| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to examine the livelihood strategies and challenges faced by the elderly
with a particular focus on Marondera urban and Chivhu rural areas in Mashonaland East
Province. The research was motivated by the fact that most of the elderly members of the
Zimbabwean society are failing to meet the basic needs. There were four specific research
objective in this study, the first one being to establish the meaning of sustainable livelihoods
according to the perceptions of the elderly in Marondera urban and Chivhu rural areas. The
other objectives were to compare the livelihood strategies employed by the elderly in
Marondera urban and Chivhu rural areas, assess the challenges faced by the elderly in
Marondera urban and Chivhu rural when securing their livelihoods, and to propose
alternatives for ensuring that older persons attain the desired livelihood outcomes. This study
was guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), the Rights-Based Approach to
Development, and the FANTASTIC Life Inventory (FLI). The study used mixed methods
because of the need for both objectivity and detailed analysis. Given that communities are
diverse in terms of assets, „blue-print‟ or „straight jacket‟ approaches, which have roots in
quantitative research, were not suitable in this research. The FLI was used to provide „an
objective assessment‟ of the livelihoods situation of the elderly in urban and rural settings.
There was use of quota, purposive, and convenience sampling techniques in this research.
The study found out that the elderly persons in urban areas were better off in terms of their
lifestyles as compared to those in the rural areas. The elderly persons in the urban areas were
more nutritious conscious, and more positive in terms of health behaviour. The elderly in the
urban areas had positive personalities than those who reside in rural areas. It was also pointed
out that the elderly, in both the urban and rural area face a myriad of challenges, including
lack of access to adequate food, shelter, and clothing. The options for enhancing realisation
of desired livelihood outcomes included increased national budgetary support for the social
safety nets, creating a positive attitude and humanity (Ubuntu) among the Zimbabweans, and
sound implementation of policies relating to the social safety. The older persons need to be
assisted to implement livelihood projects, which include beekeeping, fish farming, market gardening, and keeping of small livestock. | en_ZW |
