Oral Poetry for Environmental Conservation: A Study of Selected Gusii Song Texts

Abstract

This position paper focuses on drought related disasters in southern Zimbabwe. Generally, the so-called natural disasters (drought included) are in many instances a result of a complex range of factors that include not only natural causes, but human-induced climate change as well. This has resulted in increased frequency and magnitude of weather related hazards such as droughts, tropical cyclones, heat waves and floods. However, southern Zimbabwe in particular is normally hit by droughts claiming livestock, reducing food production, thus perpetuating food insecurity and triggering increased migration. This increased vulnerability is compounded by the fact that economically southern Zimbabwe is a peripheral area that has experienced minimal development. Furthermore, the local communities of the region lack relevant drought mitigation skills and resources. If community preparedness and building resilience are to be effectively inculcated to mitigate drought related disasters in the region, then a sustained effort is needed to strengthen research by linking scientists, practitioners and policymakers in order to show how climate change influences vulnerability. Therefore the purpose of this paper is explore drought mitigation challenges in southern Zimbabwe and how poverty, high population growth and how land use in these marginal and fragile areas have increased human vulnerability to this type of disaster. This is significant in that planners and policy makers will manage to build resilience in affected communities and redress environmental degradation and desertification.