ABSTRACT

Since the introduction of the fast track land reform programme in 2000, Zimbabwe has undergone major economic and political shifts and these have had a profound impact on both urban and rural livelihoods. This book provides rich empirical studies that examine a range of multi-faceted and contested livelihoods within the context of systemic crises. Taking a broad political economy approach, the chapters advance a grounded and in-depth understanding of emerging and shifting livelihood processes, strategies and resilience that foregrounds agency at household level.

Highlighting an emergent scholarship amongst young black scholars in Zimbabwe, and providing an understanding of how people and communities respond to socio-economic challenges, this book is an important read for scholars of African political economy, southern African studies and livelihoods.

chapter 1|25 pages

Introduction

Theorising the political economy of livelihoods in contemporary Zimbabwe

chapter 2|16 pages

Livelihood strategies of urban women

Emerging evidence from Magaba, Harare

chapter 3|15 pages

Livelihood strategies in Harare

The case of low-income households in Budiriro

chapter 7|17 pages

Development NGOs

Understanding participatory methods, accountability and effectiveness of World Vision in Umzingwane District

chapter 9|15 pages

Climate variability in local scales

Narratives and ambivalences from Mutoko District

chapter 11|14 pages

“Let them starve so that they ‘hear’ us”

Differing perspectives on unresolved land occupations and livelihoods at Mushandike small-holder irrigation scheme, Masvingo District

chapter 12|14 pages

“Other people inherit property, but I inherit people and their problems”

The role of kinship and social capital in providing care and support for the HIV infected and AIDS affected, Chivanhu informal settlement, Masvingo Province