Abstract:
The focus of the study was to analyse the prospects and challenges of Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) in Zimbabwe. The research was mainly qualitative in nature and Shurugwi District was used as a case study. Interviews, questionnaires and observations were the primary research tools used to collect data. Secondary sources such as records and published articles were also employed. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to deal with 46 participants and data were collected from the District Administrator, Unki Mine management staff, community members, key informants in the form of community leaders. The study found that CSOTs play a major role in the development of rural communities through providing infrastructure that include vocational training centres, schools and clinics. The CSOTs help to improve water and sanitation situation of rural communities, through drilling of boreholes. The Trusts also help to facilitate the running of income generating projects. As part of challenges, the study found that participants were not being consulted in projects initiation and that there was a lot of interference on the operations of the Trusts from external sources such as politicians. However, the CSOTs to experience meaningful empowerment they must concentrate more on entrepreneurial projects which focus on employment creation and there is need for the Trusts management to involve local communities in the formulation and implementation of community projects |
