WUASpace Repository
The WUASpace is an open access digital archive which collects, preserves, and disseminates scholarly content produced by the WUA community. WUASpace contains journal articles, book chapters, postgraduate thesis/dissertations, conference papers, pre-prints, working papers, technical reports, progress reports, project reports, among others.
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Transformational Leadership through Indigenous Systems: Unlocking the Harurwa Value Chain for Economic Growth and Innovation in Bikita District
(Journal of Management Sciences, Innovation and Technology, 2026-02-01) Rangarirai Musiza
This study explores how transformational leadership, when rooted in indigenous systems, can unlock the economic and innovative potential of the harurwa (edible stinkbug) value chain in Bikita District under Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. The harurwa, a culturally significant delicacy with nutritional and economic value, has traditionally been harvested and consumed within local communities but remains underutilized in broader market value chains. Drawing on the principles of transformational leadership vision, inclusivity, capacity-building, and innovation the paper examines how community leaders, traditional institutions, and local entrepreneurs can work together to enhance production, processing, and commercialization of harurwa. The research employed a qualitative case study design to explore how transformational leadership within indigenous knowledge system s(IKS) can unlock the harurwa value chain for economic growth and innovation in Bikita District. Anchored in a constructivist paradigm, it recognized the co-creation of knowledge through interaction between the researcher and participants who value indigenous knowledge systems. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with traditional leaders, local entrepreneurs, and government officials, focus group discussions with harvesters and traders, and participant observation during the harvesting season, supplemented by secondary data analysis. The targeted population included individuals knowledgeable about harurwa harvesting, leadership structures, and value chain dynamics, comprising traditional leaders, harvesters, traders, youth, and relevant officials. A total of forty (40) participants were selected using purposive sampling and refined through snowball sampling to ensure diverse representation and access to knowledgeable informants. The integration of indigenous knowledge with modern value chain management provides opportunities for employment creation, food security, and rural industrialization. The findings suggest that embracing indigenous governance structures, promoting collective ownership, and fostering innovation-driven practices can position harurwa not only as a local resource but also as a strategic contributor to national economic growth. The paper argues that a hybrid leadership model that respects cultural heritage while driving market-oriented innovation can transform the livelihoods of Bikita residents and serve as a blueprint for other indigenous resource-based economies in Africa.
Addressing the Efficacy of Quality in Qualitative Research: A Review of the Current Discourse
(International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2026-03-13) Ngonidzashe Mutanana; Cosmas Tinashe Shoko
Quality is one of the most debated topics in the history of Qualitative Research Methods (QRM). It establishes the benchmarks, norms and values that a researcher should follow when involved in research. Quality is a critical tool for promoting value, effectiveness and efficiency in research processes. Qualitative research is popular in several disciplines such as local governance studies, sociology, education, gender studies, public management, media studies, human resource management, political science etc. The proponents of Qualitative Research (QR) believe that it has unique characteristics compared to quantitative and mixed research methods. Qualitative Research (QR) focuses on understanding lived experiences through narrative inquiry, field observations, focus study groups, and the use of digital photos. The literature on quality advocates for methodological rigor in QR. The discourse of quality in qualitative research is evolving with time and the evolving trends in technology and AI. This review explores the key characteristics of QR and the evolving trends. It provides a meta-summary of the quality benchmarks identified across the various domains of qualitative research literature. It evaluates the advantages and limitations of using Artificial Intelligence in QR. Findings from the literature revealed that there is scholarly attention on quality components: credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, and authenticity. The characteristics of qualitative research call for different quality standards such as trustworthiness, reflexivity, contextual sensitivity, and rigour. Overall, the findings indicate that embracing Artificial intelligence (AI) in Qualitative Research presents opportunities and threats. AI’s ability to manage large-scale and multimodal data has enhanced the collection of qualitative data. AI can produce brief summaries or spot reoccurring patterns by offering real-time insights. The authors of this paper recommend that future studies should evaluate how quality standards in QR are interpreted and implemented across different academic disciplines, cultures and contexts.
Accounting for non-economic loss and damages in the aftermath of tropical cyclone Idai in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe
(Environmental Hazards, 2026-04-08) Denboy Kudejira; Christopher Mabeza; Liboster Mwadzingeni
Disaster management policy often privileges quantifiable impacts, yet non-economic losses and damages (NELDs) profoundly shape human and community well-being. This study examines NELDs in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe, following Cyclone Idai, across four domains: (1) loss of life and health; (2) loss of place, belonging, and cultural identity; (3) disruption of social networks
and collective memory; and (4) psychological and spiritual wellbeing. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines longitudinal ethnographic inquiry, in-depth qualitative interviews,
and document analysis, the study explores the intangible, socially embedded, and culturally mediated dimensions of loss and damage that extend beyond material destruction. The findings reveal that extreme climate events generate significant emotional burdens and reshape social, cultural, and spiritual systems through which communities sustain collective life. By placing NELDs at the centre of analysis, the study advances a justice centred approach to loss and damage, emphasising the need to
embed distributional, procedural, and recognition justice in research and practice. Methodologically, longitudinal ethnography captures slow, complex, and culturally embedded losses, generating the nuanced insights necessary to inform context-sensitive policies and disaster governance that honour
human dignity, cultural integrity, and social cohesion.
Good Practices in Gender Mainstreaming in Science at the Women’s University in Africa (WUA), Zimbabwe
(European Journal of STEM Education, 2026-02-26) Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande; Wonder Muchabaiwa; Tenson Muyambo
In order to learn from and share good practices, this article analyses the experiences of Women’s University in Africa (WUA), and its success stories in reducing or removing structural barriers to women’s and other underrepresented groups’ participation in science. With funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) we set to establish WUA’s good practices in gender mainstreaming in science. Data were gathered through a desk study of pertinent reports and University regulations, key informant interviews with important staff members, a gender audit questionnaire, and focus group discussions with students. The study found that the University has a policy of a female: male student ratio of 85%:15%. However, is not yet fully reflected in science, calling for interventions specifically targeted at increasing the uptake of science by female students. As a way of mainstreaming gender, the University adopted flexible study methods, such as face-to-face and open-distance learning among others.
Improving germination and early seedling growth of marula (Sclerocaya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst.) through hydro-priming
(Frontiers in Food Science Technology, 2026-05-21) Stanlake Mangezi; Pepukai Manjeru; Veronica Makuvaro; Paul Chaibva; Moses Mutetwa; Tavagwisa Muziri
Despite the socio-economic and nutritional significance of marula (Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst.) in sub-Saharan Africa, its domestication and commercial cultivation are constrained by poor seed germination due to a hard, impermeable seed coat. This study aimed to determine the most effective hydro-priming duration for enhancing germination and early seedling growth of marula
under controlled and field conditions. Separate pot (laboratory) and field experiments were conducted using a completely randomised design (CRD) with four replications. Mature marula seeds were subjected to four hydro-priming durations: no soaking (control), soaking for 24 h, 48 h, or 60 h in distilled water. Data were collected on germination percentage, germination index, seedling height, root length, number of secondary roots, and vigour index. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, and means were separated using Fisher’s protected least significant difference (LSD) test at p < 0.05. Hydro-priming duration had a highly significant (p < 0.001) effect on germination percentage in both experiments. In the pot experiment, the highest germination (45%) was achieved after 70 days with 48 h of priming, while in the field experiment, 60 h of priming produced the highest germination (77.5%) after 45 days. Germination index and root length were also significantly (p < 0.05) affected by priming duration. The longest roots were recorded from seeds primed for 60 h in both the pot (9.46 cm) and field (16 cm) experiments. Significant method × treatment interactions (p < 0.01) were observed for final germination, secondary root number, germination index, and vigour index, indicating environment-specific optimal priming durations. Extended hydro-priming (48–60 h) consistently enhanced metabolic activation, resource mobilisation, and subsequent seedling vigour, particularly under field conditions. The superior performance of field-sown seeds was attributed to both the longer storage duration (15 months) and favourable summer growing conditions. The contrasting proliferation of secondary roots under pot conditions suggests a phenotypic adaptive response to resource limitation. It is concluded that hydro-priming is an effective, low-cost technique to improve marula seed germination and early seedling establishment. For direct field seeding, a 60-h hydro-priming treatment is recommended, whereas 48 h is optimal for containerised nursery production. Planting during the summer months (October–November) is advised to maximise
germination potential.