Assessing the practicability of Zimbabwe’s growth centre strategy: a case of Gutu-Mupandawana Growth Point

Abstract

This study was carried out in Gutu-Mupandawana Growth Point in Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. The study aimed at assessing the practicability of the growth point strategy to Mupandawana Growth Point. Targeted participants were drawn from Mupandawana Growth Point’s residential areas, the administrative staff from different government departments within the growth point and its sphere of influence, the informal traders and the rural community members who directly or indirectly influence the economic activities at the Growth Point. 69 respondents participated in the research and were select using non-probability sampling techniques. The research found that the growth point concept has faced challenges including, and not limited to financial shortages, infrastructure limitations, revenue shortage and little government funding. This has negatively affected the achievement of the growth point strategy’s objectives in Gutu-Mupandawana growth point. Suggested solutions to these challenges were industrialisation of the area, rehabilitation of the infrastructure and capitalisation of financial institutions within the growth point.