Livingstone Makondo - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Livingstone Makondo

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Jun 1, 2015

Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transfor... more Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transformation agenda spelt out by the new government to, among other things, remedy the shortcomings of the apartheid system. This means, higher education lecturers need to be assisted to design transformation - oriented curriculum. In addition due to the ever - changing students demographics, the lecturers should be able to facilitate teaching and learning in ways beneficial to all students. This is key to ensure the universities enhance their student success rates. Against this background, I discuss my role as an academic development practitioner appointed to assist lecturers on designing their curriculum and teaching activities. I argue that much is expected from my office to ensure that the majority of lecturers without educational and curriculum design training are brought to speed with these key skills. In addition, the majority of these lecturers are doing postgraduate studies and are trying to be active in scholarship of teaching, learning and research. I argue that much need to be done by university structures namely deans, Senate, academic development and quality assurance offices to encourage and support lecturers in this venture. I use data drawn from my work experience as academic developer at three South African universities. Through much efforts towards collaboration, the nurturing of a university culture that supports academic excellence, collegial support and participation in staff development activities, lecturers in South African universities can benefit much.

I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my wor... more I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my work and that the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ………………………………………….. ……………………………….

Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent t... more Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent to which the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus (NWU, MC) is managing to attract and retain properly qualified academics. Methodology This predominantly quantitative study has questionnaires responded to by hundred and sixty respondents and survey money responded to by fifty-two respondents were used to gather data from deans, directors and teaching staff at the NWU, MC and from other universities. Findings Attraction and retention of properly qualified and experienced academics emerges as a University's key strategic mandate as such personnel champions an institution's quest to deliver quality teaching-learning, research and community engagement. The study also notes that the NWU, MC is not doing well in terms of attracting and retaining properly qualified academics, a regrettable trend. The need for a proper mix of workload, work and personal life balance, remuneration and promotion among others emerged as key attraction and retention tenets. Conclusion The study concludes that attraction and retention of academics is a global challenge. The NWU, MC and other affected universities need to do all they can to curtail the challenge so that they can attract and retain properly qualified and experienced academics for them to boost their throughput and graduation rates. These achievements, among others would ensure that the university' customers would be satified at the same time the university would attract funding. Recommendation It emerges that a university that offers longer contracts stands better chances to attract and retain academics. To this end, this study shares several pertinent insights that can help the NWU, MC ameliorate the challenge.Master

South African journal of higher education, 2012

This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions... more This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions of Higher Education need drastic improvement and change if academic excellence is to be attainable and sustained in the 21 st century. This article builds on the observations by Makondo (2010, 263-276) that most university teaching staff members are consciously or otherwise, playing significant roles in their students' academic underperformance due to their failure to effectively deliver their lectures and examine their learner's performance. This discussion notes that diverse factors account for student underperformance and proceeds by submitting that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers is one such core factor which calls for urgent exploration. Cases in point are the failure of the majority of university graduates to produce convincing passing results from matric and university students, an unacceptable trend as the governments, parents/ guardians and donors alike are heavily investing in education. Also, the prevalent trend that undergraduate and postgraduate students require second or third chances to complete their studies says a lot about the challenges rampant in the Higher Education system. Insights for this participatory expository research came from questionnaires, secondary literature and the researcher's experiences as an educator in high schools and universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Among others, to circumvent the seeming challenges, this study submits that Academic Development Centres (ADC) or Centres for Academic Excellence (CAC) or Centres for Higher Education (CHE) henceforth called Centres or their equivalent departments have strategic supportive roles to ensure that lecturers are fully empowered to execute their core teaching and research activities. This calls for departments, faculties and individual lecturers' to take initiatives as well as imbibe the new ethos meant to promote the lecturers' service delivery. Among other pragmatic ways forward, lecturers need to be lifelong researchers as can be testified by their research publication output and NRF rating so that they would be abreast with knowledge changes in their diverse areas of specialties. These moves, among others, would help retain motivated lecturers and resultantly universities would benefit through improved student retention, throughput rates, research and publication output.

Journal of sociology and social anthropology, Sep 1, 2014

Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the nig... more This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the night' at Zimbabwe and Mozambique Nyamapanda boarder post. The 'commercial sex workers' regard themselves as casualties of the economic hemorrhage Zimbabwe was in since the beginning of 2000s due to various mi litating reasons beyond the present scope. Through participant observation, one-to-one interviews and questionnaires, the research esta blished that the 'ladies of the night' get rea dy, lucrative market from, a mong others, the two governments' personnel manning the border post, boarder jumpers, truck and bus drivers plying that r oot. This economic distress has led to onomastic innovation as the 'sex workers' and the outsiders resorted to using various names as labels to capture the unfolding trade and accompanying HIV and AIDS calamity. Names are then used to perform different communicative roles, for intra and extra class stratification, labeling and as sur viva l and marketing strategies.

Language matters (Pretoria), Jul 1, 2011

... Yule, G. 1996. The study of language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Zvarevashe, IM 1... more ... Yule, G. 1996. The study of language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Zvarevashe, IM 1976. Kurauone. Salisbury: College Press. Interview Interview with Dr K. Masemola, Head of English Department at North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 13 January 2011.

I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my wor... more I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my work and that the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references.

Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the nig... more This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the night' at Zimbabwe and Mozambique Nyamapanda boarder post. The 'commercial sex workers' regard themselves as casualties of the economic hemorrhage Zimbabwe was in since the beginning of 2000s due to various mi litating reasons beyond the present scope. Through participant observation, one-to-one interviews and questionnaires, the research esta blished that the 'ladies of the night' get rea dy, lucrative market from, a mong others, the two governments' personnel manning the border post, boarder jumpers, truck and bus drivers plying that r oot. This economic distress has led to onomastic innovation as the 'sex workers' and the outsiders resorted to using various names as labels to capture the unfolding trade and accompanying HIV and AIDS calamity. Names are then used to perform different communicative roles, for intra and extra class stratification, labeling and as sur viva l and marketing strategies.

Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent t... more Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent to which the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus (NWU, MC) is managing to attract and retain properly qualified academics. Methodology This predominantly quantitative study has questionnaires responded to by hundred and sixty respondents and survey money responded to by fifty-two respondents were used to gather data from deans, directors and teaching staff at the NWU, MC and from other universities. Findings Attraction and retention of properly qualified and experienced academics emerges as a University's key strategic mandate as such personnel champions an institution's quest to deliver quality teaching-learning, research and community engagement. The study also notes that the NWU, MC is not doing well in terms of attracting and retaining properly qualified academics, a regrettable trend. The need for a proper mix of workload, work and personal life balance, remuneration and promotion among others emerged as key attraction and retention tenets. Conclusion The study concludes that attraction and retention of academics is a global challenge. The NWU, MC and other affected universities need to do all they can to curtail the challenge so that they can attract and retain properly qualified and experienced academics for them to boost their throughput and graduation rates. These achievements, among others would ensure that the university' customers would be satified at the same time the university would attract funding. Recommendation It emerges that a university that offers longer contracts stands better chances to attract and retain academics. To this end, this study shares several pertinent insights that can help the NWU, MC ameliorate the challenge.Master

Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transfor... more Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transformation agenda spelt out by the new government to, among other things, remedy the shortcomings of the apartheid system. This means, higher education lecturers need to be assisted to design transformation - oriented curriculum. In addition due to the ever - changing students demographics, the lecturers should be able to facilitate teaching and learning in ways beneficial to all students. This is key to ensure the universities enhance their student success rates. Against this background, I discuss my role as an academic development practitioner appointed to assist lecturers on designing their curriculum and teaching activities. I argue that much is expected from my office to ensure that the majority of lecturers without educational and curriculum design training are brought to speed with these key skills. In addition, the majority of these lecturers are doing postgraduate studies and are tr...

Nomina Africana: Journal of African Onomastics, 2017

South African Journal of African Languages, 2010

This article explores eleven broad factors the Shona people of Zimbabwe consider when they choose... more This article explores eleven broad factors the Shona people of Zimbabwe consider when they choose personal names namely gender, age, education, religion, nationality, residential area, namers, birth circumstances, birth order, profession and colonial administrators. Knowledge of these factors enables one to appreciate that Shona naming is a unique comprehensive discourse. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire that was administered to 500 respondents predominantly in seven Shona speaking provinces of Zimbabwe. The article begins by referring to global naming trends before focusing on the Shona speaking people and a description and analysis of their naming patterns.

The Anthropologist, 2014

The design and implementation of pragmatic teaching and learning agenda is fundamental for univer... more The design and implementation of pragmatic teaching and learning agenda is fundamental for universities to attain their vision, mission and strategic objectives/plans. It is within this background that this concept paper examines the interplay between the South African Higher Education context and academic development principally at a formerly disadvantaged Black South African university. This concept paper draws predominantly from the review of South African higher education landscape and academic development related literature since 1994, the year in which a democratically elected South African government assumed office. The organisational and analytical framework underpinning this concept paper is informed by the social realist concepts of structure, culture and agency. The concept paper proceeds by discussing the impact of South African Higher Education context on the institution, students and academic staff, the way academic development is conceptualized and structured at the university before concluding and making recommendations. It emerges that the structures of the university need be in place and functional so that different agential roles can be executed amidst several constrains and enablements. The importance of the role of the Centre for Higher Education and other structures in nurturing a culture that enhances the production of graduates with attributes required by the world of business came to the fore.

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2014

Since time immemorial dogs have played significant roles in the life of humanity. The Shona speak... more Since time immemorial dogs have played significant roles in the life of humanity. The Shona speaking-people of Zimbabwe have kept dogs for hunting and provision of security to people and domesticated animals among others. They predominantly give their dogs Shona and English names that convey diverse meanings. It is against this background that this ethnographic paper investigates in greater detail thirty-one dog names popularly used in Wedza district of Mashonaland East province of Zimbabwe. It emerges that dog names are used to implicitly or explicitly address divergent marriage and societal challenges.

Journal of Communication, 2016

University students are diverse not only in their demographics, but also in their academic litera... more University students are diverse not only in their demographics, but also in their academic literacy needs. To meet and accommodate the writing needs of all learners, writing centres were established in 2013 at a selected University of Technology (UoT). This study explored the factors that influence use of the writing centre at a selected UoT campus, using a descriptive qualitative design. The study triangulated data collected from interviews with 15 purposively recruited participants and responses from 50 consultations forms. The study findings provided insights into the academic needs of participants, factors influencing use of the writing centres and participants' evaluation of the writing centres in relation to their academic pursuit. Participants' academic literacy needs included issues with grammar, public speaking and pronunciation. Taking account of the range of needs of writing centre users at the selected UoT and the diverse factors affecting use of the writing centres, it is recommended that the writing centre invests in the continuing development of its staff so that they can be more responsive to the writing needs of its users. Furthermore, since the factors predicting use of the writing centre include personal and organizational factors, it is important that strategies to raise awareness of the writing centre be tailored appropriately to the needs of the university community.

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2013

Abstract This multidisciplinary qualitative ethnographic article discusses the most popular Shona... more Abstract This multidisciplinary qualitative ethnographic article discusses the most popular Shona female anthroponyms the Shona people of Zimbabwe’s seven out of ten provinces prefer. Popular Shona names are those that are widely used in the Shona society. Through the use of insights from realist theory and sociological concepts of structure, culture and agency, this study established that the most popular Shona female names are an embodiment of diverse factors that the namer (primary agent) or namers (corporate agents) had to come to terms with within the prevailing structures (Shona societal hierarchies) and ethos (culture). It emerges that the most popular female names the namers coined were meaningful and charming names similar to the meticulous branding of products to enhance marketability. Also, the study asserts that the bulk of Shona names are shortened versions of the ‘principal’ name that could appear in variant forms that captures the prevailing context that gave rise to such nomenclature.

JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 2014

South African Journal of Higher Education, 2016

This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions... more This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions of Higher Education need drastic improvement and change if academic excellence is to be attainable and sustained in the 21 st century. This article builds on the observations by Makondo (2010, 263-276) that most university teaching staff members are consciously or otherwise, playing significant roles in their students' academic underperformance due to their failure to effectively deliver their lectures and examine their learner's performance. This discussion notes that diverse factors account for student underperformance and proceeds by submitting that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers is one such core factor which calls for urgent exploration. Cases in point are the failure of the majority of university graduates to produce convincing passing results from matric and university students, an unacceptable trend as the governments, parents/ guardians and donors alike are heavily investing in education. Also, the prevalent trend that undergraduate and postgraduate students require second or third chances to complete their studies says a lot about the challenges rampant in the Higher Education system. Insights for this participatory expository research came from questionnaires, secondary literature and the researcher's experiences as an educator in high schools and universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Among others, to circumvent the seeming challenges, this study submits that Academic Development Centres (ADC) or Centres for Academic Excellence (CAC) or Centres for Higher Education (CHE) henceforth called Centres or their equivalent departments have strategic supportive roles to ensure that lecturers are fully empowered to execute their core teaching and research activities. This calls for departments, faculties and individual lecturers' to take initiatives as well as imbibe the new ethos meant to promote the lecturers' service delivery. Among other pragmatic ways forward, lecturers need to be lifelong researchers as can be testified by their research publication output and NRF rating so that they would be abreast with knowledge changes in their diverse areas of specialties. These moves, among others, would help retain motivated lecturers and resultantly universities would benefit through improved student retention, throughput rates, research and publication output.

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Jun 1, 2015

Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transfor... more Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transformation agenda spelt out by the new government to, among other things, remedy the shortcomings of the apartheid system. This means, higher education lecturers need to be assisted to design transformation - oriented curriculum. In addition due to the ever - changing students demographics, the lecturers should be able to facilitate teaching and learning in ways beneficial to all students. This is key to ensure the universities enhance their student success rates. Against this background, I discuss my role as an academic development practitioner appointed to assist lecturers on designing their curriculum and teaching activities. I argue that much is expected from my office to ensure that the majority of lecturers without educational and curriculum design training are brought to speed with these key skills. In addition, the majority of these lecturers are doing postgraduate studies and are trying to be active in scholarship of teaching, learning and research. I argue that much need to be done by university structures namely deans, Senate, academic development and quality assurance offices to encourage and support lecturers in this venture. I use data drawn from my work experience as academic developer at three South African universities. Through much efforts towards collaboration, the nurturing of a university culture that supports academic excellence, collegial support and participation in staff development activities, lecturers in South African universities can benefit much.

I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my wor... more I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my work and that the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ………………………………………….. ……………………………….

Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent t... more Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent to which the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus (NWU, MC) is managing to attract and retain properly qualified academics. Methodology This predominantly quantitative study has questionnaires responded to by hundred and sixty respondents and survey money responded to by fifty-two respondents were used to gather data from deans, directors and teaching staff at the NWU, MC and from other universities. Findings Attraction and retention of properly qualified and experienced academics emerges as a University's key strategic mandate as such personnel champions an institution's quest to deliver quality teaching-learning, research and community engagement. The study also notes that the NWU, MC is not doing well in terms of attracting and retaining properly qualified academics, a regrettable trend. The need for a proper mix of workload, work and personal life balance, remuneration and promotion among others emerged as key attraction and retention tenets. Conclusion The study concludes that attraction and retention of academics is a global challenge. The NWU, MC and other affected universities need to do all they can to curtail the challenge so that they can attract and retain properly qualified and experienced academics for them to boost their throughput and graduation rates. These achievements, among others would ensure that the university' customers would be satified at the same time the university would attract funding. Recommendation It emerges that a university that offers longer contracts stands better chances to attract and retain academics. To this end, this study shares several pertinent insights that can help the NWU, MC ameliorate the challenge.Master

South African journal of higher education, 2012

This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions... more This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions of Higher Education need drastic improvement and change if academic excellence is to be attainable and sustained in the 21 st century. This article builds on the observations by Makondo (2010, 263-276) that most university teaching staff members are consciously or otherwise, playing significant roles in their students' academic underperformance due to their failure to effectively deliver their lectures and examine their learner's performance. This discussion notes that diverse factors account for student underperformance and proceeds by submitting that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers is one such core factor which calls for urgent exploration. Cases in point are the failure of the majority of university graduates to produce convincing passing results from matric and university students, an unacceptable trend as the governments, parents/ guardians and donors alike are heavily investing in education. Also, the prevalent trend that undergraduate and postgraduate students require second or third chances to complete their studies says a lot about the challenges rampant in the Higher Education system. Insights for this participatory expository research came from questionnaires, secondary literature and the researcher's experiences as an educator in high schools and universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Among others, to circumvent the seeming challenges, this study submits that Academic Development Centres (ADC) or Centres for Academic Excellence (CAC) or Centres for Higher Education (CHE) henceforth called Centres or their equivalent departments have strategic supportive roles to ensure that lecturers are fully empowered to execute their core teaching and research activities. This calls for departments, faculties and individual lecturers' to take initiatives as well as imbibe the new ethos meant to promote the lecturers' service delivery. Among other pragmatic ways forward, lecturers need to be lifelong researchers as can be testified by their research publication output and NRF rating so that they would be abreast with knowledge changes in their diverse areas of specialties. These moves, among others, would help retain motivated lecturers and resultantly universities would benefit through improved student retention, throughput rates, research and publication output.

Journal of sociology and social anthropology, Sep 1, 2014

Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the nig... more This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the night' at Zimbabwe and Mozambique Nyamapanda boarder post. The 'commercial sex workers' regard themselves as casualties of the economic hemorrhage Zimbabwe was in since the beginning of 2000s due to various mi litating reasons beyond the present scope. Through participant observation, one-to-one interviews and questionnaires, the research esta blished that the 'ladies of the night' get rea dy, lucrative market from, a mong others, the two governments' personnel manning the border post, boarder jumpers, truck and bus drivers plying that r oot. This economic distress has led to onomastic innovation as the 'sex workers' and the outsiders resorted to using various names as labels to capture the unfolding trade and accompanying HIV and AIDS calamity. Names are then used to perform different communicative roles, for intra and extra class stratification, labeling and as sur viva l and marketing strategies.

Language matters (Pretoria), Jul 1, 2011

... Yule, G. 1996. The study of language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Zvarevashe, IM 1... more ... Yule, G. 1996. The study of language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Zvarevashe, IM 1976. Kurauone. Salisbury: College Press. Interview Interview with Dr K. Masemola, Head of English Department at North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 13 January 2011.

I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my wor... more I, Livingstone Makondo, declare that An investigation anthroponyms of the Shona society is my work and that the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references.

Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the nig... more This paper examines diverse names used to refer to 'commercial sex workers' or 'ladies of the night' at Zimbabwe and Mozambique Nyamapanda boarder post. The 'commercial sex workers' regard themselves as casualties of the economic hemorrhage Zimbabwe was in since the beginning of 2000s due to various mi litating reasons beyond the present scope. Through participant observation, one-to-one interviews and questionnaires, the research esta blished that the 'ladies of the night' get rea dy, lucrative market from, a mong others, the two governments' personnel manning the border post, boarder jumpers, truck and bus drivers plying that r oot. This economic distress has led to onomastic innovation as the 'sex workers' and the outsiders resorted to using various names as labels to capture the unfolding trade and accompanying HIV and AIDS calamity. Names are then used to perform different communicative roles, for intra and extra class stratification, labeling and as sur viva l and marketing strategies.

Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent t... more Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012Purpose This study examined the extent to which the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus (NWU, MC) is managing to attract and retain properly qualified academics. Methodology This predominantly quantitative study has questionnaires responded to by hundred and sixty respondents and survey money responded to by fifty-two respondents were used to gather data from deans, directors and teaching staff at the NWU, MC and from other universities. Findings Attraction and retention of properly qualified and experienced academics emerges as a University's key strategic mandate as such personnel champions an institution's quest to deliver quality teaching-learning, research and community engagement. The study also notes that the NWU, MC is not doing well in terms of attracting and retaining properly qualified academics, a regrettable trend. The need for a proper mix of workload, work and personal life balance, remuneration and promotion among others emerged as key attraction and retention tenets. Conclusion The study concludes that attraction and retention of academics is a global challenge. The NWU, MC and other affected universities need to do all they can to curtail the challenge so that they can attract and retain properly qualified and experienced academics for them to boost their throughput and graduation rates. These achievements, among others would ensure that the university' customers would be satified at the same time the university would attract funding. Recommendation It emerges that a university that offers longer contracts stands better chances to attract and retain academics. To this end, this study shares several pertinent insights that can help the NWU, MC ameliorate the challenge.Master

Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transfor... more Higher education in South Africa is always changing since 1994. This is in line with the transformation agenda spelt out by the new government to, among other things, remedy the shortcomings of the apartheid system. This means, higher education lecturers need to be assisted to design transformation - oriented curriculum. In addition due to the ever - changing students demographics, the lecturers should be able to facilitate teaching and learning in ways beneficial to all students. This is key to ensure the universities enhance their student success rates. Against this background, I discuss my role as an academic development practitioner appointed to assist lecturers on designing their curriculum and teaching activities. I argue that much is expected from my office to ensure that the majority of lecturers without educational and curriculum design training are brought to speed with these key skills. In addition, the majority of these lecturers are doing postgraduate studies and are tr...

Nomina Africana: Journal of African Onomastics, 2017

South African Journal of African Languages, 2010

This article explores eleven broad factors the Shona people of Zimbabwe consider when they choose... more This article explores eleven broad factors the Shona people of Zimbabwe consider when they choose personal names namely gender, age, education, religion, nationality, residential area, namers, birth circumstances, birth order, profession and colonial administrators. Knowledge of these factors enables one to appreciate that Shona naming is a unique comprehensive discourse. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire that was administered to 500 respondents predominantly in seven Shona speaking provinces of Zimbabwe. The article begins by referring to global naming trends before focusing on the Shona speaking people and a description and analysis of their naming patterns.

The Anthropologist, 2014

The design and implementation of pragmatic teaching and learning agenda is fundamental for univer... more The design and implementation of pragmatic teaching and learning agenda is fundamental for universities to attain their vision, mission and strategic objectives/plans. It is within this background that this concept paper examines the interplay between the South African Higher Education context and academic development principally at a formerly disadvantaged Black South African university. This concept paper draws predominantly from the review of South African higher education landscape and academic development related literature since 1994, the year in which a democratically elected South African government assumed office. The organisational and analytical framework underpinning this concept paper is informed by the social realist concepts of structure, culture and agency. The concept paper proceeds by discussing the impact of South African Higher Education context on the institution, students and academic staff, the way academic development is conceptualized and structured at the university before concluding and making recommendations. It emerges that the structures of the university need be in place and functional so that different agential roles can be executed amidst several constrains and enablements. The importance of the role of the Centre for Higher Education and other structures in nurturing a culture that enhances the production of graduates with attributes required by the world of business came to the fore.

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2014

Since time immemorial dogs have played significant roles in the life of humanity. The Shona speak... more Since time immemorial dogs have played significant roles in the life of humanity. The Shona speaking-people of Zimbabwe have kept dogs for hunting and provision of security to people and domesticated animals among others. They predominantly give their dogs Shona and English names that convey diverse meanings. It is against this background that this ethnographic paper investigates in greater detail thirty-one dog names popularly used in Wedza district of Mashonaland East province of Zimbabwe. It emerges that dog names are used to implicitly or explicitly address divergent marriage and societal challenges.

Journal of Communication, 2016

University students are diverse not only in their demographics, but also in their academic litera... more University students are diverse not only in their demographics, but also in their academic literacy needs. To meet and accommodate the writing needs of all learners, writing centres were established in 2013 at a selected University of Technology (UoT). This study explored the factors that influence use of the writing centre at a selected UoT campus, using a descriptive qualitative design. The study triangulated data collected from interviews with 15 purposively recruited participants and responses from 50 consultations forms. The study findings provided insights into the academic needs of participants, factors influencing use of the writing centres and participants' evaluation of the writing centres in relation to their academic pursuit. Participants' academic literacy needs included issues with grammar, public speaking and pronunciation. Taking account of the range of needs of writing centre users at the selected UoT and the diverse factors affecting use of the writing centres, it is recommended that the writing centre invests in the continuing development of its staff so that they can be more responsive to the writing needs of its users. Furthermore, since the factors predicting use of the writing centre include personal and organizational factors, it is important that strategies to raise awareness of the writing centre be tailored appropriately to the needs of the university community.

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2013

Abstract This multidisciplinary qualitative ethnographic article discusses the most popular Shona... more Abstract This multidisciplinary qualitative ethnographic article discusses the most popular Shona female anthroponyms the Shona people of Zimbabwe’s seven out of ten provinces prefer. Popular Shona names are those that are widely used in the Shona society. Through the use of insights from realist theory and sociological concepts of structure, culture and agency, this study established that the most popular Shona female names are an embodiment of diverse factors that the namer (primary agent) or namers (corporate agents) had to come to terms with within the prevailing structures (Shona societal hierarchies) and ethos (culture). It emerges that the most popular female names the namers coined were meaningful and charming names similar to the meticulous branding of products to enhance marketability. Also, the study asserts that the bulk of Shona names are shortened versions of the ‘principal’ name that could appear in variant forms that captures the prevailing context that gave rise to such nomenclature.

JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 2014

South African Journal of Higher Education, 2016

This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions... more This article submits that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers/teachers in institutions of Higher Education need drastic improvement and change if academic excellence is to be attainable and sustained in the 21 st century. This article builds on the observations by Makondo (2010, 263-276) that most university teaching staff members are consciously or otherwise, playing significant roles in their students' academic underperformance due to their failure to effectively deliver their lectures and examine their learner's performance. This discussion notes that diverse factors account for student underperformance and proceeds by submitting that the calibre, attitude and mindset of lecturers is one such core factor which calls for urgent exploration. Cases in point are the failure of the majority of university graduates to produce convincing passing results from matric and university students, an unacceptable trend as the governments, parents/ guardians and donors alike are heavily investing in education. Also, the prevalent trend that undergraduate and postgraduate students require second or third chances to complete their studies says a lot about the challenges rampant in the Higher Education system. Insights for this participatory expository research came from questionnaires, secondary literature and the researcher's experiences as an educator in high schools and universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Among others, to circumvent the seeming challenges, this study submits that Academic Development Centres (ADC) or Centres for Academic Excellence (CAC) or Centres for Higher Education (CHE) henceforth called Centres or their equivalent departments have strategic supportive roles to ensure that lecturers are fully empowered to execute their core teaching and research activities. This calls for departments, faculties and individual lecturers' to take initiatives as well as imbibe the new ethos meant to promote the lecturers' service delivery. Among other pragmatic ways forward, lecturers need to be lifelong researchers as can be testified by their research publication output and NRF rating so that they would be abreast with knowledge changes in their diverse areas of specialties. These moves, among others, would help retain motivated lecturers and resultantly universities would benefit through improved student retention, throughput rates, research and publication output.