UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
Not a member yet
3204 research outputs found
Sort by
A human rights analysis of housing informality in Namibia: Challenges, ambitions, and misses
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of DoctorateThis thesis set out to assess the legislative, administrative, and financial measures taken
by the Namibian Government to address the proliferation of informal settlements in the
country as per the dictates of international human rights law. It did this by applying the
OPERA framework of triangulation of outcomes, policy efforts and resource allocation
in the context of the right to adequate housing. The triangulation depicts tales of nonrecognition, deprivation, dereliction of duties, deterioration, a lack of urgency, and a
serious accountability gap. In other words, a total disconnect between the policy efforts
and resource allocation and spending patterns to deal with the scourge of housing
informality in the country. The thesis flag these as the main attributors for the scope
and severity the living conditions in informal settlements and/or the endemic housing
poverty in the country. Addressing the scourge of housing informality in Namibia will
require unprecedented political leadership, dedicated and vastly increased resources, and
closing the accountability ga
Factors associated with Measles-Rubella dropout status among children in Grootfontein district, Otjozondjupa region, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Public HealthIntroduction: The prevention of child mortality through immunization is one of the most
cost effective and widely applied public interventions. However, a proportion of children
(20%), particularly in Namibia are not fully vaccinated with the recommended vaccines
due to unknown reasons. This study aimed to investigate the factors that are associated
with the Measles-Rubella immunization dropout in children seeking health care services
in Grootfontein district.
Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among
randomly selected parents/caretakers of children aged 12-23 months and with a total
sample of 300 participants (100 cases and 200 controls). The cases were parents/
caretakers of children who did not receive the first dose of Measles-Rubella immunization
and the controls were parents/ caretakers of children who received the first dose of
Measles-Rubella immunization. Data was collected and analyzed using Epi info version
7. Logistic regression for bivariate and multivariate analysis on risk factors was carried
out to determine the odds ratios at 95% confidence level and significance at a P-value of
0.05.
Results: Age of respondents (AOR=2.00, 95%CI=1.5 – 2.6, P-value=0.01); residential
address (AOR=2.00, 95%CI=1.0 – 3.4, P-value=0.02); quality services provided
(AOR=3.00, 95%CI=1.6 – 8.7, P-value=0.02), education level (AOR=2.00, 95%CI=1.5 –
2.3, P-value=0.02) were statistically significant associated with Measles-Rubella dropout.
To reduce immunization dropout, Grootfontein district needs to focus on strengthening
health education activities on immunization, create more outreach points to improve
access to immunization services, and ensure availability of vaccines at Health facilitie
The spatial, temporal and vertical fish species composition of the kamutjonga floodplain, Kavango river, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in biological sciencesThe present study investigated the variations in fish species composition on a floodplain
during a flood pulse on the floodplain along Kavango River, Namibia. Specifically, the
study aimed at comparing the species composition, the catch per unit effort, and the body
length of two selected species (Pseudocrenilabrus philander and Tilapia sparrmanii)
across periods during the flood, across depth intervals and sites on the floodplain. Further,
the study also aimed at determining any correlation between the catch per unit effort and
the physio-chemical parameters of the water. A throw trap net was used to sample six (6)
sites along the peripheries of the Kamutjonga floodplain during its inundated period (20
February 2020 to 09 June 2020), with each site subdivided into three depth intervals – 0-
29 cm, 30-59 cm and 60-99 cm. Three flooding periods (early, middle and late) were
identified during the flood pulse. A total of 48 throws were cast at each site per flooding
period, with each depth interval sampled 16 times per site. A total of 30 species were
recorded on the floodplain, with the highest number of species (17) recorded during the
early flooding period, in the deepest section sampled (60 – 99 cm) (21 species) and at site
2 (20 species). Cichlids dominated the floodplain, with Oreochromis andersonii and
Pseudocrenilabrus philander being the most important species during the early and late
flooding period, respectively. Few but large specimens were on the floodplain during
early flooding, whilst a lot of small (by weight) specimens were during the late flooding
periods. More specimens, yet large (by weight) were found on the shallow section (0 – 29
cm) of the floodplain. The findings uphold the significance of the peripheries of newly
inundated areas, which are documented to serve as breeding, nursery and forage grounds
for most riverine species. A large proportion (83%) of individuals such as those of P.
philander were above sexual maturity during the early flooding period, which coincided
with the highest number of small-sized specimens during the late flooding period – further
hinting at the use of the floodplain as a breeding groun
Teachers’ experiences in using phonics methods in teaching english reading to junior primary phase in Ohangwena region
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of education in early childhood developmentThe purpose of this study was to explore Junior Primary teachers’ experiences in using
all phonics methods in teaching English reading skills. The study addressed two
research questions: What are teachers' experiences in using the phonics method when
teaching English reading at a Junior Primary phase? and What should be done to
improve the use of the phonics method in teaching English reading skills at the Junior
Primary phase? The study adopted a qualitative approach following a single case study
design. Purposeful sampling was used to select the five teachers teaching English in
the Junior Primary phase. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and
non-participant classroom observation. Content analysis was used to analyse the data.
The findings of the study revealed that teachers understood phonics as a way of
teaching learners the relationship between sounds and letters. The study further
revealed that teachers relate their understanding of the concept of reading to the skill
of combining sounds and creating the meaning of what has been written. It was also
clear from the study findings that teachers use phonics methods to teach English
reading skills. They are, however, faced with numerous challenges in teaching English
reading skills using the phonics method. Such challenges include a lack of teachers'
training, a lack of appropriate teaching materials, the influence of Oshikwanyama as a
medium of instruction, and overcrowded classrooms. Based on these challenges,
teachers’ training and provision of teaching materials were suggested by teachers as
measures to ensure the effective use of phonics in teaching English reading skills at
the Junior Primary phase. The study recommends that there is a need for Junior
Primary experts to deliver the right English subject content and lay a good foundation
if learners are to master early English reading skills. The study further recommends
that such teachers (Junior Primary) should prepare various activities and use a variety
ii
of teaching materials to arouse learners’ interests and enhance early reading.
Furthermore, it was recommended that Junior Primary Educational officers frequently
provide workshops for the teachers to continuously improve their teaching skills and
become more professional in their wor
Comparative cytological and transcriptome analyses of ny2 mutant delayed degeneration of tapetal cells and promotes abnormal microspore development in neo-tetraploid rice
No full textThis study provided a new understanding of the genetic basis for pollen fertility and development in neo-tetraploid rice.We aimed to investigate the genetic defects related to pollen development and
infertility in NY2, a novel tetraploid rice germplasm known as Neo-tetraploid rice.
This rice variety was created through the crossbreeding and selective breeding of
various autotetraploid rice lines and has previously shown high fertility. Our
previous research has revealed that the NY2 gene, encoding a eukaryotic
translation initiation factor 3 subunit E, regulates pollen fertility. However, the
underlying mechanism behind this fertility is yet to be understood. To shed light
on this matter, we performed a combined cytological and transcriptome analysis
of the NY2 gene. Cytological analysis indicated that ny2 underwent abnormal
tapetal cells, microspore, and middle layer development, which led to pollen
abortion and ultimately to male sterility. Genetic analysis revealed that the F1
plants showed normal fertility and an obvious advantage for seed setting
compared to ny2. Global gene expression analysis in ny2 revealed a total of
7545 genes were detected at the meiosis stage, and 3925 and 3620 displayed
upregulation and downregulation, respectively. The genes were significantly
enriched for the gene ontology (GO) term “carbohydrate metabolic process.
Moreover, 9 genes related to tapetum or pollen fertility showed downregulation, such as OsABCG26 (ATP Binding Cassette G26), TMS9-1
(Thermosensitive Male Sterility), EAT1 (Programmed cell death regulatory),
KIN14M (Kinesin Motor), OsMT1a (Metallothionein), and OsSTRL2 (Atypical
strictosidine synthase), which were validated by qRT-PCR. Further analyses ofDEGs identified nine down-regulated transcription factor genes related to pollen
development. NY2 is an important regulator of the development of tapetum and
microspore. The regulatory gene network described in this study may offer
important understandings into the molecular processes that underlie fertility
control in tetraploid rice
The relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership styles of managers in small and medium enterprises
No full textThis study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership styles of managers in small and medium enterprises at Dog Forces Security Services (DFSS), Namibia. The study used a quantitative correlation research design and a case study strategy. The results show a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and transformational (SD=2.06), transactional (SD=1.59), and laissez-faire leadership styles (SD=0.49). Further confirmation was done using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) by creating a path analysis, and to confirm the hypotheses where a comparative fix index of .748 between emotional intelligence and transformational, .770 between emotional intelligence and transactional, .183 between emotional intelligence and laissez-faire was found resulting in the acceptance of all hypotheses. The study recommended that DFSS management should strengthen leadership initiatives that promote emotional intelligence and leadership styles in order to achieve their goals and intention
A systematic review on the fourth industrial revolution: African basic schools' readiness
No full textThis systematic review's primary goal is to determine how prepared African basic
schools are for implementing 4IR tools and how well-versed in 4IR the teachers in African
basic schools are. A systematic review approach was adopted. Data base such as
Johannesburg e-library, ProQuest, and Google scholar was used to search for relevant study
used. It was determined that the findings were valid and rigourous through the use of
PRISMA. Out 106,859 resource generated, the review included 18 studies that met the
inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study highlights the necessity for African basic schools
to enhance their preparedness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Funding is crucial
to provide the necessary 4IR infrastructures, suggesting the allocation of resources by the
African government for procurement and deployment of 4IR tools. Additionally,
implementing a program to train teachers and school leaders in 4IR technologies is
recommended to enhance their capabilitie
Parental involvement in learners’ education in secondary schools in the Erongo region of Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Leadership, Management and Policy Studies)This study aimed to investigate parental involvement in learners’ education in secondary schools in the Erongo region of Namibia. The Namibian Education Act, 16 of 2001, was promulgated to ensure, among others, democracy in education through the active involvement of all stakeholders in the decision-making processes in schools. However, the involvement of parents as key stakeholders has been limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate parental involvement in learners’ education at secondary schools in the Erongo region of Namibia. A qualitative case study design was used for this study. The population is comprised of parents, principals and teachers of six secondary schools in the Erongo region. Stratified purposive and purposive random sampling methods were used to select the sample. Interview guides were used as data collection instruments. The overall finding was that the extent of parental involvement in their children's education at secondary school was very minimal due to many factors, such as the poor educational background of parents. Other challenges were inadequate capacity building for parents, language barrier, and lack of understanding of educational matters on the part of the parents. These made it difficult for parents to make valuable contributions to their children's education in secondary schools. There is a need to equip parents with the necessary skills to partake actively in their children's education at the secondary school level. The study further recommends: that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture should devise a training policy for school board members to ensure parents are kept abreast of the dynamics of education, and are actively involved in the education of their children and can be held accountable to some extent for the learning outcomes of their children
A contrast of the benefits and challenges of public–private partnerships in land delivery and low income housing initiatives for the City of Windhoek
No full textThe aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of private–public partnerships on land delivery for housing development. A triangulation research design was used whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in parallel and integrated as information in the final interpretation of the overall results. A sample size of 80 respondents was statically determined and randomly selected from a target population of 120 employees and beneficiaries of private–public partnerships using probability sampling. The study findings revealed that the City of Windhoek’s private–public partnerships model and housing initiatives for low-income earners fell short, in that to date, only a handful of those from the grassroots have benefited. The drawn conclusions were that, although the Triple-P model and housing initiatives were adopted to bridge the ever-widening gap of housing shortage, a need exists to create a community savings interest-earning fund that could enable low-income groups to acquire land and leverage additional government support to build houses. The study concluded that for effective execution of the private–public partnership initiative, monitoring, feedback, and evaluation of the project milestones should be implemented and consistently executed
Determinants of women’s participation in Namibia ’s labour force: A multinomial analysis of the 2018 Namibia labour force survey
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in applied statistics and demographyWomen’s participation in the labour force is regarded as a sign of decreasing
discrimination and a slight increase in women empowerment, among other benefits.
Various studies have been conducted worldwide on identifying factors associated
with women’s participation in the labour force but not many studies have been
conducted on this topic in recent years in Namibia besides Mufune (2013). This
study performed an empirical investigation to identify determinants of women’s
participation in Namibia’s labour force through the adoption of a quantitative cross sectional research study using the 2018 NLFS and a multinomial logistic regression
technique. Results revealed that area location, region, age group, marital status,
literacy status and education level were significant determinants of employed
women’s participation in the labour force in Namibia, while area location, age group,
and literacy status were significant determinants of unemployed women’s
participation. Compared to the odds of economic inactiveness, women from Hardap
(OR=0.697, p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.667-0.729) and Kavango East (OR=0.921, p<0.001,
95%CI: 0.885-0.959) regions, relative to those from Zambezi region, had low odds
of employment. Women who were less than 20 years old (OR=0.106, p<0.001,
95%CI: 0.102-0.109), relative to those aged 60 years and above, had low odds of
employment. Married women (OR=0.711, p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.666-0.759), relative to
separated women, had low odds of employment. Moreover, women with no
education (OR=0.200, p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.186-0.216), those with primary education
(OR=0.254, p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.236-0.273), junior secondary education (OR=0.288,
p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.268-0.309), senior secondary education (OR=0.338, p<0.001,
95%CI: 0.315-0.363) and technical/vocational certificate/diploma (OR=0.262,
p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.240-0.286), relative to those with postgraduate
ii
certificate/diploma/degree, had low odds of employment. However, literate women
(OR=1.636, p<0.001, 95%CI: 1.594-1.679), relative to illiterate women, had high
odds of employment compared to the odds of economic inactiveness.
Furthermore, women who were from the Erongo (OR=1.132, p<0.001, 95%CI:
1.085-1.182), Kunene (OR=1.572, p<0.001, 95%CI: 1.499-1.648), Omaheke
(OR=1.456, p<0.001, 95%CI: 1.384-1.531), Oshana (OR=1.098, p<0.001, 95%CI:
1.054-1.143), Oshikoto (OR=1.136, p<0.001, 95%CI: 1.091-1.182) and
Otjozondjupa (OR=1.631, p<0.001, 95%CI: 1.562-1.703) regions, relative to those
from Zambezi region, had high odds of unemployment as compared to the odds of
economic inactiveness. Likewise women aged 20-29 years (OR=47.014, p<0.001,
95%CI: 44.570-49.593), 30-39 years (OR=66.831, p<0.001, 95%CI: 63.295-70.564),
40-49 years (OR=38.702, p<0.001, 95%CI: 36.648-40.871) and 50-59 years
(OR=11.415, p<0.001, 95%CI: 10.799-12.065), relative to those aged 60 years and
above, had high odds of unemployment. Women in consensual union (OR=2.124,
p<0.001, 95%CI: 1.931-2.337), relative to those who were separated, had high odds
of unemployment, while those residing in urban areas (OR=0.869, p<0.001, 95%CI:
0.853-0.885), relative to those from rural areas, had low odds of unemployment. It is
therefore recommended that the Namibian government as well as policy makers and
implementers reinforce policies and legislative frameworks in place to (further)
empower women and enhance their participation in the labour force and in return,
reap the benefits of economic and social developmen