Volume 6 (2017)

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A critical analysis of universal literature on graduate employability
(University of Namibia, 2017) Shivoro, Romanus S.; Shalyefu, Rakel Kavena; Kadhila, Ngepathimo
Enhancing graduate employability is fundamental to higher education institutions’ role of producing human capital that is capable of performing competitively in the contemporary labour market. This pa-per presents a synoptic review of literature on graduate employability with particular focus on the conceptual and theoretical background as well as models and approaches for enhancing employability at-tributes. The analysis established that the discourse of graduate employability is central to higher education provision across the globe. The notion of graduate employability has evolved from conceptualiza-tion to the development of instruments for guiding integration of graduate employability attributes in higher education curricula. The paper provides a synthesis of existing research and makes recommendation for further research on strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and the industry to enhance graduate employability.
Sexual challenges (Khaedu dzaVhudzekani) affecting vhavenda divorcees in a church context: Reflection on a case study of care and counselling within the reformed churches of South Africa in the Vhembe district
(University of Namibia, 2017) Mulovhedzi, T.P.; Masoga, M.A.; Mudau, Z.D.
The main aim of this article is to explore the sexual challenges (khaedu dza vhudzekani) divorcees face as they relate to pastoral care and counselling in the church. The objectives of the study were (1) to identify and describe the sexual challenges of divorcees as they relate to pastoral care and counselling in the Reformed Churches of South Africa within the Vhembe District, and (2) to contribute towards the development of an African-orientated approach to pastoral care and counselling to sup-port the Vhavenda divorcees with challenges (khaedu dza vhudzekani) after the pain of divorce and this challenge affects their faith and their practical lives. This study argues that caring and counsel-ling for divorcees should be one of the primary missions of the church. The case study involved believers who are members of the Reformed Churches of South Africa: Synod Soutpansberg, particularly the churches that minister to the Vhavenda people in the Vhembe District Municipality in the Limpopo Province in South Africa. The research employed a qualitative method, with triangulation of data as a method to validate the data collection. The findings of this study show that divorcees experience many sexual challenges, and that Reformed pastors are not doing enough to address those challenges. The findings and recommendations of the study could be useful in guiding pastors in providing pastoral care and counselling to divorcees. The article proposes a new approach of supporting church members who divorcees and who are experiencing sexual challenges.
An analysis on why the mathematics and integrated Natural Sciences Basic Education Teachers Diploma (BETD) graduates opted further studies in their areas of specialisation at the Rundu campus, University of Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2017) Ilukena, Alex M.; Utete, Christina N.; Sirinji, Reuben
This study was conducted to find out why the BETD Mathematics and Integrated Natural Sciences graduates currently studying at Rundu Campus of the University of Namibia (UNAM) opted to further their studies in their areas of specialisation.The profile of the BETD graduates can shed some light on the current training of teachers by the Faculty of Education (FoE) at the Rundu Campus. These graduates were trained in either Upper Primary (UP), grades 5-7 level, or Junior Secondary (JS), grades 8-10 (JS) level, which UNAM did not offer before the merger. Currently the FoE is offering a 4 year Bachelor of Education Honours (B. Ed. Honours) degree at Upper Primary (UP) level, grades 4-7. This enables those who did UP level to articulate in 2nd year, while those who did JS level have to start from year 1, due to the different levels of studies, subject content, skills and methodology acquired. A total number of 26 participants were involved in this research, 11 females and 15 males. The study employed semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and followed up with stimulated recall interviews to establish their perceptions regarding the reasons why they opted to further their studies at the Rundu Campus, which are mainly as follows: higher level subject con-tent, skills, methodology, distance, finances, accommodation, and work stations that are within the regions.
Combating the common enemy? A descriptive account of Namiba's involvement in the Angolan civil conflict
(University of Namibia, 2017) Amupanda, Job S.
Although there are several studies on post-colonial Namibia, the subject of Namibia’s foreign relations in general and military operations in particular has not attracted many studies by local scholars. This subject has been left either for exploration by foreign scholarship or to local journalists to provide somewhat ‘pass-by’ accounts. There is thus little literature available on the subject such as the role of Namibia in the Angolan civil conflict. This reason alone is sufficient to make a compelling case on why there is a need for an account on the role of Namibia in this conflict. Produced on account of necessity, it is the hope of this author that it serves as a foundation for further research; regardless of the perspective – for or against, as long as studies on the subject exist. Most of the studies on conflict resolution and peacemaking are often focused on colonialism as if Namibia and generally southern Africa did not witness more than 20 years of post-colonial majority rule. This article seeks to explain the contours of conflict studies from colonial to post-colonial period.
Analysis of teacher reinforcement practices and reprimands system at the basic education classrooms: An observation study
(University of Namibia, 2017) Ofoha, Dorothy
Access and retention are key components of the basic education programme in Nigeria. However, despite progress in access, low retention rate remains a key issue. Addressing the retention problem re-quires a critical review of current teacher classroom management practices. While positive reinforcement (PR) and reprimands are tools used by teachers to reinforce classroom behaviour, research sug-gests that retention is enhanced when PR outweighs reprimands by a ratio of 4:1. Although research has consistently shown that the use of reprimands is prevalent in Nigerian classrooms, data regarding the level of PR emission is lacking. Using a systematic observation method, this study examined the types, rate, frequency and pattern of PR system currently in use at the basic education classrooms vis-à-vis levels of reprimands with a view to providing baseline data for decision-making. Subjects included 60 teachers drawn from 20 schools (10 primary/10 junior secondary) in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. They were observed for 4 weeks during regular classroom teaching. Data collected were coded into quantitative categories and analysed with the use of frequencies, ratios, percentages, and chi-square test. Results showed that teachers delivered a low rate of PR and a high rate of reprimands at the ratio of approximately 1:6, far below the recommended level. No significant differences were found when the data were analysed by grade level and years of teaching. The findings are discussed in terms of their practical implications. To boost student retention at school, the use of PR strategies needs to be more widespread in the basic education classrooms.
Teachers' perspective on the Namibian portfolio for languages: Three years after implementation
(University of Namibia, 2017) Zannier-Wahengo, Aurelie
The Namibian Portfolio for Languages (NPL) was conceived in 2013 by five Namibian educators and dis-tributed to seven Namibian secondary schools to approximately 500 pupils learning French as a foreign language. Since its implementation, the impact of the NPL is researched both on pupils and teachers by the University of Namibia French section, in order to assess its learner-centered pretensions, its formative assessment capacity, and its support in self-assessment. This paper looks into teachers’ feedback on the NPL practicality in and outside the classroom environment after three years of implementation. Further-more, it aims at assessing NPL’s relevance as a tool to the benefit of self-assessment and formative assessment.
Exploring how modern sciences impede the development of indigenous knowledge (IK) [Ethno-science and Ethno-mathematics] in the Kavango East region: A case study
(University of Namibia, 2017) Utete, Christina N.; Ilukena, Alex M.; Sindano, Gerson
The analysis of this research paper is drawn from theoretical framework that indicates the relationship between modern science and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in their different environments. The focus of this study was to establish the relationship between modern science and indigenous knowledge (IK), particularly how modern science has become dominant over IK. This seems to have resulted in many IK systems becoming extinct and redundant. The significance of this study is to contribute to the existing scientific body of knowledge since there seems to be dearth of IK documented information. It also creates awareness on the existence of traditional methods and skills that were used and still being used in their livelihood. In addition, the research paper provides explanation on the importance of the IK in relation to modern science. In the same vein the research paper draws parallel lines among the ethno-sciences, ethno-ma-thematics and modern science. Since the paper focuses on ethno-sciences and ethno-mathematics, learning systems of imparting knowledge were meticulously investigated. This paper places IK at the center of the knowledge creation instead of being an obstacle to the development of contemporary science and mathematics.
Basic phychological need satisfaction and the impact on turnover intention across industries, Windhoek
(University of Namibia, 2017) Pieters, Wesley R.
High levels of unemployment in Namibia, skills shortages and the pressure to compete both locally and internationally, require organisations to satisfy basic psychological needs of employees. Basic psychological needs have been identified as critical ingredients for employees to grow, develop integrity and remain healthy (autonomy, relatedness, competence). Turnover intention is a damaging attitude towards the organisation that lasts long after the employee has left. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between basic psychological need satisfaction and turnover intention within the insurance, telecommunication and teaching industries in Windhoek. Employees are less likely to leave an organisation if they experience satisfaction in terms of autonomy, competence and relatedness. A cross-sectional survey design was used, employing questionnaires to collect data on the biographical details, basic psychological need satisfaction and turnover intention of employees in the Khomas region. The sample consisted of an insurance firm (n=85), a telecommunication provider (n=37) and different Governmental Secondary Schools (n=104) in Windhoek. The relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction (as measured by the Work-Related Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale) and turnover intention (as measured by the Turnover Intention Scale) was investigated making use of Spearman’s rank order correlation. A negative correlation was found between competence and relatedness [r = -.15, n=226, p < .05]; an insignificant relation between competence [r = -.01, n=226, p < .05] and turnover intention; and between relatedness and turnover intention [r = .10, n=226, p < .05]. When employers and managers know how to ensure satisfying interactions and how they manage employees, provide employees with the necessary autonomy; and improve their perceived levels of competence, a reduction of turnover intention, coupled with other positive work related attitudes, becomes likely.
From user questions to a basic microstructure: Developing a generative communication theory for a Namibian German dictionary
(2017) Beyer, Herman Louis; Augart, Julia
This article reports on the initial planning stages of a Namibian German dictionary project, i.e. a dictionary that would primarily provide semantic information in Standard German about Namibian German lexical items. The concept of Namibian German is explained, and existing dictionaries of Namibian German are briefly surveyed. The theoretical framework is that of a new lexicographic theory, i.e. the theory of lexicographical communication. Within this framework, a new classification of three types of dictionary purposes is introduced, i.e. macro-contextual purposes, meso-contextual purposes and micro-contextual purposes. The focus then shifts to the development of a basic micro-structure for the dictionary, which refers to a set of lexicographic messages encoded in lexicographic utterances that would be included in a dictionary article in order to answer specific potential target user questions. Pertinent elements of the theory of lexicographical communication are worked out to develop a basic microstructure for the equivalent relation of full equivalence. This demonstrates that the theory can be applied generatively, i.e. to develop a dictionary model starting from a set of empirically identified user questions relating to a particular user situation. In the process, a formal link between user questions, consultation objectives, lexicographic messages and lexicographic utterances is established. This is followed by an overview of how a basic microstructure could be amplified to ensure successful lexicographical communication.
Organisational knowledge management: A case study of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2017) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Mubuyaeta, Mitchel M.; Beukes-Amiss, Catherine M.
This paper reports on a study carried out on organisational knowledge management (KM) practices in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in Namibia. The objectives of the study were: to explore knowledge sharing (KS), knowledge acquisition (KA), knowledge capture (KC), knowledge dissemination (KD), and knowledge transfer (KT) at MGECW; to determine barriers and enablers to organisational KM; to examine the work culture and attitudes of personnel which affect organisational KM and its practices; and to investigate how management supports organisational KM practices. The case study used a mixed methods approach. Two instruments were used to collect data, namely semi-structures interviews and questionnaires. The results reveal that organisational knowledge (OK) in the MGECW hinges on tacit and explicit OK and respondents had a comprehensive understanding of OK and KM, however, the management of OK was found to be informally practiced without KM structures in place and no structural procedures to encourage employees to share their OK. Organisational KD and KT practices showed a strong preference for the use of fax machines, telephones and face-to-face meetings as forms of dispensing and transferring OK. Same enablers of organisational KM in the MGECW included positive leadership (senior management), technology (im-proved ICT infrastructure), organisational culture, employee commitment and involvement, trust, social networking and teamwork. The study found lack of skills and technical support in ICT; poor ICT infrastructure; lack of motivation and reward systems; negative attitude of employees towards organisational KM practices; poor record management; lack of time and funds for training and equipment as barriers of organisational KM.
A revolutionary character, a dispensable rebel? Edgar Tekere's political point-scoring autobiography of a Zimbabwean nationalist movement
(University of Namibia, 2017) Gonye, Jairos; Moyo, Thamsanqa; Hlongwana, James
In Zimbabwe, autobiographies, particularly political ones, are sites of contestations, compositions, decompositions and recompositions of national narratives. In their obsession with the self, they always centre the narrating subjectivity whilst at the same time decentering and recentering others. This means that in this literary gamesmanship, certain political personalities are displaced, peripherised, and debunked in this historical re-imagination. Tekere in his autobiography, A Life time of Struggle (2007), seeks to impose his political credentials and legitimacy in the national script in the face of what he sees and stigmatises as opportunism by many politicians, and how these politicians were catapulted into positions of power by default. To dramatise this, his autobiography employs binary tropes that mark him out as iconic and a quintessence of virtue as opposed to the insipid, dour, corrupt and wishy-washy others. In this paper we argue that Tekere’s autobiographical act, coming as it does after he has been pushed outside the ruling circles, is meant to portray him as the personification of revolutionary incorruptibility which both the colonial and postcolonial regimes felt threatened by. This autobiography is, therefore, a conscious and deliberate act of inscribing the self into the Zimbabwean historico-literary landscape. It presents an alternative frame to the hegemonic master-discourses of the fetishised, Mugabe-centred patriotic history on and about Zimbabwe.
Effectiveness of higher order thinking scaffolding tool as a knowledge transfer instrument among University of Namibia science students
(University of Namibia, 2017) Kapolo, Paulus; Sheimemanya, Cornelia; Shihomeka, Sadrag P.; Nghuumbwa, Malakia
This paper presents the results of the study carried out at the University of Namibia on the extent to which high order thinking scaffolding tool can assist students to transfer knowledge. To examine the tool, a quasi-experimental design within the flipped-classroom was used in a mixed method study. Students were divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. These two groups were all approached in the similar manner and directed at different times of the day. The only difference was that the experimental group was provided with a scaffolding tool, while the control group had no scaffolding tool. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Higher Order Thinking as a scaffolding tool that can improve students’ knowledge transfer. When the means were compared, it was found that there is no statistical significant difference between the two means for the Higher Order Thinking Tool group (M= 4.89) and the control group (M= 4.27),
Vulnerability and inclusion in the control of acute respiratory infections policy in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2017) Van Rooy, Gert
This paper presents the findings on a policy analysis of the Control of Acute and Respiratory Infections (ARIs) of the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia. The policy document was analysed against 21 core concepts of access to health and its effectiveness in 12 vulnerable groups using the EquiFrame, a novel analytical and peer reviewed framework that serves to identify the strengths and weaknesses in current health policies with regard to the degree in which a policy promotes and protects the core concepts and vulnerable groups in society (Mannan et al. (2013, p. 2). The 2006/07 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reported that close to four percent of children under five years of age show symptoms of ARI in the two weeks preceding the survey, while 17 percent of children under five have been reported as having fever, a major sign of malaria, which contributes to high levels of malnutrition and death in children (NDHS 2006/2007). In 1995, the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia devised a policy programme to reduce ARI mortality by 30%, the incidence by 15%, and the rate of complication by 20% in children under five. EquiFrame was used to analyse the Control of ARI Programme and a data extraction matrix was used to record its quality. EquiFrame was also used to determine the extent to which the ARI policy document would address issues of vulnerability and inclusion in health provision. The overall ranking of the programme showed it to be of low quality, necessitating a revision so that vulnerability and social inclusion components could be adequately ad-dressed.
Reproductive justice in the face of conservatism: Youth attitudes towards abortion on demand
(University of Namibia, 2017) Mwatilifange, Sarah N.; Edwards-Jauch, Lucy
The right to life and reproductive health has been firmly established by a number of international human rights and gender equality instruments to which Namibia is a signatory. Human rights and reproductive justice frameworks affirm women’s right to bodily integrity and reproductive autonomy without violence, coercion or discrimination on the basis of race, class, ethnicity or disability. The restrictive Namibian abortion law infringes upon all these rights. It is particularly discriminatory against poor and mainly black women who do not have the means to seek safe and legal abortions outside the borders of the country. The high levels of morbidity and mortality related to unsafe illegal abortions show that criminllisation does not stop illegal abortions from taking place. Government has made some attempts at re-viewing the outdated law, but progress has been stymied by politically conservative attitudes and the lack of awareness of gender equality and reproductive rights. Although people (in this case youth) are aware of the risks of unsafe illegal abortions to women’s lives and health, they do not see a need for change. This raises broader questions about the status of women in our society and whether women’s lives matter.
A stylistic analysis of Diescho's dictums published from January 2014 to December 2015
(University of Namibia, 2017) Nepolo, Theresia; Mlambo, Nelson
Using the Formalist Theory and the pedagogical stylistics perspective, this article analyses stylistic features of foregrounding and figurative language used by Joseph Diescho in his “Dictums”, published in the New Era newspaper between January 2014 and December 2015. The study seeks to demonstrate how public discourse can provide useful insights to teachers and lecturers as well as students who are inter-ested in understanding how language and literature can be analysed in the classroom. The study found that Diescho is a writer with multiple authorial styles. Furthermore, he creatively combines (writing) styles such as deviation, parallelism, reference, rhetorical questions and the extensive use of quotes to communicate what he intends the readers to understand. The varied styles are also intended to strengthen and enhance his arguments, as well as to voice his views, beliefs and opinions on multiple issues. The study recommends the need for classroom practitioners to scrutinise public discourse from a stylistic perspective in the primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors in order to enhance their interpretive skills and creative writing skills.
Neo-liberalism masquerading as 'mixed economy'? a critical analysis of Namibia's principles of economic order
(University of Namibia, 2017) Amupanda, Job S.
Whereas a number of studies exists on the causes and impacts of inequality, poverty and unemployment, in which the majority of Namibians are trapped, very few, if any, of these studies cared to interrogate the role and place of the constitution in aiding the status quo. Most of the studies, even those on the constitu-tion, are often disinterested in the question of political economy, and how it relates to the constitution. A constitution can be understood as a set of fundamental laws determining the orientation (values and prin-ciples), structure and power of the state. To understand the economic system of a given state, the consti-tution ought to be the first point of call. In Namibia the picture is not as clear as it should be. The theory and the practice on the question of political economy do not necessarily intertwine. This text is concerned with the question of political economy. It analyses the constitutional principle of “Mixed Economy”, with the view to understand – and explain – the triumph of neoliberalism in Namibia. It impenitently concludes that, given the lack of clarity of the principle of “Mixed Economy” – a principle this text renders suspect – there is a need to relook at the constitution of the Republic of Namibia in order to address the question of political economy. The finding, however, is clear: Namibia is a neoliberal state.
A preliminary description of the syntax and morphology of interrogatives in the Shona language
(University of Namibia, 2017) Matambirofa, Francis
This article describes some idiosyncratic properties of interrogative particles in the Shona language from the view point of their morphological and syntactic behaviour. This arises out of the observation that in syntactic structure, there are instances in which interrogatives can substitute for the nouns about whose enquiry they are made. It would make an interesting study to determine the extent to which interrogatives can stand as surrogate nouns. Shona marks for interrogatives using both segmental and supra-segmental strategies. The following are examples of segmental interrogative markers: sei ‘why’, ko? ‘Why/how come’, saka? ‘so?’, -ei? ‘why?’, chii? ‘what?’, ani? ‘who?’, -i? ‘what/when/which?’, ngani? ‘How many?’. Supra-segmentals generally use the strategy of placing high tone marking on specific segments. Moreover certain interrogatives can simultaneously combine within the same interrogative sentence, chiefly for emphasis. At the same time, there are some interrogatives that are not compatible with each other. In addition, interrogatives seem to have semantic features that are generally associated with [±Human], [±Count], [±Affirmation], etc., in addition to the common feature [+Interrogative]. This paper sought to examine how these features influence the syntax of interrogative sentences in terms of the compatibility and incompatibility properties of certain interrogative particles as well as determine how the same features pro-actively and ‘intelligently’ select the range of potential answers in the Shona language.
Zi-feiti-wuieyn: Fashion and beauty in Kom history in Cameroon as understood through photographs
(University of Namibia, 2017) Nkwi, Walter G.
For a very long time, African history has suffered from Eurocentric biases so much so that the history and civilisation of this continent was understood as European activities. Historians of Africa paid scant attention to fashion and beauty of its people which could be partially known in the social science as sexuality. This is likely because it was considered an exclusive domain of anthropology and perhaps psychology. This situation has dramatically changed since the 1990s as trans-disciplinary studies have been encouraged. On the other hand, historians and social scientists of Africa have little interaction with visual images which can be used as alternative sources of historical phenomena. Photographs as one of the visual sources can be used to understand fashion and beauty in Africa, taking Kom in the Northwest of Cameroon as a case study. On the basis of this, I intend to look at pictures and how these made and remade the body at different times in the history of Kom as a form of leisure and fun. My interest is to showcase indigenous under-standing of this type of leisure which the Kom people engage with. What type of indigenous materials was used for their fashion and beauty? From the photographs, how can one understand the socio-cultural basis of sexuality? How can one read meaning into the various forms of body adornment, putting on of various objects such as ear rings and bangles to beautify the body, tattooing, scarification, and different hair styles at different periods of Kom history? I further wish to compare sexual representation in the photographs of Christians and non-Christians, educated and uneducated, members of royalty and commoners, and how this was shaped by ideology or social status. I collected these photographs from private archives in Cameroon and Europe during field work for my PhD thesis between 2008 and 2011.
Job satisfaction as a predictor of work engagement of banking employees in Windhoek
(University of Namibia, 2017) Pieters, Wesley R.
Operating in an environment with so many banks offering similar products and services requires banks to have employees that are knowledgeable and have positive job attitudes. Enhancing em-ployees’ levels of job satisfaction will likely influence their levels of work engagement. This study investigated the relation between job satisfaction and work engagement, and which dimensions of job satisfaction best predict work engagement of banking employees in Windhoek, Namibia. The negative job attitudes of bank employees impact on the quality of service delivery and negatively affect customer satisfaction. Having satisfied and engaged employees will most likely improve the quality of service and customer satisfaction within the banking sector. A cross-sectional survey design was used, employing questionnaires to collect data on the biographical details, job satisfaction and work engagement of employees within the banking industry. The sample consisted of employees from two banks, Bank X (n=106) and Bank Y (n=110) in Windhoek. Intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction re-ported strong correlations with work engagement. Intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction was significant predictors of work engagement, with intrinsic job satisfaction being the stronger predictor. The novelty of this study in Namibia will add to already existing knowledge within Industrial/ Organisational Psychology, and pave the way for future research, and guide the development of interventions to keep bank employees satisfied and engaged in their work, improving on productivity and customer satisfaction. Managers need to assess job satisfaction and employee engagement regularly, identify the factors that impact on employees job attitudes and identify ways to improve job satisfaction, with work engagement having positive impacts on performance and customer satisfaction.
The role of a policy brief in policy formulation and review: Bringing evidence to bear
(University of Namibia, 2017) Likando, Gilbert N.; Kadhila, Ngepathimo
Applying scientific evidence in policy making is a complex, yet crucial issue that policy makers need to embrace at all times. Evidence-based policy making helps in filling the gap between academic research and practice. A policy brief is perceived in this review paper as a neutral synopsis that makes research findings easily digestible with a sole purpose to succinctly evaluate policy options regarding a specific issue, for a policy-maker audience. Unlike the general recommendations from findings of an academic research, a policy brief is a ‘professional’ concise report that ensures the impact of research in addressing problems and challenges facing society. Using document analysis as a methodological approach, this review paper discusses the importance of a policy brief in facilitating policy formulation and review. In addition, it critically examines, what a persuasive policy brief entails, and what steps to consider in de-signing actionable policy brief. The paper also provides a critical analysis of the current status-quo in terms of the development and use of policy briefs in policy formulation in Namibia.

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