Local residents’ interpretation of the meaning and causes of poverty in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The concept of poverty is multidimensional, and therefore, its meaning differs among people, communities, and countries. This research examines the perspectives of local people in Manicaland Province about the meaning and causes of poverty in their communities. After establishing a poverty criterion, qualitative research methods, which include in-depth interviews, informal conversations, and observations, were used to collect data from 43 locals in rural areas. The results show local people perceived poverty as a lack of basic needs, farm implements, domestic animals, and not affording school fees. They attributed the prevalence of poverty in their communities to individualistic, structuralist, and fatalistic causes. Understanding poor people’s interpretation of the meaning and causes of poverty before establishing development projects is key to addressing poverty according to locals’ expectations.