BUSE Institutional Repository

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Access status: Open Access ,
Towards sustainable small-scale mining in Mazowe, Zimbabwe
(BUSE, 2025-11-30) Kaphaizi, John
This study critically examines the drivers of unsustainable mining practices and investigates the institutional, social, and environmental dynamics shaping small-scale mining in Mazowe. Adopting a qualitative research paradigm allowed for an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences, perceptions, and institutional constraints affecting various stakeholders. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 37 participants, including Ministry of Mines and Mining Development officials, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) officers, small-scale miners, and local villagers residing near mining sites. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, enabling the identification of recurring patterns and deeper structural issues within the sector. The results revealed four overarching themes. First, small-scale mining plays an essential socio-economic role by providing income, employment, and local economic stimulation. Second, despite its benefits, the activity contributes extensively to land degradation, water pollution, and ecosystem disturbance, largely due to weak enforcement capacity and limited compliance with environmental standards. Third, the study identified significant leadership gaps and poor coordination among miners, government departments, and regulatory institutions, which further complicate governance. Fourth, community participation in mining-related decision-making remains minimal, contributing to mistrust, conflict, and limited local ownership of mining activities. While the challenges were substantial, participants expressed readiness to adopt more sustainable practices when supported by clearer regulations, technical training, financial assistance, and improved institutional collaboration. The study concluded that strengthening institutional coordination, investing in capacity-building initiatives for miners, modernising mining legislation, improving environmental monitoring mechanisms, and ensuring meaningful community inclusion are critical steps towards achieving sustainability in the sector. By situating small-scale mining within broader debates on natural resource governance in Zimbabwe, this research contributes to scholarly understanding of small-scale mining in sub-Saharan Africa. The study also offers practical recommendations for policymakers, regulators, and mining communities seeking to enhance the viability and sustainability of small-scale mining in Mazowe
Access status: Open Access ,
A working model towards desistance through entrepreneurship: a case of Chikurubi Maximum Prison
(BUSE, 2025-04-30) Chipara, Fortunate
Entrepreneurship programs to inmates are of paramount to their reintegration into the society on release. This study aimed to develop a model for desistance through entrepreneurship, addressing the socio-economic barriers ex-offenders face and providing an alternative pathway to promote desistance. The social and economic factors discussed include social stigma, unemployment, economic hardships, unavailability of starter packs and society rejection. While, the challenges facing entrepreneurship programs being overcrowding, lack of adequate training equipment, lack of financial support, classification restrictions, security oriented, no crime interventions and unavailability of space to learn. The potential role of entrepreneurship discussed included developing self-belief and skills, personal empowerment and easy social reintegration. Finally, the initiatives include crime specific interventions, documented Entrepreneurial programs and mentorship and support being entrepreneurial initiatives. A qualitative approach was adopted using exploratory research design with open-ended questions, interviews, focus groups, and document analysis. It involved a sample size of 39 participants of which 27 were conveniently selected for focus group discussions and in-depth interview while 5 were purposively selected rehabilitation officers as key informants for interviews as the goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the research topic rather than to generalize findings to a larger population. The study findings revealed that Chikurubi Maximum has some rehabilitation activities namely carpentry, auto mechanics, tree growing and welding, however there is a gap as to what exactly is required to foster desistance. Social and economic factors have a bearing on reoffending, if the entrepreneurial activities are done fully, they have a potential to uplift the wellbeing of inmates after release. The study recommended that crime specific interventions, documented Entrepreneurial programs and mentorship and support being entrepreneurial initiatives has to be integrated in the entrepreneurial programs at Chikurubi Maximum Prison
Access status: Open Access ,
Enhancing productivity and sustainability in small-scale cattle ranching: a case study of Selous Ranch
(BUSE, 2025-11-30) Chiwade, Farai
This study sets out to build a practical framework for improving both the productivity and the long-term survival of small-scale cattle ranching at Selous Ranch in Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the sector's continued poor performance. Even though cattle are very important for the rural community and for the country's economy, the sector is caught in a bad cycle. This cycle is one of low productivity and poor sustainability, and it is caused by many problems that are connected to each other. To get a deep understanding of these issues from the people who live with them, the study adopted a qualitative case study approach. Ten respondents were selected for their specific knowledge these were farmers, veterinary officers, and agribusiness experts. Thus, data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations, and then I analyzed this data by looking for common themes. The researcher found out that there is a structural problem which we can call a "Productivity Paradox." This is a situation where a bad cycle of having low capital leads to farmers being unable to buy good inputs like proper feed, good genetics, and healthcare for the animals which results in low outputs, such as low calving rates, the slow growth of the animals, and the high mortality. The sustainability of the operations is being threatened by what we can call "Multidimensional Vulnerability," which is a situation where different problems like climatic shocks, diseases that are common, economic volatility, and weak connections to the market all come together and make each other worse. Furthermore, we can see that there is a big "Value Addition Chasm," meaning that the potential for making more money through processing the products is not being realized because of very big barriers in the areas of finance, infrastructure, and technical skills. The study concludes that just fixing one technical problem at a time is not enough. Therefore, it is proposing an "Integrated Resilience and Value Capture Model" to be used as a practical framework for intervention. This model is calling for coordinated actions that involve many different stakeholders, and these actions should be across four main pillars: number one is enhancing the input systems and the resource base; number two is improving the on-farm and also the community management practices; number three is developing integrated value chain and market linkages; and number four is fostering a supportive enabling environment. The research is contributing a holistic, systems-based approach for reviving small-scale cattle ranching, and it is offering recommendations that can be acted upon for farmers, for policymakers, and for development partners so that they can break the cycle of poverty, they can build resilience in the system, and they can enable the capture of value locally for sustainable development. Keywords: Small-scale cattle
Access status: Open Access ,
Assessing the regulatory framework and consumer confidence in the funeral assurance industry: a survey of the Harare-based Nyaradzo Funeral Company clients
(BUSE, 2023-11-30) Chikunya, Etty
This dissertation provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory framework and consumer confidence within the funeral assurance industry, focusing on the Nyaradzo Funeral Company's clients in the metropolitan area of Harare, Zimbabwe. The research delves into the intricate fabric of legal and regulatory parameters that govern the funeral assurance sector in Zimbabwe, aiming to discern their direct influence on consumer confidence. Furthermore, the study employs a robust survey methodology to amass data directly from a representative sample of Nyaradzo Funeral Company clients, ultimately unravelling their nuanced perceptions, experiences, and overall satisfaction with the prevailing regulatory climate. By meticulously examining the clients' perspectives, the research unfurls the multifaceted elements that both sustain and hinder consumer trust, thereby unveiling potential lacunae within the existing regulatory framework. The findings of this research endeavour are poised to furnish invaluable insights for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and industry participants alike, directing attention toward pivotal areas necessitating improvement, and ultimately fortifying consumer safeguarding mechanisms while fostering heightened reassurance within the funeral assurance domain
Access status: Open Access ,
A model to improve corporate governance framework in the public sector: a case of the Public Service Commission.
(BUSE, 2025-04-30) Chipatiko, Kudzanai
This research explored the critical need for an improved corporate governance framework within Zimbabwe's Public Service Commission (PSC). The researcher used a mixed method approach. The findings of the research are that, while there are strengths, such as leadership clarity, significant challenges remain, particularly in areas of training, communication, and transparency. To conclude the researcher developed a model to improve the corporate governance framework for PSC. The PSC is mandated with implementing government policies and ensuring effective public service delivery. However, the organization's effectiveness has been undermined by challenges such as corruption, political interference, and inadequate regulatory frameworks, resulting in eroded public trust. While the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act of 2018 aimed to enhance accountability and transparency, obstacles persist. This research aims to develop a model tailored to the PSC's unique challenges, aligning it with established corporate governance benchmarks, and restoring public trust. The study evaluated the existing corporate governance framework within the PSC, analyzes challenges to effective governance practices, and examines the impact of governance effectiveness on the implementation of accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsibility. Ultimately, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive corporate governance model that addresses underlying failures, promotes transparency, and improves service delivery within the PSC, thereby contributing to Zimbabwe's national goals which include NDS2 and Vision 2030