive work-home interference (PWHI) scales, and the three sub-scales of the Organisational culture index (OCI). The research concluded that different measures should be taken to manage work stressors, depending on the organisational culture, and its employees to prevent spill-over which contributes to negative work-home interference. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Text in English / The study focused on the characterisation and management of non-formal solid waste disposal sites in Harare, the capital city of the Republic of Zimbabwe. In many developing countries, increasing urbanisation surpasses the development of urban infrastructure and this has led to the proliferation of informal settlements, illegal dumping sites and uncontrolled vending in cities like Harare. The researcher investigated the prevalence of non-formal dumping sites in Harare, including the composition, locational attributes and internal linkages of solid waste. Practices regarding the management of non-formal solid waste disposal sites were examined and areas of good practice and conformity to international standards were complemented while recommendations and suggestions were made on areas that were found wanting. An integrated management system was recommended for the sustainable management of solid waste. To support this recommendation, management window of responsibilities (EMWR) model was created so that the Harare City Council can enhance stakeholder participation. The research results show that most residents used non-conventional ways to store waste, like mealie-meal bags and sacks, and this posed a danger to human health. It also emerged that the city of Harare has not updated some of its by-laws, some of which were enacted about 33 years ago while others remained drafts for decades. This made it difficult for the city to effectively implement them. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Text in English / The study focused on the characterisation and management of non-formal solid waste disposal sites in Harare, the capital city of the Republic of Zimbabwe. In many developing countries, increasing urbanisation surpasses the development of urban infrastructure and this has led to the proliferation of informal settlements, illegal dumping sites and uncontrolled vending in cities like Harare. The researcher investigated the prevalence of non-formal dumping sites in Harare, including the composition, locational attributes and internal linkages of solid waste. Practices regarding the management of non-formal solid waste disposal sites were examined and areas of good practice and conformity to international standards were complemented while recommendations and suggestions were made on areas that were found wanting. An integrated management system was recommended for the sustainable management of solid waste. To support this recommendation, management window of responsibilities (EMWR) model was created so that the Harare City Council can enhance stakeholder participation. The research results show that most residents used non-conventional ways to store waste, like mealie-meal bags and sacks, and this posed a danger to human health. It also emerged that the city of Harare has not updated some of its by-laws, some of which were enacted about 33 years ago while others remained drafts for decades. This made it difficult for the city to effectively implement them. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

MPH / Department of Public Health