Development Of The Rural Areas In Zimbabwe

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Abstract

The need for development has been the main contemporary discourse dominating the history of Zimbabwe. A radical introspection into the process of growth points and rural development is urgently required to allow Zimbabwe to define its future in terms of urbanisation and development. Growth points were adopted in Zimbabwe slightly before independence by the colonial government in order to provide for accommodation and decentralised government services for people living in the communal areas. However, after independence the post- 1980 government adopted the integrated rural development plan as part of the Growth with Equity policy to spur economic growth and development in the previously disadvantaged communal areas. This witnessed the designation of some communal areas as growth points in the hope that in the long run they would attract domestic and foreign investment and propel development of rural areas. Some communal areas were elevated to the de-facto growth point status through the use of political mileage despite their poor resource base leaving a lot to be desired. However, 35 years into post-independence and existence of the policy most growth points remain where they have been since inception therefore failing to catalyse the much needed development of the rural areas in Zimbabwe.

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