Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Sivomo Villagers in Nkayi District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Poverty continues to be a challenge in Zimbabwe, with increased levels recorded during the COVID pandemic. In rural areas such as Nkayi, interventions targeting poverty cut across numerous fields such as agriculture, education, and infrastructure. Despite these interventions, poverty continues to be a daily confrontation and challenge. This paper uses Michel de Certeau's theoretical tools to discuss the everyday contests between development agencies and community members as they formulate interventions to address poverty. It identifies strategies employed by agencies and the concomitant tactics deployed by community members. While these sometimes conflict, the paper argues that they culminate in processes of progression and regression or stages of poverty which translate to a little-to-no change in the poverty situation. As such, a rethink of strategies and their relevance is suggested.