Harnessing local traditional authorities as a potential strategy to combat the vagaries of climate change in Zimbabwe

Abstract

While the devastating vagaries of climate change are ravaging communities the world over, especially in Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, the role of traditional authorities is being overlooked. This paper argues for a relentless push towards the unimpeded involvement of local traditional authorities (LTAs) in the mobilisation of rural communities to adopt appropriate climate change adaptation practices in Zimbabwe. Given its complexity and uniqueness, external intervention through government and non-governmental agents alone can hardly foster climate change adaptation particularly at local levels within communities. Traditional leaders, who have for a long time been useful in the governance of people in various rural communities, can play a supportive role in climate change adaptation. Traditional leaders do not only serve as governance authorities but also know the traditional strategies of combating the negative effects of climate change. Despite the pressure from political interference and the advent of western technological advancement, a lot could still be done to buttress the authority and respect vested in chiefs, headsmen and village heads in the country. LTAs have the power to manage grassroots communities; hence they can be utilised as drivers in the use of traditional climate change adaptation strategies. The paper concludes that political interference is one challenge faced by abusing traditional leadership as a means to gain political mileage. The paper recommends for extended capacity building on the part of traditional leaders to improve their knowledge base. This will enable them to appreciate the integration of indigenous and modern climate change adaptation strategies. It further recommends the revitalisation of the traditional council (Dare raMambo) to deal with environmental offenses with the scope of assisting government efforts to ensure sound ecological practices within communities.

Farmers’ choice for indigenous practices and implications for climate-smart agriculture in northern Ghana

“…Most indigenous practices were considered to be compatible with the traditions, beliefs, and cultural values and norms of smallholder farmers as indicated [ 91 ]. The findings agree with [ 92 ] who found that smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe usually adopt practices that reflect their local beliefs, values, and local realities. Similarly, smallholder farmers in Botswana were reported to have refused to use scientific forecast information because it did not reflect their socio-cultural values and beliefs [ 33 ].…”

Python farming in Zimbabwe: Assessing local appetite for a novel agricultural system

“…Instead, we conducted 31 face-toface interviews with Village Heads from 31 of the 33 villages in Mabale ward. Village Heads are considered traditional authorities with an intimate knowledge of local livelihood issues (Musarandega et al, 2018). They are also important local decision makers and can play a key role in the uptake of novel agricultural technologies (Musarandega et al, 2018).…”

“…Village Heads are considered traditional authorities with an intimate knowledge of local livelihood issues (Musarandega et al, 2018). They are also important local decision makers and can play a key role in the uptake of novel agricultural technologies (Musarandega et al, 2018). Prior to the interviews, the researcher identified himself and informed interviewees of the concept and aims of the study.…”

Socio-demographic, institutional and governance factors influencing adaptive capacity of smallholder irrigators in Zimbabwe

“…Land tenure security strongly incentivizes farmers to invest in climate change adaptation [ 71 ]. Traditional leaders in Zimbabwe have been useful in the governance of people in rural communities and can play a supportive role in climate change adaptation by enforcing traditional strategies for combating the negative effects of climate change [ 72 ]. Local farmers’ cooperatives, academic institutions, the private sector and non-governmental organizations provide an opportunity to implement climate-smart agricultural technologies, which sustainably increase yields under climate change [ 73 ].…”