Chirema Chine Mazano Chinotamba Chakazendama Madziro

This mini-thesis has developed as a practice-based supporting document to the exhibition Chirema Chine Mazano Chinotamba Chakazendama Madziro. The exhibition responds to how people become innovative in finding alternative means of survival and staying relevant in an economically depressed country. Zimbabwe is often the first country that comes to mind when people talk about hyperinflation; the situation was and still is intolerable, but somehow its citizens find means to pull through. Unemployment and poverty are the main causes of physical and mental problems for an individual. With this thesis, I highlight the innovations employed by Zimbabweans as a way of keeping themselves busy. I approach this through analysing the Zimbabwean general public’s creative reactions, and by tracing Zimbabwean visual artists’ use of found objects as a reaction to the country’s economic hardships. As people have been pushed to find alternative ways of survival, Zimbabwean artists in particular also shifted from using conventional art materials due to their unavailability. They began to redefine what art material is by employing objects in their artworks that previously had a non-art function. As such, there is a growing need to recognise, classify and document the shifts and establish platforms to generate growth of these innovations. In this minithesis I discuss my own practice, and I analyse the works of Moffat Takadiwa, Gareth Nyandoro and Serge Attiku Clottey

Barriers And Challenges Restraining Zimbabwean Banks In Going Multinational

This paper investigates the barriers and challenges restraining Zimbabwean banking institutions in going multinational. The paper drew attention from the fact that although multinational banking had increased drastically in the last two decades, Zimbabwean banks have failed to go multinational. Findings from this study indicate that cultural distance, government policy, information asymmetry, level of technology, legal and regulatory barriers and barriers to entry are the main challenges that restrain Zimbabwean banks from going multinational. The paper also examines policy options to address the challenges faced by Zimbabwean banks when going multinational

Pest categorisation of the Gonipterus scutellatus species complex

The Panelon Plant health performed a pest categorisation of the Australian Eucalyptus snout-beetle Gonipterusscutellatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU. G.scutellatus should be referred as the G.scutellatus species complex because it includes several cryptic species. A complete nomenclature of the species present in the EU is still pending. It is a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Protected zones are in place in Greece and Portugal (Azores). In the EU, it has been found in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. It only consumes Eucalyptus species leaves. The main pathways of spread are the trade of Eucalyptus timber, hitchhiking in various commodities, trade of apple fruit as well as of plants for planting or plant parts. Spread by flight is also possible. The climate of the EU protected zones is similar to that of the Member States (MS) where the G.scutellatus complex is established, and the pest's main host plants are present. The damaged trees suffer die-back and the development of epicormics shoots. Severe attacks may provoke massive amounts of tree death. Biological control by using the egg parasitoid wasp Anaphesnitens is the most effective control measure. Some species within the G.scutellatus complex are not yet present in the EU (including G.scutellatus sensu stricto) and might therefore be considered as potential union quarantine pests for the EU territory. At least two species within the G.scutellatus complex (most likely G.platensis and Gonipterus species no. 2) meet the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pests for the territory of the protected zones: Greece and Portugal (Azores). The criteria for considering the G.scutellatus complex as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest for the EU are not met since plants for planting are not the main pathway

Sepsis in cancer patients residing in Zimbabwe: Spectrum of bacterial and fungal aetiologies and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Background Cancer and sepsis comorbidity is a major public health problem in most parts of the world including Zimbabwe. The microbial aetiologies of sepsis and their antibiograms vary with time and locations. Knowledge on local microbial aetiologies of sepsis and their susceptibility patterns is critical in guiding empirical antimicrobial treatment choices. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which determined the microbial aetiologies of sepsis from blood cultures of paediatric and adult cancer patients obtained between July 2016 and June 2017. The TDR-X120 blood culture system and TDR 300B auto identification machine were used for incubation of blood culture bottles and identification plus antimicrobial susceptibility testing, respectively. Results A total of 142 participants were enrolled; 50 (35.2%) had positive blood cultures, with 56.0% Gram positive, 42.0% Gram-negative bacteria and 2.0% yeast isolated. Common species isolated included coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. (CoNS) (22.0%), E. coli (16.0%), K. pneumoniae (14.0%), E. faecalis (14.0%) and S. aureus (8.0%). Gram-negative isolates exhibited high resistance to gentamicin (61.9%) and ceftriaxone (71.4%) which are the empiric antimicrobial agents used in our setting. Amikacin and meropenem showed 85.7 and 95.2% activity respectively against all Gram-negative isolates, whilst vancomycin and linezolid were effective against 96.2 and 100.0% of all Gram-positive isolates respectively. We isolated 10 (66.7%) extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) amongst the E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates. Ten (66.7%) of the Staphylococcus spp. were methicillin resistant. Conclusions CoNS, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, E. faecalis and S. aureus were the major microbial drivers of sepsis amongst cancer patients in Zimbabwe. Most isolates were found to be resistant to commonly used empirical antibiotics, with isolates exhibiting high levels of ESBL and methicillin resistance carriage. A nationwide survey on microbial aetiologies of sepsis and their susceptibility patterns would assist in the guidance of effective sepsis empiric antimicrobial treatment among patients with cancer

Implementation of Antibody Rapid Diagnostic Testing versus Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Sample Pooling in the Screening of COVID-19: a Case of Different Testing Strategies in Africa

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the globe, although cases in Africa remain lower than 50 other regions but they are gradually on an upward trajectory. To date, COVID-19 cases have 51 been reported in 54 countries. However, due to limited SARS-COV-2 rRT-PCR testing 52 capacity and scarcity of testing reagents, it is probable that the total number of cases could 53 far exceed published statistics. In this viewpoint, using Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and 54 Zimbabwe as examples of countries that have implemented different testing strategies, we 55 argue that the implementation of sample pooling for rRT-PCR over antibody rapid diagnostic 56 testing could have a greater impact in assessing disease burden. Sample pooling offers huge 57 advantages compared to single test rRT-PCR, as it lowers experimental costs, personnel 58 time, reduces burnout and analytical run-times. Africa is already strained in terms of testing 59 resources for COVID-19, hence cheaper alternative ways need to be implemented to 60 conserve resources, maximise on mass testing and reduce transmission in the wider 61 population

Comparison of non-invasive methods of assessing liver fibrosis in combination ART-experienced Zimbabweans

Background: The prevalence of morbidity and mortality associated with liver disease among HIV-infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is high. Early screening of liver disease is essential, as it provides an opportunity for successful treatment. Hence, there is a need for reliable, inexpensive and non-invasive early markers of hepatic damage. Objectives: Non-invasive algorithms are available for assessing the extent of liver fibrosis as markers of ongoing inflammatory damage. This study compared the use of the FibroTest, Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, APRI test and AST:ALT ratio in assessing liver fibrosis in combination ART-experienced individuals. Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional study, 79 participants between the ages of 8 and 62 years were recruited. The performance of each fibrosis algorithm was determined using established cut-off scores for clinically significant liver fibrosis. Results: The prevalence of liver fibrosis as determined by the FibroTest, FIB-4 index, APRI test and AST: ALT ratio were 19.0%, 21.5%, 12.7% and 79.7%, respectively. For individual biomarkers, A-2M concentration (p < 0.001) and AST activity (p = 0.003) remained significantly elevated in participants with fibrosis than those without as defined by FibroTest and APRI test, respectively, after adjustments for multiple comparisons. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate a high prevalence of asymptomatic liver fibrosis among combination ART-experienced individuals in Zimbabwe, and this warrants adequate monitoring of liver fibrosis in individuals on ART. Discordance of fibrosis results among the algorithms and individual biomarkers and calls for further work in identifying optimal biomarkers for detection of asymptomatic fibrosis

Prioritising an inclusive and equal trade liberalisation policy in the Continental Free Trade Area

This paper provides a brief critical review of the proposed Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) by the African Union (AU) to be achieved by 2017. Its focus however, is on the participatory aspects of the policy as this directly affects the intended beneficiaries who are the ordinary citizens of AU member states. The scope of the discussion is limited to African women as a historically disadvantaged group that has depended on informal trade to survive yet has also contributed immensely to continental trade since the slave trade era. The trade integration policy is wholly aimed at exploring means to improve economic development of African business people. It is my hope to reflect on the inadequacies of this policy whilst proposing solutions that introduce both an inclusive policy making framework and a gender sensitive trade liberalisation mechanism within the African Union. According to experts, the three major impediments to women’s empowerment in export trade are; limited finance, expert business training and market information. In tackling the inclusive policy making agenda, I am convinced that all three are interlinked hence I propose that true empowerment means knowledge and right of access

The development of commercial letters of credit & how they can be enhanced through limited government control.

This research paper discusses how minimised government interference in the operation of commercial letters of credit can actually improve their development as they are regulated by the Uniform Customs and Practice of Documentary Credits (UCP600). Government interference takes shape in foreign exchange control legislation, which does impede both payment and financing. Illegality attaches where the credit fails to meet legal requirements at place of payment or performance. Illegality is an established exception to the principle of autonomy under UCP600. Exceptions to the independence of the credit are necessary to safeguard against abuse. Illegality should not be extended to include government control as it distorts the operation of the credit. Illegality should be interpreted narrowly to include only parties to the agreement. Letters of credit are popular payment methods due to the security they offer and they are an autonomous transaction. Various negative implications arise where illegality is raised as a result of foreign exchange control; parties may attempt to defeat such illegality even through unlawful means. The research tracks the historical development of the standardisation of the commercial credit vis-a-vis common law. It is argued that the introduction of UCP has contributed little to the common law as UCP is not drafted in legal terms as it is intended as a code of practice for banks. It does not cover crucial legal consequences, rights and obligations. In the interests of trade facilitation WTO member states should review current exchange control regimes in their jurisdictions, to allow for free flow and uniform trade financing

Tunisia’s New Constitution: the Benchmark of Transitional Success for Post-Revolutionary African States

This paper provides a brief critical review of Tunisia’s new constitution, in an attempt to expose democratic constitutional reforms from the old order. Tunisia is the trailblazer of the revolutionary trend of civilian protests in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. Through the recently promulgated constitution, she sets a standard of a successful democratic transition despite the violent foundations of the revolution. Does a constitution created within a revolutionary environment effectively fulfil the wishes of the citizens and secure their future? Post-1990 constitutional reforms in Africa have been due to an increasing call for more participatory and democratic governance, especially within the last decade. The scope of this article will therefore be limited to a basic analysis of the Tunisian transitional process, and merits of the 2014 Constitution in light of contemporary trends. Egypt’s draft will be compared as a ‘revolutionary comrade’ whilst Zimbabwe’s long constitutional experience provides useful insight. I hope to unearth the necessary ingredients for effective post-revolutionary constitutional order for current African states in transition