Local’s dissertation of diaspora remittances published in US
IN the words of Abdul Kalam, “Education gives you the wings to fly.” The quote epitomises the successful journey of Clara Ndlovu who at 24 got her dissertation published in New York City by Nova Publishers.
Her dissertation that looked at how diaspora remittances contribute to food security in Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North was published as chapter four of a book published this year, titled Food Security: Threat Factors, Policies, and Challenges edited by Jonathan Webb.
Being a proud holder of an upper second division degree class in Bsc Honours Degree in Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University (MSU), Ndlovu is set to pursue her Masters Degree at Cyprus International University. She said she aspired to become an environmental research officer in the future.
“I also have a long term goal of starting an environmental research firm working with other highly qualified personnel who have the same passion, vision and zeal as I do to bring it all to fruition,” she said.
e topic she chose for her dissertation was, “The Contribution of Diaspora Remittances to Household Food Security in the Tsholotsho District, Zimbabwe”. It assessed the extent to which remittances from the diaspora alleviated food insecurity in the drought prone areas of Tsholotsho.
Her inspiration towards choosing the topic sprouted from her passion for environmental and food security issues ever since she began studying at MSU.
“I got exposed to environmental and food security issues during my industrial attachment period at the Environmental Management Agency in 2015. I went to Tsholotsho for monitoring and evaluation of projects where I then did a background research of the area such that it became easier for me to come up with a topic.”
In clarifying the relevance of her topic to Zimbabwe and the world at large, Ndlovu said her topic reveals the survival mechanisms used by people in Tsholotsho and in many other households of Zimbabwe.
She said it also revealed the gaps that needed to be filled in order to realise maximum benefits of remittances for the improvement of household food security. The topic, she added, signified how remittances were a world-wide issue and how they have improved in quantity as well as significance at both individual and national levels. It also shows the link that exists between countries globally to create environments that make it easy for foreigners to sustain their families at home.
“Amid the economic meltdown remittances have proved to be a coping strategy for the survival of many Zimbabweans. Therefore, the topic’s relevance also lies in that it identifies remittances as a factor that can significantly assist in the bid to achieve the sustainable development goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.”
She humbly attributed the success of her dissertation to the hard work and effort she put during her research period. She added that she committed and sacrificed a lot in terms of social life and finances.
“I had to travel to Tsholotsho for a week to collect data with three of my assistants on a strained budget. But I must also allude that I was in a class of competitive people who worked really hard and also got good degree classes, hence it is an honour to have my work recognised in this manner.
“Though I knew I would get a good mark for my research, I never in my wildest imagination thought I could have my work published in New York City. I worked tirelessly and pushed myself to the best of my ability so I could obtain a good degree class but God saw my efforts and took my work to greater heights,” she added.
At the moment, the young achiever is busy with her cosmetic and fragrance business which she started early this year. She is also engaged in research on more aspects of food security and nutrition.
Ndlovu began her academic journey at Greenfield Primary school. She then attended Masiyephambili College from Form 1 to 6 where she was a prefect and a member of the Environmental Club. From there she studied at Midlands State University from 2012-16.
She believes it was more of determination, focus and hard-work that helped her obtain good grades since childhood rather than natural intelligence. Apart from schooling, she is a sporty person who likes exercising a lot. She enjoys watching reality talk shows and environmental channels like National Geographic and 50\50 where she says she gets most of her inspiration.
“I also research on environmental issues as a hobby but this has led me to become a mentor to many, giving advice on topics and guidance on how to conduct academic research” she said.
She comes from a family of five children, four girls and one boy. Her younger sister, Faith Ndlovu, said she looks up to her sister as an inspiration. She described her as a goal getter, humble, confident and very intelligent.
Alluding to her sister’s achievement she said: “I was ecstatic when I heard about her achievement. In fact, her achievement was for the whole family because when she was doing her research we had to run around and make ends meet.”
Her former supervisor Dr. Thomas Marambanyika said she was a hardworking student who came up with one of the best dissertations. He said she was a student who would conceptualise ideas during discussions.
“I usually receive invitations from international publishers so when Nova publishers invited me I then decided to forward her dissertation since she had done a good job,” he said.
Among her role models, she mentioned her former academic supervisor Dr Marambanyika who tolerated nothing but international standard work from her since commencement of her research. She said his academic expertise moulded her into becoming a graduate ready for the job market.
She also mentioned a philanthropist and well known businessman Mr Raj Modi who she said was her mentor and a source of great inspiration to her since childhood.
She said: “His support and generosity towards my education have influenced and shaped my life positively and I’ll always be indebted to him. I also look up to my former boss, the provincial manager for the Environmental Management Agency for Matabeleland North Mrs Chipo-Mpofu Zuze and my uncle Justice Lawrence Kamocha. They have both been good examples to me by being true to duty. I should also mention my parents who have always been my greatest motivators.”
She advised young people to aim higher and not let marriage be their greatest achievement.