https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/37 2026-06-06T04:30:10Z 2026-06-06T04:30:10Z Utete, Beaven Madzivanyika, Cuthbert https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/765 2026-05-22T08:36:35Z 2026-05-19T00:00:00Z

Spirituality in traditional water knowledge systems as a driver and barrier to aquatic ecosystem conservation in Zimbabwe Utete, Beaven; Madzivanyika, Cuthbert Traditional water knowledge (TWK) compounds indigenous people’s profound and inherent understanding, comprehension, and interpretation of natural processes with their ecological dependence on hydrological cycles and spiritual and religious cultural connections. TWK simultaneously coexists and conflicts with Western methods of water management in African landscapes. The objectives of this systematic literature review were to 1) synthesise the role of spirituality in TWK elements comprising spatial-based landscape knowledge, water use and management, and water values i) as drivers and ii) barriers to aquatic ecosystem conservation in rural and urban landscapes and 2) identify salient gaps for its integration in strengthening aquatic biodiversity, climate adaptation, resilience, and sanitation initiatives in Zimbabwe. A Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) literature review protocol and a Theories, Concepts, Characteristics; Methodology (TCCM) framework were adopted. TWK exhibits subtle variations related to the local geospatial cultural intricate perspectives on the sacredness of water sites. Informal traditional water knowledge networks predict wildlife and water system and rainfall dynamics akin to academic projections but pose unique governance and policy interventions. Gaps exist in studies on the origin of the evolution of mythical water spirits, spiritualism, moneyism, natural medicinal healing attributes, and the lure of water ecosystems as an epistemological aspect of TWK. Geospatial mapping and documentation of the localised contextual conservation astuteness of sacred water sites is a baseline and valid TWK for local conservation policy initiatives. Complementary integration of TWK and contemporary scientific methods will enhance national water policies and water conservation strategies in Zimbabwe.

2026-05-19T00:00:00Z Kembo, Tinotenda Rosemary Utete, Beaven https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/756 2026-05-12T09:02:26Z 2025-05-08T00:00:00Z

Local ecological knowledge (LEK) reveals the drivers and barriers for sustainable conservation of protected forest biodiversity Kembo, Tinotenda Rosemary; Utete, Beaven Understanding the key drivers and barriers to sustainable conservation of protected and unprotected forests, heavily utilised by humans and wildlife, is essential in sustainable forest management and law enforcement. This study aimed to: i) evaluate fringe community perceptions towards forest biodiversity sustainability across villages; ii) establish the key drivers and barriers of biodiversity conservation, and iii) develop an integrated conservation framework for the Gwaai Forest in Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 143 respondents using questionnaires, key informant interviews and direct observations. Locals, simultaneously, preferred and exerted negative pressure on clusterleaf Terminalia sericea and African teak Baikea plurijuga for carving, roofing and furniture making increasing the distance travelled to collect forest products. Human population increase, poaching, veld fires and overexploitation were the key barriers whereas tangible and intangible benefits for local people and improved management systems were the key drivers of sustainable conservation. Gwaai Forest access and utilisation is heavily regulated by the forest authorities whose policies are not human centred but rather aimed at maintaining the resilience and stability of the forest. There is a need to explore suitable alternative livelihoods such as farming of drought resistant small grains less dependent on the Gwaai Forest ecosystem services to reduce pressure on tree species and other natural resources. An in-depth understanding of the ecological, economic, and social factors that influence forest resilience is necessary for planning and managing Gwaai Forest operations efficiently.

2025-05-08T00:00:00Z Utete, Beaven Tsvere, Maria Mapara, C. Jacob Pedzisai, Constantino M. Bvekerwa, Silas. T. https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/755 2026-05-12T08:54:20Z 2024-04-12T00:00:00Z

Assessing Students’ Attitudesand Perceptions towardsStatistical Literacy in aUniversity System in aDeveloping African Country Utete, Beaven; Tsvere, Maria; Mapara, C. Jacob; Pedzisai, Constantino M.; Bvekerwa, Silas. T. Statistical literacy is important in the curriculum of every higher educationinstitution and the sustainable development of countries. Nonetheless, lowperformances and student enrolment recorded in statistical education warrantinvestigation into plausible factors. This case study used the Students’ Attitudetowards Statistics (SATS) 36-item instrument to investigate the attitudes andperceptions of 185 students, enrolled in different disciplines, towards statisticseducation at Chinhoyi University of Technology in Zimbabwe. Descriptive,factor reduction, and multiple regression techniques were used to summariseand extract critical covariates, and relate variables in each construct in order toexplain the attitudes of students towards statistics. Thematic analysis wasdone for an in-depth qualitative explanation of the drivers and barriers to theteaching and learning of statistics education. The main factors which inducefear, stress, anxiety, and antipathy towards statistics include: the perceiveddifficulty and numerical complexity of statistics, a natural low statistics self-efficacy and self-perception, and the extremely varying statistics cognitivecapabilities of students. Inadequate supporting and facilitating conditionssuch as modern Information Communication Technology infrastructure, and aconducive teaching and learning environment lead to low performances.Regardless, students still perceive statistics as imperative for futureprofessions and are willing to exert enough effort provided they are motivatedin statistics education. It entails a diametric paradigm repositioning of theteaching and learning of statistics, emphasising collaborative learning, theintense use of electronic learning and the assessment of statistics, andsmaller-sized classes giving individualised attention to benefit weakerstudents. Future research needs to explore statistics curriculum development,which is lagging and may be silently responsible for the low development ratein poor African countries.

2024-04-12T00:00:00Z Utete, Beaven Mabika, Nyasha https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/690 2026-02-16T07:18:20Z 2025-12-12T00:00:00Z

Evolution of fisheries, aquaculture, and crocodile farming governance in Zimbabwe within the Southern African policy context Utete, Beaven; Mabika, Nyasha Capture fisheries, crocodile ranching, and aquaculture provide vital food resources for enhanced food security and nutrition and sustain livelihoods in Southern Africa. Conflicting policies, regulations, and institutional overlaps affect the operation and management of capture fisheries, crocodile ranching, and aquaculture, threatening their sustainability. This scoping review examined the evolution of fisheries, aquaculture, and crocodile farming governance from 1890 to 2021 in Zimbabwe within the Southern African policy context. This aims (i) to identify the legal and policy frameworks for capture fisheries, crocodile farming, and aquaculture firms in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe; (ii) to explore the evolution and gaps in the legislation and policies for capture fisheries, crocodile farming, and aquaculture firms in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe; and (iii) to highlight the strengths and future dimensions for developing prudent management policies for fisheries, crocodile ranching, and aquaculture. Five concatenated evolutionary phases, that is, the soft conservation period (1866– 1890), the establishment period (1891–1938), the consolidation of fisheries and crocodile conservation period (1938–1961), the quintessential conservation period (1962–1978), and the conservation progression period (1980–2021)— punctuated by persistent neglect of aquaculture and crocodile ranching, institutional overlaps, and the prominent influence of affluent recreational angling societies on fisheries policy development were identified for Zimbabwe. Within Southern Africa, the evolution of fisheries and aquaculture policies has been more rapid for countries with coastal (marine) and inland freshwater resources such as Namibia, Cape Verde, the Comoros Islands, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa, and Tanzania. Armed conflicts slowed (or are slowing) down the evolutionary pace of fisheries and aquaculture policies in Angola, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Aquaculture is still a fledgling industry; thus, development of the relevant consolidated aquaculture and fisheries governing policies is still in its infancy across Southern Africa. This necessitates standalone, harmonized aquaculture and fisheries policies. Zimbabwe, like all Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, needs to align its fisheries and aquaculture policies with the SADC Fisheries Sector Policy as guided by the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa in order to diversify and enhance sustainable fishing dependent livelihoods.

2025-12-12T00:00:00Z