A Sociological Analysis of Vegetable Markets in Dzivarasekwa 3, Harare Supervisor: Prof
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A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF VEGETABLE MARKETS IN DZIVARASEKWA 3, HARARE SUPERVISOR: PROF. PAUL HEBINCK Submitted by Blessing Chitanda For the partial fulfilment of the degree of the MSc. Program International Development Studies Sociology of Development and Change Wageningen University August 2015 i DECLARATION I, BLESSING CHITANDA declare that, this thesis on Vegetable markets in Dzivarasekwa 3, Harare, Zimbabwe is my own work and it has never been submitted for a similar purpose at any other University. …………………… BLESSING CHITANDA Date: ………./………/2015 ii Abstract Urban vegetable markets occupy considerable space in low income suburbs. Conceptualizing these markets goes beyond the economic mechanisms of demand and supply to incorporate the socio- cultural values of the society. This study looks at vegetable markets in Dzivarasekwa, one of the oldest residential suburbs in Harare, Zimbabwe. Tracking the changes and continuities that have occurred in the vegetable markets over the years is another interesting aspect of the study. Women continue to dominate these markets as traders and customers alike and their interaction produces cultures of a socialized market. Markets are embedded in the social and cultural values of the society and analysing them from a sociological perspective gives a better understanding of the markets. It is important to analyse these markets in terms of assemblages because of the different human and material elements with various motives that are drawn together to form the market assemblage. Agency is diffuse in the assemblage and elements exercise it in different ways. The various social actors and non-human elements of the assemblage converge at the markets giving the market its multiple orders and diverse organizational styles. The study explores and analyses the various elements of the assemblage and the interfaces that results from such interactions. A case study design was used and data was collected through participation observation, life histories, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and various participatory tools. The vegetable wholesale markets continue to be the main suppliers of vegetables to the city traders producing dynamic interfaces. The transfer of tradable commodities into consumable ones is never a linear process but incorporates trust relationships as well as decisions based on moral economy of the community. While the markets are shaped by the cultural values of the people the economic gains of these markets should not be ignored as they contribute to the reasons why traders establish these markets. Keywords: Vegetable markets, assemblages, women traders, agency, trust, moral economy iii ACRONYMS AIDS Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome ESAP Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes FFVs Fresh Fruits and Vegetables FTLRP Fast Track Land Reform Programme GNU Government of National Unity HCC Harare City Council HDAs High Density Areas HIV Human Immune Virus LSCF Large Scale Commercial Farms RENAMO Resistência Nacional Moçambicana ROSCAs Rotational Savings and Credit Associations SAPs Structural Adjustment Programmes SCC Salisbury City Council SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences UDI Unilateral Declaration of Independence ZIMSTATS Zimbabwe Statistical Agency ZUPCO Zimbabwe United Passenger Company ZRP Zimbabwe Republic Policy iv DEDICATIONS I dedicate this thesis to my parents Betty and Ishmael who taught me to persevere. To my husband Tendai, my siblings Abigail, Shorai and Andy. To Mudiwa, all my nieces and nephews. Acknowledgements Thank you Professor Paul Hebinck for the great supervision. Your perpetual motivation and continuous guidance resulted in the completion of this thesis. I am grateful to the Dutch Government for the Netherlands Fellowship Programme for funding my studies; this journey was possible with your support. For reading my work thank you Slai Bhatasara. Eva Mutenga I cannot thank you enough for being a pillar of strength throughout this academic walk. Thank you Hans Kok for your editing and typographical skills. You gave shape to my thesis. Tafadzwa Mupesa thank you for being there when I needed to unload my emotions and frustrations. Mrs Vhigas for introducing me to many traders. Devine and Andy for all those errands. I would like to express my gratitude to Ruzivo Trust for the support during my internship and fieldwork. Thank you Dr Matondi, Michael Ndimba, Justice Muchati, Sheila Chikulo, Onismas Chikorose, Wilbert Marimira, Tsitsi Musiwa, Chipo Gono, Wimbai Makunike, Alfred Mafika and Mai Aggie. I extend my gratitude to George Mukosi of the City of Harare Housing Department for processing my permission to carry out this study. I am indebted to various traders within the study area who opened their markets and their homes to me. Special mention to my host families whom I shared meals with and treated me like their own sister. To my husband Tendai thank you for taking me to my field work even in very odd hours of the morning. To Tembelani Ndebele thank you for being with my family. To my sister Abigail I wouldn’t have come this far if it hadn’t been for your sacrifice. I’m so indebted to you. A big thank you to all my friends in Wageningen and Zimbabwe for all your support. Last but not least I thank my family for all the prayers, support, encouragement, care and love they showed me even when I was so far from home. I love you. Above all I thank God. v Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ iii Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 An Overview of Markets in Africa ................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Theoretical debates on markets .................................................................................................. 3 1.1.1 Conceptualising the ‘African’ Market ...................................................................................... 4 1.1.2 Informalization and Expansion ................................................................................................ 5 1.1.3 Women traders ............................................................................................................................ 5 1.1.4 Literature review: Vegetable markets in Zimbabwe .............................................................. 6 1.2 Conceptual framework .................................................................................................................. 7 1.2.1 Assemblage .................................................................................................................................. 8 1.2.2 Agency .......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2.3 The socialized markets ............................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Problem statement ........................................................................................................................ 10 1.3.1Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 10 1.3.2 Research questions ................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4.1 The Study Site ........................................................................................................................... 11 1.4.2 Gaining Access .......................................................................................................................... 12 1.5 Research Techniques ................................................................................................................... 12 1.5.1 Life histories .............................................................................................................................. 12 1.5.2 In-depth and key informant interviews ................................................................................. 12 1.5.3 Participant observation and conversations ........................................................................... 13 1.5.4 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) ........................................................................................... 13 1.5.5 Market Mapping ........................................................................................................................ 13 1.5.6 Desk studies and literature review.......................................................................................... 14 1.5.7 Data analysis .............................................................................................................................. 14 1.5.8 Challenges Faced ...................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2: The History of Markets in Harare.................................................................................... 16 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Development