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Resilience Through Diversification, Climate Change Changes Rural Lifestyles

Nyaladzi Lester Kole Environment

The post-harvesting season used to be a time to rest, after the grueling cropping season. It used to be normal to see children playing soccer, and grassroots football kept entertaining them till the beginning of the next planting season. Few women would be in their nutritional gardens while men herded their livestock, and also engaged in other duties like repairing thatched roofs for their huts, and fences. Natural rainfall would provide good harvests year after year, and there wouldn’t be any need for supplements. 

Rural people’s vulnerability to climate change has resulted in serious challenges particularly food shortages and loss of livelihood. Their heavy dependence on natural rainfall and climate sensitive resources has accelerated poverty. The adoption climate resilience mechanisms has substantially changed rural people’s lifestyles, but for the good. It seems however that life will not be the same again, survival strategies have permanently changed and adaptation and resilience mechanisms have necessitated societal dynamism. 

There is a need to strengthen resilience to climate change among rural communities in Zimbabwe, the effects climate change seem irreversible. Diversification has proven an effective resilience mechanism for rural people especially in Mazungunye, Masvingo province. There is a need to encourage rural people to have many sources of income, growing different crops, growing both food crops and cash crops and different sources of water. The degree of diversity can determine the level of community resilience to climate change. Rural communities should not only engage in crop diversification, but engage in some income earning projects such as the establishment of small scale commercial nutritional gardens.

In areas surrounding Mkwasine Estate in Chiredzi, it is common to see men thronging the sugarcane farms in the post harvesting season in search of seasonal jobs. This provides income for supplementing food shortages and other basic needs. In large rivers and dams, fishing is also done during the post harvesting season. Donor funded youth skills training programmes in areas such as building and woodwork have provided means of survival other than farming for rural people in Chiredzi North. 

Addressing the major causes of climate change now is important to prevent the occurrence of sever events. If the present generation is experiencing this, what about future generations? Adverse events will become the order of the day, climate migrants will be common, loss of human lives will accelerate. These are the reasons why it is important to engage authorities necessitating climate change.  

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Nyaladzi Lester Kole

My full name is Nyaladzi Lester Kole, and I come from Plumtree, Zimbabwe. My educational journey began in primary school, where I attended three different institutions: Mlomwe Primary School for my early grades (1 to 3), Nopemano Primary School for my middle years (4 to 6), and culminating at Thekwane Primary School for my final primary year (Grade 7). For secondary education, I continued my studies at Thekwane High School, navigating Forms 1 to 6, where I developed a deeper appreciation for learning and personal growth. Following my secondary education, I pursued higher education at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), where I earned a degree in Media in Publishing Studies and proudly graduated in 2021. Professionally, I've had the privilege of working with a variety of organizations, gaining diverse experiences that have enriched my career. I began my journey at College Press, where I honed my skills as a copy editor. I then took on the role of personal assistant at Nomina Music, developing organizational and communication skills. My passion for storytelling found a home at CURE Children's Hospital of Zimbabwe, where I engaged with children through creative narratives. As a project manager at Vision to Africa, I coordinated efforts to bring impactful projects to fruition before transitioning to my current role at Scrivener as a publisher and writer, where I combine my love for literature and publishing. Beyond my professional life, I consider myself a multifaceted creative. I have explored various artistic avenues, including graphic design, photography, and music production. In the realm of music, I produce under the moniker Stainless Kole, where I express my musical creativity and collaborate with others to create unique sounds.

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