UNAM Gā-aisib Repository

The UNAM Gā-aisib Repository serves as a central platform to preserve and showcase the university's scholarly output.

Gā-aisib, a term from the local Khoekhoegowab language meaning “wisdom".
 

Recent Submissions

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Anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection system for airports: Aviation and national security perspective
(Journal of Transportation Security, 2024) Anghuwo, John Shivute; Imanuel, Peter; Nangolo, Sam Shimakeleni
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles gained significant popularity in the last decade as dem onstrated by their wide usage in various fields. From around the year 2001, the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles’ technology was mainly confined to law en forcement agencies such as the military, police, and customs. In the contemporary, terrorists have also been observed to be using unmanned aerial vehicles to attack aviation facilities. The current paper examines the levels of vulnerability of the Namibian airports to possible intrusion and attack from unmanned aerial vehicles, a situation that could pose a serious threat to aviation and national security. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study made use of a questionnaire and semi structured interview guide to collect primary data from the participants. Microsoft Excel was used to analyse the data. The study establishes that Namibian airports are prone to attacks from unmanned aerial vehicles as there are no anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection systems installed at all airports in the country. Thus, there is clear evidence that the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority and the Namibian Airport Company’s regulations and policies on aviation safety and security did not prioritise the installation of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection systems at all airports in Namibia. The paper suggests that, in order to enhance aviation safety and security, a joint civil/military Information Technology Unit, responsible for spoofing, detec tion, and the monitoring of illicit unmanned aerial vehicle operations should be set up and operations activated at all airports and other public infrastructures in Namibia
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An interpretive analysis of Namibian education policy and its link to citizenship education: A reflection on my doctoral encounters
(Taylor and Francis group, 2024) Shikukumwa, Tadeus
This book chapter presents the doctoral adventure and the influence of democratic citizenship education with a special focus on Namibian education policy. The journey comprised an interpretive study concerning Namibian education policy and its link to citizenship education. The primary intention on this doctoral journey was to present his discovery and understanding of the role of the new Namibian education policy, the National Curriculum for Basic Education 2015, in the development of democratic citizenship education. Furthermore, in this chapter, it reflects on strategies that are in place to ensure that learners in Namibia have access to democratic education. Moreover, the intent to reveal how the new Namibian education policy (i.e. the National Curriculum for Basic Education, 2015) contributes to democratic citizenship education. In addition, it aimed to discuss whether the new education policy would be effective in enhancing educational transformation in Namibia. In addition, a pragmatist interpretivist approach was used to conceptualise the progressive or transformative education that the new curriculum seeks to introduce
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An investigation into illicit drug trafficking and its Implications for national security: A case study of Khomas Region, Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2024) Hango, Metumo Nangula Olye; Mushelenga, Peya
The present study investigated drug trafficking and its implication for national security, using Khomas Region as a case study. Illicit drug trafficking is one of the variables that offer a bigger threat to a country's national security since it has evolved into an international problem that threatens international peace and security. In recent years, the smuggling of illegal narcotics has increased in Namibia. According to Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, Namibia is in serious jeopardy due to the alarming increase in drug trafficking, (De Klerk, 2018, p.6). Statistics from Namibian Police’s Drug Law Enforcement Division show that between 2017 and 2020, 7151 persons were detained in Namibia for drug-related crimes (Namibian Police, 2020). In addition, according to a declaration made by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, for the Commission on Narcotic Substances’ 64th Session, Namibia seized 843,892 kg of cannabis; 4,930 tablets of Mandrax; 1,072g of cocaine powder; 650 units of crack cocaine and 2,922 g of crystal meth in 2020. This study employed a qualitative research methodology, using a case study research design. The study found among others that, drug trafficking in Namibia could lead to the spread of small arms and other weapons; a high possibility of violence and extremism; a threat from international terrorism; a pervasive culture of corruption and other security challenges. Moreover, an additional burden on government spending to address the problem was uncovered in this study. Based on the findings, the study put forward the following recommendations. A strong legislative structure that addresses the problem is necessary to control and prevent drug trafficking; a public health and intelligence approach to raise public awareness of the threat of drug trafficking on the country’s national security is equally necessary. The Government should also derive ways to address the high unemployment rates among the youth to deter the majority of them from succumbing to the allure of drug trafficking in the country.
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Learner support experiences of learners with learning difficulties at a resource school in Windhoek
(University of Namibia, 2024) Nghiilwamo, Paulina M.; Veii, Kazuvire R-H
This study aimed to explore the learner support experiences of learners with learning difficulties at a Resource school in Windhoek, Namibia. The study was informed by Vygotsky's Social cultural-historical theory of development, specifically the Zone of proximal development. The researcher employed a phenomenological research design to explore the participants’ experiences of learning support from their point of view. The sample was conveniently drawn, and participants’ views were explored through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Participants’ responses were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that learners receive different types of learning support delivered through individualised learning instructions and cooperative learning. Furthermore, findings showed that teachers provide a conducive environment for learning, and they employ various learning strategies to accommodate all learners with their various learning styles, such as visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. Although learners receive learning support to ease the learning difficulties they experience, the findings of the study reveal that learners are finding it difficult to develop long-term mechanisms that will help them cope with learning independently. The study recommends that teachers teaching at resource schools should collaborate with professionals and paraprofessionals to share expertise and resources that can be utilised in the classroom to maximise learning for learners with learning difficulties. The study further recommends that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture should provide resource schools with the necessary learning devices and financial resources to provide and promote effective teaching and learning environments for learners with learning difficulties
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Assessment of the impact of tax reforms on the Namibia tax system
(University of Namibia, 2024) Ekandjo, Johannes Shapumba; Wealth, Eukeria
The study sought to assess the impact of tax reforms that were implemented from 2015 to 2021 on the Namibian tax system. The study was undergirded by the Theories of Distributive Justice and Limitation on Taxation and employed a sequential exploratory mixed-method research approach. Through purposive sampling, a total of hundred and fifteen (115) participants from the NamRA Domestic Tax Department and NamRA Legal Department participated in the study. Moreover, the study reviewed documents such as the Government Gazettes of Namibia on the Promulgation of Income Tax Amendment Act published from 2015-2021 and annual reports of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises for the same period. The study administered a structured questionnaire to collect primary data on the impact of reforms on the three tax heads Individual Income tax, Corporation Income, and Value-Added tax. Consistent with other scholars, the study found that tax reforms in Namibia have improved the revenue mobilisation capacity, expanded the tax base, and enhanced public internal revenue generation. Value Added Tax Reforms in Namibia sought to boost the country’s manufacturing capacity and attract foreign investment to Namibia and these findings were in addition to those noted by researchers in other countries. Furthermore, the study findings indicated that Individual Income Tax reforms in Namibia tend to be positively correlated with revenue with a 2.92 correlation coefficient and p-value= 0.075, while Corporation Income Tax reforms are statistically insignificant and reforms on Value Added Tax were positively correlated with Value-Added Tax Revenue with a 2.85 correlated coefficient and p-value= 0.034. The study also confirmed that the powers and functions of NamRA were not fully utilised ii towards individuals, corporations’ income and Value Added Tax reforms on the Namibian tax system. The study further recommends the board of directors for NamRA to ensure that the agency exercises its duties and power to its full capacity by implementing internal control measures to ensure that individuals, corporations, and Value value-added tax reforms on the Namibian tax system are not stronger in words than in action.
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Structural credit risk modeling using Merton model and its default probability: A case study of commercial banks in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2024) Shaanika, Aina; Gnitchogna, Rodrigue
This research work presents a comprehensive study on commercial banks in Namibia, focusing on three main banks over the period from December 2011 to December 2021. The primary objective is to assess the credit risk position in the light of the Merton Structural credit Risk Model. The financial statements of these banks are analysed, specifically the balance sheets and statements of income, to extract relevant information for the computation of various ratios. The ratios examined include the working capital, total assets, retained earnings before interests and taxes ratio, and sales over total assets ratio. These ratios serve as risk factors for both the Merton Model and within the logit model framework. The Merton approach is utilized to estimate the default risk for the three commercial banks in Namibia, and the accuracy of these estimates is assessed using a range of different techniques. The efficiency of the estimates is assessed by testing the extent to which the predictive power of the estimates could be improved by incorporating other information publicly available in company accounts. The event of default is determined by the market value of the bank’s assets in conjunction with the liability structure of the bank. When the value of the assets falls below a certain default point, the firm is considered to default. Through this research, valuable insights into the financial performance and default risk of the commercial banks in Namibia are gained, contributing to a deeper understanding of the banking sector in the country
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Radionuclide analysis of soil samples taken from Outjo, Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2020) Hanga, Lusina Venomufenu; Oyedele, James A.
Naturally occurring radionuclides such as Uranium (238U), Thorium (232Th) and Potassium (40K), exist in the soil where they continuously disintegrate and emit ionising radiation which could pose health hazards to the inhabitants of a given location if the concentrations of the radionuclides are very high. In this work, the concentrations of the radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples taken from Outjo have been studied by gamma spectrometry. The town of Outjo was divided into ten geographical areas and five samples were collected across each area. These samples were dried under laboratory temperature, passed through a 2 mm mesh screen and sealed in 500 ml polythene bottles. The samples were analysed using a liquid nitrogen cooled High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector (by Canberra). The Python Code was used to calculate the activity concentrations of- and Hazard indices due to- the radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K from the intensities of the gamma lines emitted. The results obtained show that the concentrations of radionuclides in the soils of the town of Outjo vary from 11. 7 ± 1.6 to 29. 8 ± 2.0 Bq kg-1 with an average of 20.5 ± 3.5 Bq kg-1 for 238U, 15.2 ± 1.8 to 58.3 ± 4.2 Bq kg-1 with an average of 31.4 ± 8.9 Bq kg-1 for 232Th and 206.2 ± 12.9 to 819.6 ± 31.9 Bq kg-1 with an average of 350.6 ± 124.6 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The average concentrations for 238U and 40K are lower than the worldwide averages of 35.0 Bq kg-1 and 400.0 Bq kg-1 respectively. In contrast, the average concentration for 232Th is slightly higher than the worldwide average of 30.0 Bq kg-1 . The average outdoor air absorbed dose rate due to terrestrial gamma rays at 1m above the ground was found to be 43.0 ± 10.6 nGyh-1 which is below the worldwide average value of 58.0 nGyh-1 . Also, the corresponding average effective dose was found to be 0.05 ± 0.01 mSvy-1 which is below the maximum permissible limit of 1.0 mSvy-1 . iii These results imply that the background radiation in the town is not high. The average values of Raeq and Hex are 92.4 ± 22.5 Bq kg-1 and 0.25 ± 0.06 which are below the recommended maximum limit of 370.0 Bq kg-1 and 1 respectively. Furthermore, the average values obtained for the other hazard parameters are all below the recommended maximum values, thus confirming that the town have normal background radiation so that radiation hazard is negligible in the town. All the results obtained in this study will contribute to the national baseline data of activity concentrations of radionuclides in the soils of Namibia
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Characterization of the reservoir potential of the H-T field, Walvis basin, offshore Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2024) Iyambo, Joel Ndangi; Uahengo, Collen-Issia
The Walvis Basin, renowned for its hydrocarbon potential, has long attracted the attention of the oil and gas industry. However, effective reservoir characterization remains a critical challenge, influencing exploration and development strategies. This study addresses the need for detailed reservoir characterization and its role in enhancing hydrocarbon prospectivity in the H-T field of the Walvis Basin. The impetus motivating this research is the lack of comprehensive reservoir characterization, leading to uncertainties in the distribution of hydrocarbon-bearing zones and their petrophysical properties. A study of reservoir characterization using well logs has been conducted to address the above-mentioned problem. Four wells in the H-T field were selected for analysis, and an array of well logs, including gamma ray, resistivity, neutron, and density logs, was employed to evaluate the petrophysical properties of identified reservoir rocks. The Interactive Petrophysics software facilitated the systematic evaluation of these properties. The gamma ray log was harnessed for lithologic discrimination, enabling the identification of discrete reservoir formations. The resistivity log played a pivotal role in determining the nature of formation fluids based on the electrical responses of reservoir formations. Furthermore, the combined analysis of density and neutron logs was instrumental in estimating reservoir porosity and identifying the presence of hydrocarbons where applicable. The results of this study unveiled the presence of three water-bearing reservoirs in Well HT3 namely Y1, Y2 and Y3 with thicknesses of 55.47 m, 5.03 m, and 10.52 m, respectively. Additionally, reservoir correlation, facilitated by the gamma ray log, revealed a discontinuous distribution of reservoirs across the wells. Furthermore, a cross-plot analysis of water saturation and porosity unveiled variations in grain size, ranging from fine-grained to silty sands within the reservoirs. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of reservoir characteristics, their distribution, and hydrocarbon prospectivity in the H-T field of the Walvis Basin. It provides essential insights for future exploration and production endeavors, offering a more informed approach to hydrocarbon resource assessment and development in the region.
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The effect of different processing methods on the nutritional, anti-nutritional and emulsifying properties of inoculated and no-inoculated Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) cultivars
(University of Namibia, 2024) Kapembe, Maria N. P.; Van-Hal Penny Hiwilepo
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is one of the Namibian underutilised legumes that provides protein, carbohydrates, fats, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and iron. Several researchers suggest that Bradyrhizobium inoculation has the capacity to improve nutritional composition of Bambara groundnut. This study evaluated the effects of processing on the nutritional composition, anti-nutritional factor (ANF) and emulsifying property of inoculated and non-inoculated cream, brown and red Bambara groundnut cultivars that were grown in Namibia. The cultivars were roasted for 15, 30 and 45 minutes at a temperature of 140°C respectively and boiled for 30 minutes in a solution of 0.5g/100mL of sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and magnesium sulphate respectively. The beans were blended to flours and analysed. Results indicate that each boiling salt has a unique effect on each nutritional component. Certain nutritional composition increased with an increase in roasting time. Bambara groundnut inoculated with Bradyrhizobium had higher protein and emulsifying properties. Fat content of all inoculated Bambara groundnut was lower after processing. Red Bambara groundnut had the highest fat and protein while brown and cream Bambara groundnut had a higher crude fibre and carbohydrate. Non-inoculated Bambara groundnut had lower minerals compared to other Bambara groundnut reported in other studies. Tannins could not be detected in the Bambara groundnut experimented in this study
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The presence, diet and relative abundance of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Northern Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2023) Abiatar, Yeholendjeshili Laina N.; Eiseb, Seth J.
Four species of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae) are known to occur in Africa: Eurasian otter Lutra lutra, spotted-necked otter Hydrictis maculicollis, African clawless otter Aonyx capensis and the Congo clawless otter Aonyx congicus. The African clawless and Spotted-necked otters are known to occur in Namibia although very little is known about their biology and distribution. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicated the status of African clawless and spotted-necked otters to be near threatened due to a reported decline in their numbers primarily due to habitat loss and destruction, mainly from unsustainable agricultural land expansion, human and otter conflict, invasive species, river pollution as well as widespread continent-wide decrease in river water quality. The collection and use of faecal samples and camera trapping have become an important non-invasive source of information, especially when dealing with elusive animals. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the presence of otter species that occur in the Kunene and Okavango rivers, their diet as well as their relative abundance. Community sightings of otters were utilized, along with on sight observations (for example, sightings and signs) while collecting data in the field to determine the presence of otter species. Sightings of the African clawless and Spotted-necked otters, as well as signs (footprints) of the two species of otters were recorded as an indication that both species do occur in Namibia. In order to determine the diet of otters, spraints were collected along the banks of the two rivers, air dried, teased apart and prey remains identified by utilizing a stereomicroscope. Prey remnants were sorted into major categories and recorded. Prey items such as crabs, frogs, fish, plant material and insects were found in the otter spraints. Due to the small sample size of spraints collected, it could be possible that not all potential prey items were available for recording. A total of 40 cameras were deployed along the banks of the Okavango River within the Bwabwata National Park, recording a total of 967 camera days. Due to extremely low detection of the Spotted iii and African clawless otters (3 encounters), no density estimates were computed. Instead, a relative abundance index (RAI) of 0.3 of African clawless otter was calculated and compared to RAIs data obtained from six natural areas around Southern Africa. Results suggest that the Relative abundance index (RAI) of 0.3 for the Okavango River was the lowest compared to similar studies done elsewhere in southern Africa. A species accumulation curve for all mammals photo-captured in the study area was plotted which nearly reached an asymptote (with 21 captured species), suggesting that the inventory on species composition in this phase was more complete. Conservation of the wetlands and restoration of water quality might be the most important steps towards ensuring the future of otters in Namibia. There is also a need for a more expansive study to be conducted on the taxonomy, distribution, diet, and population density of otters that occur in all northern perennial rivers of Namibia.