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Access status: Open Access ,
An Evaluation of the role of women in peace-building diplomacy in Zimbabwe since the 2023 elections
(BUSE, 2026) Chigowe, Danai
This study explored the role of women in peacebuilding diplomacy in Zimbabwe following the harmonised elections of 2023. The research was motivated by the growing recognition of women’s contributions to peacebuilding processes and the persistent challenges that limit their engagement in both formal and informal peacebuilding structures. Despite national, regional, and international commitments to gender equality, women continue to face barriers that constrain their meaningful participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. The study examined the roles women play in peacebuilding diplomacy, identified challenges to their participation, and assessed the effectiveness of institutional mechanisms supporting their involvement in Zimbabwe. Framed by Feminist International Relations Theory and Social Constructivism, the research provided a lens for understanding gendered power dynamics and the influence of social norms on engagement with peacebuilding processes. A qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research design was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and document analysis. Participants included a woman parliamentarian, representatives from civil society organisations, women’s rights activists, and youth leaders. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show that women are critical actors in peacebuilding diplomacy through conflict prevention, mediation, civic education, advocacy, reconciliation initiatives, and community engagement programmes. The study also found that women parliamentarians, civil society organisations, women’s rights activists, and young women continue to advance peace, dialogue, and social cohesion in the post-2023 political environment. However, obstacles such as political intimidation, gender discrimination, cultural barriers, lack of funding, limited mentorship, and underrepresentation in decision-making structures continue to hinder their participation.. The study concludes that women remain critical actors in Zimbabwe’s peacebuilding efforts. It recommends strengthening policy implementation, increasing funding for women-led initiatives, expanding leadership development programmes, and enhancing women’s representation in decision-making and peacebuilding structures.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Successes and challenges of Zimbabwe's economic diplomacy since 2017
(BUSE, 2026) Chiwocha, Hannington
This study examines the successes and challenges of Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy since the 2017 political transition. It assesses how the government’s re-engagement agenda, expressed through the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” policy, Vision 2030, NDS1, investment promotion, regional integration and renewed engagement with international financial institutions, has influenced foreign direct investment, trade performance and international economic relations. The study is located within economic diplomacy theory, institutional theory and political economy perspectives, which together show that diplomatic outreach produces durable economic outcomes only when supported by domestic policy coherence, macroeconomic stability and institutional credibility. Methodologically, the study adopted an interpretivist qualitative case-study design, using semi-structured interviews with twelve key informants from government, diplomacy, business, academia and international organisations, supported by document analysis of policy, investment and macroeconomic reports. The findings indicate that Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy has achieved important symbolic and relational successes, particularly by improving international visibility, reopening diplomatic channels, promoting investment opportunities, and strengthening participation in SADC and AfCFTA frameworks. However, these gains have not translated into sustained foreign direct investment, broad export expansion or strong investor confidence. Currency volatility, debt arrears, policy inconsistency, weak coordination, infrastructure constraints, governance concerns and limited productive capacity continue to undermine diplomatic efforts. The study concludes that Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy has created useful external opportunities, but its effectiveness remains constrained by domestic structural weaknesses. It recommends stronger institutional coordination, credible macroeconomic reforms, export diversification, infrastructure improvement and policy consistency to convert diplomatic engagement into measurable economic transformation.
Access status: Open Access ,
An assessment of antibiotic use and its contribution to antimicrobial resistance in poultry a case of Chikomba district, Chivhu Zimbabwe
(BUSE, 2026-06) Dzvimbo, Garauzive
This study examined antibiotic use practices and their contribution to a AMR among poultry farmers in Chikomba District, Chivhu, Zimbabwe. The study was initiated due to rising worries about the improper use of antibiotics in animal farming and the increasing risk of antimicrobial resistance, which poses a significant danger to both animal welfare and public health. It therefore aims to explore antibiotic usage practices among poultry farmers, assess farmers’ awareness of antimicrobial resistance, and identify the determinants of antibiotic misuse associated with poultry farming. A quantitative research design was used, and data were collected in the survey of 50 poultry farmers using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, regression analysis, and relationship analysis. Antibiotic usage among poultry farmers was evident in the results of the study, with 96% of respondents admitting to using antibiotics in their poultry production, as well as 80% using antibiotics at regular intervals in each cycle of their production. The study revealed low levels of awareness about antimicrobial resistance, as 58% of the respondents surveyed were unaware of AMR and 61.4% were unaware of how bacteria develop resistance. Similarly, 67.3% of participants did not know the withdrawal periods. The most significant contributors to the misuse of antibiotics were: (a) lack of veterinary guidance (36%) (b) limited knowledge of antibiotics (30%) (c) easy access to antibiotics (20%) and (d) disease outbreaks (14%). Using linear regressions, frequency of antibiotic use and AMR awareness are significantly negatively associated, while limited access to veterinary care significantly positively predicts antibiotic misuse. The study found that inappropriate antibiotic use practices by poultry farmers lead to the risk of antimicrobial resistance. The study suggests improving veterinary extension services, providing farmers with more education around antimicrobial stewardship, ensuring biosecurity, and stricter regulation of antibiotic distribution and use in poultry farming systems.
Access status: Open Access ,
A Comparative analysis of Arima and Exponential smoothing models in forecasting the Zimbabwe’s terms of trade.
(BUSE, 2026-06) Mujakachi, Moreblessing
This study conducted a comparative analysis of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Exponential Smoothing (ETS) models for forecasting Zimbabwe's Terms of Trade (TOT) using monthly data from January 2020 to December 2024 (60 observations). The data were split into training (80%, 2020-2023) and testing (20%, 2024) sets. Diagnostic tests revealed that the TOT series was non-stationary (ADF p=0.2068), requiring first differencing (d=1), with moderate volatility (CV=14.41%) and heavier tails than normal (kurtosis=2.69). The ARIMA (0,1,1) model achieved a MAPE of 8.90%, RMSE of 12.60, and MAE of 9.63, while the ETS(A,N,N) model achieved a MAPE of 8.92%, RMSE of 12.62, and MAE of 9.66. The negligible differences across all metrics indicate that both models produce statistically equivalent and highly accurate forecasts (MAPE < 9%). Despite parameter instability (CV=0.15) and the April 2024 currency redenomination structural break, both models maintained high accuracy and outperformed a Random Forest alternative (MAPE=10.04%). Diagnostic tests confirmed no residual autocorrelation (Ljung-Box p=0.527) and constant variance (Breusch-Pagan p=0.860), though slight non-normality was detected (Shapiro-Wilk p=0.047). The 2025 forecast predicts stabilization of TOT around 106-110 index points. The study concludes that both models are equally suitable for forecasting Zimbabwe's TOT, with ETS recommended for its simplicity and ARIMA for its traditional statistical framework. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance
Access status: Open Access ,
A socio-ecological readiness assessment for artificial insemination adoption in Mt Darwin, Zimbabwe
(BUSE, 2026-06) Nkala, Siwinile
Livestock farming is key for food and income in rural communities in Zimbabwe, including Mt Darwin District. But smallholder farmers still get low production because of climate problems, animal diseases, and poor breeding methods. Artificial Insemination, AI, can improve cattle breeds and make herds more climate-resilient. However, AI use in communal areas is still very low, below 15%. This is because most AI programs focus only on technical and money issues, and ignore the social, environmental, and local rules that affect farming in these areas. In this study, a qualitative case study design was used to find out why AI adoption is low. Ostrom’s Socio-Ecological Systems framework, Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Model, and the Economic Constraints idea was used. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with cattle farmers and key informants; focus group discussions and reviewed documents. All data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic method in NVivo 14. Findings show that Mt Darwin has low to moderate readiness for AI. Socially, many farmers see AI as a threat to culture. Men make most decisions, so women’s knowledge on heat detection is ignored. There is also wrong information that AI causes abortions or less milk. Environmentally, dry seasons mean little feed and water, many ticks and diseases, and heat stress. Open grazing makes heat detection and cow isolation hard. Institutionally, poor roads, unreliable liquid nitrogen supply, few local technicians, and no credit or subsidies make adoption hard. The study concluded that AI will not work if delivered alone without considering the local context, and recommend that the Department of Veterinary Field Services, AGRITEX, and partners combine AI with feed and water support in dry seasons, offer subsidized inputs, and use farmer groups to clear myths and empower women.