Volume 5 (2016)

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Altruism or economic expediency? A descriptive account of Namibia’s 1998 involvement in the DRC conflict
(University of Namibia, 2016) Amupanda, Job S.
In 1998, Namibia joined the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a conflict referred to by some as the most devastating war to have occurred since the Second World War, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. Involving about eight African countries, this war desta-bilised the region, resulting in it being referred to by many as ‘Africa’s First World War.’ During this war, extensive resources of nation states were allocated to warfare, instead of being channelled to-wards more productive and life-saving welfare and poverty alleviation programmes. For example, the United Nations (UN) estimates that the war in the DRC cost Namibia about N$700 Million. While the involvement of Namibia attracted much criticism, it failed to attract academic research of equal measure. Of the research projects conducted, few are by Namibian researchers. There has not been a coherent descriptive account of Namibia’s involvement in this conflict. This article provides a descrip-tive account of Namibia’s involvement in this conflict while exploring and examining Namibia’s mo-tive for being involved in this devastating conflict.
The relevance of integrating Ethno-Science (Indigenous knowledge) into Upper Primary Natural Sciences and Health Education School Curriculum in the Zambezi Region
(University of Namibia, 2016) Utete, Christina N.; Ilukena, Alex M.; Simasiku, Muyumbano B.
There is widespread concern about the outcomes of science education in Namibian schools. The representatives of industries say that they need high-grade scientists, technicians and engineers if Namibia is to successfully compete in technology-intensive global markets by 2030. Ethno-science is a specialisation of indigenous knowledge (IK). It focuses on a scientific perspective of culture. The re-search that resulted in this article critically analysed the relevance of integrating ethno-science (IK) into the Upper Primary School curriculum in Namibia. The research further looked at how the people in the Zambezi region have developed a working terminology that produces taxonomies related to ethno-science. Research has shown that most anthropologists have carried out studies in ethno-science based on native perceptions. This research relies on a quantitative research approach in order to gather data from a population on the general understanding of ethno-science. It can also reveal that 10 parents were involved in the research. This research is of the utmost importance to the different sectors of the industry, teachers, learners, the National Institute For Educational Development (NIED), parents and institutions of higher learning as well as for the nation that needs to produce more science specialists at all level; a society that needs technicians as well as world-class researchers in order to increase the public’s ability to engage with scientific knowledge and choices.
An exploration of the portrayal of the girl-child in Erna Muller’s novels It all goes wrong and when you dance with the crocodile
(University of Namibia, 2016) Chunga, Timothy M.; Kangira, Jairos
This paper provides a critical analysis of the portrayal of the girl-child by Erna Muller in It all goes wrong (2014) and When you dance with the crocodile (2014). The two novels were selected using purposive sampling as they primarily characterise girl-children as protagonists. The researchers employed the African feminist literary theory as argued by Chukwuma (2006) in this study. The African feminist literary theory was used to study how the girl-child is portrayed in a patriarchal world. Content analysis was used to examine the depiction of the girl-child in the two novels. The study revealed that in both novels the girl-characters make independent decisions and act on them, while other characters such as adults and boys play secondary roles. The study found that Erna Muller portrays the girl-child as innocent, open minded, caring, adventurous, assertive, compasssionate and brave. All in all, it can be concluded that Muller uses the two novels to empower the girl-child.
An evaluation into why some people in Windhoek want to stay (job embeddedness) and others want to leave their jobs (turnover intention)
(University of Namibia, 2016) Pieters, Wesley R.
Employees’ loyalty is shifting from loyalty towards the organisation to loyalty to the dollar (pay/benefits). There is no sense of pride in their membership of a certain organisation, joy is focused on the benefits an organisation offers and what’s in it for me attitude (employee). Job embeddedness is defined as a construct that deals with a broad array of influences that represents why an employee wants to stay with a specific organisation. Turnover intention can be defined as an employee’s intention to leave his/her job within a certain period of time. When employees experience a good fit, positive links and low sacrifices in their jobs, they are less likely to leave the organisation. Participants were made of 90 (48.1%) teachers from primary schools and 97 (51.9%) legal firm employees. Female employees from legal firms experienced higher levels of turnover intention than any other group. Divorced and single employees from the legal firms experienced significantly higher levels of turnover intention with married employees experiencing the lowest levels of turnover intention. Total turnover intention recorded a negative co-relation with overall job embeddedness (r=-.29*, p < 0.05), a positive co-relation with community job embeddedness (r=.02, p < 0.05) and health care and retirement job embeddedness (r=.14*, p < 0.05). Investing in team building activities, social events for staff members, paying the best competitive salaries and benefits, retaining the more competent employees within the profession will allow the organisation to prosper. Having the best and happiest employees within the market will allow organisations to meet the top two objectives of the organisation, maintain high levels of productivity and retain the best talent.
The Namibian portfolio for languages: a tool for formative assessment in Namibian secondary schools
(University of Namibia, 2016) Zannier, Aurelie; Lumbu, Simon D.
The notion of learner-centred education has received praise since its inception in the Namibian education system in the early 1990s. This development provided a need for restructuring the process of teaching-learning, the nature of the curriculum, materials and assessment. The Education for All document similarly advocates for the regulation of formative assessment since the early years of the new Namibia. Little evidence suggests that the practical integration of formative assessment has not been concretely defined. In a learner-centred approach, formative assessment is crucial. Whereas it can be generally accepted that formative assessment is at the core of assessment in most language classrooms, it remains unclear whether assessment is more summative than formative. While learners’ marks are indicative of summative assessment, there is no tool to form the basis for the implementation of formative assessment and teacher feedback on their learners’ formative assessment. A team of teachers of French as a foreign language in Namibia viewed the introduction of a portfolio for languages as a practical tool for teachers and learners in order to implement formative assessment. This paper presents the use of the Namibian Portfolio for Languages as a pedagogical tool for self-assessment.
Comparative best practices to manage corruption
(University of Namibia, 2016) Coetzee, Johan
During the last two decades debates about corruption and ways to contain it have acquired a new intensity and concentrated focus. There are increasing attempts to construct a global framework of best practices to manage corruption. Because corruption is a systemic challenge that needs a long-term approach to manage, it is worthwhile focusing on best practises that have proved to be the most durable (most sustainable). Such practices that demonstrate elements of systemic reform in-clude reforms in two newly industrialised and two developed countries. In all four cases there was no masterplan and reform evolved over time. Ongoing successes reinforced the momentum of change, and these successes became institutionalised in government processes and the culture of participative governance.
Radical acting techniques in Zimbabwean street theatre: Implications on audience criticality
(University of Namibia, 2016) Mangosho, Tatenda; Chivandikwa, Nehemia; Mlenga, Tafadzwa
Drawing on Brechtian and traditional African theoretical frameworks, this paper examines nonrealistic acting techniques and fluid manipulation of space in Zimbabwean street theatre as forms of radical innovations in performance aesthetics. Focus is on how these radical innovations are implicated in engendering, sustaining and stimulating an alert and critical audience.
Analysis of factors influencing first year University Undergraduate performance in selected pure Mathematics courses at the National University of Science and Technology – Zimbabwe
(University of Namibia, 2016) Hove, Kudakwashe; Masache, Amon; Showa, Surudzai
In 2012, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe reviewed the University qualification entry cut-off points downwards in the Applied Mathematics Department. Following the review, there has been a worrisome and distinct change in student performance in first year mathematics courses. To explore the possible causes of the poor performance amongst students, a two-stage probability sampling technique was used to collect secondary data covering mainly admission entry level qualification for each student. A one-way Sir Ronald Fisher’s Analysis of Variance model (ANOVA) was used to explore the contribution of various hypothesised factors to performance in first year undergraduate courses. Mathematics grade at advance level and overall performance in all subjects done at Advanced level by a student have a significant influence on his or her first year pure Mathematics courses performance at NUST. We recommend that the Department should em-ploy remedial strategies to first year pure Mathematics courses if students with low scores in advance level mathematics are to be admitted. Instead of focusing on service courses with large classes only, the Department should prioritise allocating extra tutorial hours to pure Mathematics courses. Furthermore the effects of brain drain can- not be ignored, hence the University should find ways to curb or deal with the gap that the highly experienced staff who left, created.
Visual literature: An essential part of academic learning
(University of Namibia, 2016) Beuke-Muir, Chrisna
Because the world is becoming a planet where speed plays a much bigger role than only one generation ago, information is gained at almost the speed of light. Although is not seen as strange phenomenon anymore, the fact remains that technology has developed so drastically that it is almost unthinkable that a person of sixty years old today started her live without television, computer, internet, and perhaps, also without a telephone. In the process literature and language are disciplines that are drastically influenced, apart from the fact that 93% of all language is non-verbal. Images are becoming a most important part of communication and influence us cognitively and emotionally. Images also accelerate and increase our level of comprehension. Therefore visual literature is becoming an integral part of learning. In this article, the Afrikaans comic Asterix die Galliër is investigated, and it is argued that a comic can serve as a subgenre in the main stream of literature. Visual and verbal language are compared and common entities in the syntax, morphology and lexicon are identifi ed. It is concluded that the combined process of reading text and seeing images is essential for learning and rational thinking. Visual literature should therefore not be neglected as a source of academic training.
Individual agency and responsibility in African proverbial discourse
(University of Namibia, 2016) Pongweni, Alex
Akarumwa nechekuchera (He was bitten by what he dug up). (Shona idiom reminding that trouble may be lying deep in the earth, minding its own business, as it were. Someone takes a pick and shovel and unearths it. The person bears the responsibility for the consequences of their own action.) While proverbial lore has been the focus of much research and publication over the years, not many of those have thoroughly examined what I intend to interrogate here, namely how this lore seeks to alert us to the connection between our actions and our responsibility for them. Proverbs are as old as human existence, as can be seen in Jewish thinkers devoting a whole book of The Old Testament to them. In their introduction to that book, the editors outline the domains of life in which a knowledge and acceptance of the wisdom contained in proverbs would enable the Children of Israel to live life as God intended at the Creation. These encompass “reverence for the Lord, religious morality, good manners, self-control, humility, patience, etiquette in social relationships, loyalty to friends, respect for the poor, good manners, family relationships, business dealings, common sense”. In this paper, after analysing Shona proverbs whose messages fall into some of these categories, I conclude that, far from being conservative and authoritarian injunctions out of synch with modernity because of their alleged downplaying of, even frowning on individualism for being inimical to African communal-ism, as some Western thinkers have concluded, African proverbs carry wisdom which reminds us of the connection between individual and communal action, on the one hand, and individual and communal responsibility for creating the societies that we live in through such action, on the other; in fact, proverbial lore recognises both individualism and communalism.
Rethinking xenophobia in the wake of human insecurity in South Africa
(University of Namibia, 2016) Chivurugwi, Josphat
This paper analyses the impact of xenophobic attacks which have rocked South Africa over the past few years, arguing that it has exhibited another human insecurity turning point. The traditional state-centric security conceptions that focus primarily on the safety of the state from military aggression has shifted attention to the security of the individuals. The xenophobic violence which was witnessed after South Africa attained independence in 1994, led scholars of international relations to surmise that the human security conceptual framework should advocates for a paradigm shift of attention from state security approach to a people centered approach to security. The main objective of this paper, therefore was to assess the effects of the xenophobic attacks which erupted periodically and affected the political and economic security sectors of South Africa. This paper adopted a qualitative approach and made use of documentary search, observation methods and in-depth interviews. The paper also revealed that xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa had affected peaceful traditional relations which were in existence between immigrants and the citizens. This article con-cluded that peace and security in South Africa was under threat, and the African National Congress government needed to formulate new immigration laws that regulated the influx of foreigners to avoid xenophobic attacks. This study, therefore advocates for constructive engagements where both migrants and citizens participate equally in the economic sector in South Africa, as opposed to a situ-ation where foreigners dominate. These would be migratory measures to resolve the differences be-tween migrants and the citizens.
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.
The teacher who goes the extra (s)mile: A study among primary school teachers in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2016) Marques, Lilita A.; Janik, Manfred
This study focused on job factors (work engagement, organisational commitment) and psychological states (psychological availability, meaningfulness, autonomy, psychological safety) that teachers (N = 628) in Namibian primary schools need for increased organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB). OCB indicates a teacher’s spontaneous willingness to perform work that is over and above the work description. A quantitative research design with a field survey has been used with a non-random convenience sample of teachers in all regions of Namibia. Measuring instruments used, were: Work Engagement Scale, Organisational Commitment Scale, Psychological Conditions Scale, Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Scale and a biographical questionnaire. Initial statistical analysis included exploratory factor analysis and confirming the reliability of the scales. In addition, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations and multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Mean scores indicated lower levels of cognitive engagement, autonomy, psychological safety and OCB. Medium correlations were found between job factors and OCB as well as between organisational commitment and OCB and psychological conditions and OCB. Other main fi ndings indicated that work engagement (especially physical engagement), organisational commitment as well as the psychological states autonomy and psychological availability were the more significant predictors of OCB. Contrary to expectations, the psychological states of meaningfulness and safety did not significantly predict OCB. Relevant recommendations were formulated based on the results of this study.
A comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy in the workplace as an intervention in the mining sector
(University of Namibia, 2016) Maree, Maretha; Lightfoot, Elizabeth; Ananias, Janetta A.
The abuse of alcohol and drugs can negatively affect the workplace. The testing of workers for substances is a sensitive, yet effective intervention to minimise the percentage of workers who test positively for substance abuse. Little research has been conducted to assess the impact of alcohol and drug testing on the workplace. Thus, this qualitative study, carried out in the mining industry in Namibia, investigates how a comprehensive workplace policy on alcohol and drug abuse can reduce substance abuse among workers during working hours. Data was gathered by means of six focus group discussions and 16 in-depth interviews, incorporating workers from all job grades, as well as community members in a closed mining town. The findings show that the comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy had a positive impact on reducing the occurrence of substance abuse in the workplace. Since the introduction of both random drug and alcohol tests and fit-for-work testing, fewer workers were testing positively for the presence of substances, and participants noted how workers restricted their substance use specifically because of the testing. A central feature of this particular alcohol and drug testing policy is its provision of substance abuse treatment to workers who tested positively for the presence of substances and the involvement of a social worker hired by the mine, rather than simply a punitive approach. However, findings also show that treatment programs need to be followed up with standard aftercare procedures, such as support groups and training on policies and procedures around alcohol and drug testing, in order to improve worker perceptions and acceptance of policies. Furthermore, prevention efforts were regarded as more cost-effective and proactive than the treatment of substance abuse, and holistic substance abuse training was seen as improving awareness among workers.
Factors that cause poor performance in mathematics at National School Secondary Certificate level compared to Junior Secondary Certificate level in four selected schools in the two Kavango educational regions
(University of Namibia, 2016) Mateya, Muhongo; Utete, Christina N.; Ilukena, Alex M.
This paper reports on factors that cause poor performance in Mathematics at the National School Secondary Certificate (NSSC) level compared to Junior Secondary Certificate (JSC) level. A total of 200 learners in Grade 10 (2011) and 170 Grade 12 (2013) were involved in the study. These learners did Mathematics at the same school for a period of three years (2011-2013). This study employed document analysis, a technique used to gather information by reviewing and analysed documents. In this study the following documents were reviewed and analysed: The 2011 Grade 10 November examination results, and the 2013 Grade 12 November examination results, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that 2011 Grade 10 learners who obtained E-U symbols did not perform well in the Grade 12 Mathematics examinations. These findings were of utmost importance to the curriculum developers, the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), senior education officers, the Ministry of Education, institutions of higher learning, and other stakeholders in Mathematics education.
Literary perspectives of healing practices and approaches to medicine in Chinodya’s Strife
(University of Namibia, 2016) Kandemiri, Coletta M.; Smit, Talita C.
This paper focuses on the dilemma in which some African societies are finding themselves, as the western approach to healing is applied as if all cultural groups are homogenous throughout. This western approach is usually applied with the intention of replacing the existing indigenous healing systems that are already in place and are functional. African cultural groups, like any other cultural groups around the world, have their own approaches to diagnosis and curing of diseases. However, it appears that western approaches are overriding the African approaches, and thereby engendering problems among some of the African cultural groups whose indigenous healing systems are rooted in the spiritual world. In Africa, there are spiritual problems that require spiritual remedies hence; a western approach applied to a spiritual problem could culminate in fatality. At times, the mixing of both African and western approaches may not yield positive and visible results. Strife exposes the dilemma resulting from applying western approaches in an African cultural group and the likely out-come of such a predicament. This paper adopted the African World View Theory as the sub-theory, since the primary text, Strife, is from Africa and written from an Afrocentric perspective, by an African author. Furthermore, the article looks at differing belief systems, herbalism and the role of spiritual mediums. It was found that often a duality in the approaches to healing exists, as illustrated by the characteristics of Dunge and Hilda Dolly.
A review on urban soil water erosion
(University of Namibia, 2016) Shikangalah, Rosemary N.; Jeltsch, Florian; Blaum, Niels; Mueller, Eve N.
Accelerated soil water erosion is one of the major global environmental problems that adversely affect both rural and urban areas. While many investigations have been initiated to efficiently understand and effectively manage water erosion problems in agricultural areas, specific knowledge on urban water erosion is less pronounced. This paper aims at providing an overview of the extent at which erosion dynamics processes have been explored in urban areas. Based on the last decade’s publications, the majority (64%) of studies were conducted in the developed world, mostly in humid subtropical and humid continental climate regions. Furthermore, researchers largely concentrated on off site erosion, focusing on contaminated sediments and on stream erosion. The employed methods were mostly traditional approaches (81% of all articles) compared to modern methods of remote sensing and modelling. This review identifies limitations in methods employed, and gaps in focal research topics and urban-specific management strategies. In particular, the paper argues that approaches oriented towards minimising the risks from water erosion in urban areas are urgently needed. The review findings are expected to be of interest to researchers, urban planners and environmental related managers.
Gender-based violence and masculinity in Namibia: A structuralist framing of the debate
(University of Namibia, 2016) Edwards-Jauch, Lucy
Gender-based violence in Namibia is pervasive and solutions to it remain elusive. How we address the problem depends on how we frame it. Gender-based is directly linked to unequal relationships of power and do not stand in isolation of structural and cultural violence in our society. There is a long history of gender inequality and gender-based violence that is deeply imbedded in Namibia’s history. Colonialism was violent and its effects still structures representations of masculinity. It has shaped violent hegemonic and subaltern masculinities. There is also a history of gender-based violence embedded in traditional African patriarchy that is often denied. Gender-based violence should not be sought in the biological or psychological essences of individual perpetrators but, instead, in the nature of our society, our histories and ethnographies of violence. This article locates gender-based violence in a social-historical context and seeks to illuminate some of the intersections between violent masculinities, gender, race and class.
Gender representation in children’s literature: Limits and potential in Stephen Alumenda’s Marita goes to school and Marita’s great idea, and Jairos Kangira’s The bundle of firewood
(University of Namibia, 2016) Chitando, Anna
Different societies across the globe usually contrast masculinity with femininity. Men are often por-trayed in more positive terms that include being strong, achievers and providers, while women are depicted as the opposite. Such masculinities have emerged to be frameworks within which literary texts can be critiqued. In this article, I employ hegemonic and subordinate masculinities to argue that children’s stories can be utilised to transform unequal gender relations. I explore how Stephen Alu-menda and Jairos Kangira respond to gender issues in Zimbabwean children’s literature. The first sec-tion is a brief introduction that unpacks the concept of children’s literature and places the discussion of gender representation in children’s literature within the context of African literature. In the second segment, I outline how Alumenda endeavours to promote the education of the girl child. The third part highlights how this theme is advanced by Jairos Kangira, another author of children’s books.
A condition assessment of the prehistoric art from the Bushman Paradise Cave, Groβe Spitzkoppe, Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2016) Gwasira, Goodman; Katjiuongua, Geogine
The main objective of this study was to assess the overall physical state of the prehistoric rock paintings of the Spitzkoppe. This article presents an evaluation of the condition of the rock art at the Bushman Paradise site. Ideally, a condition survey should be carried out periodically and be used as a monitoring and evaluation tool. This article is a contribution to ideas and methods that can be used to develop integrated and informed conservation strategies for rock art sites in Namibia. It identifies and classifies the causes of deterioration or damage of the rock art at the Bushman Paradise. We argue that systematic documentation is crucial for site management purposes because it is from detailed documentation that a statement of significance of sites can be generated. We conclude from the analysis that anthropogenic causes of deterioration at the Bushman Paradise outweigh natural causes. We conclude by proposing site specific conservation interventions that can be replicated at other sites of similar nature in the Spitzkoppe and Namibia in general.

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