Masters Degrees (DSS)

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Poverty mapping in Namibia
(1997) Van Rooy, Gert
Towards appropriate, accessible information networks in developing communities
(1998) Jacobs, Veronica
Kinship and family life of the Herero
(2000) Tanskanen, Kirsti
Adolescent sexuality in Namibia: An analysis of sexual knowledge, attitudes and practices among secondary school learners in Katutura
(2001) Yamakawa, Sayumi
A post-structural investigation in the construction of meaning and understanding
(2002) Greiner-Brezillon, Michele; ;
Living with HIV - The psychological relevance of meaning making
(University of Namibia, 2003) Meiring, Nikki P.
HIV is considered a global disease, infecting and affecting the lives of millions of people. So far, the psychological experience of being HIV-positive has not yet been investigated sufficiently. The aim of this study is to explore how HIV-infected individuals evaluate their own lives, particularly how they find meaning in living with this life-threatening virus and how they cope with their HIV-positive status by making meaning out of it. Work done on meaning making and coping by Park & Folkman (1997) informs this study and provides the theoretical framework. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who were diagnosed as HIV-positive, but had not yet developed AIDS. The data was then analyzed by means of a circular deconstruction method developed by Jaeggi & Faas (1991). Fifteen dimensions relevant to meaning making and coping processes were identified. The results showed that all interviewees experienced their HIV diagnosis as a critical life event and felt largely responsible for its occurrence. They experienced self-blame, inter alias, and chose to accept the situation - even when they were not entirely responsible for contracting the virus. The study also revealed that almost half of those interviewed thought about ending their lives after the diagnosis. This was because they felt that they could not change or alter the situation. However, it did not influence their goal-making behavior, and most of the interviewees appeared to still make plans for the future. Planning or making goals could be an important expression of hope, which is crucial for meaning making and for coping. Through hope, individuals can experience a sense of control. Interviewees showed both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping mechanisms and tried to integrate the experience of being HIV-positive into their lives as much as possible. Those who were employed, as well as those who received counselling or similar support, also showed a better sense of coping with the disease than those who had no such support. Interestingly, almost all interviewees expressed the fact that being HIV-positive has brought a change in their spiritual life. Some mentioned that they have had complete religious conversions. These findings are an expression of meaning making and could explain why interviewees have not given up hope and have been able to maintain their perception of control over life.
Understanding children and adolescents grieving: A study of the perspectives of adults on children's bereavement process in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2003) Gous, D.
This research study aimed to bring about greater insight into the topic of bereavement, especially with regards to children and adolescents. Questions that were answered included: How and why do people grieve? How can one help a person to cope with his/her grief? How do children grieve, and is it different from adults' grief? What do adults understand by children’s reactions to loss? The sample population was pre-defined according to the following characteristics. Primary and secondary caregivers of children (between the ages of eight (8) and eighteen (18), who have lost either one of their parents during the past three (3) years) were contacted to participate voluntarily in the study and to supply information with regards to children’s grief processes. Data generation took place through the collection of data from semi-structured individual interviews with ten (10) participants. Four primary caregivers and six secondary caregivers participated in the study. A total of fourteen children were discussed in the interviews by the different participants. The interview data was transcribed verbatim and the text was reduced to include only those text parts where the participant spoke about the grieving child, the deceased or the participant’s own beliefs and reactions to death. The text was analyzed by using the Summarizing Content Analysis technique of Philip Mayring’s Qualitative Content Analysis. It was then interpreted within the theoretical frameworks of the attachment theory of John Bowlby and William Worden, and the attribution theory of Bernard Weiner. Due to the small sample size of the study, it was difficult to draw any significant conclusions from the data. However, tentative interpretations of the data pointed to a difference between primary and secondary caregivers’ understanding of childhood grief, as well as a dissimilarity between the recorded understanding of childhood grief and the predictions from academic literature. This emphasized a need for psycho-education in the field of childhood bereavement for adults who are dealing with children who may have lost significant people in their lives. It became all the more necessary in the light of findings about the number of orphans in Namibia and developing countries generally, and it was suggested that future studies might consider entering this vast, unexplored field.
Psychological effects of affirmative action
(University of Namibia, 2004) Tjiramba, Agnes M.
The present study was conducted within the qualitative research paradigm with the aim to explore the psychological aspects of affirmative action in the Namibian context. It was against this background that Attribution Theory was used as a framework for the investigation of affirmative action. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, thus interview guidelines were developed, one for the target group members and one for non-target group members. The interviews were evaluated with Qualitative Content Analysis. The participants in the present study consisted of six affirmative action target and four non-target group members at middle or high management level. They were chosen through judgmental or purposive sampling method. The results of this study were reported under six categories such as general perception about affirmative action, experience of affirmative action at the workplace, emotional reactions towards affirmative action, stigmatization and coping, self-perception/self-evaluation and perception of affirmative action appointees. The main conclusions drawn from this study were that the majority of the interviewees felt that associations with affirmative action affect impressions of an individual’s work orientation and effectiveness. It was also found that the interviewees believed that affirmative action could eliminate discrimination if implemented fairly but yet can perpetuate another form of discrimination. The results were presented based on attempts of interpretation and recommendations for creating more insight in the psychological aspects of affirmative action in employment.
Conceptualisations of the community and community knowledge among community radio volunteers in Katutura, Namibia
(2008) Ellis, Hugh
Community radio typically relies on volunteers to produce and present stations’ programming. Volunteers are generally drawn from stations’ target communities and are seen as “representatives” of those communities. It is with such volunteers and their role as representatives of stations’ target communities that this study is concerned. It poses the question: “what are the central concepts that typically inform volunteers’ knowledge of their target community, and how do these concepts impact on their perception of how they have gained this knowledge, and how they justify their role as representatives of this community?” The dissertation teases out the implications of these conceptualisations for a volunteer team’s ability to contribute to the establishment of a media environment that operates as a Habermasian ‘critical public sphere’. It argues that this can only be achieved if volunteers have detailed and in-depth knowledge of their target community. In order to acquire this knowledge, volunteers should make use of systematic ways of learning about the community, rather than relying solely on knowledge obtained by living there. In a case study of Katutura Community Radio (KCR), one of the bestknown community radio stations in Namibia, the study identifies key differences in the way in which different groups of volunteers conceptualise “the community”. The study focuses, in particular, on such difference as it applies to those who are volunteers in their personal capacity and those who represent non-governmental and community-based organisations at the station. It is argued that two strategies would lead to significant improvement in such a station’s ability to serve as a public sphere. Firstly, the station would benefit from an approach in which different sections of the volunteer team share knowledge of the target community with each other. Secondly, volunteers should undertake further systematic research into their target community. It is also argued that in order to facilitate such processes, radio stations such as KCR should recognise the inevitability of differences between different versions of “community knowledge”.
The influence of parental guidance of children's sexual behavior: A case study of Windhoek
(University of Namibia, 2008) Sharma, Mercia
This study is based mainly on quantitative data collected from 347 school children in grades 8, 9 and 10 from three high schools in Windhoek, Namibia. Three schools were randomly selected which represented different scales of fees - low, medium, high – which reflects the range of financial background of the pupils. The study also used qualitative data collected from seven counsellors and social workers from different government and NGOs in Windhoek. The major objective of the study was to identify the factors associated with early sexual activity by school children. Among 347 children from ages 13 to 18, sixty-four (18.4%) had experienced sexual intercourse and the majority were male. The effect of peer pressure was significant in those sixty four children, who were already sexually active. Findings suggest that parental guidance, support, and supervision were significantly (and adversely) related to the early onset of sexual activity. Chi-square and regression analysis revealed that parental guidance, support and supervision might play a major role in deterring and delaying sexual activity of children. Children who were supported, cared, and guided by their parents had their first sexual experiences at an older age.
Jesus as an African traditional ancestor: His relevance to African christians and Africa and a discussion of his multi-faceted roles
(2009) Sheehama, Naftali S.
Abstract provided by author
Ethnography of 'Herero Mall' (Windhoek) as a post-apartheid social space
(2013) Tjirera, Ellison
The post-apartheid city represents an important reflector of a society in transition. Urban space as a mixture of complex interrelations and social interactions provides a prism through which a society in transition is illuminated. This transition is captured in social spaces. Yet, there is a dearth of studies focusing on locating the meaning of social spaces in post-apartheid urban Namibia. Employing ethnography as a methodological choice, participant observation combined with in-depth interviews was used to locate the social meaning of the so-called ‘Herero Mall’ in the heart of Katutura. Providing an important means of economic survival, ‘Herero Mall’ is a solace to the urban subaltern, to invoke Gayatri Spivak’s concept. Most traders if not all are unable to join formal employment because of their low level of education. ‘Herero Mall’ exists against the backdrop of high unemployment in the city where enormous wealth rubs shoulders with abject poverty. Subjected to history and with reference to power symbols within its milieu, ‘Herero Mall’ attracts symbolic capital in the Bourdieuvian sense. The latter is expressive of a social space embodying identity with an ethnic character. However, looking at ‘Herero Mall’ solely using historical and power symbols’ lens robs us of conceiving this social space as a fusion of the past and the present. This brings hybridity to the fore, a character ingrained in ‘Herero Mall’ as a post-apartheid social space. The reproduction of class divides, especially along gender lines is expressed through the interaction of social actors. Invariably, social actors eke out a living within the purview of their social positions. ‘Herero Mall’ is by and large organised around consumption, a distinctive feature of modern societies. It brings together people from different walks of life and across ethnic and class divides. However, consumers are notably young people from various social spheres. As a mix of disparate informal market place, it is interwoven with the broader formal economy by acting as a transmitter of consumer goods sourced from formal businesses. The paper concludes with an assertion that from a sociological point of view, treating social spaces as mere ‘containers’ carries with it the risk of forfeiting to get a grasp of social transformation under way.
Information needs and information seeking behavior of Namibian pastors
(2013) Matsveru, David
This study investigated the information needs and seeking behaviour of pastors in Namibia. The purpose of the study was to establish the information required by pastors to carry out their work, how they seek information and the problems they encounter in doing so. A mixed-method approach research was used to meet the objectives of the study. A stratified quota sample of 200 pastors was used based on Walpole’s formula for proportions. One hundred and thirty-eight (69%) participants responded to the questionnaire, while 16 pastors from different denominations in Windhoek, purposively selected as key informants, were interviewed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) basic level descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data from the questionnaires, while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from the interviews. The findings of this research are that pastors need information for counselling, community development, administration, evangelism, preaching, teaching, public relations and leading a service. When pastors do not find information from formal sources (Bible concordances, Bible commentaries, Bible translations, etc.) in their personal libraries, they turn to informal sources of information (Holy Spirit and other experienced pastors). The respondents revealed that their information seeking behaviour is affected by the fact that existing information is either in languages they do not understand or is not relevant to their contexts. They also pointed out that they lack skills to search the Internet, and the majority have no money to buy computers or subscribe to the Internet. Many organisations are involved in the provision of pastoral information services but they lack coordination to serve the pastors effectively. A framework for setting up pastoral information services has been proposed. The researcher recommends that the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), the Pastors’ Book Set (PBS) programme, theological colleges, and local churches work together to systematically provide pastors with the necessary resources. They should periodically assess the information needs and information seeking behaviour of pastors. They need to jointly run workshops to make pastors aware of available sources of information, to encourage the sharing of information among pastors, and to equip pastors with computer and Internet skills. There is also need to repackage information into local languages and in formats that pastors can access easily.
Evaluation of digital reference services in academic libraries in Namibia
(2014) Uutoni, Wilhelm;
Launching of digital reference services by academic libraries is on the increase. Libraries are exploring new ways of expanding their services by interacting with users and responding to user inquiries via the Internet, especially students enrolled on the distance mode of studying. The purpose of this study was to evaluate digital reference services at the Polytechnic of Namibia library and the University of Namibia library. Two aspects were evaluated, namely, ‘Resources’ and ‘elements of the general digital reference model’. This study was a summative evaluation study in which semi-structured interviews and observations were used to collect data. The research findings showed that these libraries used the general digital reference model in providing responses to the library users. The study established that the two libraries did not follow the IFLA and RUSA standards of staffing and training of librarians working with digital reference services. The study further found that a lack of ability to fully demonstrate to users how to access various library services was one of the major problems that the librarians experienced.
An exploration of how treatment interruption and default affects Tuberculosis (TB) patients in Oshakati district, Oshana region, Namibia
(2015) Kalunduka, Tabita T.
The main aim of the study was to explore and study, in order to understand the lived experience of TB patients whose treatment was interrupted and those who default the TB treatment. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. The research project explored the treatment interruption and default among the TB patients in Oshakati District, Oshana Region in Namibia. A person can become infected with tuberculosis bacteria when he/she inhales particles of infected sputum from the air. The bacteria get into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, shouts or spits. Therefore, a person who is nearby an infected person can then possibly inhale the bacteria into the lungs. The treatment of TB can last from 6 to 24 months. Due to the length of the treatment, people might be tempted to stop taking medication as soon as they start feeling better, and may therefore defaults from treatment. In the current study, ten (10) respondents both male and female were interviewed by the researcher with the use of semi-structured interview schedule. Purposive sampling technique was used in this qualitative study which utilised a phenomenological research design. By providing an in-depth exploration of the experience of being a TB patient, the study contributes to knowledge that can be used to establish a patient centred intervention to improve treatment adherence and reduce global disease burden that is attributed to TB. Furthermore, the findings of this study will be used by health care providers and policy makers to design and deliver services to TB patients in Namibia. The findings can be used to broaden people’s understanding on the importance of completion of the TB treatment as well.
Information retrieval knowledge of users using the National Earth Science and Energy Information Centre database
(University of Namibia, 2015) Robert, Hilya Panduleni
This study investigated the information retrieval knowledge of the users of the National Earth Science and Energy Information Centre (NESEIC). The purpose of the study was to establish the gaps in the information retrieval knowledge of NESEIC users and the information skills NESEIC users require to search and locate relevant information from the NESEIC library systems. The study utilised a mixed method research design. Data was collected through interviews, observation and questionnaires from the NESEIC users and NESEIC librarians. A sample of 100 NESEIC users responded to the questionnaire. Thirteen NESEIC users were observed. Ten NESEIC users and two NESEIC librarians were interviewed. The Descriptive Statistical Analysis was used to analyse quantitative data from the questionnaires, a Chi-square test was used to explore relations between variables and SPSS was used as a programme for data entry. Furthermore, cross check was ensured through assigned codes for all questionnaires in the SPSS programme. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from the interviews. The ethics of this study honoured voluntary participation, confidentiality and informed consent. The literature reviewed in this study suggests that, there is an increasing gap in libraries‟ user knowledge and retrieval of information. The main findings of the study established that, a lack of information literacy skills is the major problem limiting NESEIC users from independently searching, accessing and using the resources effectively in the NESEIC library. The study‟s findings also established that most NESEIC books are wrongly catalogued and shelved, thus some NESEIC users fail to retrieve the relevant information. The findings of the study are similar to that of the literature reviewed; this study found poor information use in the NESEIC library caused by lack of information literacy skills. The study made recommendations which included the recommendation for the NESEIC library to introduce user education and information literacy skills training programs that will help in training users on how to access and use the library‟s collection, facilities and services more effectively.
Farming of the San people by the Namibian print media
(University of Namibia, 2016) Magadza, Moses E.
This largely qualitative and partly quantitative study is a critical analysis of the representation of San people of Namibia in selected stories published in The Namibian, New Era, Informanté, The Southern Times, The Villager, The Windhoek Observer and Namibian Sun newspapers over two years from January 2012 to December 2013. The aim was to evaluate the economic, socio-cultural and political situation of the San people as reported by the seven newspapers. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the stories. Content analysis and critical discourse analysis (CDA) were used to analyse data and point out binaries and dichotomies inherent in selected articles. The framing theory and CDA informed the study. Recurrent themes from the literature review were compared and contrasted with media stories. The study found that media coverage of San people and issues that affected them was grossly inadequate, and that San people were a peripheral ethnic group when it came to access to health, media rights, education, land, self-identity and dignity. It also found that the media glossed over San-related issues. It concludes that there was a disconnection between non-journalistic writers and the media on San issues. San people were heterogeneous yet the media treated them as homogenous. Balanced reportage of issues that affect San people was conspicuously absent. Much of the reportage was event-driven, lacking analysis and balance. The study recommends a revision of the intermediary role of the media, journalistic ethics and a shift from symptoms to causes and viable solutions. It further recommends new media discourses that shift from stereotyping to a discourse that restores and upholds the identity of San people.
Social media and police-community relations: A case study of the Namibian police force's Facebook page
(University of Namibia, 2016) Kapitako, Alvine
The purpose of this study was to establish if the people who have 'liked' the NAMPOL Facebook page found the page useful from the purview of police-community relations; to determine if there is a difference in perception of police-community relations between those who have “liked” the page and those who have not liked the page; to determine if demographic variables impacted respondents' views on interactivity and engagement of NAMPOL's Facebook page. The study involved a survey of online respondents and Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) for Windhoek residents who did not ‘like’ the NAMPOL Facebook page. Similar to international studies that found that most public relations practitioners are using new media the same ways as they do with traditional media, this study, established that the public relations division of NAMPOL is not making use of the power of social media by actively engaging the community as equal partners on Facebook. This is despite special emphasis by NAMPOL on the use of ICTs as well as involving the community as equal partners in its functions and activities. Additionally, the study determined that the public and in particular the youths, who are a majority on social media, are also not fully exploiting the power of social media which are seen as powerful, and if used correctly can change the modern communication sphere for the better. The platform is one which they use to receive information and not necessarily engage the police to their advantage. They are rather passive recipients of information/updates from NAMPOL as very few reported that they wanted to interact with the police on this platform. The study further established that demographic variables such as age, gender and employment status impacted on respondents’ views, on interactivity and engagement with the NAMPOL Facebook page. In addition, there is not much of a difference in perception between those who ‘liked’ the NAMPOL Facebook page and the public, as both believe Facebook, if used optimally, can effect change for the better. The study thus recommends that the NAMPOL public relations division should consider in its communication strategies, the importance of two-way communication, especially when engaging its most important stakeholder, the public, as indicated in their strategic plan.
An investigation of the information seeking behaviours of veterinary scientists in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2016) Mabhiza, Chenjerai
Thesis reports findings of an explanatory sequential mixed method research design study that examined information seeking behaviours (ISBs) of veterinarians, laboratory scientists, veterinary hygiene inspectors, animal health and laboratory technicians in Namibia with a view to determine their information needs, information source preferences, familiarity with Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) information systems and Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) library services, respondents` adoption of Internet technologies, and barriers to information-seeking. Understanding respondents` information behaviours is vital in designing suitable information systems and aligning library services with user needs. In phase 1, quantitative data was gathered through surveys from 62 conveniently sampled respondents. Completed questionnaires were coded, and a dataset created using SPSSv20. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews held with 7 purposively sampled key informants in phase 2. Voice-recorded data was transcribed, then coded, and organised into groups of related themes. Thematic analysis was used to derive meaning out of data. Findings show that, respondents had various information needs: emergency problem solving; laboratory tests and experiments; literature review; preparing for meetings and conferences; continuing professional development; and information on drugs. Informal sources, such as personal notes and colleagues were more popular among respondents, than MAWF libraries, agriculture websites and CD-ROMs. Fewer scientists read scholarly journals and their publications output was low. Time constraints and lack of training in information searching techniques were respondents` major obstacles. Results confirmed previous findings by African scholars: Nweke (1992), Chikonzo and Aina (2001), Sife and Chilimo (2006), and Nel and Fourie (2010). A modified version of Wilson`s (1996) General Information Behaviour model guided the study, and was also used to develop an ISB model exhibiting information seeking patterns of veterinary scientists in Namibia. Study recommends training in information literacy, improving respondents` information skills, optimising usage of agriculture libraries, information repositories, and Internet
A gender analysis of the triple burden of production, reproduction and community service in the Rehoboth constituency
(University of Namibia, 2016) Husselmann, Charlemaine W.
There has been no research on gender roles and the triple burden of women in the Rehoboth area. Yet women in Rehoboth as many elsewhere are faced with socially ascribed roles in production, reproduction and community. This research seeks to explore and understand the gender division of labour and the gender relations within this community. As a diverse country Namibia has different cultures, we witness that women and men are taught their gender roles through the use of specific cultural practices for instance female initiation, male initiation, genital mutilation and many others which reinforce patriarchy and power relations. However, these specific practices are not present within the Rehoboth community, which is a more religious community and thus base their gender division of labour on their religious beliefs. These religious beliefs could be seen as the bases for the Rehoboth culture as all decisions regarding the family and activities are made based on religious principles. As this is a community of mainly people from the Baster ethnic group, the findings can thus not be generalised to the whole of the country. This study, which attempts to yield literature on a community where there is an existent knowledge gap, tries to identify and explore the gender division of labour of some of the men and women. As this is an ethnographic study of the community, the study also identified the power relations between men and women regarding decision-making, relating to activities within the productive labour, reproductive labour and community service. By comparing the debates surrounding the gender division of labour to the findings, we were able to gain clear insight into a community that has been extremely understudied.

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