The Fountain: Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain
<p>The complex nature of the problems encountered in the world today requires scientific enquiry from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. <strong><em>The Fountain: Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies (FJIS)</em></strong> seeks to provide a platform for debate, and sharing of research results from various subjects. <strong><em>FJIS</em></strong> is open to a broad range of disciplines and authors. Contributions from emerging researchers and authors are highly encouraged. <strong><em>FJIS</em></strong> is an online open access journal. Readers may access all articles free of charge. There are no submission fees, publication fees or page charges for this journal.</p>Catholic University of ZimbabweenThe Fountain: Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies2520-453X<p>The copyright for all articles belongs to the authors. All other copyright is held by the journal.</p>Full Issue
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/439
<p>Fifteen articles in this volume of the <em>Fountain Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies</em> (Vol.7, Issue No. 1, Nov/Dec 2023) may be divided into four broad categories, namely, those relating to, (a) business management, leadership, communication, and development; (b) education; (c) gender and human rights, and (d) theology and spirituality. Thus, the three articles by Paul Nemashakwe, Queen Mpofu and Joseph Kayawe focus on leadership as the critical component in the survival of businesses and organizations especially in what has been described as a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) operating environment. They argue that appropriate leadership could play a critical role in harnessing the opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), and in running the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which now occupy a significant space in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape - at a time when many large corporations relocated to other countries following the land reform program of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Rugare Chaita and Nyasha Kaseke focus on the survival strategies employed by the highly taxed, regulated, and politically controlled petroleum industry in Zimbabwe. He paints a picture of a growing industry in which competitive advantage and survival are contingent upon adopting the Cost Leadership Strategy. Edmore Muchineripi Chijoko and Priscille Hassa Malandji review literature on intercultural communication problems encountered in business organisations and discuss the implications on organisational performance. They draw from experiences of business conferences in Angola where Portuguese is effectively the language of business rather than English. Claybough Mapfumo examines the sustainability perspectives of beneficiaries and benefactors in the non-governmental organisation (NGO) aided community-based projects in the Masvingo province of Zimbabwe.</p> <p>In the second category of articles, the authors explore areas relating to education and care of the young. Lenzeni Kamwendo advocates for a transition from the institutional dormitory system to the home system of care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) while Vimbisai Nhundu analyses Zimbabwe’s early childhood education pre-school system and Clifford Gomba warns of rampant academic dishonesty in higher education through a case study of two universities in Zimbabwe.</p> <p>On gender and human rights, Tapiwa Musasa attempts to argue that the <em>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</em> (UDHR) of 1948 ‘was never meant for everyone, but rather, it was a patriarchal document designed to further the interests of grown-up men to the detriment and exclusion of women and children.’ She argues that the language used is particularly revealing, courtesy of its gender insensitivity. On the same theme, Promise Zvavahera argues that Higher Education (HE) in Zimbabwe is yet to achieve gender parity at all levels. And, from a literary studies perspective, Majahana Lunga, interrogates not just feminism but feminisms. He applies a feminist literary theory, <em>stiwanism,</em> to a text, <em>The Purple Violet of Oshaantu, </em>‘to understand the meaning of this text, and in the process advance feminist criticism. He argues that while feminism’s primary objective is for women and girls to have the same rights and opportunities as men and boys, some feminisms, for example <em>lesbianism</em> and <em>raunchism</em>, are so radical that they obscure the fight against patriarchy’.</p> <p>Finally, in the category of theology and spirituality, Joshua Chakawa, Rudolf Nyandoro and Simplicio Musemburi revisit Zimbabwe’s war of liberation by bringing up a much-overlooked theme, the destruction of religious objects and symbols considered sacred by the Church. From their perspective, sacrilege was used as a weapon of war. Beyond their research in Masvingo, the desecration of sacred places, objects, symbols, and persons as a weapon of war is commonplace in war zones. Boroma Mission in the Tete Province of Mozambique experienced this phenomenon in the 1970s. Blasio Manobo speaks of African ecological spirituality, viewing the incarnation as an all-encompassing event for the whole of creation and not just humans, thereby evoking the African spirituality that views trees, mountains, rivers and indeed nature as such, as sacred and hence to be treated with due respect. And finally, the article by Yvonne Sanyanga and Emmanuel Maziti on ‘The lived experiences of the Catholic religious sisters who contracted Covid-19 at a convent in Mutare diocese, Zimbabwe’ graphically illustrates the feelings and thoughts of the survivors during their convalescence. Their recommendations point to the need for training in better disaster preparedness and management even for those who ‘walk by faith’ such as these nuns. Writing an editorial for such diversity is as daunting a task as trying to reconcile the divergent views and yet this is what this journal is about, a platform for plurality and multiplicity, with of course, the occasional single theme special editions.</p> <p> </p>
ArticlesThe FountainChief Editor
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-141304‘A monster in the convent’. The lived experiences of the Catholic religious sisters who contracted Covid-19 at a convent in Mutare diocese, Zimbabwe.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/438
<p>Covid-19 took a toll worldwide and yet has not yielded all the knowledge necessary of <br>the lived experiences of the diverse survivors. This paper seeks to contribute to the <br>many studies that have been undertaken. It is a phenomenological, qualitative in-depth <br>exploration of the lived experiences of the Catholic religious sisters who contracted <br>and survived Covid-19. The data was collected through semi-structured questions, <br>phone call and face to face interviews, with a total of ten Catholic religious sisters who <br>tested positive for Covid-19, stayed in isolation from others and later recovered, in the <br>Catholic diocese of Mutare. Transcribed data was used to construct themes that <br>portrayed the Sisters’ lived experiences through the pandemic. The findings revealed <br>that the selected survivors suffered psychological, social and physical maladjustments <br>during their period of confinement. The study recommends disaster preparedness for <br>religious communities to facilitate proper adjustment in possible future pandemics. The <br>research developed a model as an intervention strategy that includes continuous <br>community empowerment programs for nuns, organizing training in adaptive coping <br>skills for religious leaders, strengthening the support system during the time of illness, <br>constructing specialized care facilities for the sick and abiding by the professional <br>advice of health care officials such as vaccinations and other measures.</p>
ArticlesLived experiencesCatholic religious sistersCovid-19Mutare dioceseYvonne SanyangaEmmanuel Maziti
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14280297The African Ecological Spirituality in the Light of Henrik Gregersen’s Christology of Deep Incarnation
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/437
<p>The world is witnessing the growing destruction of the world’s ecosystems <br>prompting nations of the world and religious leaders to embark on the search <br>for extensive scientific, cultural, and religious frameworks for analysing and <br>mitigating this cosmological disaster. At the centre of this crisis is modern man’s <br>failure to manage the environment in the manner that our pre-colonial <br>forefathers used to do thereby posing a threat to the subsistence of human life. <br>Using a framework of inculturation, this article reviews Gregersen’s theology of <br>deep incarnation that focuses on understanding Jesus’ incarnation as implying <br>a complete union of the divine with biological existence. Through the <br>incarnation, Jesus became matter and hence matter was divinized. The article <br>argues that traditional African cosmological spirituality manifests elements of <br>deep incarnation. Hence, the environment through the incarnation of Jesus has <br>received the dignity often thought to be the preserve of human beings.</p>
ArticlesDeep incarnationAfrican Ecological SpiritualityInculturationDeep Resurrectionenvironmental protectionBlazio M. Manobo
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14264279Violence Against Holy Objects in Zimbabwe’s War of Liberation: Selected Experiences from the Catholic Church
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/436
<p>Zimbabwe went through an armed liberation struggle from 1966 that culminated in the <br>attainment of African majority rule in 1980. Part of the violence of that liberation <br>struggle was directed at remote mission stations scattered throughout rural areas. <br>While many studies have focused on the murder and brutalization of missionaries and <br>other mission workers, there remains a knowledge gap on the damage and destruction <br>of church buildings, images and other objects considered holy. The purpose of this <br>paper is to discuss material cultures which were destroyed and the effects with special <br>reference to the Catholic Church in wartime Zimbabwe generally, and Mapiravana (St <br>Theresa) Church of Chirumhanzu and Berejena mission of Chivi in particular. The <br>paper is within the broader context of closure to some horrific aspects of the armed <br>struggle since Zimbabwe has not established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission <br>to deliberate on wartime violence. Furthermore, the paper widens our understanding <br>of the forces behind the tearing of shrines and Christian Churches historically and to <br>date. Although secondary sources were used, the research benefited primarily from <br>oral interviews with parishioners of the time, relics of destruction which could be <br>observed and press coverage of the same incidences. It is important to bear in mind <br>that church buildings constitute sacred spaces which are set aside from the secular <br>world and its laws. This constitutes enduring legacies of Catholicism in the present <br>day.</p>
Articlesimagesiconoclasmmaterial culturesacred spacesidolatryJoshua ChakawaRudolf NyandoroSimplicio Musemburi
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14246263Interrogating feminisms, victimhood and patriarchy: A stiwanist reading of The Purple Violet of Oshaantu (Andreas, 2001)
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/435
<p>The main purpose of this article is to apply a feminist literary theory (stiwanism) to a <br>text (The Purple Violet of Oshaantu) in order to understand the meaning of this text, <br>and in the process advance feminist criticism. The article argues that while feminism’s <br>primary objective is for women and girls to have the same rights and opportunities as <br>men and boys, some feminisms, for example lesbianism and raunchism, are so radical <br>that they obscure the fight against patriarchy. However, stiwanism, a moderate brand <br>of African feminism, has tenets that forcefully challenge patriarchy. The study shows <br>that lesbians reject men altogether, and raunchists, whose modus operandi is <br>demonstrating in skimpy and erotic clothing, bare breasts, and exposed buttocks, <br>alienate themselves from broader society. Stiwanists, on the other hand are not anti<br>male, and their agenda is social transformation including women in Africa. The article <br>concludes by demonstrating that “feminism” in not a dirty word, and recommends the <br>propagation of literature that foregrounds gender issues.</p>
ArticlesfeminismsgenderOgundipe-LesliepatriarchystiwanismMajahana John Lunga
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14235245Gender Differences in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion: A Study of Higher Education Institutions in Zimbabwe
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/434
<p>The objective of this study was to investigate the intricate interplay <br>between gender dynamics and workplace diversity and inclusion within <br>the higher education sector. Utilising a mixed methodology, the study <br>employed online surveys and virtual interviews to collect data from 320 <br>women across ten higher learning institutions in Zimbabwe. The findings <br>of the study revealed that women encountered challenges in various <br>aspects, including achieving a work-life balance, meeting familial <br>expectations, the absence of paternity leave, a dearth of women in <br>leadership positions, and instances of sexual harassment. Within their <br>professional environments, women encountered obstacles such as <br>biases, stereotypes, inadequate support, and barriers impeding their <br>career advancement. The study recommended the full implementation of <br>gender-inclusive policies and practices, the promotion of gender<br>responsive leadership and mentorship, and the fostering of an inclusive <br>campus culture through educational initiatives. This research significantly <br>contributes to a deeper comprehension of the role gender plays in shaping <br>inclusive environments and provides valuable insights for developing <br>strategies to create equitable and diverse workplaces.</p>
ArticlesGenderdiversityinclusivityinnovationproductivityZimbabwePromise Zvavahera
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14207234An Analysis of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Gender Inclusivity
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/433
<p>The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the mother of all human <br>rights instruments internationally. Other subsequent documents such as the <br>Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (1976), <br>Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and so on emerged as responses to the <br>inadequacies and gaps within the parent document. While the document made <br>significant achievements in human rights upholding during its own time, this study <br>argues that the UDHR (1948) was never meant for everyone, but rather, it was a <br>patriarchal document designed to further the interests of grown-up men to the <br>detriment and exclusion of women and children. The thrust of the paper is to elaborate <br>the importance of the semantics approach to human rights, and how inconsiderate <br>language can cause irreparable damage to the rights of other groups in society. <br>Presented in the paper are facts gathered through desk research which is also <br>commonly known as document analysis. The study also employed interviews and <br>focus group discussions. The study interviewed 5 key informants who are lecturers at <br>a particular institution of higher learning. 30 students from the same institution <br>participated in 3 focus group discussions of 10 people each, to make a total sample <br>size of 35 participants. The study established that the UDHR (1948) contains 15 <br>articles which used semantics referring to men “he, himself, and his” which clearly <br>exclude women. The study further established that the UDHR (1948) rarely used <br>gender neutral language specifying he or she, him/her, himself of herself, an action <br>which grossly indicated gender discrimination from the semantics approach to human <br>rights. Recommendations are made that policy formulators should always use gender <br>inclusive language to include everyone.</p>
ArticlesSemanticsExclusionHuman RightsInequalityGender inclusive languageUniversal Declaration of Human RightsTapiwa Musasa
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14187206Academic dishonesty, a cancer devouring academia: A Case Study of Academic Dishonesty at Two Zimbabwean Universities.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/432
<p>Academic dishonesty has dominated academia for a long time with researchers <br>defining it, identifying its causes, forms, and probable ways of reducing or stopping it. <br>The outbreak of COVID-19 saw many institutions of higher learning adopt technology <br>in their teaching and learning which brought about new forms of academic dishonesty. <br>This study aims to understand the perceptions and views of students (n=6) from two <br>different universities in Zimbabwe and writers (n=2) about practicing academic <br>dishonesty when writing their Bachelor dissertations. This qualitative study adopted <br>an explanatory case study research design. Interviews were mainly used for data <br>collection and data was analyzed using Moustakas’ (1994) modified Stevick-Colaizzi<br>Keen phenomenological data analysis process. The study results showed that <br>students practice academic dishonesty when writing their dissertations by <br>manipulating the plagiarism check index, ghost writing, and spousal academic-based <br>dishonesty. The students also gave reasons for practicing academic dishonesty, and <br>the flaws of academic dishonesty. The recommendations of the study are varied but <br>what stands out most is for academic systems to come up with a system that may do <br>away with the current structure of dissertation writing.</p>
Articlesacademic dishonestydissertationghost writingplagiarism reductionspousal academic dishonestyClifford Gomba
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14163186Early Childhood Teaching and Learning in Zimbabwe – A Critical Analysis
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/431
<p>The main aim of this article was to critically examine Early Childhood Education (ECD) <br>teaching and learning provision in Zimbabwe, with the challenges and successes <br>thereof. The approaches and focus of early learning education and provision during <br>the three different epochs of Zimbabwe’s history, which are pre-colonial, colonial, and <br>post-colonial were analysed. The study used a qualitative research methodology <br>based on document analysis and further employed historical research design to obtain <br>data on the evolution of Early Childhood Education in Zimbabwe. The challenges and <br>success of post-independence Early Childhood Education were presented and <br>recommendations were given.</p>
ArticlesEarly Childhood EducationPre-colonialIndigenousWisdom traditionsColonialPost-independenceVimbisai Nhundu
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14144162Challenges and Prospects of Children’s Homes: Opportunities for Transition from Dormitory to Family Unit Setup.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/430
<p>This study makes a cursory exploration of the challenges and prospects of <br>transitioning childcare institutions from dormitory to family unit systems to promote <br>child development. Desk research was utilised as the primary research approach in <br>this paper, which is part of a wider qualitative research on childcare systems in <br>Zimbabwe. This was complemented by a systematic literature review. Literature has <br>indicated that variances in culture and contexts have persistently showcased the <br>positive effects associated with family care on child development. There are dangers <br>to children, associated with living outside family care. Accordingly, the present study <br>proposes interventions that empower families to raise and care for children. In <br>Zimbabwe, institutional dormitory care has emerged as the most dominant form of <br>childcare. The responsibility of child placement rests with the Department of Social <br>Services which unfortunately is known to have a history of being under-resourced to <br>conduct all the necessary work required. Resultantly, this continually forces the <br>department to ‘relapse’ and seek the services of non-state institutions as the only <br>available remedy to their shortcomings. Institutions, which in most cases are organised <br>in the form of dormitories face a fair share of challenges that affect child development <br>hence the need to transition to family-based units. Children who suffer mostly from <br>social problems associated with institutionalization have shown great improvements <br>when placed in family care spheres.</p>
ArticlesDormitoriesChildren’s homesFamily unitsTransition and OpportunityLenzeni Kamwendo
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14121143Examining the Sustainability Perspectives of Beneficiaries and Benefactors in Community Based Projects in Masvingo province, Zimbabwe.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/429
ArticlesSustainabilityCommunity Based ProjectsSustainability Influencing FactorsSustainability MeasuresClaybough Mapfumo
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-1499120Understanding Multicultural Communication for Effective Business Management: An Integrative Review of Literature
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/427
<p>The purpose of the study was to review the literature on intercultural communication <br>problems encountered in business organisations and discuss the implications of <br>intercultural communication on organisational performance. The study was guided by <br>the following research questions; how does intercultural communication in the <br>workplace affect organisational performance; in what ways does intercultural <br>communication affect business operations; and how can management foster <br>multicultural communication to improve organisational efficiency? The study adopted <br>an integrative review of literature conducted following the Seven-Step Model of critical <br>literature review. This review was conducted on the backdrop of research on <br>multicultural communication conducted at a communications company in Luanda, <br>Angola. The data from the review indicated that multicultural communication problems <br>are inevitable; hence management should implement strategies that help to increase <br>the cross-cultural competencies of employees. The researchers proposed a new <br>framework; the Intercultural Communication Analysis Model (ICAM) for analysing the <br>impact of multicultural communication in an organisation. The model can be tested for <br>practicality through empirical research.</p>
ArticlesCommunicationCulturecross culturalinterculturalmulticulturalEdmore Muchineripi ChijokoPrescille Hassa Malandji
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-147598Effects of Turbulent Environments on Business Strategies: A Case of Zimbabwe’s Petroleum Industry.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/426
<p>The purpose of this paper was to explore the business strategies that petroleum firms <br>in Zimbabwe are using in the face of the turbulent operating environment. The aim of <br>the study was to find out the competitive strategies being adopted and implemented <br>by oil firms for survival. Other objectives were to establish how the strategies being <br>executed by the oil companies were influencing sales revenues, profitability, and <br>survival of companies in the sector and also to determine how government policy <br>interventions are impacting the deployment of the strategies. And to recommend <br>strategies that can be adopted by the petroleum firms during unstable economic <br>environments. The research used an exploratory-sequential mixed methods research <br>design where qualitative and quantitative data were collected separately. Findings <br>from interviews were used to provide a basis for the collection of a second set of data <br>using questionnaires. The research findings reveal that petroleum businesses face <br>high regulation, price instability and heavy political control due to the strategic nature <br>of the oil sector to the Zimbabwe government. The issue of high taxation and frequent <br>changes to regulations in the sector are the main causes of uncertainty to operations <br>of these firms. The research findings indicate that most petroleum companies in <br>Zimbabwe are using the Cost Leadership Strategy for competitive advantage and <br>survival.</p>
ArticlesSurvival StrategiesPetroleum IndustryUnstable Environment.Rugare ChayitaNyasha Kaseke
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-145974The role of leadership in adopting the Fourth industrial era technologies in developing economies
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/425
<p>The study explored the role of leadership in adopting the Fourth Industrial Revolution <br>(4IR) technologies in emerging technologies. This was prompted by the fact that in <br>emerging economies, the adoption of 4IR is at infancy stage and not visible across the <br>globe. The fourth industrial revolution has the capacity of providing opportunities to <br>emerging economies. However, there are challenges embedded in new technologies <br>which might limit the possibilities to operate in an 4IR era. This implies that benefiting <br>from new technologies will not be automatic, but with competent leadership, emerging <br>economies can take advantage of digitalisation to fast track their growth and <br>development. The study utilised a semi-systematic literature review approach. A <br>qualitative/ narrative approach was utilised to establish themes. A thematic inductive <br>method was used to analyse the data. The clusters of data pertaining to the subjects <br>of inquiry served as the basis for the creation of themes. The findings of the study <br>revealed that the role of leadership in the adoption of 4IR technologies is crucial and <br>multifaceted. The key aspects of their roles are as follows: vision and strategy; change <br>management; resource allocation; collaboration and partnerships; risk management <br>and governance; stakeholder engagement as well as continuous learning and <br>innovation. In addition, it is recommended that key stakeholders need to support <br>leadership to become better 4IR-aligned leaders in emerging economies. That is, <br>leadership upskilling and re-skilling in emerging economies requires an effective <br>governmental, and institutional framework.</p>
Articlesleadershipfourth industrial revolutionemerging economiesleadership rolestechnologiesQueen MpofuPaul Nemashakwe
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-144158Effective Leadership as a catalyst for enhancing employee retention in SMEs in Zimbabwe
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/424
<p>Most managers agree that employees are the greatest asset that any organisation <br>may have. However, retaining them is one of the toughest challenges experienced by <br>these managers. While Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to the <br>sustainable growth and development of developing economies, they have witnessed <br>high levels of employee turnover which has paralysed operations and negatively <br>affected viability. The paper argues that effective leadership acts as a catalyst for <br>enhancing employee retention in Zimbabwean SMEs. Guided by the positivism <br>research philosophy and the deductive approach, the study adopted a quantitative <br>research design where a survey strategy was used to collect primary data from 197 <br>participants from Bulawayo’s Central Business Area (CBA) who had been chosen <br>using proportional stratified sampling. The study found that having and communicating <br>a clear vision, effective communication, employee development, fairness, <br>transparency, and accountability were related and positively contributed to employee <br>retention. The study concluded that effective leadership is a catalyst for enhancing <br>employee retention in SMEs in Zimbabwe. Leaders were recommended to <br>communicate in a timely manner and provide feedback in a humane way. They should <br>also ensure that organisational processes such as performance appraisal, disciplinary <br>and grievance handling procedures are not only fair but are seen to be fair.</p>
ArticlesClear VisionEffective CommunicationEffective LeadershipEmployee DevelopmentEmployee RetentionFairnessTransparency and accountabilityPaul NemashakweQueen Mpofu
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-141840The Necessity of Effective Leadership in a VUCA Environment: A Conceptual Discussion.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/423
<p>The current global operating environment is characterised by volatility, uncertainty, <br>complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). If organisations are to survive and prosper in this <br>VUCA environment, effective leadership is a necessity. This paper is a conceptual <br>discussion which positions effective leadership as necessary for survival and success <br>in a VUCA environment. Although it is the responsibility of leaders to ensure that their <br>organisations are responding effectively to the requirements of the VUCA <br>environment, scholars have found a deficit of leadership competencies necessary for <br>people to work in a VUCA world. Leadership models and tools that effectively worked <br>in the past cannot be effectively inferred to the present and the time has come for new <br>leadership models that are compatible with the requirements of the VUCA world. <br>Sustainable success requires leaders who are able to come up with a compelling <br>vision and then articulate that vision to all stakeholders. Effective leadership in a <br>volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment demands men and women <br>with a strong character. Contemporary leaders should be flexible and quick to change <br>their plans, work schedules and leadership styles as the situation demands. Leaders <br>should prioritise the acquisition of new and relevant skills and sustain their physical, <br>mental and emotional fitness so that they effectively deal with the volatile, uncertain, <br>complex and ambiguous situations they face.</p>
ArticlesAmbiguityComplexityEffective LeadershipLeadershipUncertaintyVolatilityPaul NemashakweJoseph Kayawe
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14117The Fountain Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/419
EditorialEditorialAntonio Santos Marizane
Copyright (c) 2023
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2023-12-142023-12-14iiiivAbout the Authors
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/280
About The AuthorsFountain JournalChief Editor
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28ivvAfrocentricity, Ndebele proverbs, and Deviant youth behaviour in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/279
<p>Some Zimbabwean elders have referred to Zimbabwean youth as “the lost generation”. This characterization of the youths arises out of the growing concern over some of the young people’s anti-social behaviour in some cities where the youths engage in drug-taking and unprotected group sex. Using the naturalistic and empowerment evaluation research design and Asante’s Afrocentric theoretical framework, in tandem, the main argument of this article is that in order for the youth to mature into adults that will contribute positively towards the advancement of society, they need to be guided and counselled right from infancy. Some Ndebele proverbs such as “Isigogo sigoqwa sisemanzi” (A skin/hide is pliable when it has just been removed from an animal; once it is allowed to dry, it stiffens) encapsulate this process of inculcating moral principles to children while they are still young and pliable. Since this article employs the evaluation research design, it cannot offer quantifiable outcomes. However, the guidance inculcated by the elders is<br>expected to foster improvement and self-determination in the youth.The article recommends collaboration between the elders and the youth which may bring the latter back to the path of civility.</p>
ArticlesAfrocentricityNdebele proverbsDeviant youth behaviourVuzu PartiesEldersMajahana Moyo Lunga
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28166179Bereavement and Counselling in Bikita District:
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/277
<p>Death is an essential end, and it comes when it resolves. This unfortunately does not remove sorrow over the loss of someone. This then calls for consolation from the others who do not experience the same loss at that time. The bereaved persons need support. In the western world, a professional counsellor goes to funerals with the sole purpose of helping the person impacted by loss to cope with it. The counsellor tries to give hope to the bereaved person. It is not rare to find the professional counsellor sitting down<br>with the bereaved giving some counselling. In an African setting, bereavement is carried out by villagers and a counsellor may be irrelevant and even his presence is often ignored. People feel that bereavement is carried out by nearly everyone in the village in one way or another. The main finding is that the villagers have an upper hand in the process of bereavement because they<br>have a long-lasting support system rather than that of the professional counsellor who does his job and goes away. Consequently, the physical support given by villagers is more than the psychological support given by the professional counsellor. At funerals people are observed to spend nights and days with the bereaved and bring food to the family something a counsellor could not do. The study recommends that people’s traditional ways of bereavement must be given the same prominence as that of professional<br>counsellors.</p>
Articlesculture, bereavement, counselling of married people, traditional ways and professional counsellingCultureBereavementCounselling of married peopleTraditional WaysProfessional CounsellingAndreas ZvaiwaT.M KaputaL Chaminuka
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28156165Types of Marriages and their Counselling in Bikita
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/276
<p>The types of marriage in Shona society before missionary influence as examined in this paper were: serial polygamy, polyandry, sororal polygamy, fraternal polygamy, and monogamy. The early missionaries, with all good intentions, brought a marriage template to the Shona people of Bikita that consisted of just two marriage categories: monogamy and polygamy. The latter was condemned as non-Christian and one of the early moral endeavours of the Church was to rid society of polygamy. Marriage in every society has<br>existed as an inevitable institution for the purpose of the continuation of clans. In this paper the author examines the types of marriages that were common in Bikita district. Perhaps, unlike in other cultures, marriage in this district is more complex than is generally believed. While marriage has been serialised as being monogamous, polygamous, and other sub marital arrangements, it has hardly been questioned as to what led to such marriage arrangments. Polygamy in this paper is not taken as mere concupiscence of the flesh, but as a cultural and religious obligation for the Shona people of Bikita. The research design used in this paper is qualitative and inclusive of many views on marriage, its definition, process, and purpose in the community. To get the views of respondents, the interview method was used in addition to observation by the author. It was found that both the process as well as the<br>marriage itself in Bikita was quite complex and took several shades. Marriage counselling therefore requires sensitivity to these differences.</p>
ArticlesMonogamyPolygamyFraternal PolygamyPaternal PolygamyReligious PolygamyAndreas ZvaiwaT.M KaputaL Chaminuka
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28141155Rethinking Sacramentology in the post-Covid 19 era:
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/275
<p>Never in the history of the Christian faith, has there been a universal occurrence in the form of a pandemic capable of preventing all Christians throughout the world from celebrating the Easter mystery in the traditional way as has been experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the Easter festivities have been used to celebrate the epitome of hope under the most desperate situations signifying the triumph of life over death. The abolishment of the 2020 Easter gatherings all over the world by the respective governments and churches, including Sunday/sabbath services and the Eucharistic celebration put to question the traditional personal contact characteristic of sacramental celebrations especially the sacrament of the Eucharist. This article interrogates the call by all Churches to suspend 2020 communal Easter celebrations in preference for live-streaming broadcastings. It interprets the April 2020 Easter experience as an invitation to reflect on new ways of theologizing sacraments in the post-COVID-19 eras without substituting the fundamental tenets that characterize the sacrament of the Eucharist. The article seeks to demonstrate that live streaming of the<br>Eucharist celebration cannot be equated to the real-time community celebration of the eucharist.</p>
ArticlesSacramentsLive StreamingCOVID 19Virtual EucharistBlazio M. Manobo
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28120140Challenges Women face in Accessing the Benefits of Development Policies in Rural Areas:
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/274
<p>This paper examines the challenges women face in accessing the benefits of development policies in remote rural areas like Gokwe district. Rural women can be effective at increasing national development growth rates if they are included in development policy formulation, planning and implementation phases. However, their contribution is not significant because they are excluded from mainstream development activities. The study employed a mixed methods approach to identifying the challenges that rural women face in accessing development policy benefits. Using Gokwe as a case study the researcher administered 260 questionnaires to participants in the district in addition to 8 focus group discussions comprising 10 participants each during the period May 2020 and May 2021. The results showed that rural women are aware of the challenges which deter them from accessing development policy<br>benefits. These challenges include lack of education on the part of the women, strict traditional structures, lack of supporting legislation, and male dominance amongst others. The paper recommends that Government should continue formulating inclusive policies specifically meant for women. Strict monitoring and evaluation at all stages of project formulation and implementation should<br>be observed so that maximum development policy gains can be realised for rural women. In addition, some development programs can be introduced for both boys and girls right from high school so that women’s empowerment starts earlier in their lives.</p>
ArticlesChallengesDevelopment PoliciesPolicy ImplementationSocial inclusion and exclusionWomen EmpowermentTapiwa Musasa
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-2899119Traditional conflict prevention and resolution strategies among the Manyika people of Zimbabwe:
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/273
<p>This paper emanates from a qualitative study which was conducted in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe whose aim was to explore how peace and conflict are interpreted in the context of traditional resolution and prevention strategies and models. There is wide acknowledgement that there exists a spiritual facet to conflict in the Manyika traditional setting. Focus was put on exploring the conflict resolution and prevention strategies that are in place as far as the spiritual dimension of conflict is concerned. It analyses and connects the uncelebrated models for conflict prevention and peacebuilding between members of the living and the dead. The paper also discusses the responsible individuals and institutions who take the responsibility to engage the spirit community in negotiation and mediation processes in the context of ChiManyika tradition. A clear distinction of the traditional practices which are specific for conflict prevention and those which resolve conflicts is made with emphasis on how they both emphasise sustaining relationships. Other peace concepts of reconciliation, justice and human security are also analysed within the cultural traditional framework. The paper makes some recommendations which could contribute to the alignment of these traditional strategies to the current policies and peacebuilding frameworks.</p>
ArticlesConflictConflict PreventionConflict ResolutionTraditional StrategyDeliah JeranyamaNomalanga Mpofu-Hamadziripi
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-288598Mashurugwi:
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/270
<p>Human security has been observed by the United Nations as a framework for assisting countries to identify and address several cross-cutting challenges that impact the survival, livelihood, and dignity of people. Zimbabwe has experienced a myriad of challenges that have affected young people. Over the past decade, cases of death, murder, rape, and robberies have increased and small-scale gold miners, illegal miners, and gold panners have been singled out as some of the key culprits. The term Mashurugwi has been used as a<br>derivate to refer to a group of young people from the Midlands Provincial district of Shurugwi accused of terrorizing communities around the country. This article interrogates the assumption that Mashurugwi is a terror group from the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. Using the human security framework, the article demonstrates how the murders, rape cases, and robberies experienced<br>around the country are a product of the weakening human security situation in Zimbabwe. The article calls for the application of human security to advance comprehensive responses that address the multidimensional causes and consequences of complex challenges being experienced in Zimbabwe.</p>
ArticlesMashurugwiMakorokozaHuman SecurityIllegal MinersSmall - scale Gold MinersBlazio M. Manobo
Copyright (c) 2022 Blazio M. Manobo
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-286684The Factors Influencing Effective Policy Implementation in Remote Rural Areas: A Case of Gokwe District
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/269
<p>Development policies, if effectively implemented can bring a lot of improvement in the livelihoods of the targeted population as well as economic growth at national levels. Many developing countries have formulated and implemented policies with questionable results where people continue to ail in poverty despite the existence of seemingly sound development policies. This paper argues that the different levels of success of development policies are influenced by some existing factors, which the paper intends to explore and<br>discuss. The information presented here was gathered using a questionnaire and some focus group discussions during the period May 2020 and May 2021.The study found that factors ranging from corruption, inefficiency on the part of Government officials, lack of technology, funding, and negative perceptions from the policy recipients, among other factors, contributed immensely towards the success or failure of development policies in remote rural areas. The paper recommends that the policy cycle be followed with strict<br>Government monitoring, evaluation and inclusion of other stakeholders like the policy recipients, local businesspeople and NGOs amongst others. This can lead to increased transparency and increased participation of all sectors of the population irrespective of gender, age, race, or beliefs so more people. especially rural women can enjoy the benefits of development policies in their respective areas.</p>
ArticlesDevelopment PolicyMulti-stakeholder approachCorruptionInclusive PoliciesPolicy ImplementationTapiwa Musasa
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-284865Development of an Afrocentric Effective Leadership (AEL) Instrument for Zimbabwean SMEs.
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/268
<p>Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to a country’s economy. However, the challenge is that there is a high failure rate among SMEs which can be attributed to lack of effective leadership. This paper seeks to present and validate an Afrocentric Effective Leadership (AEL) instrument to measure effective leadership in Zimbabwean SMEs. A survey was conducted with quantitative data collected from 241 respondents from Bulawayo’s Central Business Area (CBA) chosen through proportional stratified sampling. The AEL instrument was validated using exploratory factor analysis. A total of ten factors resulted, namely, leadership style, effectiveness of the situational leadership theory, leader characteristics, follower characteristics, culture, ubuntu, traditional leadership, history of the country, stage of economic development of the country and effective leadership. The perception of the existence of effective leadership in African SMEs so that early interventions are implemented to avoid high failure rates.</p>
ArticlesAfrocentricEffective LeadershipLeadershipInstrumentsSMEsPaul NemashakweAlice ZinyembaSamuel Gumbe
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-282347An Evaluation of The Effectiveness of Policy Implementation on Sustainable Informal Trading in the City of Gweru, Zimbabwe
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/267
<p>Since the implementation of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP) policy in 1991, formal employment in Zimbabwe shrunk as the economy contracted. This was intensified by the Fast Track Land Reform Program (FTLRP), whereby capacity utilisation was further reduced resulting in severe retrenchments in both the private and public sectors. As a result, many people turned to informal trading for survival. It is on record that both skilled and unskilled labour in underperforming economies survive on informal<br>sector activities. The city of Gweru has not been spared of the deindustrialisation affecting other parts of the country. The mushrooming of informal enterprises has revived economic activity in the city despite the numerous challenges faced. This paper interrogates the benefits and challenges of informal trading in economic development using the descriptive design supported by the purposive sampling technique. The sample consisted of 500 stakeholders participating in informal trading. A mixed method approach was adopted. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS V16 using the principal component extraction method with Varimax rotation. The study revealed that informal trading generated revenue, sustained livelihoods, provided cheap goods and services, created employment, and contributed significantly to the development of the economy of Gweru. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs are by harassment by law enforcement agents, lack of financial support and infrastructure. Given their significance to<br>the economy of Gweru, the paper suggests that these businesses should be assisted by all relevant stakeholders so that they graduate from informal to formal sector players. This will boost rapid, overall, economic growth. </p>
ArticlesInformal TraderEconomic DevelopmentChallengesPolicy ImplementationLawrence Dumisani Nyathi
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28122Editorial
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/266
EditorialEditorialChief Editor
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28viviiTable of Contents
https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/article/view/265
Table of ContentsFountain JournalChief Editor
Copyright (c) 2022
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
2022-12-282022-12-28iiiiii