Community-based coping strategies for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Zimbabwe
Date
2017
Authors
Ringson, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This thesis was strongly motivated by the desire to examine the sustainability of community-based coping strategies for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the rural communities of Zimbabwe with specific reference to the Gutu District. It utilises Basic Human Needs theory and the Ubuntu philosophy as theoretical foundations in discussing OVC strategies in the Gutu District. Despite the adoption of both contemporary and traditional strategies to cope with orphans and vulnerable children, the post 2000 era witnessed the unprecedented rise of OVC crisis because of the socio-economic and political challenges that affected the country. A possible explanation of why the OVC phenomenon continues to increase lies in the fact that contemporary and traditional coping strategies are being pursued in parallel and not in a manner that seeks to leverage synergies. The study examines the practicability of integrating contemporary and traditional strategies for the sustainable livelihood of OVC care and support with a focus on the feasibility of the integration, interdependence and hybridization of these two approaches.
The research draws on cultural hermeneutics to diplomatically mediate the rival philosophies, cultures, structures, ideas and strategies for sustainable development within the context of an open system development paradigm. Focus group discussions, historical narratives, semi-structured and in-depth interviews were utilised within a qualitative case study design to gain in-depth understanding of the practicability of the integration of contemporary and traditional OVC coping strategies in Zimbabwe.
Overwhelmingly, the study established that there is discord, fragmentation and disharmony between contemporary and traditional OVC coping strategies that result in the failure to achieve sustainability for the OVC care and support environment in Zimbabwe. Ultimately, the study concluded that, although, there are cultural and philosophical differences between contemporary and traditional coping strategies, the two can be reconciled based on common objectives and ideas. The increasing influences of globalization and modernity also narrow the gap
ii
between traditional and contemporary coping strategies. It is therefore viable to establish an integrated model for OVC care and support. In practice, this would mean, for example, the institutionalization of the traditional OVC approaches such as extended family and the Zunde ramambo (king’s granary) alongside contemporary strategies such as support from NGOs, FBOs and government. In such an instance, the support from NGOs, FBOs, and government is rendered more effective and is better entrenched when it is channelled through the traditional structures on the ground.
This thesis constructed the hybridised model known as the Coping Strategies Integrated Model (CSIM) by integrating the compatible relevant elements entrenched in traditionalism, medievalism and modernism as a sustainable mechanism for dealing with the perennial problem of OVC in Zimbabwe
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, 2017
Keywords
Citation
Ringson, John (2017) Community-based coping strategies for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Zimbabwe, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, https://hdl.handle.net/10539/26290