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. The RCZ is very grateful to His Excellency, the President, Cde. R.G. Mugabe, for the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Symposium. That inspirational address is printed in this Proceedings of the Symposium. Professor Marian Ewurama Addy, from the University of Ghana, was our Guest Lecturer for the Symposium. Her discourse was titled: Science in Africa and Wealth Creation. Professor Addy shared with us her experiences from a Ghanaian perspective, particularly, and an African context, generally. This Proceedings also comprises selected presentations of seven (7) Keynote papers which were presented at Plenary Sessions by invited specialists in various sectors and other papers presented at sectoral parallel sessions covering: • Engineering, Mining and Physical Sciences – 6 papers • Informatics – 3 papers • Health Sciences – 4 papers • Agriculture (Livestock) – 9 papers • Agriculture (Crops) - 7 papers The papers accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the 7th Symposium were the outcome of a rigorous referee process by experts in the respective fields. The names of those asked to review the papers have been gratefully cited in the acknowledgement section of the Proceedings. The RCZ would like to thank Professor C J Chetsanga for overseeing the refereeing process. It is worthy noting that these research papers are a result of research done in the period 1999 to 2004, a period during which the country was going through social and political challenges that inevitably impacted negatively on research programmes. It is a tribute to the presenters and researchers that they were able to accomplish what has been presented. The RCZ further notes that the papers presented emanated from the research that was done mostly at our institutions. We commend the researchers who accomplished these tasks under various resource constraints. We also wish to urge our other stakeholders to continue supporting our research institutions which are the only dependable bedrocks on which knowledge can be built for the benefit of the whole country. We would like to thank the Organising Committee of the 7th Symposium under the able Chairmanship of Dr. G. Hapanyengwi for a job well done. We would like to encourage all to participate and make contributions to future symposia in order to further the development of our country. Contributors and observers at these S&T Symposia series will have noted that it had been 5 years since the last symposium. The intervening period between 1999 and 2004, though no symposium was held, will perhaps be regarded as watershed for science and technology in the country. It was during that period that the formulation of the Science and Technology Policy for the country was finalised and adopted by the Government in November 2001. Its launch by His Excellency, the President, in June 2002 was yet another public statement by government on its commitment to science and technology. Subsequent to the launch of the S&T Policy the Department of Science and Technology Development was established and a Minister of State of Cabinet rank, Dr. O. N. Muchena (MP), was appointed. Since her appointment in August 2002, the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology Development has worked tirelessly at bringing science and technology to the centre of socio-economic development. Dr. F.P. Gudyanga CHAIRMAN, RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE 4 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Research Council of Zimbabwe would like to thank the following members of the 7th Symposium Organising Committee: Dr G.T Hapanyengwi, its Chairperson Professor S. Feresu, Dr J Mupangwa, Mr G Chakanya, Mr A Chawanda and Mr W Makanga. All contributors are thanked for their participaton. Special mention goes to Biotechnology Trust of Zimbabwe for arranging the logistics for the Symposium. RCZ would also want to thank the following people for taking their valuable time to referee papers in these proceedings: Dr Chatikobo, Professor O.A Chivinge, Professor M Collier, Dr T.H Gadaga, Mr C.T Gadzirayi, Professor E Gomo, Dr F.P Gudyanga, Professor H Hamudikuwanda, Dr T Hove, Dr P Jowar, Mr G Katumba, Eng S Kundishora S, Mr A Made, Professor S Made, Mr P Madzongo, Professor C.H.D Magadza, Dr B Mangena, Dr E Masama, Dr M Masarirambi, Mr M Masocha, Mr B Masunda, Dr M Mathuthu, Mr R Mavima, Professor Abdul Aal Medhat, Mr S Moyo, Professor S Moyo, Dr P Mugabe, Mr K Mugwindiri, Dr J.F Mupangwa, Mr D Musambasi, Mr E Mutandwa, Ms M Mwale, Dr C Nyakanda, Dr Pfukenyi, Dr D.T Savadye, Mr A Sebata, Dr A Sezanje, Dr I Stoyanov, Dr U Ushewokunze-Obatolu, Professor L.D Vassileva, Mr M Velempini, and Professor K Viewing. The RCZ would like to especially thank Professor C.J Chetsanga who reviewed the comments of the referees and edited the whole Proceedings of the 7th Science and Technology Symposium 2004. 5 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology CONTENTS 1.0 KEYNOTE ADDRESSES 1 1.1 Address by His Excellency The President of Zimbabwe, Cde R G Mugabe, at the official opening of the 7th Science and Technology Symposium 2 1.2 Speech by Chairman of the Research Council of Zimbabwe, Dr. Francis P Gudyanga, at the Official Opening of The 7th Symposium on Science and Technology 3 1.3 Science in Africa and Wealth Creation; Prof Marian Ewurama Addy 5 2.0 KEYNOTE PAPERS PRESENTED IN PLENARY SESSIONS 8 2.1 Scientific Research and Development in Zimbabwe. Does it feed into Industrial Development? M Ndudzo 9 2.2 The Role of Private Sector in Science and Technology Development; L Zembe 12 2.3 Advances in Information and Communication Technology: Challenges and Opportunities for Zimbabwe; G Kabanda 13 2.4 Capacity Building in Science and Technology: Achievements and Challenges; C.J Chetsanga 22 2.5 Tapping the Science and Technology Capacity in Women: Lifelong Experience of a Role Model; I Sithole-Niang 24 2.6 HIV and AIDS Research, Challenges and Opportunities in the Last Decade; H Chinyanga 26 2.7 Marriage of Traditional Knowledge Systems and Modern Techniques; J Duri 28 3.0 ENGINEERING, MINING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES 32 3.1 Sintering Characteristics of Manganiferrous Limonitic Iron Ores from The Ripple Creek Deposit; S Muganda, N. Dube, and D.J. Simbi 33 3.2 Wear Characteristics of Cast Iron Dies and Their Impact of Nitriding to Life and Productivity; J Zvidyayi and T. Mhute 40 3.3 Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry of Zimbabwe; F.D Karonga, and N. P.C. Mutsinya, L. Madziwa 46 3.4 Small Scale Mining in Zimbabwe: Do Scientists and Technologists have an Answer?; F.D Karonga, and L. Madziwa 53 3.5 Recent Developments in Computer Application in Field of Structural Engineering; A Salahuddin 56 3.6 Development of a Low Cost Automatic Irrigation Scheduling System for Smallholder Farmers; F Gweme, and X. F. Carelse 61 3.7 Scientific Equipment – The Policy Perspective; S Chimusoro 66 3.8 Design of a Control System for a Model CNC Milling Machine Tool; S. Mhlanga, and B. Hama 69 3.9 Security and Surveillance System; C Kamunda and F. Gweme and X. F. Carelse 84 3.10 Innovative Architecture for Sustainable Rural Development in Zimbabwe; V Zivave and P. V Milosevic 88 3.11 A Test Tube and Test Tile Rotator for Medical Applications; S. Mhlanga and K. Chamakavinga 99 4.0 INFORMATICS SECTION 106 4.1 Intelligent Decision Support Systems: Technology and Applications; A Salahuddin 107 4.2 Relational Knowledge Based Database Management System; K. Charandura and G.T. Hapanyengwi 118 6 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE proceedings of the seventh symposium on science and technology 4.3 Destifying and Linking ICTs to Urban Poverty Alleviation: Lessosn from wireless Entreprenuership in Zimbabwe; M. Sidambe and K. Odero 125 5.0 HEALTH SCIENCES SECTION 134 5.1 A Spatial Information System to Monitor and Evaluate The HIV/Aids Pandemic in Zimbabwe; C. Chipara and C. Paradzayi 135 5.2 Folate Synthesis in Mahewu - its Consumption and Public Health Significance; E. Mpandi Khosa and J.