Abstract
In many developing countries mining companies have traditionally siphoned resources without paying due attention to the needs of embedded community and upon their departure, ghost towns with abject poverty and environmental degradation is left behind. The sustainability concept has been suggested as result following principles initiated from the global north, but this is adapted through this study for developing countries, specifically for a desperately poor country such as Zimbabwe. Multiple models and theories used in the study are from the Global North and analysed concepts independently, which is different from the model initiated from the Global South that integrated various concepts, theories and data obtained from targeted population from the Global South. This thesis creates a model to this extent after exploring how Unki mine in Zimbabwe is engaging its embedded community to ensure sustainability with long term positive effects to reduce poverty as well as maintain exceptional stakeholder relationships. The study uses a qualitative case study research design, non-probability sampling techniques such as purposive, snowball; stratified random sampling and criterion samplings were employed for data collection for the study. Interviews, focus group discussions and archival documentations were used as data gathering techniques. The study was influenced by constructivism and used an intepretivists research theory. Strategic communication theory, stakeholder theory and communication constitution of organisation theory amalgamated with various isolated concepts also informed the entire study. The study established that Unki mine positively engage its embedded community for sustainability and good stakeholder relationships. The study also shows challenges faced by the mining company and its embedded community to implement CSR1, CSR2 and social investment initiative (SII) for value addition and excellent relationships. The study also examines the extent to which the Unki mine is accountable to its embedded community for sustainability and stable ties base on mutual understanding and inclusiveness. The study also found out that embedded community are engaged through public-private partnership model (PPPM) to address its embedded community needs. Schools, communication networks such as roads and bridges, clinics, hospitals, boreholes, bee-keeping, planting of trees, drilling of boreholes and construction of houses for average household families in the community have been implemented to the embedded community to reduce poverty and for value addition. Both the mine and its embedded community face various challenges in enhancing sustainability and vii stakeholder relationships. The mine is accountable in implementing programs that better livelihoods of its embedded community, despite economic meltdown and high inflation in the country. Sustainability stakeholder relationships model (SSRM) emanating from the global South is suggested to explain how sustainability and exceptional stakeholder is achieved in developing nation in contrast with developed nations through amalgamation of multiple isolated concepts and theoretical frameworks
D.Litt. et Phil. (Corporate Communication)