Development Practice in Eastern and Southern Africa: Lived Experiences from the Trenches

This book presents a rich collection of accounts that reveal how seasoned academics, agents of grassroots social change, leaders and journalists have transformed and shaped the development landscape in eastern and southern Africa. The right and access to food, health services, education and water are part of the bedrock of sustainable development. Sustainable development focuses on ensuring that current human needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to enjoy wholesome livelihoods. Although African countries have made progress toward addressing the multiple challenges that their continent faces, sustainable solutions remain elusive. Commitment, long-term planning and the simultaneous development of goal-oriented approaches that consolidate the efforts and resources of various sectors-namely governments, development partners, non-government entities, civil society, grassroots communities and public health and academic institutions-are called for. In this regard, one central aspect is the creation of platforms where development agents can share their experiences and use them to inform processes and programmes designed to yield sustained and sustainable solutions to the challenges hampering the improvement of livelihoods. Currently, most of the literature recommended as key learning material at tertiary institutions is rarely in sync with the realities of development practice. Yet these experiences are crucial assets that can be used to shape the academic environment and practice alike. By sharing the individual lived experiences of academics and practitioners, this book connects with students and emerging practitioners via content drawn from areas they are familiar with. This helps to demystify the day-to-day experiences of development practitioners, while also contributing to learning pathways that can yield viable solutions to the myriad challenges that grassroots communities in particular face. The book is an essential resource for students pursuing degrees in development-related fields. Furthermore, the reflections presented here offer valuable insights regarding the transformation agenda at the academic, programming and policy levels. The book’s authorship transcends disciplinary, national and regional boundaries and holds considerable promise with regard to enhancing its relevance and impact on societal transformation: The contributors include men and women, young and old, seasoned and inexperienced change agents who operated or still operate in various thematic spaces. Moreover, the book helps to unlock the grey literature that currently exists in research, teaching, learning and community development.