(traditional practices). They believe that disasters (floods and droughts) are inevitable. It can therefore be argued that they prepare for these disasters, hence their resilience is enhanced.
how geographical location made them more vulnerable to the risk of droughts. They stated that they were dwelling below the mountains which was a rain shadow area. 55.6% and 63.2% said that drought was being caused by changes in cultural belief systems and moral decadence, respectively. This is also consistent with Clarke, Shackleton and Powell’s (2012: 18) study on Clim ate change perceptions, drought responses a n d views on carbon fa r m in g am ongst com m ercial livestock a n d gam e fa rm ers in the sem i-arid G reat F ish R iver Valley, E astern Cape province, South Africa. They realised that:
the majority of the farmers (89%) had perceived their local climate and weather patterns to have changed and 66% felt concerned with what was happening with regards to the climate and what it meant for their farming. The majority of the respondents believed that climate change was the main cause of their predicament (ibid: 18).
Some of the respondents in Kapembere said that droughts were a result of climate change.
These people have been going through training that was provided by Non-Governmental Organisations such as Sustainable Agricultural Technology (SAT) and Methodist Development and Relief Agents (MeDRA). These organisations made people in Kapembere understand that climate change is real. These organisations are therefore encouraging people to grow drought resistant crops. Information on climate change is being widely disseminated to community members. One of the respondents said:
Long back, incessant droughts were not as common as they are today. Drought is with us and it seems like it is here to stay. This is mainly because of climate change. The climate is changing bit by bit as we are witnessing an increase in temperatures during summer and long dry spells. We are experiencing weird temperature changes. In summer, we used to have high temperatures and we could experience low temperatures in winter only but these could not be as low we are experiencing currently. Surprisingly, we are no longer able to distinguish winter and summer in terms of distinct temperature regimes. I think the changes in temperature are also causing seasonal changes which are also resulting in droughts. I was born and bred in this area and the environment we are living in currently is not what I used to know. My fellow community members can support me on that. Long back, we used to receive the first rains in October 20-25 and
this was called Bumharutsva%. This was then followed by Gukurahundi8 9and this would come in early November or late October. During mid and late November, we would then receive N huruka10. In January we would experience a short dry spell but it could give us enough time to weed (hoeing). In February, we used to receive Gumbura11 12 13. In April we used to receive Tupfunhambuya11. Finally, we used to receive Vhurachandon . W e were all exposed to these formulae but to tell you the truth, it’s now by chance to harvest. It does not matter whether we planted early or late as the crops are affected in the same way. We are now receiving rains either mid-December or early January. But, the rains will be very light to such an extent that some people will doubt to grow their crops. In February, there is usually no rainfall. In early March, we receive heavy downpours which compel some of the community members to grow crops such as maize, hoping that they will continue receiving rains. The rains stop again and, only to come in June or July when it’s already summer. So, you see, we are being misled and this -h as reduced crop productivity. This is also compromising our livelihoods activities. The seasons are also shifting bit by bit to such an extent that we will end up receiving more rain in winter than in summer. Sometimes we experience summer climatic conditions in winter and vice versa14
The narration above is clear proof that climate change is being understood as real in Kapembere. Residents’ perceptions offered me an insight into how their adaptation strategies were influenced by their perceptions. A submission by a respondent who was born in the area revealed that climate change is real in Muzarabani although the area had always been prone to floods and droughts due to its geographical location. Thus, climate change is perceived as the agent for the increased occurrences o f floods (in Chadereka, Hoya and Dambakurima wards) and droughts (in all wards under Lower Muzarabani). Similarly, what the respondents said
8 First rains in which people believe that it would wash away burnt ashes. Traditionally people used to burn forest when summer was approaching so that new healthy grass and plants would grow or recuperate.
9 Heavy rain to wash away all remains o f the last harvest as well as dirty materials.
10Third rains for people to start planting
11 Disappointing rains received when crops will be in the process o f drying and these would disturb the process.
12 Rains to mark the end o f summer season and these would be very light
13Rain which brings the coldness in winter season. These rains mark the beginning o f winter season.
14 The councillor o f Kapembere ward, Key inform ant interview, at Kapembere shopping Centre which is in Kapembere village, 6 May 2016.
made me understand the main types of droughts that affect people and these are meteorological (receiving little rainfall) and agricultural drought (crops end up not receiving adequate water for them to mature and reproduce.)
A detailed analysis of residents’ perception on floods and droughts also paved the way for me to understand the forms of Social Capital that exist to enhance the resilience of people in the community. For instance; education provided by NGOs such as MeDRA and SAT on climate change in Kapembere, helped community residents to understand that drought was real and everyone was going to be affected. This tends to encourage them to work closely with NGOs and agriculture experts (such as SAT and AGRITEX officials). Moreover, the majority of Chadereka residents were of the view that they were exposed to floods and droughts because of their geographical location, cultural changes, climate change and moral decadence. This compels them to be cooperative despite the fact that there are some individuals who are unwilling to work with others. One of the respondents said:
We all know that we are resided in the valley (gova) where there are main rivers which discharge in the Zambezi valley. Everyone has a role to play and we assist each other because we all know that we are at risk15.
Based upon the above discussion, one can see that the people’s understanding of the causes of these disasters and their impacts have formed the foundation of different forms of Social Capital. The majority of the residents are bound together by the virtue of the fact that they understood that they were all vulnerable to floods and droughts.