UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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A hybrid analysis approach to the high energy stereoscopic system phase II mono-analysis
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science PhysicsThe High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) is an array of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes located in the Khomas highlands of Namibia. Their primary purpose is to detect Cherenkov light (CL) produced by particles in extensive air showers which are produced by incident high energy particles (gamma rays or cosmic rays) on the Earth's atmosphere. The array consists of four 107 m2 optical telescopes and a larger 614 m2 collective surface area telescope in the center of the array. The larger telescope has the ability of detecting showers induced by lower energy gamma rays therefore, it's addition to the array meant a lower threshold for the entire array. This can be accomplished by sophisticated analysis techniques, however, the analysis techniques that have thus far been used have not increased the integral sensitivity of the array as a whole as would be expected, but perform worse than the standard analysis technique at medium and high energies. Data taken by the H.E.S.S. telescopes is analyzed by fitting parameterized shower model images to actual images produced when observing a source, (Model++ Analysis) using a goodness of fit approach. This work explores the distribution of a shower parameter introduced in 2009, the depth of first interaction. Adjustments to the primary depth selection criteria to distinguish signal against noise are made and applied for a more sensitive result. Multi-wavelength lag studies from Cygnus X-3 are also presented. Light curve correlations between hard/soft X-rays versus radio emissions over long periods are studied. These studies are layed out as supporting suggestions that, lowering energy threshold while maintaining integral sensitivity to those energies would assist in the
study of micro-quasars and possibly infer properties of quasars
Determination of the antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicity and active compound of Pechuel‑loeschea leubnitziae O. Hofm. (Asteraceae) of Namibia
No full textPechuel-loeschea leubnitziae is an aromatic and unpalatable shrub traditionally used to treat malaria and related symptoms in some regions of Namibia. Despite the importance of P. leubnitziae in the management of malaria, no studies have evaluated the antiplasmodial activities of this putative antimalarial plant. In this study, antiplasmodial activity was measured using parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay. The dichloromethane crude extract of the plant showed marginal antiplasmodial activity with an IC50 of 7.24 µg/ml against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain. Two fractions, Npk1 F70-77 and Npk1 F78-90, isolated from the extract exhibited enhanced antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 2.42±0.48 µg/ml and 2.29±0.32 µg/ml, respectively. The fractions were cytotoxic to Chinese hamster ovary mammalian cells (IC50=2.75 µg/ml and 2.22 µg/ml for NPk1 F78 and Npk1 F70, respectively). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confrmed that the antiplasmodial fractions of P. leubnitziae contain xerantholide (246 g/mol). This is the frst report linking xerantholide to antiplasmodial and cytotoxic fractions of P. leubnitziae. Results of this study may contribute to the discovery of new drugs from this indigenous Namibian plant
The economic viability of emerging commercial farmers under the resettlement programme
No full textLand reform programmes have been embarked upon by some African governments
to address land inequalities after gaining independence from their colonial masters.
Land redistribution to the land poor and from large-scale farmers to small-scale
farmers is thus robust, both theoretically and empirically. The Government
of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) committed to addressing the skewed land
ownership that prevailed for over a century in the country by introducing land
reform programmes after independence. The National Resettlement Policy, the
Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act (No. 6 of 1995) and the Communal
Land Reform Act (No. 5 of 2002) are the key instruments that guide land reform in
the country, particularly concerning the acquisition of farmland for redistribution
purposes. Secure land tenure is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the
socioeconomic development of any society. Historically, many Namibian people
were dispossessed of their land to pave the way for the establishment of largescale commercial farms with freehold title for settlers. This practice resulted in
many Namibians being confined to small-scale communal subsistence farming
characterised by low returns and insecure land rights. The land redistribution
programmes aimed at ensuring fair land distribution among all Namibians and
the integration of previously disadvantaged Namibians into the mainstream of
the country’s economy. The Affirmative Action Loan Scheme (AALS) provides
subsidised loans to previously disadvantaged Namibians enabling them to
36 • “Neither here nor there”: Indigeneity, marginalisation and land rights in post-independence Namibia
acquire commercial farms and engage in large-scale farming, while the National
Resettlement Programme (NRP) targets small-scale commercial farmers. While
recognising that secure land rights are not the panacea for all shortcomings in
agricultural productivity, this paper seeks to document factors influencing the
economic viability of the resettlement programme in Namibia. This is done by
analysing the ability of leasehold agreements granted to resettlement beneficiaries
by the Ministry of Land Reform (MLR) to attract investment and subsequently trigger
agricultural productivity, as well as by establishing other promoters contributing
to this throughput. It is found that there has been improved productivity at the
resettlement farms, but that there is still a lot of room for improvement. The current
interventions by the stakeholders involved in land reform therefore have to be
buttressed by more innovative efforts and also by the cooperation of the farmer
Sexualisation of the feminine in perfume advertisements on Vogue and her magazines from December 2017-December 2018: A semiotic and poststructural feminist approach
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in English Studiesthe contemporary world of advertising, the highly sexualised feminine figure sells products (Haugg, 1998). The study examines, through the theoretical lenses of Poststructural Feminism and Semiotic Theories, how women are projected sexually in mass media advertisements, specifically, pictorial perfume advertisements in Her and Vogue magazines. It examines how such ‘sexualised’ images and (re)presentations of the feminine shape public opinions and perceptions on/about gender and sexualities as well as how the language of these advertising is used in gendered ways. A qualitative research and explorative research design were utilised because of the nature of the study. As a descriptive study, the researcher, describes and analyses the linguistic discourse use of advertising language to establish whether the words accompanying the images (re)present similar forms of objectification of femininity in perfume advertisements and how this affects the overall message of the advertisement. Thirty purposively sampled perfume advertisements utilising images of the female body or projecting the feminine in highly sexualised ways in the magazines were analysed through the theoretical explications of Poststructural Feminist and Semiotic Theories. The two thronged theoretical approach provides us with the critical explanatory lenses through which we can identify instances of image and language usage that evince sexualisation in advertisements. The analysis of the advertisements indicates a purposeful, deliberate high proliferation and usage of sexualised and sexually provocative female images – often barely or scantily dressed. Most of the adverts project women as sex objects as a means to increase the product appeal. Advertisers utilise different provocative postures of women in highly sexualised ways to attract customers. The language used in perfume advertisements is also largely sexist in nature. Advertisers made use of sexist lexis, mostly as slogans and catchphrases to persuade, tempt and convince customers to buy perfume products. In general, it seems that in order to sell perfumes, perfume manufacturers and advertisers must sell sex and sexual appeal and not the perfume itself – at least not directly
Women's experiences and perceptions of domestic violence: The case of beneficiaries of Monica Gender Violence Solution Organisation in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Gender and Development Studies)This was a qualitative study on women’s experiences and perceptions of domestic violence that was conducted with women from Monica Gender Violence Solution Organisation in Katutura, Windhoek, Namibia. It was a qualitative study, in depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 12 women using structured interviews. These in depth interviews were chosen because they can produce consistent data that can be compared across a number of respondents. The literature review focused on exploring and explaining the conceptual framework of domestic violence by discussing the different standpoints explaining women’s perceptions and experiences of domestic violence using the Liberal and Radical Feminist theoretical framework. Women’s perceptions and experiences of domestic violence were contextualised from an international level to the Namibian context to aid in understanding of domestic violence as a major societal problem. The findings suggest that women are still experiencing domestic violence resulting from barriers such as fear to seek help and lack of support by their family, community and organisations that render services. Factors such as alcohol and drug abuse, religious and spiritual perceptions, family and community response towards domestic violence were found to influence one’s desire to seek (or not to seek) professional help and services. Intersectional factors such as age, level of education, social class and ethnicity were found to be instrumental in impacting women’s experiences and perceptions of domestic violence. Various recommendations were made to offer solutions aimed at improving services of domestic violence organisations and to reduce domestic violence against women in Namibia. Furthermore, there is need for effective response to domestic violence through addressing the immediate practical needs of women experiencing abuse; providing long-term follow-up and assistance; grassroots primary prevention focused on children and focusing on changing those cultural norms, attitudes and legal provisions that promote the acceptance of and even encourage violence against women
Effectiveness of using websites in the teaching of transport system in Humans: A case study of a rural high school in Omusati region, Namibia
No full textA research submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of master of Education (Curriculum and Assessment Studies)Several countries recognised the importance of websites usage in education for teaching and learning. In Namibia, the use of websites in teaching remains limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of usage of websites to teach the topic of transport system in humans in Biology as a school subject at a selected rural high school in Omusati Region in Namibia. The study adopted a qualitative approach using single case study. A sample size of three Biology teachers was used for the study. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to compose the sample. Three research questions were answered. Data was collected over a one-week period using open-ended questionnaire, observation schedule and photographs and analysed using thematic analysis. Major findings were that the usage of websites in teaching transport system in humans in the selected rural high school has a great effectiveness for both teachers and leaners. Findings also indicate that Biology teachers used websites in several ways to teach the topic transport system in humans. Moreover, findings also indicate that Biology teachers in the selected rural high school faced a lot of challenges regarding the usage of websites at the initial stage of the study, which were addressed and resolved. Some of the challenges identified were inadequate technical and financial support towards the usage of websites at school and poor websites skills in both teacher and learners. Based on the above, it is recommended that each rural high school invest in Wi-Fi with stronger signals, teachers should post past examinations on websites and there is a need for a study to determine the extent to which rural high schools customise and implement websites usage in Biology for purposes of achieving effective website usage in teaching
An empitical testing of the Ricardian equivalence in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in EconomicsThe study aims to empirically test the Ricardian Equivalence hypothesis in Namibia, using quarterly time-series data from 1991 quarter one to 2017 quarter four. The annual data was converted from annual to quarterly by using Eviews 10 software. Consumption function was used to test for Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis by testing how government debt and tax affect consumption. Additional control variables such as inflation, government expenditure, population growth and income were included in the analysis. Data analysis included testing variables for unit roots. The autoregressive distributed lag model approach was utilised. ARDL model and bounds test for cointegration were used to determine the long-run relationships between variables as well as variables’ long-run coefficients, which determine long-run impact of independent variables on consumption. The error correction model was used to determine the short-run coefficients, which determine the impacts of independent variables on consumption in a short-run as well as measuring the convergence of the model toward its long-run equilibrium. The results indicate a positive relationship between government debt and consumption in both short-run and long-run, which is inconsistent with the Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis. The study found that tax has a significant negative effect on consumption in the short-run, which is inconsistent with the Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis. It was also concluded that there is a long-run relationship between consumption and the explanatory variables. It can be generally concluded that the Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis does not hold in the Namibian economy both in the short run as well as in the long-run. Policy implications emanating from the study indicate that it is worth increasing government spending to stimulate the economy through debt financing since Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis does not hold in Namibia. The study recommends policymakers to encourage further researches on testing the Ricardian Equivalence in Namibia since it will help improve decision making on fiscal policy
Namibian bioeconomy
No full textWorldwide, bioeconomy is promoted as an ‘engine for sustainable development’. However, increasingly, the notion that
‘the bioeconomy’ will facilitate sustainable development per se is challenged. Based on the assumption that when leaving
the relations between ‘nature’ and ‘society’ unquestioned, inherent inequalities are rather reproduced than overcome,
we draw upon a social-ecological framework to analyse the societal relations to nature in the Namibian bioeconomy.
In Namibia, with independence, an array of diferent beneft-sharing mechanisms have been developed to implement
local participatory governance structure, which will be further streamlined under the newly introduced access and
beneft-sharing law. Results show that despite eforts to facilitate a diversity-based bioeconomy, separating structures
and trade-ofs are persistent. Images of ‘nature’, like the ‘eternal Namibian landscape’, that draw upon colonial notions are
frequently used to market indigenous natural products. Institutions to ‘nature’ that guarantee fair and equitable terms
of trade are often only short-term and/or small-scale, e.g. as shown at the case of Devil’s claw, Hoodia and Namibian
Myrrh. Even when perspectives cannot be assigned in a stereotypical way between user and provider, and instead, all
actors refer to biodiversity and traditional knowledge as ‘welfare of the people’, ‘cultural heritage’, ‘input for R&D’, ‘community
beneft’, and ‘marketing tool’, a rational-instrumental reasoning tends to be favoured of a normative-ethical one. A more
diversifed awareness towards the dialectics entailed in the conception, making, and management of ‘nature’ potentially
inhibiting an inclusive sustainable development is relevant at any theory–practice interface, including development
project-management and environmental policy-making.Projekt DEAL: https://www.projekt-deal.de/about-deal
An investigation into the impact of fiscal policy on investment in Namibia from 1990 to 2017
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration FinanceEvidence from the credit rating agencies that resulted in the sovereign credit downgrade
for Namibia, informed of the need to investigate fiscal policy's ability to influence
investment. Hence, this study investigated the impact of fiscal policy on investment by
considering the following variables: taxes, government spending and investment. It
employed the bounds testing (ARDL) approach to cointegration to examine the long-run
and short-run relationships between fiscal policy and investment in Namibia for the
period 1990 to 2017. The ARDL model revealed a positively significant relationship
between independent variables government expenditure, total revenue, gross domestic
product, real interest and the dependent variable: investment. Error correction term
(ECT) from the study was negative and statistically significant. The results of the ECT
revealed an average speed of 79.1 1% for vruiables to adjust from any disequilibrium
back to the long-run equilibrium annually. Furthermore, unit root tests (Augmented
Dickey Fuller (ADF) and the Phillips-Perrons (PP), were employed to investigate for
stationary I non-stationary of the series the test was applied), diagnostic tests (Normality
test, Serial correlation LM test and Heteroscedasticity test are applied) and stability tests
( the CUSUM test was used to test for existence of any instability of the coefficients and
whether or not the model exhibited some structural changes over the study period) were
used to ascertain the fitness of the model. The study recommends policy-makers to
thoroughly review monetary and fiscal policy, applying the relevant policy mix at the
most effective and efficient timeframe. Balancing the two policies is very critical to
investment and economic growth as investors and other agents of growth are heavily
dependent on prudent monetary and fiscal policy stanc
An examination into the impact of e-business adoption on the operational performance of manufacturing SMES in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration Management StrategyThere is an abundance of literature on e-business definitions, ideas, perceptions,
benefits, drivers and challenges in general. However, most of the research has focused
on larger organisations and a few on SMEs with a greater bias still towards first-world
SMEs. In an attempt to redress the balance of research, this paper looks at e-business
with a particular focus on manufacturing SMEs in Namibia. The main objective ofthe
study was to examine the impact of e-business adoption on the operational
performance of manufacturing SMEs in Windhoek. The study used the quantitative
research method with a descriptive-explanatory research design. The population was
restricted to owners or managers of manufacturing SMEs in Windhoek and the sample
was selected using stratified random sampling. 116 semi-structured questionnaires
were successfully researcher administered, and research data captured using Microsoft
Excel then exported to SPSS version 22 for descriptive and inferential data analysis.
It was found that SME and respondents' characteristics with the exception of
educational level does not affect e-business adoption. Management choices, expected
positive results and ICT infrastructure evolution are major drivers of e-business
adoption. Firm size and stakeholder pressure are weaker drivers, while the availability
of ICT skilled personnel within a firm and government support were ruled out as
possible e-business adoption drivers. There is a high adoption of the general use of
computers, emails, Facebook, and financial services platforms. There is low adoption
of management and operations systems, online information storage and recently
launched social media networks such as Twitter and Instagram. Manufacturing SMEs
in Windhoek are still at the infancy stage of e-business adoption. Tested relationships
yielded satisfying outcomes consistent with the way they were hypothesised.
Recommendations of the study were that more work needs to be done by various
stakeholders such as the government, various ministries, academics and SMEs, to
ensure effective e-business adoption and use in the future. Lastly, recommendations
for future studies were also made and suggested that there should be use of mixed
research methods, qualitative research, nationwide research or comparative studies
across different geographical zone