Issue1 & 2 (JSHSS Vol. 4)

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Exploring the girl-child’s body-mind crisis in Mahachi-Harper’s Echoes in the shadows
(University of Namibia, 2015) Pasi, Juliet S.
In its exploration of childhood, this article navigates the contours of the notion “girl-child” as the “sulbatern” or the “other” in Mahachi-Har per’s narrative, Echoes in the shadows. Also, in its articulation of the complexities of “childhood” in African Literature, the article endeavours to address broader issues such as the use and abuse of cultural practices in “knowledge legitimation” (Nnaemeka, 1997, p. 1) in Mahachi-Har per’s narrative. Premised on the feminist theory, the article shows how issues in feminism such as visibility, marginality, victimhood, silence, agency and subjectivity are problematised in the narrative. More importantly, the article argues that the “experience of childhood as a time of innocence, security, self-worth, and contribution to family and community” (Kurth-Schai, 1997, p. 193) is a distant fantasy for most children as shown by Vaida in Mahachi-Harper’s Echoes in the shadows. Even so, the writer is aware of the dangers of universalising the child’s experiences as monolithic and thus will contextualise the child’s experiences, specifically, the girl-child, within the Shona culture in Echoes in the shadows. The mental and physical plight of the girl-child is explored within the context in which the book is set and reveals how she is trapped in a familial institution that is supposed to protect and nurture her. Through the young girl Vaida, Mahachi-Harper shows how deeply violence is embedded in the domestic domain (Bal, 1988, p. 231). The paper concludes that it is difficult to attain social justice in a culture or society that pits male against female and adult against child; hence the paper advances for a child-centred social ethic which provides a more appropriate premise for addressing the needs and interests of the girl-child than the feminist approach.
Mission Education in the Eastern Caprivi Stripi during the Colonial Times, c1920s – ca1964
(University of Namibia, 2015) Kangumu, Bennett; Likando, Gilbert N.
The historiography of the nineteenth century Christian mission in Southern Africa focused mainly on South Africa and then spread to Southern Rhodesia. The above assessment by (Oermanns, 1999, p.19) resulted in the cases of Mozambique and Namibia to be less known in the English-speaking world, and barely integrated in the overall debate. While there is ‘veritable renaissance’ (in Ranger’s words) of Namibian historical studies, the historiography of Christian mission in Namibia neglects, mildly put, the role of missionaries in the conquest and subsequent colonial administration of the Caprivi Strip. Focus is put on south, central and north-central Namibia, examining the role of the Rhenish Missionary Society (RMS), the Finnish Missionary Society (FMS), the London Missionary Society (LMS) and the Roman Catholic Orders, and still in the case of the latter, their involvement in the Eastern Caprivi Strip (now Zambezi Region) is often not discussed in any major significant detail.
Recycling errors in the language classroom
(University of Namibia, 2015) Lumbu, Simon D.; Smit, Talita C.; Hamunyela, Miriam N.
This paper relates to the findings of a study on the constraints encountered by teachers in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in rural combined schools in the Oshana region. Errors and mistakes are as some the major constraints that teachers encounter in language teaching. While mistakes are usually at the surface of the speaker’s language awareness, errors are usually more internal. Many factors such as L1 interference can account for the occurrence of errors in a learner’s language use. It is argued that a consistent reinforcement of errors results in error fossilization. Even though Proponents of the Communicative Language Teaching approach have emphasised the significance of errors and mistakes in the language teaching and learning process, the role of teachers in the cycle of errors in the language classroom has been over-looked.
The effects of cooperative learning on the performance of Grade 11 Mathematics learners in the Oshana educational region, Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2015) Haimbodi, Frans N.; Kasanda, Choshi D.; Kapenda, Hileni M.
This study sought to determine the effects of cooperative learning on the performance of the Grade 11 learners doing Mathematics on higher level in the Oshana Education Region. The study used a quasi-experimental design. Two Grade 11 classes (each comprising 31 learners) doing Mathematics on a higher level from one school in the Oshana region were purposefully selected; one as a control group and the other as an experimental group. The instruments used to measure the performance in Mathematics were a pre-test and post test. Prior to collection of the data, a pilot study was carried out in a different school to gather information on the appropriateness of the instruments and other administrative logistics. During the main study, the experimental and control groups were separately taught Differentiation a topic from the higher level Mathematics syllabus. The t-test was used to find out whether significant differences existed in the performance of the control and experimental groups. The results showed that significant differences in performance and in the motivation level of the experimental and control group existed at the 0.01 significant level. The findings suggested that cooperative learning improved learners’ performance in Mathematics. The study recommended that Mathematics teachers should place emphasis on learners’ understanding of particular concepts, guiding learners in active learning, providing opportunities for discussion and elaboration and encouraging them to work with peers to enhance learners’ academic performance.
A critical evaluation of persuasive communication discourses inspired by celebrity endorsement in the telecommunication sector in Zimbabwe
(University of Namibia, 2015) Chapanga, Evan; Choto, Isaac
Players in the telecommunication sector are embroiled in mobile wars which have spilled over onto the broadcast platform. Intermittent power struggles that have rocked the mobile industry ad infinitum have largely been moved by competitors, Econet and NetOne who have been perceived to be waging a ‘political’ contest on a different platform. This paper investigates persuasive communication strategies employed by the gladiators where interestingly on the same radio station, albeit at different times of same time slots and both inspired by celebrity endorsement, the competitors fight for subscribers. Messenger and message vehicles design the stylistic variations evident in the projected persuasive communication strategies. Celebrity endorsement phenomenon which has apparently been embraced by players in competitive sectors including the mobile industry has been conceptualised within the frame work of Aristotelian Rhetorical Tradition. Language skill exhibition which largely informs the persuasive strategy revolves around code switching, slang, hyperbole and humour. Key tenets from Rank’s (1976) model of persuasion, with minor adjustments alongside Appel and Mysken’s (1997) functionalist model, off er a consolidated framework for a critical appreciation of the discourses. There are a number of questions emerging from the study which could not be answered but trigger-off potential research areas. In this vein, a comparative study on communication strategies between local and say ‘Hollywood’ celebrities as well use of indigenous languages in persuasive communication marshalled by celebrities can be investigated.
The multifarious names for HIV and AIDS in the Nyanja speech community of Zambia: An insight into the lay people’s multiple perceptions about the pandemic?
(University of Namibia, 2015) Nkolola-Wakumelo, M.
This paper analyses the discourse of HIV and AIDS in the Nyanja speech community of Zambia. Specifically the paper critically analyses the concepts that this speech community uses to refer to the pandemic so as to try and unravel the people’s perceptions about the pandemic as embodied in these concepts. The paper posits that for HIV and AIDS information education and communication programmes to yield positive results, health communicators need to be aware of such conceptualisations as they have a lot to reveal about the people’s attitudes towards the pandemic that could have a bearing on their health conduct and uptake of HIV and AIDS information.
Establishing ethos and envisioning a new Africa: Kwame Nkrumah’s invention at the 1958 All-African People’s Conference
(University of Namibia, 2015) Mehsah, Eric O.
In 1958, Kwame Nkrumah, the Prime Minister of Ghana, called for a conference of independent heads of state in Africa. It was a novelty in Africa. The conference was to provide a formal continental platform for the political deliberation of Africa by Africans. The paper carefully focuses on the nuances and purpose of Nkrumah’s invention. First, the work argues that Nkrumah strategically invented a rhetoric which sought to establish his ethos as a Pan Africanist whose leadership was crucial in the quest to free Africa from colonial domination. Secondly, the paper examines, through Nkrumah’s rhetoric, how the deliberative nature of the Accra conference was turned into an epideictic one. This paper has implication(s) for the role of rhetoric in the decolonisation of Africa.
Portrait of courage: Women and survival in Tagwira's The Uncertainty of Hope
(University of Namibia, 2015) Chitando, Anna
The Zimbabwean challenges witnessed between 1998 and 2008 brought about various survival strategies. Whereas some sought to create coping mechanisms within Zimbabwe, others went into exile. These two groups, nonetheless, needed to confront the massive challenges during the decade of the Zimbabwean considerable suffering (1998-2008). These included hyperinflation, unemployment, food shortages, violence and the high death rates. Creative writings played a significant part as authors depicted Zimbabweans who sought to survive in varied ways. Of particular importance to this article, is how one particular Zimbabwean female creative writer Tagwira employed her creative imagination to challenge the status quo. In The Uncertainty of Hope Tagwira (2006) represents her female characters in a more empowering way. She shows how they seek to overcome major challenges to ensure that their families survive the challenges.
Urban physical development and master planning in Zimbabwe: An assessment of conformance in the city of Mutare
(University of Namibia, 2015) Mabaso, Aaron; Shekede, Munyaradzi D.; Christa, Innocent; Zanamwe, Lazarus; Gwitira, Isaiah; Bandauko, Elmond
Urban master plans play a critical role in the environmental management of urban landscapes in that they guide the physical developments that take place on and in them. In spite of this important role, there is limited knowledge on the degree to which their mapped objectives are achieved in actual terms. This gap in knowledge is mainly due to the lack of empirical methods for assessing plan implementation. In this study, we assess the degree of conformance of physical developments in the city of Mutare to master plan land use proposals. To do this, we carried out a GIS-based overlay analysis of the master plan and the land-use outcomes. We used an error matrix and Kappa Coefficient to assess whether land use proposals conform to existing developments in the city. The results of this study are that there is high overall conformance, although some proposed land uses do not conform to the master plan. We conclude that the adoption of GIS-based methods of compliance monitoring of land-use activities within urban environments provides an objective, rapid and efficient way of managing activities within such environments. We therefore recommend the adoption of such methods in urban areas for early detection of non-conformance and sustainable management of urban areas.
Ethnicity, domination and tyranny: A case for the Ndebele people in Running with Mother (2012)
(University of Namibia, 2015) Mdlongwa, Theresia; Moyo, Thamsanqa; Ncube, Bhekezakhe
Hegemonic state grand narratives are often absolutist in ways in which they insist on particular ways of viewing the past, present and the trajectory to the future. They canalize society’s attention to certain ways of remembering, forgetting and viewing the socio-political, economic, cultural and ethnic relations in ways that legitimate the state as quintessential. Zimbabwean history, in its patriotic sense, is appropriated by the state in order to inscribe technologies of domination and tyranny in politics and ethnicity. In this research we argue that contesting narratives like Running with Mother use memory and re-memory to establish patterns of marginalisation, violence and hegemony used by the ZANU-PF government. Mlalazi’s narrative uses memory of the Gukurahundi violence in order to confront ethnic and political injustices in the past and present and, in this way, seek justice and healing in the public sphere. We argue that ZANU-PF politics since 1980 has been totalitarian and geared towards the elimination of ZAPU and the Ndebele through various exclusions and coercive acts whose consequences have left the Ndebele confronted with the question of: Who are we (the minority) and what are the opportunities in an increasingly ‘Shonaised’ (ZANUFIED?) Zimbabwe? We conclude by arguing that violence was used by the ruling party on the Ndebele not to create an inclusive society but to establish ethnic domination and tyranny which is still manifest to this day. The act of remembering the violence therefore, becomes a site for psycho-social therapy in a situation where the dehumanization is unacknowledged, diminished or perpetuated in other guises.
The power of a mother in Shona milieu
(University of Namibia, 2015) Makaudze, Godwin
Motherhood is a concept that is shunned and criticised by Western feminists as one of the root causes of a woman’s subordination, dis-empowerment, lack of freedom and independence. It is also frowned at for binding her to what are considered as insignificant feminine duties linked to, and limited to the home, with her main arena being the kitchen. Other roles associated with being a mother, such as child-bearing, breast feeding and cooking are largely criticised as closing her out of mainstream economics and hence keeping her out of positions of influence and affluence. Using the theory of Africana Womanism and examples from Shona cultural milieu, the paper argues that being a mother is not only a very important and admirable position in this society, but one associated and intertwined with great power, respect, reverence among others.
Health Information Literacy of the University of Namibia’s Students
(University of Namibia, 2015) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Abankwah, Ruth M.; Uutoni, Wilhelm; Pazvakawambwa, Lillian
This article presents the findings of a study on the health information literacy of students at the University of Namibia main campus. The study was conducted between 2013 and 2014 and consisted of two hundred and seventy one (271) participants aged between 17-19 years old. The quantitative study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. The findings show that the majority of the respondents strongly believed that health information is important and they were able to seek health information. They also strongly agreed that they knew where to seek health information and they liked to get health information from a variety of sources. The respondents indicated that they were more comfortable getting information from the Internet than print sources. A gap in health information literacy was revealed by the fact that the respondents found it difficult to know who to believe in health issues, suggesting difficulties in critically evaluating the health information and sources. The study concludes that although UNAM students appeared knowledgeable in some health information issues, there are some gaps which need to be addressed. The study therefore recommends Kickbusch’s (2008) three way intervention strategy which comprises of culture and society, health and education systems to address the existing gaps in health information literacy.
Archives of Anti-Colonial Resistance and the Liberation Struggle (AACRLS): An integrated programme to fill the colonial gaps in the archival record of Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2015) Namhila, Ellen N.
National archives inherited from former colonial regimes suffer from a distorted record that marginalised the colonised people, and ignored or misrepresented their efforts for self-determination. The Archives was further depleted by the removal of vitally important records to the colonizing metropolis. As a result, the value of the archives as the memory of the entire nation is diminished. The article describes the efforts by the National Archives of Namibia to rectify this situation through a programme of repatriating or copying migrated, displaced and shared archives, collecting private records and oral history, and popularizing the history of anti-colonial struggles. It concludes that despite considerable successes, the task at hand is far from accomplished and needs further sustained effort.
Aesthetic of naming: Potential psycho-sociological effects of some forenames in use among Zimbabweans
(University of Namibia, 2015) Manyarara, Barbra C.; Gora, Ruth B.
Naming aesthetics in Zimbabwe as in the rest of African cosmology have always been incident-based and this trend somewhat persists. The aesthetic of naming is a parent or guardian’s prerogative and expresses that individual/s wishes, joys, fears and attitudes but may not necessarily consider the named’s future perceptions or feelings engendered by the particular name that identifies them. Various studies have established general naming practices in Zimbabwe and off er many reasons to account for name types. For example, some Shona names are thought repositories of human experience while others are regarded as argument by proxy. Whereas most previous studies on onomastic practices in Zimbabwe have tended to focus on name etymologies and name meanings, the present paper seeks to assess the potential psycho-sociological effects of some significantly negative forenames encountered in school registers and on university graduation lists. A name may not have much statistical significance but when anyone human being carries it, the name becomes sufficiently important as is illustrated in the present discussion on the potential effects of just two common Zimbabwean names, ‘Mistake and Murambiwa’.
Analysing EMIS data: The case of Afrikaans
(University of Namibia, 2015) Kirchner, Emma
Since Independence Afrikaans lost its status as official language. However, it is still used as lingua franca in parts of the country. In some schools Afrikaans is used as medium of instruction and also offered as a subject from grade 1 to 12. The purpose of this presentation is to analyse enrolment data regarding Afrikaans as captured in the Education Management Information System of the Ministry of Education in Namibia. An attempt will be made to ascertain whether any patterns regarding the enrolment of Afrikaans first and second language can be found. In conclusion, some remarks on the future of Afrikaans as school subject, also set against the proposals for a revised language policy for schools, will be made. EMIS is a useful tool that could be used by researchers and educationalists to document and discuss developments in the education sector, e.g. enrolment, teacher qualifications and physical facilities.
Experiences of health care workers (nurses and community counsellors) and people living with HIV/AIDS for the development of a health education programme to enhance the knowledge and communication skills of health care workers who serve people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART in Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2015) Amukugo, Hans J.; Van Dyk, Agnes; Chipare, Mwakanyadzeni A.
This paper aims at describing the findings of a health education programme that enhances the knowledge and communication skills of health care workers who serve people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART in Namibia. Namibian health care workers are unable to provide quality health care services to people who are living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) when they do not have the necessary knowledge, as well as adequate interpersonal communication and counselling skills. In a health care facility system, all patients either come from the community, or are referred from the wards or other departments by health care workers. The health care worker as a sender conveys information (messages) and a patient (receiver) is expected to comprehend these messages and to respond by giving feedback to the sender who, in turn, provides feedback until the communication process is completed. The process should take place in a conducive environment without any interference, such as noise, to allow the swift completion of the communication process. The messages that both parties convey should be clear, accurate, coherent, and concise.
African Hybrids: Exploring Afropolitan identity formation in Taiye Selasi’s Ghana must go and Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah
(University of Namibia, 2015) /Ucham, Emelda U.; Kangira, Jairos
This paper discusses the representation of Afropolitan identity formation in Taiye Selasi’s debut novel Ghana must go (2013), and Chima manda Adichie’s novel Americanah (2013). The aim of the paper is to discuss Afropolitan identity formation as presented in the two novels using Selasi’s (2005) essay Who is an Afropolitan? as a benchmark. Selasi blends the words ‘Africa’ and ‘cosmopolitan’ in her essay, which discusses several themes, namely: cultural hybridity, careers, identity formation, self-expression and an African bond as they relate to the Afropolitan. Although we have listed all the major themes above, this paper only focuses on the theme of Afropolitan identity formation. For example, in Ghana must go (2013) Kehinde, the twin boy struggles with his identity because of his Scottish heritage which gives him a skin complexion that is neither black nor white and he does not know what nationality to consider himself. In Americanah (2013), Dike also struggles with his identity because he expresses in a school essay that he does not know his identity and that his name is difficult to pronounce. The analysis concluded that not only do Afropolitans need to craft an identity on three levels according to Selasi (2005, para. 9) “national, racial, cultural – with subtle tensions in between”, but the experience can be traumatic and painful, both emotionally and physically. This paper contributes to knowledge of the world as a global village, but more specifically the international integration of cultures as expressed in literature, not only in the African diaspora, but in Africa as well.
The literary representation of the resilience of the slave family and familial relations in Frederick Douglass’ autobiography
(University of Namibia, 2015) Mlambo, Nelson
The thrust of this paper is to make an exploration of the literary representation of the black family under slavery. How the family fared under the peculiar institution of slavery was determined by the social system of the Old South that determined how and to whom goods were produced, to satisfy human wants. An exploration of this capitalist patriarchal ideology shows that the slave was objectified for economic gains, this causing a severe impact on the slaves’ familial relations. Therefore, it is the slave who can give an objective account of how the slave family fared under slavery, which resulted in the slave narrative being labelled “the” mode of expression during that time. The narrative by Douglass has therefore demonstrated that slavery certainly was a horror to the slaves but the resilience of the slaves, their fortitude and inner strength made them to survive and keep their families intact. In the final analysis it has been made clear that despite all the odds against it, the slave family survived the horrors of slavery.
Determinants of tourists' satisfaction in Etosha National Park, Namibia
(University of Namibia, 2015) Kimaro, Mary-Ellen; Lendelvo, Selma M.; Nakanyala, Jesaya
Although tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and contributes to socio-economic development, most tourist destinations are faced with the challenge of ensuring tourist satisfaction. Understanding determinants of tourism satisfaction through tourists’ experiences on destinations could help improve the potential for tourism growth. This study was conducted in the Etosha National Park (ENP). Data collection was during the low and high seasons in February 2010 and September 2011, respectively. A total of 150 tourists were interviewed during both seasons. Results indicated that over 80% of visitors to Etosha National Park were of international origin of which more than half were first time visitors and self-drive tourists. In addition, the majority of tourists toured in groups of either related (51%) or non-related (44%) of 2-4 individuals. Tourists experienced crowding during the high season compared to the low peak season at different sites within the Park. Attractiveness of the Park, its facilities and its cleanliness were the major determinants of tourist satisfaction to the Etosha National Park. Specifically, the cost of accommodation and services, road infrastructure, environmental related issues, park management and control were among the issues tourists shared their experiences on during their visit to the ENP. Therefore, there is need to develop further tourist satisfaction research in ENP and in Namibia in order to provide a useful body of knowledge and guidance to tourism planners, managers, decision makers and marketers on the factors influencing tourist satisfaction in the Namibian context.
A critical analysis of using student evaluation feedback to enhance students’ experience of teaching and learning: Closing the loop
(University of Namibia, 2015) Kadhila, Ngepathimo; Nyathi, Sifiso F.
Internationally, higher educational institutions have adopted students’ evaluation of teaching as a normative practice. Such student evaluations are normally used for ma king decisions on monitoring teaching and course quality as well as staff promotion. This paper critically reviews reports available on collecting, analysing and using student feed back to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. The review was combined with research findings from experiences and perspectives of Namibian higher education institutions. The paper established that in many higher educational institutions, there was a missing link between obtaining feedback from students and using this information to close the quality loop. The paper therefore recommends that in order to close the quality loop, there is a need for higher educational institutions to implement systematic approaches for collecting, analysing and using feedback; and for improving the communication of actions arising from results to all key stakeholders involved.

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