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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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Challenges faced by the diversion programmes on young offenders
(EUREKA: Social and Humanities, 2024-07-31) Vongai P. Mangwiro; Pius T. Tanga; Gabriel A. Ekobi
The diversion programmes provide the platform for the young in conflict with the law a chance to improved social behaviour and be responsible in their communities. However, studies, done on the diversion programmes, focused on factors influencing crime and rates of recidivism of the juveniles. This paper explores the challenges, faced by the diversion programmes on young offenders in East London (Eastern Cape Province), South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case study research design to answer the objective of the study. Twenty-five (25) participants took part in the study and were selected purposively. Semi-structured and unstructured interview guides were employed to collect data from the participants. Two themes were identified and the themes identified were the types of diversion programmes, provided to young offenders, and the challenges, faced by the diversion programmes on offenders. It was found that the wilderness therapy, community outreach programme, substance abuse, life skills and community pre-trial programmes were the types of diversion programmes, offered to young offenders. The various types of programmes help offenders to gain insight into what triggers them to commit crimes and teaches them how to avoid re-offending. Also, challenges, such as the lack of transport, psychological issues, shunning relationships and high caseloads, plague the programmes. The challenges hinder the quantity and quality of services, provided to offenders. Also, it leads to poor relationships and communication between the offenders and the community. The study concludes the challenges prevented the young offenders to be empowered and change their behaviours for the better. It is recommended that the government and other stakeholders in the diversion programmes should design and implement legal and policy frameworks, which could improve the effectiveness of the programmes.
Amplifying African voices: Promoting regional perspectives in global children’s rights forums
(African Journal of Social Work, 2025-07-13) Vongai Mangwiro; Francis Maushe
This study explored the challenges and opportunities associated with amplifying African voices in global children’s rights forums. Employing a qualitative research methodology rooted in African-centred paradigms, the study identified barriers such as structural inequities, limited representation and cultural misalignment in global dialogues. Findings indicated that African perspectives, particularly those emphasising community-based child welfare approaches and indigenous knowledge systems, remain underutilised but critical to achieving equitable policies. The study recommended strengthening African regional networks to ensure a collective voice, enabling regional coalitions to challenge systemic exclusions and influence global priorities. It also emphasised investing in capacity-building programmes to equip African advocates with leadership, advocacy and cross-cultural communication skills. The study called for challenging dominant Western frameworks by promoting indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu, which offer culturally grounded and sustainable approaches. The use of digital platforms was identified as a means to reduce logistical and financial barriers, enhancing accessibility and broadening participation. Additionally, the integration of indigenous knowledge systems, such as storytelling and collective parenting, into global policy processes was highlighted as essential to ensuring relevance and effectiveness. The research contributes to new frameworks for inclusive global cooperation, advocating for the recognition and integration of African worldviews in advancing children’s rights.
Assessing the Impact of Diversion Programmes on Young Offenders in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
(E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS), 2024-11-29) Vongai P. Mangwiro; Pius T. Tanga; Gabriel A. Ekobi
Diversion programmes have been found to be effective mechanisms to reduce crime and change the behaviours of youth globally and in South Africa. However, studies done on diversion programmes have focused more on factors influencing crime, rates of recidivism and treatment of the offenders. This paper thus explored the impact of diversion programmes on young offenders in the Eastern Cape Province. The paper used a qualitative research approach, and 30 participants took part. An interview guide was employed to collect data from the participants and analysed thematically. Key themes identified are the types of diversion programmes and the different ways the diversion programmes influence the offenders. It was revealed that life skills, wilderness therapy and community pre-trial programmes were the types of diversion programmes offered to offenders. The programmes provided the opportunity for offenders to obtain decision-making skills and rational thinking which enabled them to manage their own lives. The study concluded that the programmes have helped empower and change the behaviours of the offenders for the better. However, the offenders were plagued with challenges such as the lack of money for transport and food which hindered empowerment. It is therefore recommended that the government and other stakeholders should ensure that parents and community members continue to support offenders as this could lead to a change of behaviour for the better. This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of empowering and changing the behaviours of offenders.
Hurdles Underpinning the Implementation of Legal Instruments on Child Marriages in a Few Countries of the Developing World
(African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2025-08-25) Vongai P. Mangwiro; Peter Njovu
The practice of child marriage has been recognised internationally and regionally as a clear violation against the rights of children, attracting more attention from governments, international organisations and civil societies alike. This paper explores the hurdles underpinning the implementation of laws that fight against child marriages in a few countries of the developing world, focusing on South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Utilising secondary data, through a review of policy documents, reports and surveys, the paper argues that there are still legal inconsistences that threaten the
effective enforcement of the laws on protecting children from child marriages. The challenges that are hindering the enforcement of these laws include harmful religious practices, harmful cultural practices, lack of awareness to legal practices, political ignorance and lack of clear prescriptive measures. This paper advocates for a practical approach to instituting laws that are against child marriages. It is recommended that religious beliefs that are suppressive to girls be banned, dogmatic measures that fight child marriages are introduced.
Agricultural Activities as a Health Enhancer among Elderly People in Buhera, Zimbabwe
(Man, Environment and Society, 2025-06-30) George Alex Muchinako; Christopher Guta
A few documented studies have been done to examine the health-related effects of physical agricultural and domestic activities on the elderly in a rural setting. This study examined the effects of elderly people’s engagement in field agricultural activities and domestic work on their health. A survey, using a questionnaire targeting 100 elderly people (54 males and 46 females, purposively selected), was conducted in the rural Buhera District in Zimbabwe. The results showed that agricultural and domestic activities done by the elderly had both positive and negative effects. The positive effects included the activities providing necessary physical exercise to keep their bodies fit and strong, affording an occupation to ward off idleness and avoiding social ridicule. The negative effects included worsening physical health, as some of the work required a lot of physical input, and some required intense concentration, which some elderly people could not handle. The study made recommendations that included the assistance of elderly people in doing physical activities that are within the scope of their physical and intellectual capabilities.