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Inclusive education is a key strategy in addressing the needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa, who rarely access specialist care or quality education. We aimed to systematically review qualitative research on stakeholder experiences, attitudes and perspectives on inclusive education for pupils with developmental disabilities in mainstream schools in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched five databases and selected relevant studies through a two-stage screening process. We synthesised the papers identified through template analysis of the Results and Discussion sections, guided by the" Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research." Thirty-two publications met the inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted in seven countries and explored the experiences of pupils with developmental disabilities, parents, peers without developmental disabilities and teachers. Multiple barriers (e.g. unclear policies, insufficient training and support for teachers) and opportunities (e.g. teachers' commitment to inclusion, collaboration between teachers, the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs)) for implementing inclusive education for pupils with developmental disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa were identified, occurring across national and community contexts and school, classroom and individual teacher levels. To effectively implement inclusive education for pupils with developmental disabilities, teachers need access to appropriate training, resources and support. Governments can capitalise on motivated teachers and the relevant work of NGOs.

When Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the government started a massive expansion of the education system. Two decades later, the country's literacy rate had risen to one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the same cannot be said for special education. This paper examines the development of the education system in Zimbabwe with special attention given to the history of special education. This paper examines why special education has lagged behind in terms of its development in a country where the education system has developed so rapidly. (Contains 4 figures.)

While incidents of xenophobia, or the occurrence thereof, in some parts of South Africa, are both deplorable and deeply reprehensible, it is important never to ignore the political factors that perpetuate them. Using the interpretive method, this article drew on the literature to present or reinterpret the story of Noah's Ark in Genesis 6:13-9:29 and the Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20 in a way that is aimed at defusing xenophobia in South Africa. The Missio Politica as used in this paper provided a missiological framework in which political factors perpetuating xenophobia were seen as an obstacle to the goals of the Missio Dei, particularly the complete redemption of humanity. This paper argued that the continued unlawful imposition of international sanctions against some African countries such as Zimbabwe and, moreover, the lack of refugee camps in countries such as South Africa significantly exacerbates the problem of xenophobia. Consequently, pursuant to defusing xenophobia in South Africa, this paper calls for a renewed mission that includes rejecting unlawful sanctions against African countries and establishing refugee camps not only in South Africa but in all African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their introduction of "Music and the Racial Imagination," co-editors Ronald Radano and Philip Bohlman assert that although music is "saturated with racial stuff", "musicology--in its historical, structural-analytical, and ethnographic expressions--has sought to deny the racial dimension." Much as the author agrees with them, he also thinks that racism or racial discrimination is a sensitive topic in which many scholars in the field of musicology or ethnomusicology are reticent to engage. As an African musicologist and music educator, the author is especially interested in the two essays featuring the continent of Africa namely, D.A. Masolo's study of popular music in Kenya and Thomas Turino's paper on race, class and musical nationalism in Zimbabwe. However, he has elected to focus on a single chapter from "Music and the Racial Imagination," D.A. Masolo"s "Presencing the Past and Remembering the Present: Social Features of Popular Music in Kenya," in light of his experience with several of the socio-musicological issues Masolo discusses which have relevance not only in Kenya but other African countries as well. In this essay, the author deals with two issues raised by Masolo, which are often debated by scholars in the fields of musicology/ethnomusicology and music education. They are: (1) the use of contentious terms or terminologies by scholars with regard to the categorization or description of types of music, philosophy, religion, arts and so forth; and (2) the influence of colonialism on music and cultural education at the formal scholastic level in Africa. (Contains 1 note.)

Africans need to be careful with discourses on coloniality that avoid dealing with central aberrations of colonialism. Focusing on coloniality of power, coloniality of being, coloniality of knowledge and coloniality of gender, contemporary discourses on coloniality sidestepped a central aspect of colonialism. Motivated not by quests to merely exercise power, as is assumed in coloniality of power; and motivated not merely by quests to dominate Africans using knowledge, as is assumed in coloniality of knowledge; and motivated not ultimately by the quest for gender domination, as is assumed in the coloniality of gender, colonialists dispossessed colonized people. Reviewing literature and using the Shona (a people of Zimbabwe) proverbs chisi chako masimba mashoma/kunzi pakata sandi kunzi ridza (one should not exercise power over what one does not own/possession is not synonymous with ownership), this paper postulates the notion of coloniality of dispossession. The paper concludes that power is merely a tool to dispossess colonized people, and so decolonial scholarship must focus not only on tools used to colonize other people but on the ultimate goals of using tools, such as power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper challenges the Eurocentric entrepreneurship narrative from postcolonial and pan‐African feminist perspectives. Based on interview research conducted with 24 Zimbabwean women entrepreneurs, we narrate their microstorias in order to expose the legacy of entrepreneurial colonialism and patriarchy in Africa. The microstorias reveal the colonial past as well as the patriarchal norms that disenfranchise women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe. Yet, they also reveal their struggle, resilience, resistance and their ongoing fight to construct their own identities as entrepreneurs. The paper contributes to enhance and advance further postcolonial, decolonial and critical voices in entrepreneurship and organization studies by challenging the prevailing western discourse of entrepreneurship from the introduction of necroentrepreneurism; giving support to intersectional postcolonial and Pan‐African feminist perspectives that voice global South women entrepreneurship and, by decolonizing and decentring the theoretical debates on entrepreneurship and organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors briefly describe key issues central to what Spring (2007) refers to as the "industrial-consumer paradigm" and the role of English as the global language characterized by what Harvey (1990) called "time and space compression." The authors also comment and provide a critique of some of its primary principles examining its relevance to Southern Africa. In view of the commentary provided, the authors then propose, an alternative model of education that draws on principles of popular culture in Africa, which is a thriving area of social and artistic creativity that provides a sharp contrast to images of the total collapse of Africa and endemic violence. The article is divided into five sections. The first section is a schematic description of Spring's (2007/this issue) model and commentary, whereas the second section provides an overview of a Southern African perspective on consumerism and pedagogies of globalization. The third section focuses on the role of English in consumerism. In that section the authors emphasize that the discourses about English have tended to focus on its role in the state, and rarely in the everyday lives of those struggling to survive on the margins of society. The fourth section deals with the integration of security and education. The fifth section is an outline and rationale of a proposed African educational model based on African popular culture and leisure studies. (Contains 4 figures.)

This collection of three articles represents the "Points and Practices" section of this month's issue of "Research in Drama Education." The first article, "'Fitting the Bill' for 'Helping Them.' A Response to 'Integrated Popular Theatre Approach in Africa' and 'Commissioned Theatre Projects on Human Rights in Pakistan,'" by Syed Jamil Ahmed, discusses Zimbabwe's Amakhosi Theatre, a renowned company that has been touring the world since 1990. The theatre participants have produced several plays on HIV/AIDS to inform local communities of the danger of the growing epidemic. The second article, "Ac/counting the I's," by Dee Heddon, discusses the use of the word "I" in autobiographical inscriptions, particularly in applied drama practice. The final article, "A Point and a Pilot on Practice: Recording Performance of Place Research," by Sally Mackey rehearses and repositions arguments about the verifiability of practical research in performance-related disciplines. Mackey's article also serves as an accompaniment to a DVD-ROM entitled "Performing Place" that is included in the print edition of this issue. (Contains 4 endnotes.)

This article presents commentaries on being gay in Japan and China by distinguished educators with various backgrounds and from different countries. Given space limitations, these are more evocative than particulate, but collectively they provide multiple platforms for reflection. As noted by some commentators in this article and others (e.g., Altman, 2001; Connell, 1999; Cruz-Malave & Manalansan IV, 2002), the globalization of gay culture (and identity) coupled with the categorization and commodification of desire create strange bedfellows for those who are seeking an end to homophobia but also struggling with western cultural hegemony.

In autocratic-leaning countries, the level of genuine public support for ruling parties and reasons driving it are often unclear. While such parties often rely on violence, electoral manipulation, and corruption to help maintain power, maintaining legitimate popularity is the ideal. Parties that emerged from national liberation struggles and other extraordinary events are thought to have developed strong branding and organizational structures. This paper tests the determinants of ruling party identification among Zimbabweans through seven geo-coded rounds of Afrobarometer data. First, genuine ruling party support is estimated to be exaggerated in public opinion surveys, but not insignificant. The ruling party's base of support is centered in rural areas that experienced the greatest concentration of guerrilla activity during the liberation war. Respondents from the liberation generation are also more likely to support the ruling party, and view the party as tied to nationalism. The liberation war generated and solidified ruling party stronghold areas through democratic advantages such as nationalistic branding and robust party organization structures as well as autocratic tools such as the capture of traditional leaders, politicization of the military, and the use of violence against dissidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores the widespread problem of brain drain in African countries, utilizing a quantitative approach to explore its intricacies. The study looks at the many factors that influence the movement of trained professionals using a theoretical framework based in economic analysis and migration theory. Regression modeling and statistical inference are two quantitative data analysis techniques used in this research to identify the socioeconomic factors influencing migration patterns. Based on case studies from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Ethiopia, the research objectively evaluates the effects of brain drain in a number of industries, illuminating its extensive ramifications. It examine how can evidence-based policy actions to reduce brain drain and promote sustainable development in African nations be informed by quantitative research of migration patterns and socioeconomic factors? The research quantifies the impact of patriotism on migration decisions and investigates its potential as a mitigating factor. Although quantitative analysis has its limits, this study highlights the importance of solid empirical research in order to guide evidence-based policy solutions. In the course of things, the study emphasizes how Africa may use nationalistic feelings to reverse brain drain and promote sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Africa has largely been considered a digitally-disconnected country, recent studies have shown that connectivity figures are on a rise. In this paper, we theorize digital wellbeing in a context characterized by a fast-growing number of mobile data users despite a historically low Internet penetration. It is focused on an ongoing ethnographic research on mobile users and digital inequalities in Africa, zooming in on results from an explorative study featuring 10 in-depth interviews with young adult heavy users (more than 4–5 hours a day) and seeking to understand strategies they use in attaining digital wellbeing. The findings show how the sampled young adults (18–30 years old) struggle with the daily realities of digital participation including addiction and generational conflict in technology use. Results also reveal ways through which electronic connectivity is perceived both be a tool of freedom as well as a subtle form of potential digital enslavering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses trends in distance education in Africa, considers its contributions to national development, and suggests developments that are likely for the future. Case studies of Zambia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe suggest that critical factors for the effectiveness of distance education include the provision of adequate resources and firm political backing. (18 references) (LRW)

Capacity building programmes for African regulators should link education, training and research with career development in an approach that combines an academic base and experiential learning aligned within a competency framework. A regulatory ecosystem that engages with a broad range of stakeholders will mean that expertise in the ever‐expanding field of regulatory science filters into teaching and research in a symbiotic way. In this way capacity development interventions will be a collaborative approach between the learning context (academic and training institutions) and the performance context (regulatory agencies and industry), which will ultimately best serve the patients. Monitoring and evaluation of capacity development interventions will be essential to show value of investments and ultimately guide continued funding and sustainability. This paper reviews the skills and human capacity gaps, reports on regulatory assessment pathways used in Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe and outlines a staged tactical approach for Africa that builds on previous efforts to strengthen African regulatory ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty fifteen marked the year of assessment for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs that achieved the greatest success were those where evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions were implemented. The ability to practice evidence-based medicine is grounded in the creation of and access to medical literature that synthesizes research findings. The role that global health literature played in the success of the MDGs demonstrates that medical libraries and librarians have a role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Librarians can hold capacity-building workshops that provide instruction on how to access evidence-based literature and also train health professionals to conduct synthesis research. Research findings conducted by in-country health professionals are more likely to address issues being faced by local communities and will afford the possibility of obtaining the necessary evidence-based answers that can then be used to implement policies to resolve public health issues identified in the SDGs. This paper discusses how an international team of librarians leveraged funding from a Medical Library Association/ Librarians without Borders/Elsevier Foundation/Research4Life grant to hold a capacity-building workshop in Zimbabwe and follow-up online trainings. The workshop focused on accessing evidence-based resources and conducting synthesis research. Outcomes included the creation and policy implementation of evidence-based knowledge products in alignment with local needs and galvanizing a multisectoral group of key individuals who have gone on to collaborate toward the vision of creating a Zimbabwe innovation hub. Looking ahead, such grants can be leveraged to conduct capacity-building to support knowledge translation and other local training needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article traces the growth of newspapers for African readers in Southern Rhodesia. It focuses primarily on the role played by South African investors in launching newspapers for the Africans. It further looks at the transformation of these newspapers from mouthpieces of the colonial government to being mouthpieces of African Nationalists. Issues of funding as well as reactions by Africans will be addressed. The article also attempts to discuss the impact of these newspapers on both the readers and the politicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While literature is clear on the role of finance in small business survival and growth, the relative importance of formal and informal credit in small business growth remains contentious. While earlier studies report the importance of formal credit in driving growth of firms of all sizes, recent studies find informal credit to drive the growth of only small businesses. The aim of this paper is therefore to contribute to the debate by bringing the context of four developing economies in the Southern African Developing Community (SADC) using the FinScope surveys on 10,830 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (henceforth MSMEs). To address selection bias caused by various factors affecting small business participation in the formal/informal credit market, we used propensity score matching (PSM) where we paired small businesses from the two groups. We examined the effect of access to formal/informal credit on business performance using Average Treatment Effect (ATE) as well as Average Treatment effect on the Treated (ATT). Our results suggest that firms accessing formal credit tend to exhibit better performance in Zimbabwe but a similar performance gain was not observed in the rest of the countries. For informal credit, our results show that firms accessing informal credit tend to perform less than those without access, suggesting value depletion effect of informal credit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the impact of access to political party finance – money that parties use to fund their campaign activities – on politics in Africa? While multiparty elections have become more regular in the developing world, many opposition parties are still failing to win elections. This paper argues that poor access to political finance weakens democratic consolidation and negatively impacts the participation of less-resourced candidates who are unable to self-fund. As a result, opposition parties are forced to rely on weak promises of aid from international donors and unreliable state funding. This in-depth analysis of political finance, based on extensive interviews with politicians and government officials in Zimbabwe, political documents, news reports and a review of court cases, reveals that uneven financing has weakened opposition parties and serves as an extra advantage for incumbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the socioeconomic and health security ramifications of the COVID-19 sickness since the beginning of the year 2020, the discovery of vaccinations has been a huge breakthrough. The international community and national governments' common commitment to preserve citizens' right to the greatest attainable health standards have fuelled the urgent need for vaccine development. Even though any COVID-19 vaccination should be seen as a global public good, the African continent has lagged in the dissemination of COVID-19 vaccines. The human rights implications of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out on the African continent are examined in this research, which is based on secondary data sources and focuses on Zimbabwe and South Africa, two neighbouring Southern African countries. The research demonstrates that the African continent is confronted with a slew of concerns, including vaccine accessibility, price, and transparency. The paper also reveals a conflict that has arisen between governments' recommendations that everyone is vaccinated to protect all members of society and the freedom of some members of society to interpret the vaccine through the lens of their religious and cultural beliefs, including their freedom to express their beliefs and choose whether or not to be vaccinated. This circumstance is providing and will continue to pose a significant challenge for African governments in their efforts to implement mass immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the relation between divine and human action in the world? To understand how a certain group of Christians reckon human capacity and divine authority, I explore articulations of two theological concepts – sin and sovereignty – as they played out in the concerns of a congregation of Baptists in Zimbabwe's capital city. This paper is situated within emerging conversations between anthropologists and theologians, and from my ethnographic case I argue that contemporary readings of Calvin and of Augustinian notions of original sin offer the anthropologist alternatives to the analytic category of 'agency'. Beliefs about the limits of human capacity and about God's control among urban Zimbabwean Baptists shape their engagement with the political realm, and their case contributes to ethnographic explorations of theological and political conceptions of sovereignty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, monthly, maximum seasonal, and maximum annual hydrometeorological (i.e., evaporation, lake water levels, and rainfall) data series from the Kariba catchment area of the Zambezi River basin, Zimbabwe, have been analyzed in order to determine appropriate probability distribution models of the underlying climatology from which the data were generated. In total, 16 probability distributions were considered and the Kolmogorov-Sminorv (KS), Anderson-Darling (AD), and chi-square (χ2) goodness-of-fit (GoF) tests were used to evaluate the best-fit probability distribution model for each hydrometeorological data series. A ranking metric that uses the test statistic from the three GoF tests was formulated and used to select the most appropriate probability distribution model capable of reproducing the statistics of the hydrometeorological data series. Results showed that, for each hydrometeorological data series, the best-fit probability distribution models were different for the different time scales, corroborating those reported in the literature. The evaporation data series was best fit by the Pearson system, the Lake Kariba water levels series was best fit by the Weibull family of probability distributions, and the rainfall series was best fit by the Weibull and the generalized Pareto probability distributions. This contribution has potential applications in such areas as simulation of precipitation concentration and distribution and water resources management, particularly in the Kariba catchment area and the larger Zambezi River basin, which is characterized by (i) nonuniform distribution of a network of hydrometeorological stations, (ii) significant data gaps in the existing observations, and (iii) apparent inherent impacts caused by climatic extreme events and their corresponding variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Definitions of retention‐in‐care in Prevention of Mother‐to‐Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) vary substantially between studies and programmes. Some definitions are based on visits missed/made, others on a minimum total number of visits, or attendance at a final clinic visit at a specific time. An agreed definition could contribute to developing evidence‐based interventions for improving retention‐in‐care. In this paper, we estimated retention‐in‐care rates according to different definitions, and we quantified and visualized the degree of agreement between definitions. Methods: We calculated retention in care rates using nine definitions in the six INSPIRE PMTCT intervention studies, conducted in three sub‐Saharan African countries between 2013 and 2017. With data from one of the studies (E4E), we estimated the agreement between definitions using Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC1) and concordance. We calculated positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) for all definitions considering successively each definition as the reference standard. Finally, we used a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to examine clustering of the way different definitions handle retention‐in‐care. Results: Retention‐in‐care rates among 5107 women ranged from 30% to 76% in the complete dataset with Gwet's AC1 being 0.56 [0.53; 0.59] indicating a moderate agreement between all definitions together. Two pairs of definitions with high inner concordance and agreement had either very high PPV or very high NPV, and appeared distinct from the other five definitions on the MCA figures. These pairs of definitions were also the ones resulting in the lowest and highest estimates of retention‐in‐care. The simplest definition, that only required a final clinic visit to classify women as retained in care, and classified 55% of women as retained in care, had a PPV ranging from 0.7 to 1 and a NPV ranging from 0.69 to 0.98 when excluding the two pairs afore‐mentioned; it resulted in a moderate to substantial agreement and a 70% to 90% concordance with all other definitions. Conclusions: Our study highlights the variability of definitions in estimating retention‐in‐care. Some definitions are very stringent which may be required in some instances. A simple indicator such as attendance at a single time point may be sufficient for programme planning and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The context of African and Eastern emerging markets often requires research methods to be adapted for culture and less sophisticated levels of human development. Recently there have been calls from scholars to increase African contributions to knowledge creation by being open to an interpretivist approach. This conceptual paper responds to the appeals by describing ways in which researchers may supplement existing knowledge by repositioning their worldviews from an outsider (etic perspective) perspective to that of an insider (emic perspective), taking on a range of culturally-relevant skills and attitudes. Being explicit about the contextual assumptions and boundary conditions of a study facilitates a shift from acontextual generalizable research to rich and detailed explications grounded purely in the gathered data; such an approach enables the emergence of new theories which may later be tested empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global risks of zoonotic disease are high on policy agendas. Increasingly, Africa is seen as a ‘hotspot’, with likely disease spillovers from animals to humans. This paper explores the social dynamics of disease exposure, demonstrating how risks are not generalised, but are related to occupation, gender, class and other dimensions of social difference. Through case studies of Lassa Fever in Sierra Leone, Henipah virus in Ghana, Rift Valley Fever in Kenya and Trypanosomiasis in Zimbabwe, the paper proposes a social difference space–time framework to assist the understanding of and response to zoonotic diseases within a ‘One Health’ approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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The purpose of this issue of Media Culture and Society is to discuss the possible role of social media in the struggle for democracy, against authoritarianism, and over hidden power structures. The articles included in this volume are meant to offer empirical interventions to beliefs, some of them unproven, on whether the emergence of new media technologies has driven Africa towards democratic change. Papers in this Special Issue cover a wide variety of African countries delving deep into comparative studies of participatory citizens' media on the continent. This introduction is an attempt to offer an explanation on African democratisation and authoritarianism before conceptualising the role of social media in political processes with the backing of current case study dispatches in Africa, demonstrating the dilemmas of digital disparities in promoting or denting democratisation in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is a response to the call for papers that focuses on African issues and discusses the issue of liberation. This paper seeks to explore the theme of liberation beginning with its definition. It will then proceed by looking at the history of Israel discussing the Egyptian bondage. The identity and role of Moses will also be explored in light of the prominent role that the Hebrew Bible gives him in the exodus motifs. It also highlights the life and role of Jesus of Nazareth in human liberation. In addition it will also highlight the importance of liberation and will pay attention to the fight for freedom and independence in Africa. Finally it looks at the quest for liberation among marginalized women and children in Africa looking at their struggles in the 21st century. The essay will use examples from both theological and secular sources. The Biblical/theological examples will be drawn from the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and commentaries. Since Africa is very big although sharing related issues, I will use specific examples from Zimbabwe and also use general information from across the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We used a Programme Science platform, to generate evidence to support the implementation of programmes for sex workers in Africa. Female sex workers are estimated to make up 1.6% (1.3%–1.8%) of the population of women aged 15−49 years in Zimbabwe. We highlight how programme science can be used to help distinguish between when, where and with whom programmes need to be implemented and discuss two case studies that exemplify implementing better (Case study 1 (1 June 2019−30 June 2021) Optimizing implementation of a risk differentiated microplanning intervention) and implementing differently (Case study 2 (1 October 2016−30 September 2022) Reorientating implementation of DREAMS for young women selling sex). Methods: Zimbabwe's nationally scaled programme for sex workers was established in 2009 in partnership with sex workers to provide comprehensive services for sex workers and generate evidence for programme design, implementation and scale up. Since inception, comprehensive data have been collected from all sex workers seeking services. As the scope of service provision has expanded so has the scope of data collection and analysis. At enrolment, sex workers are assigned an alphanumeric unique identifier which links consultations within and across programme sites. We conduct descriptive analyses of the Key Population (KP) programme data to guide programme implementation and redesign, embedding programmatic qualitative enquiry as required. Results: Two case studies describing different approaches to programme optimization are presented. In the first, an optimization exercise was used to strengthen programme implementation ensuring that the KP programme got back on track after SARS‐COV‐2. In the second, an in‐depth review of research and programme data led to a re‐orientation of the DREAMS programme to ensure that young women at the highest risk of HIV acquisition were enrolled and had access to DREAMS social support interventions in turn strengthening their uptake of HIV prevention. Conclusions: Optimizing and sustaining HIV care and treatment programmes requires effective delivery with sufficient scale and intensity for population impact. Our programme science approach guided the scale up of the KP programme in Zimbabwe, providing evidence to support strategy, implementation and ongoing management, and importantly helping us distinguish between when we needed to just implement, implement better or implement differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unpredicted shocks such as weather, pests or price changes affect agricultural households negatively or positively. The shocks have two opposite effects (income and substitution) on parents’ investments in the human capital of their children, and it is not predictable from theory whether the income effect or the substitution effect of a shock has a greater impact on the investments. Therefore, it is unknown whether human capital investments (i.e. sending children to school rather than having them work) are procyclical or countercyclical. In this paper we show how hyperinflation may affect investments in the education of children by their parents using three data-sets from Zimbabwe. We find that human capital investments are countercyclical (the substitution effect dominates) in rural areas of Zimbabwe during a shock. Therefore, policymakers in Zimbabwe need to be worried about decreased schooling of children during positive shocks in the rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zimbabwe has the highest contraceptive prevalence rate in sub-Saharan Africa, but also one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. Little is known, however, about the incidence of abortion and post-abortion care (PAC) in Zimbabwe. Access to legal abortion is rare, and limited to circumstances of rape, incest, fetal impairment, or to save the woman’s life. Objectives: This paper estimates a) the national provision of PAC, b) the first-ever national incidence of induced abortion in Zimbabwe, and c) the proportion of pregnancies that are unintended. Methods: We use the Abortion Incidence Complications Method (AICM), which indirectly estimates the incidence of induced abortion by obtaining a national estimate of PAC cases, and then estimates what proportion of all induced abortions in the country would result in women receiving PAC. Three national surveys were conducted in 2016: a census of health facilities with PAC capacity (n = 227), a prospective survey of women seeking abortion-related care in a nationally-representative sample of those facilities (n = 127 facilities), and a purposive sample of experts knowledgeable about abortion in Zimbabwe (n = 118). The estimate of induced abortion, along with census and Demographic Health Survey data was used to estimate unintended pregnancy. Results: There were an estimated 25,245 PAC patients treated in Zimbabwe in 2016, but there were critical gaps in their care, including stock-outs of essential PAC medicines at half of facilities. Approximately 66,847 induced abortions (uncertainty interval (UI): 54,000–86,171) occurred in Zimbabwe in 2016, which translates to a national rate of 17.8 (UI: 14.4–22.9) abortions per 1,000 women 15–49. Overall, 40% of pregnancies were unintended in 2016, and one-quarter of all unintended pregnancies ended in abortion. Conclusion: Zimbabwe has one of the lowest abortion rates in sub-Saharan Africa, likely due to high rates of contraceptive use. There are gaps in the health care system affecting the provision of quality PAC, potentially due to the prolonged economic crisis. These findings can inform and improve policies and programs addressing unsafe abortion and PAC in Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the central "ignored" role that women play in disseminating vital societal information through folklore. It explores the limited conceptions and constructions of their roles in literature and the media today where they are confined to housekeeping duties. It argues that through storytelling--the cornerstone of communal revitalisation--women play a pivotal task in ensuring the well-being of their communities. In advancing this argument, the article takes into account the fact that folktales have formed the basis of African formal education and training, which was meant for cognitive development of the African child. The major concern is, despite the tremendous contribution of women into the development, re-engineering and redesigning of the society, women are not taken or taking themselves seriously when it comes to societal decision-making issues. This paper mainly depends on a literature review and qualitative research methodology. A sample of 25 homes was selected randomly in the Bikita District of Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected orally from the story-tellers. Thereafter, an analysis was undertaken to establish the strategic role of women in disseminating information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is an effective method for HIV prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended its expansion in 14 African countries with a high prevalence of HIV and low prevalence of male circumcision. The WHO has recently pre-qualified the PrePex device, a non-surgical male circumcision device, which reduces procedure time, can increase acceptability of VMMC, and can expand the set of potential provider cadres. The PrePex device was introduced in Zimbabwe as a way to scale-up VMMC services in the country. With the rapid scale-up of the PrePex device, as well as other similar devices, a strong surveillance system to detect adverse events (AE) is needed to monitor the safety profile of these devices. We performed a systems-based evaluation of the PrePex device AE active surveillance system in Zimbabwe. Methods: The evaluation was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. We adapted these guidelines to fit our local context. The evaluation incorporated the review of the standard operating procedures and surveillance system documents. Additionally, structured, in-person interviews were performed with key stakeholders who were users of the surveillance system at various levels. These key stakeholders were from the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, and health facilities in Harare. Results: Clients were requested to return to the facility for follow-up on days 7, 14 and 49 after placement of the device. In the event of a severe AE, a standard report was generated by the health facility and relayed to the Ministry of Health Child and Care and donor agencies through predefined channels within 24 hours of diagnosis. Clinic staff reported difficulties with the amount of documentation required to follow up with clients and to report AEs. The surveillance system’s acceptability among users interviewed was high, and users were motivated to identify all possible AEs related to this device. The surveillance system was purely paper-based and both duplicate and discrepant reporting forms between sites were identified. Conclusion: The PrePex AE active surveillance system was well accepted among participants in the health system. However, the amount of documentation which was required to follow-up with patients was a major barrier within the system, and might lead to decreased timeliness and quality of reporting. A passive surveillance system supported by electronic reporting would improve acceptance of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Operational research is required to design delivery of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and early antiretroviral treatment (ART). This paper presents the primary analysis of programmatic data, as well as demographic, behavioural, and clinical data, from the TAPS Demonstration Project, which offered both interventions to female sex workers (FSWs) at 2 urban clinic sites in South Africa.Methods and Findings: The TAPS study was conducted between 30 March 2015 and 30 June 2017, with the enrolment period ending on 31 July 2016. TAPS was a prospective observational cohort study with 2 groups receiving interventions delivered in existing service settings: (1) PrEP as part of combination prevention for HIV-negative FSWs and (2) early ART for HIV-positive FSWs. The main outcome was programme retention at 12 months of follow-up. Of the 947 FSWs initially seen in clinic, 692 were HIV tested. HIV prevalence was 49%. Among those returning to clinic after HIV testing and clinical screening, 93% of the women who were HIV-negative were confirmed as clinically eligible for PrEP (n = 224/241), and 41% (n = 110/270) of the women who were HIV-positive had CD4 counts within National Department of Health ART initiation guidelines at assessment. Of the remaining women who were HIV-positive, 93% were eligible for early ART (n = 148/160). From those eligible, 98% (n = 219/224) and 94% (n = 139/148) took up PrEP and early ART, respectively. At baseline, a substantial fraction of women had a steady partner, worked in brothels, and were born in Zimbabwe. Of those enrolled, 22% on PrEP (n = 49/219) and 60% on early ART (n = 83/139) were seen at 12 months; we observed high rates of loss to follow-up: 71% (n = 156/219) and 30% (n = 42/139) in the PrEP and early ART groups, respectively. Little change over time was reported in consistent condom use or the number of sexual partners in the last 7 days, with high levels of consistent condom use with clients and low use with steady partners in both study groups. There were no seroconversions on PrEP and 7 virological failures on early ART among women remaining in the study. Reported adherence to PrEP varied over time between 70% and 85%, whereas over 90% of participants reported taking pills daily while on early ART. Data on provider-side costs were also collected and analysed. The total cost of service delivery was approximately US$126 for PrEP and US$406 for early ART per person-year. The main limitations of this study include the lack of a control group, which was not included due to ethical considerations; clinical study requirements imposed when PrEP was not approved through the regulatory system, which could have affected uptake; and the timing of the implementation of a national sex worker HIV programme, which could have also affected uptake and retention.Conclusions: PrEP and early ART services can be implemented within FSW routine services in high prevalence, urban settings. We observed good uptake for both PrEP and early ART; however, retention rates for PrEP were low. Retention rates for early ART were similar to retention rates for the current standard of care. While the cost of the interventions was higher than previously published, there is potential for cost reduction at scale. The TAPS Demonstration Project results provided the basis for the first government PrEP and early ART guidelines and the rollout of the national sex worker HIV programme in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the introduction of 2016 World Health Organization guidelines recommending universal antiretroviral therapy (ART), there has been increased recognition of the lack of men engaging in HIV testing and treatment. Studies in sub-Saharan Africa indicate there have been challenges engaging men in HIV testing and HIV-positive men into treatment. Methods: This qualitative study explored women's perspective of their male partner's attitudes towards HIV and ART and how it shapes woman's experience with ART. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with HIV-positive pregnant and postpartum women on Option B+ and health care workers in Malawi and Zimbabwe. In Malawi, 19 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions were conducted from September- December 2013. In Zimbabwe, 15 in-depth interviews and 21 focus-group discussions were conducted from July 2014-March 2014. Results: The findings highlighted that many men discourage their partners from initiating or adhering to ART. One of the main findings indicated that despite the many advancements in HIV care and ART regimens, there are still many lingering negative beliefs about HIV and ART from the earlier days of the epidemic. In addition to existing theories explaining men's resistance to/absence in HIV testing and treatment as a threat to their masculinity or because of female-focused health facilities, this paper argues that men's aversion to HIV may be a result of old beliefs about HIV and ART which have not been addressed. Conclusions: Due to lack of accurate and up to date information about HIV and ART, many men discourage their female partners from initiating and adhering to ART. The effect of lingering and outdated beliefs about HIV and ART needs to be addressed through strengthened communication about developments in HIV care and treatment. Universal ART offers a unique opportunity to curb the epidemic, but successful implementation of these new guidelines is dependent on ART initiation and adherence by both women and men. Strengthening men's understanding about HIV and ART will greatly enhance women's ability to initiate and adhere to ART and improve men's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the advancement in sexual and reproductive healthcare services and several public health measures aimed at controlling fertility rates, countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still experience higher adolescent fertility rates than other low-and middle-income countries. This study examined the disparities in adolescent fertility in 39 countries in SSA, focusing on socioeconomic and residence-based dimensions. Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of data obtained from 39 recent Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA. The measures of difference (D), ratio (R), population attributable fraction (PAF), and population attributable risk (PAR) were estimated using the Health Equity Assessment Tool (HEAT) software version 3.1 developed by the World Health Organization. The measures: D, R, PAF, and PAR were used to examine the inequalities in adolescent fertility across the socioeconomic and residence-based dimensions. Results: Out of the 39 countries included in the study, Guinea (D=27.70), Niger (D=27.50), Nigeria (D=23.90), and Côte d'Ivoire (D=23.60) exhibited the most significant residence-based inequalities in the rate of adolescent fertility, with the higher rate observed among adolescents in rural areas. Rwanda was the sole country that showed a slight inclination towards rural inequality in terms of the rate of adolescent fertility, with a value of D = -0.80. The burden of adolescent fertility was disproportionately higher among young women with low economic status across all the countries, exacerbating wealth-based inequities. The countries with the largest absolute discrepancies were Nigeria (D=44.70), Madagascar (D=41.10), Guinea (D=41.00), and Cameroon (D=40.20). We found significant disparities in educational attainment contributing to unequal inequalities in adolescent fertility, particularly among young women who lack access to formal education. Countries such as Madagascar (D=59.50), Chad (D=55.30), Cameroon (D=54.60), and Zimbabwe (D=50.30) had the most significant absolute disparities. Conclusion: This study revealed that young women residing in rural areas, those in households with low economic status and those with limited educational opportunities experience a disproportionately high burden of adolescent fertility across the 39 countries in SSA. The current findings offer valuable information to governmental entities at all levels regarding the need to ensure the provision of equitable, accessible, and dependable sexual and reproductive health services to the populace, particularly for young women. Therefore, the various stakeholders need to enhance the effectiveness of health policies and legislation pertaining to adolescent women living in rural areas, those from economically disadvantaged households, and those with limited or no access to formal education. Such interventions could potentially reduce adolescent fertility rates and mitigate the adverse maternal and child outcomes associated with high adolescent fertility in SSA. Plain summary: Adolescent fertility is a major health problem for many developing countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although several sexual and reproductive health initiatives have been introduced in these countries, the number of births among adolescents continues to be high. The present study looked at the socioeconomic and geographical differences in adolescent fertility across 39 countries in SSA using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys embedded into the World Health Organization's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (WHO HEAT) software. The study found that in countries like Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire, the rates of adolescent fertility varied a lot, with higher rates in rural areas. Generally, poorer young women were more likely to have babies, which made the gap between the rich and the poor even wider. Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea, and Cameroon had the biggest differences. Education also played a role. In countries like Madagascar, Chad, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe, young women who did not go to school (had no education) were more likely to have children as teenagers. The study showed that in all 39 countries, young women living in rural areas, those who were poorer and those who did not go to school (had no education) faced a bigger problem with adolescent fertility. The study suggests that if people who make health policies pay more attention to teenage girls in the rural areas, those who are poor and do not have much education, they could make a significant difference in reducing adolescent fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We sought to characterize social and structural drivers of HIV vulnerability for transgender women (TGW) in Zimbabwe, where TGW are not legally recognized, and explore differences in vulnerability by feminine presentation. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted with a sub‐sample of participants recruited from a 2019 respondent‐driven sampling survey that comprised men who have sex with men, TGW and genderqueer individuals assigned male sex at birth, from two cities in Zimbabwe. Survey questionnaires captured information related to socio‐demographics, sexual and substance use behaviours, and social and structural barriers to HIV services. Secondary analyses were restricted to participants who identified as female, transfemale or transwomen (236/1538) and were unweighted. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate sample estimates and chi‐square and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess differences in vulnerability by feminine presentation. Results: Among 236 TGW, almost half (45.3%) presented as feminine in the 6 months preceding the survey and 8.5% had ever used hormones to affirm their gender identities. Median age among TGW was 23 years (interquartile range: 20–26). Feminine presenting TGW in our sample had higher prevalence of arrest (15.9% vs. 3.9%), rejection by family/friends (38.3% vs. 14.0%), employment termination (11.2% vs. 3.9%), employment refusal (14.0% vs. 3.9%), denial of healthcare (16.8% vs. 2.3%), physical, sexual or verbal harassment or abuse (59.8% vs. 34.1%), alcohol dependence (32.7% vs. 12.4%), recent transactional sex with a male or TGW partner (30.8% vs. 13.3%) and recent non‐injection drug use (38.3% vs. 20.2%) than non‐feminine presenting TGW (all p‐value <0.05). Conclusions: Findings suggest that TGW, particularly feminine presenting TGW, experience social and structural inequities which may contribute to HIV vulnerability. Interventions aimed at addressing inequities, including trans competency training for providers and gender‐affirming, psychosocial and legal support services for TGW, might mitigate risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My paper looks at how Côte d'Ivoirean Véronique Tadjo, in The Shadow of Imana and Zimbabwean Yvonne Vera, in The Stone Virgins, use the histories of two nations (Tadjo on the Genocide in Rwanda and Vera on the war for independence in Rhodesia followed by the terrorism and killings in Zimbabwe's Matabeleland) to critique patriarchy and the process of nationalism. When Vera writes that ‘A new nation needs to restore its past,’ this holds true not only for ‘Zimbabwe’ emerging from ‘Rhodesia,’ but all nations of sub-Saharan Africa. Within the contexts of both South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and ongoing ‘genocide trials’ in Rwanda, my paper looks at history and healing in Tadjo and Vera to discuss how African women writers confronting some of the most horrific events of the last century are pulling the humanities in an important direction. This direction is toward the material: the material of the body (especially the female body), the material land and the physical spaces we call ‘nation,’ the circulation of goods, and the signifiers we use to represent and understand events called ‘genocide’ and ‘war.’ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork in Sake, a semi-rural area outside Harare, Zimbabwe, this paper explores the social mechanism behind the seeming invisibility of children left on their own and how this form of 'invisibility' challenges established notions of childhood, parenthood, kinship, and community. It argues that the prevailing explanations, such as HIV/AIDS-related stigma, poverty or anomie, are insufficient for understanding the isolation of the child-headed household and situations when children, in what should be a protective relationship, are exploited or abused. Through a detailed case-study, the paper explores the trajectory leading to the isolation of one particular child-headed household. It questions the biological assumptions that guide kinship interpretations and discusses the marriage transactions (the lobola exchange) that secure identity and belonging to the father's kin unit. Finally, it suggests that orphaned children ultimately stand alone because they are left in a specific time, in a specific situation, when the relationships that should surround them still have to be made, recognised and named. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, repeatability, validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D-3L in Krio for patients with stroke in Sierra Leone, the first psychometric assessment of the EQ-5D-3L to be conducted in patients with stroke in Sub Saharan Africa. Methods: A prospective stroke register at two tertiary government hospitals recruited all patients with the WHO definition of stroke and followed patients up at seven days, 90 days and one year post stroke. The newly translated EQ-5D-3L, Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), a measure of stroke severity, were collected by trained researchers, face to face during admission and via phone at follow up. Feasibility was assessed by completion rate and proportion of floor/ceiling effects. Internal consistency was assessed by inter item correlations (IIC) and Cronbach's alpha. Repeatability of the EQ-5D-3L was examined using test–retest, EQ-5D-3L utility scores at 90 days were compared to EQ-5D-3L utility scores at one year in the same individuals, whose Barthel Index had remained within the minimally clinical important difference. Known group validity was assessed by stroke severity. Convergent validity was assessed against the BI, using Spearman's rho. Responsiveness was assessed in patients whose BI improved or deteriorated from seven to 90 days. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the UK and Zimbabwe value sets, to evaluate the effect of value set, in a subgroup of patients with no formal education to evaluate the influence of patient educational attainment, and using the mRS instead of the BI to evaluate the influence of utilising an alternative functional scale. Results: The EQ-5D-3L was completed in 373/460 (81.1%), 360/367 (98.1%) and 299/308 (97.1%) eligible patients at seven days, 90 days and one year post stroke. Missing item data was low overall, but was highest in the anxiety/depression dimension 1.3% (5/373). Alpha was 0.81, 0.88 and 0.86 at seven days, 90 days and one year post stroke and IIC were within pre-specified ranges. Repeatability of the EQ-5D-3L was moderate to poor, weighted Kappa 0.23–0.49. EQ-5D-3L utility was significantly associated with stroke severity at all timepoints. Convergent validity with BI was strong overall and for shared subscales. EQ-5D-3L was moderately responsive to both improvement Cohen's D 0.55 (95% CI:0.15—0.94) and deterioration 0.92 (95% CI:0.29—1.55). Completion rates were similar in patients with no formal education 148/185 (80.0%) vs those with any formal education 225/275 (81.8%), and known group validity for stroke severity in patients with no formal education was strong. Using the Zimbabwe value set instead of the UK value set, and using the mRS instead of the BI did not change the direction or significance of results. Conclusions: The EQ-5D-3L for stroke in Sierra Leone was feasible, and responsive including in patients with no formal education. However, repeatability was moderate to poor, which may be due to the study design, but should add a degree of caution in the analysis of repeated measures of EQ-5D-3L over time in this population. Known group validity and convergent validity with BI and mRS were strong. Further research should assess the EQ-5D in the general population, examine test–retest reliability over a shorter time period and assess the acceptability and validity of the anxiety/depression dimension against other validated mental health instruments. Development of an EQ-5D value set for West Africa should be a research priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population ageing has become a major global demographic shift but perhaps less noticeable in the Global South. Zimbabwe, like many African countries, is experiencing and will continue to witness an increase in older age, hence questioning its readiness to handle such change. Ageing in Zimbabwe is currently occurring in the context of increasing poverty, political unrest, changing family structures, and weakening infrastructures. Despite this, Zimbabwe is committed to promoting change and betterment for its citizens through adherence to international agendas and national development strategies. However, the first step towards the realisation of an inclusive urban environment begins with a fair representation of the various actors and social groups. This review paper is aimed at examining the representation of Zimbabwe's older people, a subject that has rarely been the focus of critical analysis, concentrating on the political discourse in urban development programmes. A sample of 45 international and national policy documents published post-2002, was carefully selected and inspected to determine the level of presence of older people using discourse analysis. The findings reveal that in the context of the efforts made towards a Zimbabwe that is inclusive of all citizens, the idea of older persons as subjects of rights and active participants has yet to truly gain sufficient currency. There is a dominance of a one-dimensional perspective across the majority of the publications, with older people constructed as "dependent", "vulnerable" and "passive", overseeing vital contributions to society. A realistic and more empowering representation of this social group, showing them as active caregivers rather than passive recipients is therefore a necessity if Zimbabwe is to fulfil its vision of inclusivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The growing involvement of the Chinese state and business in Africa has generated significant debate about China’s Africa strategy and the benefits for Africa’s development. What is the nature of Chinese state capitalism in Africa? This study examines Chinese state–business relations and argues that China’s involvement in Africa is more complex than often portrayed. It aims to build a closer understanding of the diverse factors that influence the Chinese state–business relations as it is implemented in Africa. This paper focuses on how state–business interactions influence agricultural development outcomes, using six case-studies from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It explores the question of how far the state can control business and direct development by identifying the key relationships that influence the decision-making processes of state and business actors within China and its African engagement. The paper challenges the conventional wisdom of homogenized, unitary relations. It argues that these relations are, in practice, heterogeneous, as a result of the state being disaggregated into a multiplicity of provincial relations and central state agencies, and tensions arising between commercial market and political interests. The active role of African governments in agricultural schemes is also affecting outcomes. China’s engagement is multivariate, involving a multiplicity of agencies, operating at different levels, structures, and processes with sometimes contrary interests and goals. The findings of an analysis of six state–business projects in the agricultural sectors of Zimbabwe and Mozambique suggest that where agriculture is concerned, a wide range of Chinese agencies are involved, with businesses being driven by either market forces or national state interests, which together make outcomes less open to generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging orthodoxy supports the proposition that the rural economy – built around agriculture but encompassing much more – will serve as sweet spot of employment opportunities for many millions of young people into the foreseeable future. However, our understanding of how rural young people in Africa take advantage of processes of rural transformation or engage with the rural economy is limited. Drawing on qualitative research conducted with 117 rural young people in three country contexts (Ghana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania), this paper reports the findings on the steps and pathways through which young people construct livelihoods in hotspots of agricultural commercialisation. Overall what emerges from a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and pathways is that the commercialised rural economy within which they operate offer them a variety of income earning opportunities. Family and broader social relations are key in enabling young people to access the needed resources in the form of land, capital, and inputs to begin their ventures. Between family and rental markets, there is little evidence that young people's engagement with crop production is limited by their inability to access land. We also find evidence of asset accumulation by young people in the form of housing, furniture and savings among others, which reflects the combination of relatively dynamic rural economies, enabling social relations, and hard work. However, for many it is a struggle to stay afloat, requiring effort, persistence, and an ability to navigate setbacks and hazards. Our findings challenge a number of assumptions underlying policy and public discourse around rural young people and employment in Africa. We highlight some key implications for policy seeking to promote youth employment in rural Africa. • It is widely accepted that rural areas will provide employment for Africa's young people for decades to come. • There is little evidence about how young people actually engage with the rural economy in hotspots of agricultural commercialisation. • Data from Ghana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe challenge some key elements of public and policy discourse around rural youth in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During collaboration in research, it may happen that some researchers become involved in behaviours that reflect so-called 'self-interestedness', which means that they pursue their personal interest or benefit without considering others. This study examined how researchers in Zimbabwe perceive instances of self-interestedness among research collaborators, and how these perceptions differ according to their career stage and the nature of collaboration. An online survey of researchers in Zimbabwe was conducted to gather information about six instances of self-interestedness among research collaborators. The results show that Zimbabwean researchers involved exclusively in national collaboration reported greater degrees of collaborator self-interestedness than Zimbabwean researchers involved in international collaboration. However, early-career researchers and established researchers did not differ significantly regarding their experiences of collaborator self-interestedness. Measures aimed at capacitating research organisations and research teams in developing countries in the African context, to counter collaborator self-interestedness, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the benefits of using in-house periodicals for writing the history of interest groups and unions in southern Africa. In particular, it focuses on using The Farmer magazine as a source to write more nuanced social and cultural histories of white farmers in Zimbabwe. The importance of The Farmer to the white farming community is laid out and it is argued that long-term and detailed readings of this magazine offer the opportunity to explore the evolutions in discourse within the farming community, the processes of transition and the ambiguities of independence for a group like the white farmers. The uses described are ones that have rarely been put into practice in southern Africa, but are also ones that can be easily transposed to other settings and context. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper captures an emerging African phenomenon in which the form of democracy is brazenly used to invalidate its very substance. Drawing on particulars from Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, we articulate the re-ascendance and re-invigoration of anti-democratic forces across Africa, and weigh up the challenge that violent erasure of the electoral sovereignty of citizens constitutes to democratic theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zimbabwe is a former British colony located in Southern Africa having gained political independence in 1980. Since then the country has made significant efforts to expand her education system to become one of the countries with the highest literacy rates in the region. However, for the past decade the country has been struggling with political, economic and social instability which threaten to erode the educational gains made during the first two decades of independence. This paper discusses some of the challenges that Zimbabwe faces and how the problems affect her education system. The impact on education of the HIV/AIDS epidemic as well as the political and economic instability the country is facing are discussed. The authors also discuss the implications of these factors for both policy and research. According to the authors, the situation in Zimbabwe presents an opportunity for researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders to identify ways to revitalize the once-vibrant education system and consolidate gains of the post-colonial education expansionist policy so that Zimbabwe?s education system can once again reclaim its enviable position of the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]