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Exploring the Impact of Development Ngos in Zimbabwe

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University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 6-1-2015 Doing Development in Extraordinary Environments: Exploring the Impact of Development NGOs in Zimbabwe Gladys Antonio University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the African Studies Commons, and the Communication Commons Recommended Citation Antonio, Gladys, "Doing Development in Extraordinary Environments: Exploring the Impact of Development NGOs in Zimbabwe" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 33. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/33 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. Doing Development in Extraordinary Environments: Exploring the Impact of Development NGOs in Zimbabwe A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities University of Denver In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Gladys Antonio June 2015 Advisor: Dr. Christina Foust © Copyright by Gladys Antonio 2015 All Rights Reserved Author: Gladys Antonio Title: Doing Development in Extraordinary Environments: Exploring the Impact of Development NGOs in Zimbabwe Advisor: Dr. Christina Foust Degree Date: June 2015 Abstract In this study I provide accounts of the phenomenology of development within a state of exception in Zimbabwe. My main goal was to understand how the notion of development is conceived by development NGOs and beneficiaries of their services. To achieve this objective, I raised several ontological questions about the capabilities ordinary citizens have to develop within an extraordinary context of political, economic and social uncertainty. Moreover, I explored the creative strategies and tactics adopted by development NGOs to make their operations possible in a context of severely curtailed freedoms. A significant part of that investigation was to find the role dialogic communication plays in enabling participatory practices and the formation of triad relationships. From both sets of participants, development was understood as a process of creating durable, just and positive change through empowering the poor and distressed so they could become self-sustaining without having to rely on handouts. Methodologically, the study operates within a critical theory paradigm which allows for a dialogic and dialectical space between investigator and participants of the inquiry. For a research method, I opted for a qualitative rather than a quantitative study. A qualitative inquiry is open to the exploration of complex interconnected concepts, assumptions, perspectives, methods and interpretations this study demands. Among various qualitative methods, I adopted an interpretive phenomenological approach which allows for an in-depth study of complex phenomena. I designed an open-ended questionnaire which I used for interviewing seven development Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and two groups of beneficiaries. Several themes emerged from the study about four key issues. One category of themes emerging from my conversations with representatives of development NGOs was about critical elements of development. A second thematic category for both development NGOs and ii beneficiaries was about the negative impact of the multiple crises generated by the state of exception. A third thematic category, addressed how the notion of development was perceived by both development NGOs and beneficiaries. From both sets of participants, development was understood as a process of creating durable, just and positive change through empowering the poor and distressed so they could become self-sustaining without having to rely on handouts. The fourth set of emergent themes was what I consider best practices. One of these best practices, which I discuss at length in Chapter 5, is the triad relationships which development NGOs have nurtured with beneficiaries and government. In my analysis of the results, I conclude that triad relationships have made possible the survival of development NGOs in a state of exception in which freedoms are severely curtailed. The main contribution this study makes to scholarship is how an extraordinary political context can be antithetical to economic and human development. It provides salutary lessons about the critical importance on the part of development NGOs to fully comprehend the context in which they function. Survival in extraordinary contexts is predicated on how development NGOs respond to new and evolving challenges, as well as their creativity in identifying relevant strategies and tactics. Furthermore, the study provides a rare opportunity to interface a specific theory of development with reality. It presented a favorable juncture of circumstances in which Sen’s theorizing of development as freedom was put to use to critically think about the role of ideology, politics and culture in creating a hostile environment for development. iii Acknowledgements My advisor Christina Foust provided excellent guidance and the intellectual space to explore this topic and bring it to fruition. She pushed me to think critically about various elements of this dissertation. As members of my dissertation committee, Bernadette Calafell and Darrin Hicks offered invaluable insights for my project. My spouse and dear friend Edward Antonio believed in me and was confident that I could complete this project. Not only did he provide emotional support; Edward was and remains a conversation partner. Without his encouragement and inspiration, I would not have pulled it off. The lessons I learnt from my parents about hard work and the premium value of an education, proved extremely useful as I worked hard on this dissertation. I remain fully indebted to them for the way in which they brought me up and the values they imparted. iv Table of Contents Chapter One: Context for Studying Development NGOs in Zimbabwe ........................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 State of Exception (2008)............................................................................................................. 2 Rhodesia the Settler State (1890-1980) ...................................................................................... 8 Unilateral Declaration of Independence (1965-1980) ................................................................ 10 Transitioning to Zimbabwe (1980-1991) .................................................................................... 11 ESAP (1991-1997) ..................................................................................................................... 13 Upheaval and Crisis (1997-2008) .............................................................................................. 15 Land ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Corruption............................................................................................................................... 21 HIV/AIDS ................................................................................................................................ 23 Migration................................................................................................................................. 24 Government of National Unity (2008-2013) ............................................................................... 25 Indigenization ............................................................................................................................. 26 Look East Policy ......................................................................................................................... 27 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 28 Chapter Two: Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................... 31 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 31 Development .............................................................................................................................. 31 Conventional Theories of Development ..................................................................................... 33 Non-Conventional, Critical Theories of Development ............................................................ 35 Sen’s Notion of Development as Freedom ............................................................................ 39 Development Communication .................................................................................................... 44 Development Communication Theories ................................................................................. 45 The Nine Principles of Development Communication ........................................................... 48 Non-Governmental Organizations ............................................................................................. 52 NGOs as Organizations ........................................................................................................
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