Papers by Gwinyai Taruvinga
Politeia, 2024
Decentralisation is widely seen as an effective method for empowering local communities in develo... more Decentralisation is widely seen as an effective method for empowering local communities in developing countries. This article discusses decentralisation within the context of water governance, using Zimbabwe as a case study. Its main argument is that although decentralisation is faced with challenges, it remains one of the most effective ways to govern water resources. At the core of decentralisation is the belief that citizens should have the opportunity to participate directly in governing resources in their communities. Within the African context, decentralisation becomes even more important considering the continent's history of colonisation, where certain communities were marginalised and had little influence over the management of resources, such as water. The introduction of Integrated Water Resources Management aimed to address the inequalities inherited by post-colonial states. It advocated for a decentralised system of governance, and countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe incorporated it into their new water policies. In Zimbabwe, the 1998 Water Act aimed to address the inequalities caused by colonial rule. While the article argues for the importance of decentralisation in effective water governance, it also outlines the challenges faced in this process. For instance, it contends that in some countries, like Ghana, the government often interferes in the decentralisation process to assert its authority. In Zimbabwe, the main challenge arises from the ruling party, which perceives decentralisation, particularly devolution, as an obstacle to its control over the country.
Strategic Review for Southern Africa, 2023
This article analyses local government politics in Zimbabwe. The political scene in Zimbabwe chan... more This article analyses local government politics in Zimbabwe. The political scene in Zimbabwe changed drastically in the year 2000 with the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The party threatened the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front's (ZANU PF) political dominance and this resulted in ongoing conflict, with the ruling party using its power at central government level to frustrate the opposition that often dominated local government. Several events such as the clean-up operation in 2005 and the 2008 cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe were indicative of a governance system that had been politicised, with negative effects on citizens' lives. A watershed moment occurred in 2013 when a new constitution was introduced and for the first time since independence, local government was recognised. One of its key tenets is devolution of power to local communities. However, due to the polarised nature of politics in Zimbabwe, very little has been done to implement this principle, as the ruling party regards devolution as a threat to its political influence. The article argues that creating and fostering a democratic society in Zimbabwe will ensure that devolution is implemented, and that citizens will have a say in how their communities are governed.
Abstract: At the heart of Morocco’s renewed confidence are two major factors: perceived disillusi... more Abstract: At the heart of Morocco’s renewed confidence are two major factors: perceived disillusionment from the international community with independence struggles; and the impact of the oil price on the PF’s Algerian backing
A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the Master of Arts in Politi... more A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the Master of Arts in Political Studies, Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016
Thesis Chapters by Gwinyai Taruvinga
This dissertation seeks to explore how colonialism has had an impact on Zimbabwe’s post- independ... more This dissertation seeks to explore how colonialism has had an impact on Zimbabwe’s post- independence water governance policies. The dissertation is anchored on the notion of path dependence, which argues that history is an important element to consider when understanding current events and scenarios. Importantly, the dissertation seeks to explore how colonial institutions that were subsequently inherited by the post-independence government effectively perpetuated discriminatory practices. Various pieces of literature have alluded to the uneven and exclusionary measures that composed colonialism. Within this study, it is evident that the laws and institutions that the colonial government introduced were tilted towards serving the minority over the majority, and this was clear in issues concerning land and water. Various laws that were introduced, such as the 1978 Water Act, were only repealed in 1998, 18 years after the demise of the colonial government. This further points to the fact that, for the first 18 years of Zimbabwe’s independence, the country was still using the uneven playing field that colonialism had used to build the Rhodesian state. Institutions such as the local government, which served the interests of the minority, would under the post-independence government, be used by the ruling ZANU PF to further its political agenda. In any country, the local government is at the heart of service delivery and the ministry must perform accordingly to ensure that citizens have access to clean running water as well basic service delivery. Challenges arise when these institutions become politicized. The politicization of local government sees the contestation of power, especially when looking at the decentralization of power to local communities. The dissertation does not argue for or against decentralisation but unpacks the various power dynamics and how they impact water governance. Furthermore, the notion that “history matters” continues to appear in how institutions continue to work in almost the same manner as the former colonial institutions. The role of institutions in this dissertation is made evident through the cholera outbreak in 2008, as well as how the Zimbabwean government has sought to address the challenges that climate change poses towards the country’s water resources. This further elaborates on the importance of institutions within countries and the role they play in providing water services as this dissertation will discuss.
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Papers by Gwinyai Taruvinga
Thesis Chapters by Gwinyai Taruvinga