David Makwerere | Bindura University of Science Education (original) (raw)

Papers by David Makwerere

Routledge eBooks, May 16, 2024

Zimbabwe is a country where the issue of human rights evokes contentious debate. The gradual dete... more Zimbabwe is a country where the issue of human rights evokes contentious debate. The gradual deterioration in the rule of law in the country since the attainment of independence in 1980 has raised questions on the fundamental principles of policing and human rights, (Hatchard 1993). It has become common knowledge that the framework for establishing the rule of law in Zimbabwe has fallen short of the expectations of the citizens and the international community. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) being the sole law enforcing agency has had to contend with accusations of human rights violations which is proof that they are facing serious challenges in their attempt to balance human rights protection with national security, and public order. Human rights organizations are of the opinion that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have abdicated its constitutional functions, responsibilities and obligations. Police officers are responsible for some of the most serious human rights and rule of law violations in Zimbabwe today. There is also consensus on the fact that far-reaching reforms and reorientation are necessary to bring Zimbabwe's policing operations into conformity with constitutional and international human rights standards The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of the police in protecting human rights. The paper critiques the ZRP law enforcement in the context of human rights instruments ratified by Zimbabwe and discuss how the ZRP has responded to the pressure of operating in a politically polarized society. The paper also discusses the impact of police activities on the country's human rights record and make recommendations on how the police can improve on the protection of human rights. (270)

Advances in public policy and administration (APPA) book series, 2019

This chapter focused on the opportunities and challenges presented by social media in the democra... more This chapter focused on the opportunities and challenges presented by social media in the democratization process in Zimbabwe. The chapter contends that youth participation on various social media podiums is very vibrant. The youth use social media to communicate issues affecting them and in most cases to express their displeasure with governing authorities. The types of the youth on social media can be categorized into three; the protestors, the defensive and the moderates. The protestors are those who simply use the platforms created by social media to vent their frustrations in a less constructive way. The defensive are those youths who believe in the status quo and are willing to defend the ruling elites at all costs. The moderates are those who believe that social media can be a platform for dialogue and constructive engagement.

Local peacebuilding practices require a systematic and reflective analysis in order for them to b... more Local peacebuilding practices require a systematic and reflective analysis in order for them to bring an impact. Successful peacebuilding pivots on the development of a set of skills to attend to the challenges presented by the conflict. The study was inspired by an observation that the emergence of CSOs working on peacebuilding in Zimbabwe was happening in a context where there was no proper training and organisational capacity development. Using an actionresearch design, and a case study of two CSOs operating in Bindura and Mazowe Districts in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe, the study involved a sample group of fifty-seven participants, and included a core Action Research Team (ART) of twelve participants to initiate the process of capacity development related to peacebuilding in Zimbabwe. Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Document studies were used in a triangulation approach to enhance validity and reliability of the process. The preliminary assessment revealed that the peacebuilding environment in the two districts is highly polarised. There is a combination of both direct and indirect violence in the area. The state as well as traditional institutions are active perpetrators of both direct and indirect violence in the two district. The use of Local Peace Committees and the workshop method has not reaped the desired outcomes owing to the polarization. After a preliminary assessment of the peacebuilding environment in the area as well as a critique of the peacebuilding models being used by the two organisations, we then set out on a process of identifying strengths and weaknesses in both the programming as well as the delivery of the projects in the communities. A series of focus group discussions and organisational document analysis of the two organisations, we eventually agreed on the development of a training module for the Action Research Team. Five thematic issues were identified as forming the basis of the intervention programme. The five thematic issues were on the conceptual issues of conflict, violence and peace in a local context, conflict analysis skills, conflict sensitive programming, culture, conflict and change and lastly basic counselling skills for peacebuilders. A three-day training workshop was then held in order to develop capacity relating to the thematic issues. The short term evaluation of the intervention showed that the training was successful as the participants had already started implementing some of the new knowledge and skills.

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2021

The study sought to assess the impact of implementing governance practices on the performance of ... more The study sought to assess the impact of implementing governance practices on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) in the clothing sector operating in Harare’s CBD, Zimbabwe. Primary data was obtained mainly from structured interviews accompanied by questionnaires that sought to gather general information about the respondents. Face to face, verbal interviews were used to collect data during the study. The study made use of a sample that consisted of 100 respondents drawn from the target population using purposive sampling. The research study revealed that firms that implement corporate governance practices are more productive and perform well financially as compared to those that do not implement governance practices. The study also revealed that firms with corporate governance practices have better chances of surviving and acquiring funding for expansion and growth from banks and finance companies. The study concludes that governance practices impact the performan...

International Journals of Marketing and Technology, 2012

Zimbabwe has had several conflicts that impacted negatively on the societies' relationships. Thes... more Zimbabwe has had several conflicts that impacted negatively on the societies' relationships. These broken relationships were addressed through a variety of means; legal court intervention, social mediation and forgiveness and compensation amongst others. Following the 2008 election violence in Zimbabwe, that saw thousands of people killed, maimed and displaced, there was a need for some redress of the relationships that were broken. However, that did not take place. A study was undertaken to analyse how the society had responded to the post-conflict effects and it was established from both the literature reviewed and interviews conducted that the society had generally adopted silence as an approach of healing and reconciliation following government's inaction towards achieving a sound national healing and reconciliation agenda.

DANDE Journal of Social Sciences and Communication, Dec 31, 2015

JETERAPS, Aug 1, 2013

This paper reports on the interviews and focus group discussions held with seventy two University... more This paper reports on the interviews and focus group discussions held with seventy two University student teachers and three high school administrators to examine the concept and practice of Unhu or Ubuntu within the Zimbabwean context and its perceived linkage with Civics and Citizenship education taught in high schools and state universities. The paper draws its conceptual framework from an analysis of what various authorities have written on the concept Unhu/Ubuntu. The results of the research indicate that people in Zimbabwe accept and acknowledge Unhu/Ubuntu as a powerful force guiding people in their day to day interaction with one another. This is shown through such acceptable ways of talking, attending to daily chores, and acceptable behaviour right down to the way of dressing. Unhu/Ubuntu and human decency cannot be separated. There was a common agreement on what the concept portrays and implies both within and outside the school. The respondents tended to have a common stand on what Unhu/Ubuntu is all about within the Zimbabwean context. The issues of gender bias and lack of maturity were raised by some female respondents in the focus groups. They argued that some men complain of women's lack of decency when it suits them and yet derive pleasure when in their company. The necessity of linking Unhu/Ubuntu with Civics and Citizenship Education was emphasised by all respondents. Challenges on the teaching of Unhu/Ubuntu and Civics and Citizenship Education were identified. The significance of this research lies in its potential to provoke debate and dialogue at all levels of society on the concept and practice of unhu/ubuntu.

After realizing that the traditional modes of tuition in Zimbabwe's andragogy had either gon... more After realizing that the traditional modes of tuition in Zimbabwe's andragogy had either gone obsolete or over-crowded, BUSE ventured into a 'virtualised' model of open and distance learning as a way of out-doing other competing universities. However, as the programme was rolled out, there came a myriad of challenges affecting the students ranging from financial, personal commitment, time, stereotypes, and social and work pressures. These constraints have, to some extent, negatively affected both the delivery of the programme and the pass rate of the students. The paper therefore seeks to make an analysis of challenges faced by students who are in the Virtual and Open Distance Learning (VODL) at BUSE based on a research conducted at the seven centres country-wide. Key words: Students, virtual and open distance learning, andragogy. INTRODUCTION According to The Virtual and Open Distance Learning (V.O.D.L) programme emerged as an institutionally born strategy to satisfy...

Zimbabwe has experienced a number of conflicts since the attainment of independence in 1980. Vari... more Zimbabwe has experienced a number of conflicts since the attainment of independence in 1980. Various conflict resolution mechanisms were put in place to resolve the conflicts which included the Gukurahundi atrocities of the early 1980s and the 2008 election conflicts. Although the conflict resolution mechanisms had limited success they lacked a comprehensive and inclusive approach. Using Lederach's Holistic Peacebuilding approach the paper explores the need for the establishment of a comprehensive peace infrastructure in Zimbabwe. The creation of an infrastructure for peace will provide a platform for cooperation among stakeholders to bring peace to a country where conflict fault-lines are present at all levels of society. The argument is in line with African Union and United Nations Resolutions which call for African countries to establish national frameworks for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. The major argument of the paper is that without a comprehens...

Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 2013

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Management Sci... more Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Management Sciences (Peace Studies), Duban University of Technology, 2017.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018

The study focused on how environmental degradation due to unregulated illegal mining activities i... more The study focused on how environmental degradation due to unregulated illegal mining activities is affecting the welfare of communities in general and women in particular with regards to access good quality water. The methodological design was a qualitative approach and focused on the two districts of Shamva and Bindura in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. The study noted that the area of environmental policing has remained weak and compromised owing to a combination of factors, key among them being the difficult socio-economic environment which has often seen a lot of communities destroying the environment around them, political populism leading to the destruction of local ecologies and general disregard of responsibilities by companies operating mining, construction, and other enterprises.This has seen the gradual destruction and pollution of fresh water bodies across the communities.The study revealed that there is a considerable level of pollution on some water bodies in t...

Canadian Social Science, 2020

In spite of the numerous efforts to reduce domestic violence, including a robust legal and consti... more In spite of the numerous efforts to reduce domestic violence, including a robust legal and constitutional framework, the phenomenon remains high especially among women in rural Zimbabwe. This study examined the reasons why women in rural settings in Mashonaland Central are not willing to utilize the various legal and constitutional instruments for their own protection. The study explored the traditional psychosocial coping mechanisms for women against domestic violence in Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe. The study relied on Galtung’s Conflict, Violence and Peace theory as the theoretical framework. The research was qualitative and employed a case study research design. Snowball sampling and purposive sampling were used to identify survivors of domestic violence and key informants. The study revealed that women are employing traditional psychosocial coping mechanisms such as silence, family support systems, religious belief systems and endurance to cope with violence. These ...

This book is a collection of 8 chapters examining and discussing development policy and practice ... more This book is a collection of 8 chapters examining and discussing development policy and practice in Zimbabwe. Most of the papers base their arguments from results of the 2012 population census.

The African continent is beset by a new wave of resource exploitation which has been rightly term... more The African continent is beset by a new wave of resource exploitation which has been rightly termed the new scramble for Africa’s resources. This new scramble is accompanied by another phenomenon in the mould of a cold war between China and the USA. This is a war of influence between the two countries to gain access to strategic resources in the African continent. This paper focuses on the strategies used by China and the USA in their efforts to exploit African mineral resources and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of these strategies. The paper also focuses on the impact of the new scramble on the African continent and discusses possible ways which African countries can use to benefit from the unfolding process.

The editorial thrust for this journal is on the publication of articles that focus upon the teach... more The editorial thrust for this journal is on the publication of articles that focus upon the teaching and learning of social science subjects and communication. Related to and closely linked to this objective, is the need to aim to ensure that the academic discipline(s) cater for the needs of all students in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and other students from other faculties who will read it. It is therefore intended that other related disciplines that enhance the development of Social Sciences and Humanities constitute these essential publication content of this journal. The main objectives of this journal, therefore, revolve around analysing and reporting strategies, problems, theories and research findings for teaching and learning how to:  communicate, through English, academic as well as social information in written or spoken form.  disseminate research-based information obtained from various subject disciplines in social sciences and communication. The DAND...