Social networks and the human factor perspective on rural development in Chimanimani District, ZimbabwE

Authors

  • DR. TIMOTHY MARANGO Author
  • LEONARD CHITONGO Author

Keywords:

social resilience, communication, social capital, Dare, Sankofa

Abstract

Uplifting human factor principles is a sine qua non for rural development. However, severe human factor decay has become a reality in remote rural districts of Zimbabwe. Failure to network seems to be a paradox that needs to be unlocked. Networks are based on good relationships. Relations impact on science and any livelihoods programmes. Networks are the bedrock for trust. Trust is a resilience builder for that sustainability. Limited networks and the general low human factor as evidenced my mistrust, poor service delivery, corruption and poor communication, have led to stagnation or even regression of the development gains brought by political independence. The conclusions of this article are drawn from a study done in Chimanimani Rural District of Zimbabwe. Whilst councils are the nerve centres for rural development, their members are continuously failing to make most of the ongoing networking platforms at their disposal. Respondents were chosen conveniently and judgmentally. This study revealed very poor networking among community members and organisations operating in the district. The conclusions of this article arrived at reminding to “goingback-for-it” (sankofaism), thereby integrating globalised philosophies with African indigenous knowledge on leadership. Indeed, Chimanimani District has the capacity for growth and sustenance of the sam

Author Biographies

  • DR. TIMOTHY MARANGO

    Dr Timothy Marango is a teacher, researcher, research consultant, journal and projects reviewer, and a research manager. Currently a Research Prioritisation, Control, and Coordination Manager with the Research Council of Zimbabwe. His research interests are rural development, human factor development, climate change and agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems, social capital, livelihoods, and governance. Timothy has more than 20 years of experience in rural development programming, teaching, and research in SADC countries. He has researched fand published extensively on areas of his research interests in referred academic journals. As a Research Prioritisation, Control, and Coordination Manager with RCZ, he is responsible for research programming, coordination of research, monitoring, and evaluation. Timothy works closely with national research institutes to identify demand-driven research for the country. He holds a Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Education Studies degree, Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Sociology, Master’s Degree in Rural Development, Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Technologies and Livelihoods, and a PhD in Rural Development. 

  • LEONARD CHITONGO

    Leonard Chitongo (Associate Professor) is a hardworking and self-motivated individual who is always excited to face new challenges in his academic and professional career. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Development Sciences at Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe. He has a strong interest in researching on issues that affect human socio-economic development. To date he has published several articles on rural and urban resilience, housing, livelihoods and public policy. He can be contacted on 

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Published

2024-10-15

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

Social networks and the human factor perspective on rural development in Chimanimani District, ZimbabwE. (2024). The Review of Rural Resilience Praxis, 1(1 and 2), Pages: 54 - 72. http://journals.zegu.ac.zw/index.php/rrp/article/view/145