New Millennium Woes and Livelihood Struggles in Africa Begging to Survive by Zimbabwe’s marginalised

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

THOMAS DURI, FIDELIS PETER. MARONGWE, NGONIDZASHE.

Language:

English

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 online resource)

Place of Publication:

[S.l.] : LANGAA RPCID, 2021.

Summary:

One of the oldest survival pursuits undertaken by the weak and the downtrodden people across the world has been begging. Going back to the ancient Christian biblical times up to the present epoch as well as across varying spatial settings, in situations of trouble and tribulations, parts of various communities have resorted to beggary to either overcome immediate adversities or longer term calamities. Drawing on insights from two polar theoretical lenses of Social Constructionism and Social Deconstructionism, and guided by a pithy study of the begging across the African continent especially by Zimbabweans, this book troubles the various contours related to the subject of begging. Inter alia, the book considers the concept of begging, the causes of the prevalence of begging across the world and particularly among Zimbabweans, the challenges and benefits associated with the pursuit of alms, the impact of begging in foreign lands as well as some of the strategies that beggars employ to maximize their collections and/ or profits. What can be discerned from the book is that for many, begging is one of the last resort undertakings with low pickings. However, from a utilitarian perspective, begging has helped to sustain the impoverished livelihoods of Zimbabweans, both inside and outside the borders of the country since the advent of a debilitating crisis experienced from the turn of the new millennium. On the whole, this book seeks to provoke further researches on an important socio-economic area that affects many African communities but has so far been scantily researched. The book is handy for students and practitioners in economic history, African studies, economics, risk and disaster management, social anthropology, political science, and development studies.

Contents:

Cover

Title page

Copyright page

About the Authors

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of Figures &amp

Maps

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

Introduction - Conceptualizing begging and methodological underpinnings

Historical background

Conceptualising begging

Research methods and theoretical framework

Summary of chapter contents

Chapter 1 - Contextualising the Prevalence of Begging in the Zimbabwean Crisis from 2000

Introduction

Socio-economic hardships in Zimbabwe during Mugabe's reign, 2000-2017

The harsh political environment in Mugabe's Zimbabwe from 2000

State repression and socio-economic anguish in Mnangagwa's Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean crisis and the predominance of disabled persons and children in beggary

Conclusion

Chapter 2 - Desperate Situations Demand Desperate Tricks: Begging Dynamics In Zimbabwe

Spatial dimensions of begging

Audio-improvisations of panhandling

Visual techniques of begging

Disability as an asset rather than a liability in begging pursuits

Child begging

Media begging

Coercive begging strategies

Begging: A means to an end and not an end in itself ?

Begging and social capital

Chapter 3 - Survival of the Fittest: The harsh realities of begging experiences in Zimbabwe

Negative societal attitudes towards beggars

Criminalisation of beggars by central and local government authorities

Zimbabwe's economic malaise and the worsening plight of beggars

Zimbabwe's socio-economic crisis and fierce clashes among beggars

Liquidity crunch and the beggars' deepening sorrows

The Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the national lockdown from March 2020

Chapter 4 - Home Is Not Always Best! Begging across national borders

Introduction.

Accounting for the presence of Zimbabwean beggars in neighbouring countries

Zimbabwean beggars in Botswana and Mozambique

Begging in South Africa: The perilous journey

The socio-spatial dimensions of begging in South Africa

Challenges of Zimbabwean beggars in South Africa

Chapter 5 - Counting the Costs: Blessing or Curse? Impact of begging on Zimbabwe's socioeconomic landscape

Begging as a survival initiative where governments have failed

Begging for sustenance: A cushion from penury

From rags to riches: Begging as an avenue of upward social mobility

Child begging and destruction of the social fabric

Image of the city and country at stake: Congestion, disorder and environmental pollution

Conclusions

References

Back cover.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9956-552-00-3

OCLC:

1257702239