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Many rural communities that depend on smallholder farming face food insecurity induced by climate-related disasters. In response, some communities are taking the initiative to cope and adapt to climate-related disasters. Using case study material from the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe, this article examines how traditional institutions are enhancing res...
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Abstract. The study was conducted to cultivate the understanding of different weather perceptions as well as indicators by rice farmers of Mbarali and Kyela districts in Mbeya region of Tanzania. Primary and secondary data were obtained from the research area and Tanzania Meteorological Agency. Garret technique and Multipredictor logistic regressio...
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... Similarly, women farmers' social capital, based on trust and reciprocity, was essential in facilitating the exchange of local knowledge that contributed to successful peatland restoration in the tropics (Jalil et al., 2021). In Zimbawe, the traditional practice of Zunde raMambo (i.e., social practice aim to protect vulnerable groups) was applied by local farmers as a response to address food insecurity because of drought (Mavhura, 2017). We also found a positive association Fig. 4. Association between the Index of Knowledge on Social-Ecological Changes (IKSEC) and the five capital assets and the Index of Livelihood Resilience (ILR). ...
... Climate is a particularly strong factor for low-income rural communities whose livelihoods heavily depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture, such as the Makonde Communal Lands of Zimbabwe (Sango and Nhamo 2015). In other studies, Muzarabani community is in a low welfare stage of development characterised by limited access to arable land and livestock, high unemployment, low incomes, lack of irrigation infrastructure, poor sanitation services as well as low levels of education hence making it difficult to deal with recurrent droughts and floods (Mavhura 2017 of gender analyses that take into consideration different gender roles for women and men, and unequal access to and control over resources by women and men in almost every society (Lahiri-Dutt 2014). Besides that, what is of interest to the current chapter is the linkage between climate and gender justice, which have not been made explicit in current literature. ...
... In Zimbabwe, cases of violation of human rights of children due to climatic shifts are clearly evident. For illustration, floods and droughts destroy crops resulting in loss of income and food insecurity, forcing some families to withdraw their children from school (Mavhura 2017). In a study in Muzarabani, it was observed that about 80% of the children had tried to cross flooded rivers, missed school, and experienced separation from parents during flooding (Mudavanhu et al. 2015). ...
... It has been noted that rural communities have limited livelihood options and weak social services to effectively cope with/or adapt to the changing climate and other socio-economic challenges (Mapfumo, Adjei-Nsiah, Mtambanengwe, Chikowo and Giller, 2013). For instance, in a study in Muzarabani it was noted that the cost of flood response goes beyond the capacity of the smallholder farmers and weakens their social networks (Mavhura 2017). At the same time, the effectiveness of informal safety nets, collective work, ethno-based disaster warning and flood recession farming systems is under threat from chronic poverty (ibid). ...
... Food insecurity stands as the shortage or decline of food production in the facet of primary economic activity as the general improvement situation still a major challenge in developing nations of the globe. According to Emmanuel (2017), food insecurity is observed in numerous regional communities of Nigeria that relied on smallholder agribusiness but sometimes disappointed by climatic persuaded disasters. However, a small number of rural hemispheres have applied initiative to manage and acclimatize to such climate-correlated calamities. ...
The recent research evaluates regional and household food insecurities experiences on human persuaded or induced hazard with potentials for replication in other sub communities of the country and further afield in Africa. The research underpinned on theoretical framework to explain the severity and natural surrogates inducing food insecurity and considerable approaches for realization of sustainable food security. Primary and secondary data sources were employed. Whereas the former sources include structural questionnaire and interview surveys, the later sources comprises of relevant literature such as books, journals and conference report etc. The gathered dataset was collated and analysed using statistical percentage and regression. The findings established that climatic induced hazard such as extreme temperature, flooding, drought, riverbank erosion and high wind served as an agent of disaster and triggers food insecurity in the regions or six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria owing to what they offer to the environment and human settlement. The research later pointed that vigorous relationship exists between food insecurity and depression problem of many households heads at significant score of (P>0.05).
... Even though Africa is rich in traditions, these have not been fully transformed into effective management practices. Zunde raMambo has the potential of building resilient organisations during difficult times (Mavhura, 2017) and can be applied as a change management model as well (Nkomo & Marnewick, 2021;Skerratt, 2013). Zunde raMambo conceptualises the re-engineering of organisations towards achieving the set goals and objectives. ...
... The change in the food system amongst the Shona resulted in the rampant poverty and malnutrition currently bedevilling the nation. The socio-cultural disconnections have their genesis in the advent of colonisation (Mapara, 2009;Mawere, 2013;Mavhura, 2017). Historically, the Shona people had their unique, priceless knowledge on producing, processing and preparing food. ...
This third volume in the Mother Earth, Mother Africa Series explores the interface of religio-cultural traditions and ecological conservation practices in different African contexts. The authors also reflect on the entwinement between the violation of women’s rights and the degradation of the Earth which is usually described using feminine terms, hence the designation, “Mother Earth”. The three major religious traditions in Africa – Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religions (ATR) – are the lenses through which the authors discuss the interconnections between religion, culture and ecological traditions. Peering through African eco-feminist, gender justice and gender inclusive lenses, the authors foreground the importance of tapping into Africa’s rich religio-cultural resources as vital tools that can be utilised to address the ravaging ecological crisis.
... Due to factors such as limited financial resources and poverty, they cannot outsource the labour. In some cases, indigenous practices, such as Zunde raMambo (the chief's granary) in Zimbabwe help address labour shortages as communities gather to share labour (Mavhura 2017b) (Mavhura 2017a, b) in addressing drought effects. ...
Evidence is increasing of human responses to the impacts of climate change in Africa. However, understanding of the effectiveness of these responses for adaptation to climate change across the diversity of African contexts is still limited. Despite high reliance on indigenous knowledge (IK) and local knowledge (LK) for climate adaptation by African communities, potential of IK and LK to contribute to adaptation through reducing climate risk or supporting transformative adaptation responses is yet to be established. Here, we assess the influence of IK and LK for the implementation of water sector adaptation responses in Africa to better understand the relationship between responses to climate change and indigenous and local knowledge systems. Eighteen (18) water adaptation response types were identified from the academic literature through the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative (GAMI) and intended nationally determined contributions (iNDCs) for selected African countries. Southern, West, and East Africa show relatively high evidence of the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water adaptation responses, while North and Central Africa show lower evidence. At country level, Zimbabwe displays the highest evidence (77.8%) followed by Ghana (53.6%), Kenya (46.2%), and South Africa (31.3%). Irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and ecosystem-based measures, mainly agroforestry, were the most implemented measures across Africa. These were mainly household and individual measures influenced by local and indigenous knowledge. Adaptation responses with IK and LK influence recorded higher evidence of risk reduction compared to responses without IK and LK. Analysis of iNDCs shows the most implemented water adaptation actions in academic literature are consistent with water sector adaptation targets set by most African governments. Yet only 10.4% of the African governments included IK and LK in adaptation planning in the iNDCs. This study recommends a coordinated approach to adaptation that integrates multiple knowledge sources, including IK and LK, to ensure sustainability of both current and potential water adaptation measures in Africa.
... Although climate-related disasters have intensified because of climate change (IPCC 2014;Mavhura et al. 2017;Mhlanga et al. 2019), the events have occurred since time immemorial. In response, people have always fought back through social capital enhancement to recover their means of livelihood sustenance (Mavhura 2017;Ncube & Tawodzera 2019). After all, civil society can utilise its own formal and informal means of social organisation and collective action separate from government intervention initiatives (Carlson et al. 2012;Mashizha 2019). ...
Zimbabwe suffered a devastating meteorological disaster when Cyclone Idai affected the southeast part of the country in March 2019. Barely a year after the cyclonic event, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged, leading to the declaration of a nationwide lockdown that paralysed socio-economic systems. This article examines how social capital was autonomously cultivated and eventually utilised by the Cyclone Idai disaster survivors in Eastern Chimanimani to face the fresh socio-economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, a qualitative method embedded in a case study design was used. Data was collected using 30 purposively selected key respondents who interacted with victim communities from March to July 2020. A thematic content analysis approach was applied to obtain opinion patterns and subsequent inferences. The study results revealed a lack of immediate external disaster intervention during the Cyclone Idai disaster in Chimanimani. Accordingly, a strong sense of collective action developed between victim communities, thus enabling them to perform hasty operations meant to salvage lives and property. The enhanced social capital helped the Cyclone Idai victims to face the new COVID-19 lockdown challenges. This article recommends pro-active and well-coordinated government and private sector disaster response strategies supporting local area initiatives to minimise loss of lives and property during disaster situations.
... Therefore, the failure to have strong DRM legislation and implementing institutions further exacerbates the level of risk to the hazard, as was the case in Chimanimani District in Zimbabwe. Increased levels of vulnerability further increase the impact once a hazard strikes, creating a vicious cycle of vulnerability (Mavhura 2017). ...
On 14 March 2019, Zimbabwe was hit by Cyclone Idai, leaving immeasurable destruction of unprecedented magnitude in its wake. In Chimanimani District, many lives were lost, many people were reported missing, and others were displaced. The question that immediately comes to mind is: Was the country prepared to manage the Cyclone Idai disaster? Reflecting on the community experiences, the purpose of this research was to interrogate the strength of the disaster risk reduction legislation and institutions in Zimbabwe in the face of meteorological hazards. The research also evaluated the extent of the impact Cyclone Idai had on the Chimanimani communities and the factors that increased the vulnerability to the cyclone. A mixed method approach that involved 1180 participants was used. The study found that disaster risk management legislation and institutions in Zimbabwe are weak. Cyclone Idai resulted in the loss of many human lives, loss of livelihoods, and massive damage to infrastructure. The cyclone exposed capacity and policy gaps in Zimbabwe’s disaster risk management system. The study makes a number of recommendations, including strengthening disaster legislation and policy, and disaster risk governance. Given the communities’ response to the disaster occurrence, the study also recommends strengthening social capital.
... Due to factors such as the limited nancial resources and poverty, they cannot outsource the labour. In some cases, indigenous practices such as Zunde raMambo (the chief's granary) in Zimbabwe help address labour shortages as communities gather to share labour (Mavhura, 2017b) (Mavhura, 2017) in addressing drought effects. ...
Evidence of human adaptation actions responding to climate impacts is increasing in Africa. However, a holistic understanding of effective adaptation across the diversity of African contexts is still limited at a continental scale. Despite high reliance on indigenous knowledge (IK) and local knowledge (LK) for climate adaptation in Africa, the potential risk reduction of IK and LK and its role in supporting transformative adaptation responses is yet to be established. Here, we assess the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water sector adaptation in Africa and describe the relationship between adaptation and indigenous and local knowledge systems. Eighteen (18) water sector response types were identified from the academic literature through the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative (GAMI). The most implemented measures across Africa influenced by IK and LK were household-level and individual measures and included irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water conservation and ecosystem-based measures (mainly agroforestry). Southern, west, and east Africa show relatively high evidence of the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water adaptation responses while north, and central Africa show lower evidence. At country level, Zimbabwe display highest evidence (77.8%) followed by Ghana (53.6%), Kenya (46.2%) and South Africa (31.3%). Adaptation responses with IK and LK influence recorded higher evidence of risk reduction compared to articles without IK and LK. Analysis of intended nationally determined contributions (iNDCs) shows the most implemented water adaptation actions in academic literature are consistent with water sector adaptation targets set by most African governments. Yet only 10.4% of the African governments included IK and LK in adaptation planning in the iNDCs. The study recommends a coordinated approach to adaptation that integrates multiple knowledge sources including IK and LK to ensure greater effectiveness and scalability of current and potential water adaptation measures in Africa.
... The Zunde raMambo ('the chief's granary) -a traditional social security arrangement designed to protect vulnerable groups and those affected by disasters such as oods and drought practiced by local and indigenous people in Muzarabani, Zimbabwe. (Mavhura, 2017a;Mavhura, 2017b) Governance and social capital 17 Communities use social networking to build safety nets for adaptation in Ghana. (Ahmed et al., 2016) Use of societal customs, traditions, rules, laws to increase societal resilience to water stress caused by droughts in Swaziland and Lesotho. ...
... Due to factors such as the limited nancial resources and poverty, they cannot outsource the labour. In some cases, indigenous practices such as Zunde raMambo (the chief's granary) in Zimbabwe help address labour shortages as communities gather to share labour (Mavhura, 2017b) (Mavhura, 2017) in addressing drought effects. ...
Evidence of human adaptation actions responding to climate impacts is increasing in Africa. However, a holistic understanding of effective adaptation across the diversity of African contexts is still limited at a continental scale. Despite high reliance on indigenous knowledge (IK) and local knowledge (LK) for climate adaptation in Africa, the potential risk reduction of IK and LK and its role in supporting transformative adaptation responses is yet to be established. Here, we assess the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water sector adaptation in Africa and describe the relationship between adaptation and indigenous and local knowledge systems. Eighteen (18) water sector response types were identified from the academic literature through the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative (GAMI). The most implemented measures across Africa influenced by IK and LK were household-level and individual measures and included irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water conservation and ecosystem-based measures (mainly agroforestry). Southern, west, and east Africa show relatively high evidence of the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water adaptation responses while north, and central Africa show lower evidence. At country level, Zimbabwe display highest evidence (77.8%) followed by Ghana (53.6%), Kenya (46.2%) and South Africa (31.3%). Adaptation responses with IK and LK influence recorded higher evidence of risk reduction compared to articles without IK and LK. Analysis of intended nationally determined contributions (iNDCs) shows the most implemented water adaptation actions in academic literature are consistent with water sector adaptation targets set by most African governments. Yet only 10.4% of the African governments included IK and LK in adaptation planning in the iNDCs. The study recommends a coordinated approach to adaptation that integrates multiple knowledge sources including IK and LK to ensure greater effectiveness and scalability of current and potential water adaptation measures in Africa.
