Zimbabwe's economy has shrunk by 40 percent over five years (Bratton and Masununngure 2006:23). The country currently faces an unemployment rate of at least 80 percent, and an inflation rate of 165 000 per cent (BBC News, 8 /10/2008). Many Zimbabweans have turned to the informal sector as a source of livelihood and survival with formal employment estimated to constitute only 16 percent of the labour force in 2006 (Tibaijuka, 2005). The violation of political and civil rights as well as the state's approach to regulation of the economy has translated into low investor confidence. In addition the country has serious foreign currency shortages. The sheer scale of informality combined with radical attempts by the state to regulate these and other economic activities make Zimbabwe a unique context within which to understand the nature of the informal economy. Recent research on the Zimbabwean informal economy has focused on its destruction through the Operation Murambatsvina (Potts, 2007; Tibaijuka, 2005) as well as the nature and extent of cross border trading (Muzvidziwa, 1998). Other authors have explored the nature of the informal economy in crisis states in particular Zaire / Democratic Republic of Congo (MacGaffey, 1997; Dehart and Marysse, 1997). There however is no research which explores the dynamics of informal foreign currency trading in this or other contexts. The objective of this study is to explore the nature of informal foreign currency trading in Zimbabwe. The research aims to investigate the dynamics of informal foreign currency trading by tracing the role of state regulation in these operations, linkages between the formal sector and informal currency traders, the role of social networks, the lived experiences of traders involved and the social-economic benefits derived by these operations. The research approach drew on ethnographic methods. The researcher spent considerable time with the people whose realities the research aims to understand. In total 10 traders were observed and interviewed in January 2008. This research shows that excessive state intervention in the foreign exchange market leads to the emergence of informal foreign currency trading on the 'black market'. As the black market premium widens, the intensity of informality with regards to foreign currency trading increases. The existence of informal—formal linkages is strongly demonstrated by this research. It shows that there is a strong relationship between the informal currency traders and the private sector including other government entities. In order for this relationship to be sustained the research also reveals that social networks are essential for informal foreign currency traders. The study shows that informal foreign currency traders operate mainly from the streets and rented office space although deals can done from any environment as long as it is secured from law enforcement agencies. The benefits of informal foreign currency trading accrue more at the household level (micro level) rather than the macro level. This research reveals that in a state of economic crisis the formal economy fails to provide adequate basic services and commodities. As a result, an informal economy is created to ensure the supply of scarce goods and services. The study shows that Zimbabwe's economy has managed to sustain itself despite economic collapse. Informal activities are identified as playing critical role in sustaining the population of the country. The study shows that foreign currency is being traded entirely on the parallel market. Private sector and government entities totally rely on informal foreign currency traders for their supplies of foreign currency. Chapter 2 reviews the literature on the informal economy. Various theoretical approaches to the informal economy are outlined. Much of the research on informality draws attention to the role of networks of trust and reciprocity - social capital. Debates about this notion are also reviewed. In Chapter 3 the background to the Zimbabwean economic and political crisis generally and the foreign currency problems facing the country particularly is outlined. The foreign currency regulations of Zimbabwe and how they have changed over time are also considered. International experience of parallel exchange rate regimes and currency crises are also reviewed. Chapter 4 reflects the research methodology. This chapter explains how the data was collected, analyzed and interpreted. The ethical concerns and potential biases arising from the methodology are explored. Chapter 5 presents the findings from the interviews. It analyses and interprets the various views gathered from the participants. The concluding chapter, Chapter 6 reflects back on the literature and outlines the policy recommendations drawing from the research findings. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1979.

This study was an investigation of the relationship between political conditionality and self-determination using Zimbabwe as a case study. The Zimbabwean land issue illustrates the challenges posed by external influences on supposedly autonomous domestic policy decision-making processes.

<p>Land ownership, control and reform have been some of the most contentious issues in contemporary Zimbabwe. The land question has generated a lot of emotional debate and there is a general consensus that it represents a critical dimension to the crisis the country is going through. This thesis intended to offer some insights into the modus operandi and outcomes of land reform in the country.</p>

<p>The food security crisis which gripped the sub Sahara Africa after the drought in 1999/2000 threatened development initiatives in these countries. Zimbabwe&rsquo / s situation has since worsened and the country has failed to recuperate from the food problems, even after an improvement in the climatic conditions. International and local food aid activities then became a priority in the fight to sustain the right to food for the affected regions. It is argued in this research that if food aid is distributed on the basis of need it will enable the vulnerable populations recuperate form food insecurity problems. It is also postulated that if well implemented, food aid programmes are also able to play the dual role of averting starvation and leading to long term development. This thesis departs from the allegations of food aid politicisation in Zimbabwe.</p> <p><br /> Using the rational choice and neopatrimonial theories of individual behaviour, this research endeavored to ascertain whether political decisions influenced the government food aid distributions which were conducted through the Grain Marketing Board. In line with these theories, it is argued in this study that politicians behave in a manner that maximizes the fulfillment of their individual needs rather than the needs of the people who vote them in positions of power.</p> <p><br /> A qualitative approach was adopted in this study and data was gathered through household interviews in the Seke and Goromonzi districts of the Mashonaland East province in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with food aid experts from the governmental and non governmental organisations dealing with food security issues in Zimbabwe.</p>

Inequalities in levels of development between regions within a country are frequently regarded as a problem. The magnitude of the problem is more severe in developing countries than in developed countries. Zimbabwe, as a developing country, is no exception and the country is characterized by severe regional inequalities. This research is concerned with the spatial patterns of socio-economic development in Zimbabwe. The composite index method was used to rank administrative districts of Zimbabwe according to level of development. The composite indices together with socio-economic characteristics were used to demarcate the administrative districts into development regions according to Friedmann's (1966) model. Attention was given to the spatial development policies applied in Zimbabwe. Friedmann's (1966) guidelines, for the development of the different regional types in his model, were applied to the Zimbabwean spatial economy. Suggestions were made regarding possible adjustments to previous strategies used in Zimbabwe, for spatial development planning. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A.

This study examines the challenges of organisational transformation in emerging economies with special reference to Zimbabwe. It is an inductive study using grounded theory, rooted in case study methodology, based on Eisenhardt's (1989) eight steps of building theory from case study research. A longitudinal multiple case study design is used to capture transformation experiences of four companies (covering four business sectors) spanning from 1980 to 2000. Fourteen constructs from the within-case analysis form the basis of data collection and these are refined through cross-case analysis. Nine themes and sixteen challenges emerge from the study. The challenges and themes are used to identify points of convergence and divergence. Issues that trigger organisational transformation are spotted and best practices explored. Ultimately, the nine emerging themes are crystallized into seven. Both the emerging model - the Madzivire Transformation Model (MaTra) - and the elaborated model - the Madzivire Collaborative Transformation Model (MaCoTra) - are constructed from the seven themes. MaCoTra is a refinement of MaTra with the following differentiating features: * The metaphor of choruses signifies the centrality of collaboration from an African perspective; * MaCoTra reflects non-linear and linear linkages between choruses; * Choruses depict the significance of songs in African bonding; * A personal commitment to transformation calls for collective bonding around values, visions, missions and strategies; * MaCoTra is a remarkable departure from steps, phases and stages espoused in most Western change literature; * MaCoTra's philosophical base is Ubuntu - `I am because we are'- focusing on independence and interdependence; * Change interventions may be through individual or multiple MaCoTra choruses; * The organisational song connects all organisational members in a choir of transformation. MaCoTra addresses the sixteen challenges and exceedingly covers challenges cited in enfolding literature. MaCoTra was tested in and outside the study sample. I assert that MaCoTra is usable in Zimbabwean companies and may be generalized through replication studies in Africa and other emerging economies. Areas of further study towards the achievement of more generalisability of the theory/model are suggested. This study addresses the existing knowledge gap and prescribes the Madzivire Collaborative Transformation Model - MaCoTra - for companies in emerging economies. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Less than two decades ago, Zimbabwe was a symbol for the rest of the world of what Africa could become (Dell, 2005). DiSilvio (2007) contends that independent Zimbabwe was an economic success on route to attaining status of the most “developed country” in Africa. Contrary to expectations, by 2003 the Zimbabwean economy was shrinking faster than any other economy in the world at 18 percent per year (Richardson, 2005). Reports indicate that the Zimbabwean economy is in crisis and has since been set back by more than 50 years (Matikinye, 2005). This phenomenon necessitated the need for an investigation to ascertain its cause in Zimbabwe. As a result, the research identifies and presents hyperinflation as the root cause of the crisis in Zimbabwe and illustrates the validity of this assertion with a focus on the Zimbabwean construction industry. As part of the research inquiry, a review of related literature was conducted. The literature review illustrated the generic effects of hyperinflation as well as the effects of this phenomenon in action in Zimbabwe. The literature study was followed by a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was completed by 23 contractors and 7 clients from a census of contractors and clients in Zimbabwe. The questionnaire consisted of a number of variables, which the respondents were asked to rate vis-à-vis the effects of hyperinflation in the construction industry. In summary, the questionnaire sought to determine the causes of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, its specific effects on the construction industry and how respondents thought the phenomenon could be mitigated so as to revive the Zimbabwean construction industry. The techniques of re-scaling, in conjunction with descriptive and inferential statistics, ranking and quadrant analysis were applied to the data. Results from these analyses revealed a high degree of agreement among respondents vis-à-vis the effects of hyperinflation on the Zimbabwean construction industry. The interpretation of the results further revealed that hyperinflation has undoubtedly led to the collapse of the Zimbabwean construction industry. In conclusion, the research, applying the interpretations of v the survey findings, prescribes a number of ways in which the Zimbabwean construction sector may be resurrected. Among the recommended prescriptions, there are a number of debatable issues that arise that the researcher proposes should be subject to future study.

This thesis is a critical examination of the origins, barriers and prospects for a working class-led civil society as it sought to democratise Zimbabwe’s post-colonial state. It is an interdisciplinary but historically informed analysis of how advanced capitalist development promoted the emergence of social movement unionism with a potentiality to advance democracy in Zimbabwe. Despite occurring on a much smaller and thinner scale, the evolution of civil society in colonial Zimbabwe was akin to what happened in 19th century Britain where capitalist expansion presented a foundation for democratisation. However, big underlying barriers exist in Zimbabwe, resulting from various forms of authoritarian structures and forcible mobilisation strategies emanating from colonialism and the protracted war of liberation. ZANU PF’s violent reaction to memory contests by non-participants in the war of liberation seeking an alternative political agenda attest to the controversial and polemical nature of struggles over memory and forgetting in contemporary Zimbabwean politics. These structural impediments forestalled the organic growth of civil society in Zimbabwe, thereby explaining its inchoate status and the failure to significantly determine the course of public policy. While recognising the democratic aspirations and capacities of the working class in precipitating political change, this thesis takes into consideration the impact of other factors on state-society relations. These include deepening state barbarism, globalisation, and technological advances in communication, transnational civil society, a dysfunctional economy, migration and remittances. Finally this thesis presents an optimistic scenario about the prospects for civil society and democratisation in Zimbabwe. I argue that the revival of the productive sectors of the economy can possibly strengthen the labour movement and revive its capacities for ushering in a democracy.

Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / This study was an investigation of the relationship between political conditionality and self-determination using Zimbabwe as a case study. The Zimbabwean land issue illustrates the challenges posed by external influences on supposedly autonomous domestic policy decision-making processes. / South Africa