http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/72 Thu, 07 May 2026 23:01:05 GMT 2026-05-07T23:01:05Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4503 Title: Media Diplomacy as a Foreign Policy Tool in Setting the Development Agenda in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe Authors: Nengomasha, Samantha S. Abstract: This research investigated the influence of media on foreign policy agenda-setting and framing of geo-political news, examined the effectiveness of communication media against Western propaganda as a vehicle for power/governance, and interpreted the relationship between global hegemony, propaganda, and agenda-setting on development. This study used the analytical descriptive approach to test hypotheses and investigate how communications media, through their ability to identify and publicize issues, play a pivotal role in shaping the problems that attract attention from governments and international organizations, and direct public opinion towards specific issues. Using the propaganda model as a grounding theory, the research utilized available literature, KAP surveys to inquire quantitatively about Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices by the citizens and local media, and key informant interviews to draw a qualitative analysis of the findings. The results showed that the role of local media is nearly silent in accentuating geopolitical agendas. Insufficient efforts have been made by local media to overcome the lack of understanding regarding the communicative dimension of global relations, and the study populace exhibited a significant dependence on information sourced from international media. It was noted that the work of these media actors did not include representing the national interests on international broadcasting channels and established that journalists and commentators are sometimes censored from fully expressing their independent views by the political leadership. Overall, the agenda-setting power of international media outlets may perpetuate stereotypes, reinforcing existing power imbalances and hindering development efforts in other regions. The study recommended that local media constantly and consistently engage citizens on regional tools and strategies to effectively implement development goals and pursue national and regional interests. There is a need for regionally owned and controlled media broadcasting networks to expand while engaging in strategic public engagement, e.g., partnering with local diplomatic missions, research institutions, policy think tanks, and entities in the digital sphere to influence local people’s solidarity. Although several traditional media outlets in the area continue to be influenced by political and economic elites, local media must develop novel approaches to tackle the challenges that undermine its democratic function. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4503 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4498 Title: The Effectiveness of European Union Aid on Urban Local Authorities’ Development in Zimbabwe Authors: Mukunyadze, Tendai Abstract: The European Union renewed its formal engagement with Zimbabwe on 1 November 2014 after a 12-year long impasse due to the imposition of the restrictive measures following what was regarded as a breach of article 9(2) of the Cotonou Agreement by Zimbabwe, resulting in the termination of any government-to-government support. The signing of a new partnership through the National Indicative Plan (NIP) 2014 – 2020 between the EU and Zimbabwe under the 11th EDF resuscitated relations and provided support to Local Authorities development. The EU’s support to Zimbabwe and specifically local authorities under the 2014 – 2020 agreements culminated from the improved diplomatic relations between the two international actors, furthermore the ushering in of a new constitution in Zimbabwe which included arrangements for devolved governance attracted the EU’s support to LAs. Other factors which influenced the EU to support LAs include the need to support LAs on issues relating to climate change and disaster management, further issues of health invited the EU to support LAs through supporting areas such as the COVID-19 pandemic and assisting rural districts to construct maternity waiting rooms in remote parts where pregnant women had to travel long distances for prenatal care. Issues of misgovernance and corruption in LAs have also contributed to the interest of development aid support from the EU to LAs, lastly the competition of the EU and China forced the EU to reignite its presence in development aid to Zimbabwe in 2014, this was a counter approach as China’s presence was being felt in LA development through health and infrastructure projects. The EU development aid, proved to be effective, through the support, local authorities managed to enhance their capacity in service delivery, improve revenue collection efficiency, development of compliant budgets, development of accounting manuals which contribute to better financial reporting and policy development. The EU development aid which was provided as project aid through multi-lateral support was minimal in its depth but effective in developing local authorities, in some areas which were neglected for decades. Whilst this study appreciates the effectiveness of the EU aid, areas such as financial reporting remained weak even after the EU development aid interventions, this was mostly due to short implementation spans of the projects, lack of proper monitoring and weak institutional uptake of interventions by some LAs. The EU development aid to LAs can be improved through inclusive planning of interventions with the LAs to identify the priority areas to support and strategies to employ, further enhanced relations between Zimbabwe and the EU with LAs as a stakeholder will ensure the EU aid is more effective to the development of local authorities, the government of Zimbabwe has to create an environment for devolved governance to strengthen LAs and support them to manage on their own without relying of development aid for areas such as capacity development and development of operating manuals. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4498 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4492 Title: An Examination of the Effects of Botswana's Vegetable Importation Ban on Economic Development Authors: Chikwanda, Amanda Abstract: Over the last 3 years, the Botswana Government has implemented measures that will enable its economy to recover from the ripple effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been reported as per the Botswana Weekend post that “Recent figures from Statistics Botswana show that on an annual basis local retailers import vegetables worth more than P100 million. Figures further indicate that for the month of September 2021, retailers spent around P24 million in importing vegetables from farmers outside Botswana. The Ministry of Agriculture announced that in its bid to ensure that food retailers spent chunk of money in buying from local farmers, government decided to ban imports of tomatoes, carrots, beetroots, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric, chilli peppers, butternut, water melons, sweet peppers, green mealies and fresh herbs with effect from the 1st of January 2022; and added that restrictions on the imports will be reviewed every two years. The purpose of this study lies on assessing the degree to which the import ban has affected prices of commodities in Botswana, the relationship between the import ban and economic growth in Botswana and the how the import ban has affected Botswana’s international relations basing on research findings and literature review. A review of literature related was also employed in a bid to establish what other renowned authors’ view was on the subject of import bans. The main source of related literature was internet journals. The study used the Hypothetic-deductive research design where there was use of survey questionnaires because of its cost effectiveness and efficiency. Sources of data, research instruments, populations and samples were given in the research. Primary data was presented using diagrams, pie charts and tables, to illustrate research findings and responses gathered. Research findings showed that, pricing, balance of trade and retaliation have an impact on import bans. As a result, the research recommended that the organisation should establish the best practice highlighted in the research. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4492 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4491 Title: Use of Technology in Leadership Development in the 21st Century. Case of United Methodist Church, Zimbabwe East Annual Conference (2019-2022 Authors: Kumuterera, Chenayi Abstract: This study sought to understand how technological communications can be used to advance leadership developments in church a case of United Methodist Church. The church is failing to fully utilize the benefits of technology to leverage on the communication technologies to advance leadership development. The study used a case study of United Methodist Church Harare East district and focused on Zoom and UMConnect as communication technologies. This study used a qualitative approach. A case of Harare East was used and snow balling sampling method was used to select a sample size of 30 respondents. Open ended questionnaires were used to collect information from 30 participants and interviews were used to get information from 10 pastors. Thematic data analysis technique was used to analyze the qualitative data. The results indicated that the UMC church was failing to fully utilize the communication technologies to advance leadership development. This is mainly because the leaders are not getting the support from the church for them to be able to use these technologies effectively, 70% of the leaders lack either at least one of the following reliable network connection, knowledge on how to operate the technologies, reliable gadgets that support the technology or power. The study recommends the church to support the leaders by providing the support they need in order to enjoy the benefits of communication technologies. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4491 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z