Rural farmers in Zimbabwe have been grappling with various changes and challenges occurring in the country since the early 1990s. Amongst these, climate variability has emerged as one significant aspect. It has introduced new challenges for these farmers who are already facing various difficulties in maintaining their insecure livelihoods. Yet, current adaptation theories and inquiries have failed to sufficiently account for and analyse the capacity of these farmers to adequately respond to changing climatic conditions. In this respect, a number of studies have been heavily embedded in deterministic concepts that regard rural farmers as passive victims who play only a minor part in decisions and actions that affect their own livelihoods and well-being. Similarly, although some studies have acknowledged farmers’ capacity to adapt and build elements of resilience, they have not adequately shown how farmers interpret changes in climate and the structures, processes and conditions underpinning adaptation. Following that, my study uses a case study of a rural community in a semi-arid region of Mutoko district in eastern Zimbabwe and Margaret Archer’s sociological theory to understand and analyse how farmers problematise climate variability and respond to it. The study utilises a qualitative approach to divulge the subtleties on how rural people interpret processes of change and adapt to such changes. The thesis found that farmers are encountering increasingly unpredictable and unreliable rainfall patterns as well as shifting temperature conditions which are inducing labyrinthian livelihoods conundrums. However, these climatic shifts are not being experienced in a discrete manner hence farmers are also discontented with the obtaining socio-economic circumstances in the country. Simultaneously, whilst farmers in large part conceived changes in rainfall and temperature to be caused by natural shifts in climate, they also ascribed them to cultural and religious facets. Importantly, the thesis reveals considerable resourcefulness by farmers in the face of nascent changes in climate variability. Farmers have therefore constructed versatile coping and adaptive strategies. What is crucial to mention here is that climatic and non-climatic challenges are negotiated concurrently. Therein, farmers are adapting to climate variability and at the same time navigating difficult socio-economic landscapes. All the same, the process of adaptation is ostensibly not straightforward but complex. As it evolves, farmers find themselves facing numerous constraining structures and processes. Nonetheless, farmers in this study are able to circumvent the constraints presented to them and at the same time activate the corresponding enabling structures, processes and conditions.

Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Climate change has become one of the most daunting challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. It has direct and profound effects on the environment, economy, health and safety. Since most developing countries have agro-based economies, they are more vulnerable to climate change impacts as compared to the developed world. The aim of this study was to explore Mutoko rural community members’ understanding of climate change and the indigenous measures they use to adapt to its impacts. The study was empirical and data were collected using in-depth interviews. The findings show that Mutoko community members have knowledge of changes in climatic conditions which manifest as increased temperature and erratic rainfall patterns. The impact of increased temperature and erratic rainfall were observed. Furthermore, community members mentioned the type of clouds, mountains and the direction from which the rains comes as indications of climate change. It has also been discovered that numerous cultural activities such as ‘mafuwe’ (rain making ceremony) have changed due to climate change. As a result various adaptation measures such as changing crop types are employed by community members to sustain their livelihood. The study concludes that even though community members in Mutoko are aware of climate change and its indicators, they still struggle to adapt regardless of them having a few adaptation strategies they have developed and use to lessen the negative impacts of changing climatic conditions on their livelihood. Key words: Climate change, Climate hazards, Indigenous practices, Knowledge, Mutoko community,

Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The study explored Mutoko community members’ perceptions of climate change and its impact on subsistence farming. Mutoko is a rural community situated in the eastern part of Zimbabwe. Focus group discussions were conducted to explore perceptions of climate change and its impacts on subsistence farming. The study findings show that the primary source of food is subsistence farming. The main crop grown in Mutoko is maize, followed by ground nuts (peanuts), and indigenous vegetables. Maize, ground nuts, sunflowers (for seed), sorghum and millet are grown for household consumption. The study reports community members’ perceptions and views of changes in the local natural environment. The changes are increased temperature and scarcity of rain. Observable impacts of these changes are decreased crop yields in times of drought. The findings are supported by observation that Zimbabwe lies in a semi-arid region with limited and unreliable rainfall patterns and temperature variations. Rainfall exhibits considerable spatial and temporal variability. Generally, the impact of climate change on subsistence farming was the major concern among the participants. Though the study was not aimed at documenting adaptation measures taken to lessen the negative impacts of increased temperature and rainfall scarcity on crop production, the study shows that adaptive measures have been developed and used to adapt and cope with climate change. Community members are adapting to the impacts of increased temperature and scarcity of rain through their culturally informed mechanisms. The mechanisms include change of crops, use of manure to improve soil structure and mulching. It is concluded that the impact of climate change on subsistence farming is real and is negatively affecting food security in the study area. Farmers gave different views on the following; knowledge about climate variations, changes in environmental conditions, changes in temperature patterns and changes in rainfall patterns. / Centre of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIKS) and National Research Foundation (NRF)

Background: Healthcare workers’ hand hygiene remains a key pillar because it prevents and controls healthcare associated infections. Healthcare Workers’ hand hygiene compliance is suboptimal. Aim: The study developed contextualised guidelines for Healthcare Workers’ hand hygiene and infection control in patient care. Methods: The Precede-Proceed model with Theory of Planned Behaviour guided the study. The study was conducted following the mixed methodology approach, observational survey, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature study with mixed thematic analyses in a research wheel process. Data were collected through direct participant observation of hand hygiene opportunities through observing (n=95 Healthcare Workers; n=570 practices). Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from Healthcare workers (n=189) regarding challenges they faced in achieving hand hygiene. Structured interviews were conducted with patients (n=574). Retrospective reviews of healthcare associated infections and their associated mortalities were carried out from mortality records. Data were analysed retrospectively. Partly the data were statistically and mixed thematically analysed. Guidelines were developed using intervention alignment throughout, mapping, matching, pooling, patching and validation corroborated with Precede-Proceed models’ best practices. The study was ethically reviewed and approved by University of South Africa and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe project numbers, 6067662 and MRCZ/B/208. Results: Hand hygiene non-compliances were mostly found in the following contexts, after touching patients’ surroundings, and before doing an aseptic procedure. A non-hand hygiene compliance of Healthcare workers 167(29.3%) and compliance 403(70.7%) in context was suboptimal with sad patients and challenges faced by Healthcare workers. Conclusion: Healthcare Workers had gaps in hand hygiene compliance and availability of required resources. Gaps were also noted in ongoing hand hygiene promotion educational strategies and guidelines to comply and prevent. Guidelines to enhance hand hygiene included, attend to hand hygiene strictly after touching patient surroundings, bed linen, lockers and curtains to prevent gastroenteritis; follow standard precautions against HCAIs from spreading to patients' environments; and comply with hand hygiene guidelines, policies and regulations for best practice with patients. The study contributes generalisable knowledge. / Health Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)

MRDV / Institute for Rural Development / Over the past decade, there has been increased attention in international development literature on the concept of ‘development through sport’. Sport has long been used in various capacities of development practice especially in lower income countries. Various studies on sport development in rural areas have been undertaken. However, they do not provide a clear explanation of the major factors that constrain the growth and improvement of sport in rural communities in most developing countries. This study focused on identifying the factors that limit sport development in the rural areas of Mutoko District in Zimbabwe. A mixed method approach was followed. The first phase was exploratory and qualitative in nature. In phase 2, quantitative studies, which were mainly confirmatory were carried out. Youth (males and females), men, women, disabled people, school heads, District administrators, club coaches, chiefs and headmen were the respondents. Focus group discussions, participant observation, semi structured interviewing and assistive devices were used to gather data in the first phase. The Thematic Content Analysis was used to analyse the data. A questionnaire containing both open and closed-ended questions was used to confirm the results of phase one. Frequencies were calculated using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Sport development in Mutoko District was found to be poor, mainly as a result of multiple challenges such as inadequate funding, poor sporting infrastructure, low stakeholder support, shortage of qualified coaches, and lack of appropriate attire and equipment. Schools played a significant role in providing sporting opportunities for the youth in the District. Male youth were reported to be more readily participating part in sporting activities compared to their female counterparts. This was said to be due to the existence of only one professional sport club for males in the District. Apart from this, there was poor awareness and appreciating of the benefits of participating in sporting activities. Based on these results, it was recommended that government support in terms of funding and availing sport infrastructure was crucial in promoting sport development. Grassroots community members and other local stakeholders could support sporting activities through schools.

Philosophical inquiry as a pedagogical approach develops higher order thinking and problem solving skills. Inquiry-based learning is an important approach for sustainable development, considering the fact that today’s societies has to deal with everyday challenges. Philosophical inquiry is a powerful educational approach that has cognitive, social and practical benefits. This study examined the challenges faced by the Nyadire Teachers’ College (NTC) student teachers in Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe in engaging pupils in philosophical inquiry and ways of overcoming them. The study employed the qualitative design because of its focus on participants’ perceptions and actions. The researcher viewed participants as reflective beings whose actions were influenced by their thoughts. The study sample comprised forty student teachers on campus who had just completed their Teaching Practice (TP), eight student teachers on TP and ten lecturers from various departments. The data were collected through individual interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observation of lessons and document analysis. The evidence from literature indicates that philosophical discourse and pedagogy develop learners’ ability to be responsible and accountable for their actions. It has also indicated teachers’ inability to introduce children to thoughtful discussion as one of the barriers to the use of philosophical inquiry as a pedagogy. The findings of the study indicated that NTC student teachers lacked skills and dispositions to engage pupils in philosophical inquiry. This was attributed to lack of critical pedagogy in teacher education at NTC. The findings also indicated that there were challenges in practicing schools. The study established knowledge and competence gaps amongst NTC student teachers as one of the challenges. The study suggested that NTC teacher education should expose student teachers to theory and practice of critical pedagogy. It also suggested in-service education on mentoring for teachers in schools, as mentoring demands more skills and knowledge than mere teaching. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)