UNAM Repository :: Browsing by Author "Matengu, Keneth K."

Browsing by Author "Matengu, Keneth K."

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Assessing the impact of wildlife on vegetation cover change, Northeast Namibia, based on MODIS satellite imagery (2002–2021)
(Sensors, 2022) Gbagir, Augustine-Moses Gaavwase; Sikopo, Colgar Sisamu; Matengu, Keneth K.
Human–wildlife conflict in the Zambezi region of northeast Namibia is well documented, but the impact of wildlife (e.g., elephants) on vegetation cover change has not been adequately addressed. Here, we assessed human–wildlife interaction and impact on vegetation cover change. We analyzed the 250 m MODIS and ERA5 0.25 0.25 drone and GPS-collar datasets. We used Time Series Segmented Residual Trends (TSS-RESTREND), Mann–Kendall Test Statistics, Sen’s Slope, ensemble, Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), and Pearson correlation methods. Our results revealed (i) widespread vegetation browning along elephant migration routes and within National Parks, (ii) Pearson correlation (p-value = 5.5 10􀀀8) showed that vegetation browning areas do not sustain high population densities of elephants. Currently, the Zambezi has about 12,008 elephants while these numbers were 1468, 7950, and 5242 in 1989, 1994, and 2005, respectively, (iii) settlements and artificial barriers have a negative impact on wildlife movement, driving vegetation browning, and (iv) vegetation greening was found mostly within communal areas where intensive farming and cattle grazing is a common practice. The findings of this study will serve as a reference for policy and decision makers. Future studies should consider integrating higher resolution multi-platform datasets for detailed micro analysis and mapping of vegetation cover change.
Can adoption of ICTs in schools assist in the war against poverty and underdevelopment in Namibia?
(Namibian Educational Research Association (NERA), 2011) Matengu, Keneth K.
This article is part of a large study that investigates the issue of ICT and innovation adoption in Namibian schools. The main aim is not only to bring into focus the convegence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development and education, but also to highlight some of the major barriers to sucessful ICTs integration by schools. On the basis of a critical review of literature, claims about the role of ICTs in education are discussed and the synergies concerning ICTs for development interventions that can be identified are discussed. With the advent of ICTs, many people have claimed that ICTs have a pivotal role in development. Indeed, these tools are useful for different applications. However, there are certain factors that can prevent a country from utilising ICTs even if the devices and technologies exist. The challenges of considering educational institutions as development players and their preparedness to actually ‘throw decisive blows’ on poverty are emphaised and a conceptual framework encompasing critical success factors is mapped out. Reference is made to Namibian situation.
Could China’s journey of malaria elimination extend to Africa?
(Infectious Diseases of poverty, 2022) Wang, Duoquan; Lv, Shan; Matengu, Keneth K.
World Health Organization (WHO) certified China malaria-free on June 30, 2021, which brightens the goal of global malaria elimination efforts. China contributed its unique innovations to the global community: Artemisinin, discovered by Tu Youyou, has saved millions of lives globally; the “1-3-7” norm developed in 2012, has been adapted in the local contexts of countries in the Southeast Asia and Africa. How to the targets of Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (GTS) 2016−2030. By looking into the malaria control phase, towards elimination phase from 1960 to 2011 in sub Saharan Africa and China, we found that the gap in malaria burden will widen unless the interventions in Africa are enhanced. It is imperative to identify the key China–Africa cooperation areas on malaria control and elimination, so that synergized efforts could be pooled together to help African countries achieve the elimination goal. The practices from China malaria control and elimination efforts could be leveraged to fast-track malaria elimination efforts in Africa, which makes it possible that the China’s journey of malaria elimination extends to Africa.
Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia
(2011) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Shapi, Martin K.; Matengu, Keneth K.; MuAshekele, Hina
The objective of this study was to establish a regional profile of the indigenous knowledge system (IKS) for medicinal plant use and cultural practices associated with the healing process of these plants by traditional healers in the Oshikoto region, Namibia. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers during September and October 2008. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips in the ten constituencies of the Oshikoto region. A total of 47 respondents were interviewed with most of them aged 66 and above. The traditional healers in Oshikoto region use 61 medicinal plant species that belong to 25 families for the treatment of various diseases and disorders with the highest number of species being used for mental diseases followed by skin infection and external injuries. Trees (28 species) were found to be the most used plants followed by herbs (15 species), shrubs (10 species) and climbers (4 species). The average of the informant consensus factor (FIC) value for all ailment categories was 0.75. High FIC values were obtained for Pergularia daemia, and Tragia okanyua, which were reported to treat weakness and dizziness problems, snake bite, swelling and cardiovascular problems indicating that these species traditionally used to treat these ailments are worth examining for bioactive compounds. The traditional healers in Oshikoto possess rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge. This study allows for identifying many high value medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection of these medicinal plants.
Factors affecting safe sex practices among first year students at the University of Namibia: A health belief model perspective
(2014) Van Rooy, Gert; Mufune, Pempelani; Indongo, Nelago; Matengu, Keneth K.; Libuku, Erica; Schier, Christa
The aim of the study was to investigate the level of awareness of condom usage among first year’s students at the University of Namibia. Data was collected among 578 students within the various disciplines of the university through self-administered questionnaires that tested their knowledge, attitude and beliefs regarding HIV and AIDS. Research assistants were at hand clarifying ambiguities during the completion of the questionnaire. To ensure a good response rate, the researcher arranged with lecturers for students to complete questionnaires during lecture periods. A multi-stage sampling technique was used - in the first instances the number of campuses were purposefully recorded and stratified in accordance with the subjects offered and then students were randomly selected from the various faculties. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21. Results indicate that 80.1 % of the students are using condoms with their partner (s) while 76.3% used a condom during the past 12 month’s preceding the survey.
Inclusive education in marginalised contexts: The San and Ovahimba learners in Namibia
(British Council, 2019) Matengu, Keneth K.; Likando, Gilbert N.; Haihambo, Cynthy K.
One of Namibia’s outstanding sociocultural characteristics is the ethnic heterogeneity of its inhabitants, which stands at 25 distinct groups. The indigenous minority groups include the Kwe, Hai-dom, Joehansi and Khu groups, who are informally known as San communities, and the Himba, Zemba, and Ovatue, who among others 1 are part of the Ovahimba communities, which predominantly practice hunter-gathering and pastoral livestock farming. Historically, Namibia’s education system was divided along racial lines, with Blacks classified in an order of importance where the San and Ovahimba people were in the lowest categories. In this apartheid system Whites and Coloureds received unending privileges at the expense of the indigenous Namibians, of which the Ovahimba and the San communities were the worst affected. 2 When independence dawned in 1990, it signified political freedom long awaited by many. Since then the government has been dedicated to the process of educational transformation to bring about equitable access to quality education for all Namibians. This process included significant initiatives such as recognition of the San as an ‘educationally marginalised group’, emphasis on mother tongue education, use of satellite and mobile schools for Ovahimba learners, and Namibia’s Sector Policy on Inclusive Education. This chapter will examine the policy measures that the Namibian government has put in place to create an inclusive education environment.
Land use practices in Caprivi’s changing political environment
(University of Namibia, 2013) Colpaert, Alfred; Matengu, Keneth K.; Polojarvi, Katja
This paper presents an account of developments that led to present land use practices in the eastern parts of Caprivi and the eff ects these practices have on the ecosystem. In the pre-colonial period (–1890), the early inhabitants of east of the Kwando River were hunters and gatherers. Climatic and hydrological conditions enabled the fi rst Bantu communities to practice settled subsistence agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries, a time when the Lozi and the Kololo kings ruled this area. Its location between perennial rivers made eastern parts of Caprivi good and easily defensible grazing area. Peripheral location and prevalence of malaria and cattle diseases made the area less tempting for European and South African farmers, but also made the colonial administration of east of the Kwando River diffi cult for Germany 1890–1915 and South Africa 1915–1990. The paper reviews published works and government documents, which is combined with fi eld observations and aerial photos of the area. In particular, our analysis focuses on Salambala conservancy because of its successes and many controversies. The analysis shows that indeed, enactments of law did not address land use in the manner that would have led to fulfi lment of the needs of subsistence farmers until Namibia’s independence in 1990. Nowadays, almost the whole area is still intensively used for small-scale subsistence farming and agricultural practices have remained traditional. The article describes the eff orts of previous administrations and outlines several factors that accounts for present-day land use practices. This account concludes that intensifi cation of grazing and clearing
Medicinal properties of Ximenia: Lessons from the traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia
(2010) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Shapi, Martin K.; Matengu, Keneth K.; MuAshekele, Hina
Ximenia is an important indigenous plant in many countries and used often in herbal preparations by traditional healers. The plant is claimed to possess medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of different ailments and diseases. The aim of this study is to report some of the medicinal properties of Ximenia used by traditional healers in Oshikoto region. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers on their use of medicinal plants in the traditional healing system. It was found that Ximenia is the most frequently used medicinal plant. A total of 47 respondents were interviewed; most of them were at the age of 66 years and above. The traditional healers in Oshikoto region use X. americana and X. caffra to treat various diseases and disorders such as Gonorrhea, Culture Bound Syndrome (CBS), Impotency and Scoliosis. Both forms of the plant status (fresh and dry) were used during the medicinal preparations. Roots are the most used parts in the treatment. The average of the fidelity level (FL) of the both species for all ailments was 33.33% with the highest FL for X. caffra to treat CBS of 66.66%. This study is confirming the potential value of using Ximenia species in traditional medicinal remedies in Oshikoto region in Namibia.
Perspectives on adult literacy and livelihood: a review with reference to the National Literacy Programme in Namibia (NLPN)
(University of Namibia, 2016) Likando, Gilbert N.; Matengu, Keneth K.; Shihako, Mechilde
Literacy, when defined as learning to read and write, has always been considered as an avenue of expressing learners’ realities and values, hence individual learning is shaped by social contexts (Thompson, 2002). In other words, a literate person should be able to apply what has been learned to his or her own context. Namibia has taken the view that literacy is not an end to itself. Instead, it is a tool for empowerment, and a catalyst for economic development. However, the transferability of learned skills to address daily challenges concomitant to improving adult learners’ livelihoods, has recently dominated the debate on the value of adult literacy learning (Likando, 2011). Borrowing from the critical literacy theory, this review article aims to generate debate on the link between literacy and livelihood in an attempt to address the question: Can adult literacy enhance livelihood activities? Using secondary data, we examined the National Literacy Programme of Namibia (NLPN) as a case study.
Reduction of location error in GPS collar tracking data of bovine cattle by using data screening
(University of Namibia, 2012) Polojarvi, Katja; Colpaert, Alfred; Matengu, Keneth K.
Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry enables tracking of an individual animal over a long period of time and can provide researches with accurate information on animal movement. However, various environmental factors influence the satellite signals received by a GPS collar, potentially deteriorating accuracy of position. We tracked Caprivi Sanga cattle using Televilt Tellus Basic GPS collars in North-East Namibia in 2006 and 2007. Locations obtained during the night, when the cattle are gathered inside livestock enclosures, revealed that a significant proportion of the locations are inaccurate. We used data of seven GPS collars for testing different data screening options as a way to reduce location error. Basic analysis showed that simple measures of accuracy like dilution of precision (DOP) and figure of merit (FOM) are not sufficient to remove erroneous locations from the data. We removed the inaccurate locations with the following condition: 2D location with DOP >6 or 0< altitude <850 m or altitude >1050 m or DOP ≥10 or FOM ≥10 or walking speed of the animal over 4.5 km/h. This data screening option eliminated 75% of the most erroneous locations (>300 m from the livestock enclosures) retaining 97.2% of the locations correctly located inside the livestock enclosures. Before data screening, 95% (1372) of the night-time locations that were located outside the livestock enclosures were located 71-406 m from the enclosures. The maximum error was over 10 km. After data screening, 95% (485) of the locations were 54-298 m from the enclosures; the maximum error was 4.4 km.
Towards improving rural water supply and sanitation coverage in Caprivi, North-east Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2013) Matengu, Keneth K.
Improving access to clean drinking water has been a major development goal of the Government of Namibia since independence. In particular, efforts were made to ensure that access to clean water for women and children who carry the responsibility of household maintenance and water provision in homesteads is improved. Women and children constitute a major part of the rural population and have traditionally relied on open water sources. By improving the supply of clean quality water, health risks can be reduced. This paper examines the progress done by the Government of Namibia in improving access to rural water supply through a case study of Caprivi region. A mixed methods approach is used. The results show that major improvements in rural water supply have been made, however this has not resulted in reduction of waterborne diseases.

Browsing by Author "Matengu, Keneth K."

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