RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology 1 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE VOLUME VII PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH SYMPOSIUM ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Impact of Innovative Science and Technology on National Wealth Creation September 1-3, 2004 2 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology Research Council of Zimbabwe Block A Delken Complex Mt Pleasant Business Park P O Box CY294 Causeway Harare Tel: 263-04-369407/8 Fax: 263-04-369409 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.rcz.ac.zw 3 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology PREFACE The 7th Symposium on Science and Technology with the theme: Impact of Innovative Science and Technology on National Wealth Creation” was held on 1 – 3 September 2004. Like six others before it, this Symposium brought together research stakeholders from Government, industry and academia. The Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) continues to organise these symposia in order to popularise research and development especially in, but not limited to, S&T and to provide a platform for the dissemination and documentation of that research. The symposia are also regular reminders to renew political commitment to invest more and better in research at all levels. It is hoped that all the stakeholders now understand that investment in research is more or less the last ‘bullet’ towards the country’s socio-economic development and lasting independence particularly so as we have to rely increasingly on a knowledge-based economy.