BUSE Institutional Repository

This repository serves as a digital archive for preserving and providing access to the scholalry and creative works produced by the BUSE community. It includes:

Journal articles, conference papers and other publications by the BUSE faculty, researchers and students
Theses and Dissertations completed by BUSE graduate students

The repository aims to showcase the intellectual output of BUSE, increase the visibility and impact of our community's scholarship and preserve these works for long term access and use.To contribute your work or learn more, please contact the repository team using of the following contact details:

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 9

Recent Submissions

Comparative optimisation of the cutting parameters for surface quality and energy efficiency during the machining manufacturing of teak, saligna and pine wood materials
(SCIENCEDOMAIN International (SDI), 2025-11-23) Tayisepi, Nicholas; Svosve, Rindai; Tigere, Godfrey; Mnkandla, Albert Nkulumo; Mapindu, Innocent
The rapid increase in electricity demand has resulted in the nation and state governments enforcing and implementing various forms of energy conservation conversations as well as seeking alternative energy sources in order to meet demand of the production sector. Manufacturing Industries of wood materials, in modern day trends, are principally focused on the achievement of highest quality products and quality planed surface generation at minimum input factor of resources such as machining energy. In wood artifacts manufacturing practice, the appropriateness of the cost-quality-time matrix normally depend on supreme selection of cutting parameters for the operation. Machining response factors, such as generation of smooth wood surface roughness is a vital metric of the product quality, granted it significantly influence the performance of machined wood parts, affects how the machined component will interact with the environment as well as impacting on the artifact production costs. Energy use optimisation, in order to continue and enhance competitiveness in business operations, is a prime priority concern for the modern day wood machining manufacturing industry. The challenges of ever increasing energy prices, against mounting demand for more energy demanding machinery, increasing pressure from environmentalists and increasing nation state legislation, for reduced energy generation prompted environmental pollution, mean that manufacturers are expected to pay more money and attention towards energy use reduction. Thus, it is imperative, during machining process planning of wood materials, to determine the optimum cutting parameters combination which fosters easy and economical machining which simultaneously deliver good surface quality at reduced energy consumption. This Taguchi design of experiment study analysed and comparatively optimised the cutting parameters of three wood species in order to realise consistent surface quality at minimum energy use during the planing machining of Pine, Saligna and Teak materials. Analysis of variance showed the dominant factors influencing the respective response parameters whilst the optimum cutting conditions were established with the aid of the main effects plot of the signal to noise ratio
Marula nut decortications machine development to grow industry and sustain rural livelihoods in Chivi and Masendu wards in Zimbabwe
(SCIENCEDOMAIN International, 2024-12-12) Tayisepi, Nicholas; Mhlanga, S.
This research focuses on developing the entrepreneurial skills and capacities of the marginalised and disadvantaged groups (especially women and orphans) in countryside communities. It seeks to promote the development of sustainable community-based natural product enterprises and to provide guidance in developing and implementing programmes on developing entrepreneurship skills and culture at the community level by providing mechanisation technology for cracking Marula fruit nuts. The researchers seek to develop the concept of a Community-Based Enterprise (CBE), maintaining that it provides a potential strategy for sustainable local development. The research established that most people in rural areas depend on the forest and on other natural resources for their daily livelihoods. However, they generally use these resources in a subsistence mode, and hardly harness the optimum potential of the resource nor do they generate a good income and secure employment for themselves. Such a subsistence approach to using the products of natural resources is an attributed factor for the continuation of rural poverty and the degradation of the resource base. There is little incentive for these people to conserve and manage the resources. This led to the researchers’ focus on the establishment of Marula natural products enterprises development as a basis for the generation of income and employment for local people, and the sustainable management of natural resources. Research has shown that the poorest communities need entrepreneurship skills to enable them to establish and develop sustainable natural product enterprises. Entrepreneurship development provides the natural resources dependent communities with the skills and competencies necessary to address enterprise challenges, and to tap into the opportunities in the long run through initiating enterprises with or without external support. Researchers have established that little work in Zimbabwe has been done to increase the rate of production in Marula nut cracking. The methodology used included conducting a survey and participatory workshops in the two zoom sites of Masendu and Chivi to establish the feasibility of using the Marula tree and fruit as the focal economic driver. The workshops provided pertinent information which will be vital in generating the Marula nut cracking machine design as a platform to fostering entrepreneurship for economic sustainability in the communities.
The 2014 Tokwe-Mukorsi floods: Were the civil protection authorities in Zimbabwe prepared for the disaster?
(Wiley, 2020-12-15) Mavhura, Emmanuel
Flood preparedness involves building capacities that enable minimising losses through effective response and recovery. While there are many preparedness assessments at household and community level, very few have been conducted at institutional level. This study assessed the households' perspectives of the preparedness of civil protection institutions in Zimbabwe during the 2014 Tokwe-Mukorsi flood disaster and identified the capacity building needs of the civil protection institutions. It used a 5-point Likert scale to measure six preparedness indicators: emergency plans, early warning systems, evacuation, resources, disaster knowledge, and relocation camp management. Data came from a cross-sectional survey involving 656 household-heads who were randomly selected among the affected villagers of Tokwe-Mukorsi. The findings revealed various gaps in preparedness both at indicator and at variable level. While some indicators showed incipient levels of development in all their variables, others had a combination of low and developed variables. The preparedness elements that critically need immediate attention include the development of emergency plans, evacuation of populations at risk and the prepositioning of resources. However, it is pertinent to mention that civil protection systems in Zimbabwe need to strengthen most of their preparedness elements. As such, this study recommends strengthening preparedness activities in civil protection systems.
Assessing the effectiveness of Zimbabwe/ South Africa relations in combating transnational organised crime (June-2015-June 2020)
(BUSE, 2020-12) Mahuni, Godfrey S.
This research sought to assess the effectiveness of interstate relations in combating transnational organised crime with particular focus on Zimbabwe-South Africa relations. Despite the existence of multiple bilateral and multilateral relationships within the regional and global community transnational organised crimes have been on the increase. Such networks were expected to boost the effectiveness of interstate relations in uprooting the seeds of this menace from the ground but instead these crimes continued to increase. The study used the triangulation approach; with a case study as a research design and in-depth interviews were conducted to elicit data from law enforcement officers, Interpol staff and other key informants purposively chosen from the study population. The combined theories of realism, liberalism, interdependence, social constructivism and regionalism reflected in one way or the other the behavior of Zimbabwe/South Africa in the fight against transnational organised crime. The theories of interdependence and social constructivism were more dominant in the research. Following the discussion and analysis of findings, this research concluded that, the law enforcement agencies did not see Zimbabwe/South Africa relations as good enough in combating transnational organised crime whilst respondents from high offices spoke of sound relations between the two counties. The researcher also noted that those in offices seem not to know what is exactly happening on the ground. The findings show that illegal immigrants, human trafficking and smuggling of goods are the most problematic crimes for law enforcement agencies to deal with. Following the research conclusions, this study recommends that Zimbabwe and South Africa should continue to find common avenues for cementing the cordial relations between the two countries for those operating on the ground as closer interstate co-operation is essential in preventing transnational organised crime.
Policy response and implementation for climate refugees in the Southern African Development Community: a case study of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
(BUSE, 2024-12) Madziyanike, Evermore
This research aimed to assess the challenges that are being faced by Zimbabwe and Mozambique in the implementation of effective policies that address the challenges facing climate refugees. After reviewing some literature on the challenges faced by Zimbabwe and Mozambique in addressing the climate refugees concerns, the research noted that Zimbabwe and Mozambique are still lagging behind in providing adequate protection and assistance to populations displaced due to climate change. The research utilized qualitative research methodology and employed a case study as a research design. The study utilized primary and secondary data. With regards to primary data, the researcher went into the field collecting data through key-informant interviews, structured questionnaires and observations. For secondary data the research took cognisance of prior research on the challenges faced by the SADC region in implementing effective policies for climate refugees. The study selected 20 participants from the study population and among these are climate refugees, government officials and academics. Key findings of this study indicated that financial resource constraints, lack of political will and lack of adequate data are the major challenges facing Zimbabwe and Mozambique in implementing effective policy frameworks that address the challenges faced by climate refugees. The findings also indicates that there is need for integrated approaches that considers the socio-economic and political contexts of climate –related displacement. From the analysis of findings, this research concluded that there is need to inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing comprehensive strategies that not only address immediate humanitarian needs but also promote sustainable development and long-term solutions for climate refuges in the region. Therefore, this study recommends that there is need to enhance resilience and improve the livelihoods of climate-affected populations in both countries.