Aid or partnership? a case study of the Mhondoro– Mubayira wards 1 and 6 against a long history of the non -governmental organisations presence: towards a theology of holistic development

Abstract

This study is motivated by Theology of Development, mostly focusing on the paralysis of Aid at the expense of economic trade. It seeks to unravel and find out the real deal African communities can benefit from (Trade and Not Aid) through a study carried out in Wards 1 and 6 of Mubayira constituency the study looks at the model of African economies of Aid based/dependency as evidenced in Malawi and many parts of Africa. In many of these parts, aid has been the major focus and expected driver of African economies with lack of the indigenous effort and belief that they can use the resources at their disposal to develop themselves. Chapter one explores the introduction, area of investigation, statement of the problem, research aim, research objectives, methodological approach, sampling techniques, data collection, justification and literature review. In explaining the statement of the problem, it was discovered that huge sums of monetary aid have rather been a major source of conflict and developmental paralysis by creating a donor dependency syndrome and to some extent used as a bait to champion neo- colonialism especially by the former colonial masters. Chapter two of this study explores a general survey of development work in Zimbabwe where a definition of Aid is tackled, coupled with an analysis of missed opportunities in the post independent Zimbabwe. Chapter three of this study is merely an exhibition of the research findings of the Mubayira’s wards 1 and 6 where experiences of the people show their weaknesses and strengths as they also generate lessons to those aspiring to improve and suggest new development models. Chapter four explores the theological understanding of development as modelled in Nehemiah’s story of rebuilding Jerusalem and its walls. Various issues are also looked into. These include the impact of aid politicization, accountability,capacity building and the asset based community development. Finally, the research closes by suggesting better models of tackling development and these include the formation of home grown NGOs and community trusts.