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Effects of the social cash transfer support programme as an economic empowerment tool for women in Zambia: a case study of Mwanachingwala.
No full textDegree of Master of Arts in Development StudiesThis study aimed at investigating the effects of the SCT programme as an economic empowerment tool for women, using a case of Mwanachingwala. The objectives that guided this study were: to establish the associated outcomes of the SCT programme on the beneficiaries; to find out the beneficiary’s economic undertakings; and to establish the challenges that have arisen in the process of implementation. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify the beneficiaries, being intentionally interested in the SCT women beneficiaries. A sample size of thirty women and six key informants was used. The qualitative approach was also used and data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The key findings of this study reveal that the SCT programme has had positive associated outcomes for beneficiaries in terms of increased access to food, health and education services; and improved dignity, respect, self-esteem and decision making. All 30 respondents and 6 key informants agreed that the programme atleast helps to meet the most basic consumption need of food. In terms of economic activities being undertaken, the women are mainly engaged in subsistence farming, rearing small livestock and engaging in small businesses. One of the major challenges of the programme is that it does not work to deliberately empower women economically in its design and implementation. Another is that the programme has limited funding, which has had an impact on the beneficiaries in that there are limited investments, expansion and diversification in and of the business ventures. This study has concluded that the programme has the potential to promote women’s economic empowerment if changes that met the specific needs of women in this aspect were made in terms of policy formulation, planning and effective implementation. This study therefore recommends that the SCT programme considers the inclusion of the viability aspect which will deliberately empower women economically through its policy design and implementation. It should also consider adjusting the amount given to beneficiaries.
Key words: Women, Social Cash Transfer (SCT), Women’s Economic Empowerment, Income Generating Activities (IGAs
Impact of information communications technology on the postal sector : a case study of Zambia.
Get PDFThesisThere has been a notable decline in postal services offered by Designated Postal Operators
(DPOs) globally. The Designated Postal Operator in Zambia, namely Zambia Postal services
Corporation is no exception. A notable shift in usage of ICTs in the postal sector is redefining
the role of the Designated Postal Operator. Despite the shift in the sector, the impact on services
delivery is not well understood. This study proposed to understand the status of the postal sector
in Zambia and how ICTs are being adopted by the DPO, ZAMPOST in order to improve on
service delivery.
The study adopted a mixed methodology, which included qualitative and quantitative
representation of questionnaires distributed among 273 randomly selected respondents. These
were distributed using online means and hardcopies. The data collected was analysed using
excel and SPSS. Information from various reports and documentation on the local postal sector
was also reviewed. This provided a better understanding on the services that are using ICTs as
well as services that are still manual.
A review of relevant literature revealed that globally the postal sector is redefining its role in
order to meet customer demands and provide quality services. There have been reforms in the
postal sector over the years driven by various factors such as social, cultural, political,
economic and technological factors. The traditional role of the postal operator is being replaced
by the emerging technologically driven role. The postal sector has also seen an increase in the
players on the market. The previously DPO dominated sector now has a lot of operators
providing mainly courier services.
The study revealed that ZAMPOST, with its large network coverage is well placed to provide
other services as an extension of their mandate to provide basic postal services to all citizens
as part of its Universal Services Obligation.
Keywords: Postal services, Information Communications Technology (ICTs), Universal
Service Obligation (USO), Designated Postal Operator (DPO
Numerical investigation of steel reinforced bamboo scrimber beams.
Get PDFThesisIn recent years, the world is gradually shifting away from the use of structural concrete in
the construction sector. This is due to its retrogressive limitations such as costs,
environmental degradation, low strength-to-weight ratio, its susceptibility to cracking.
The world is moving towards "Green" technology, which incorporates a sustainability
component due to the materials being natural and renewable. The main concentration is
now on natural materials like bamboo scrimber which is a composite material and by product of the bamboo grass. Before it is certified safe for structural use, there is a need
to determine its strength characteristics i.e., by experimental and numerical methods.
Costly numerous laboratory experiments on the flexural capacity of Steel Reinforced
Bamboo Scrimber (SRBS) Beams have been conducted, but very little has been done on
cost-effective numerical models. As such due to this deficiency, this study focuses on the
use of rapid numerical methods for analysing the flexural capacity of SRBS beams.
In this study a simplified mechanical model of a four-point bending test involving a Steel
Reinforced Bamboo Scrimber Beam with epoxy resin as an adhesive material between the
steel and Bamboo Scrimber is presented based on previous experiments. The results show
that the reinforced beams fail due to rupturing of the bottom tensile Bamboo fibres; no
significant yielding failure occurs in the top compression zone. The flexural capacity of
the reinforced beams increases linearly with an increasing reinforcement ratio and can be
enhanced compared with that of control beams.
The reinforced bamboo beams were modelled and analysed using a three-dimensional
finite element model based on ABAQUS software to simulate the bending test. The
flexural rigidity, load-deflection curves, and load-strain curves were compared between
the analytical and experimental results. After model verification, additionally, the
mechanical properties of the epoxy resin, diameter of the steel bars, mechanical properties
of the steel bars etc. were parameterized, and the influence rules for each parameter were
determined.
The flexural rigidity of reinforced bamboo beams is calculated using the cross-sectional
strain and stress distributions, and the suggested models are found to offer appropriate
predictions for the reinforced bamboo beams. Steel-reinforced bamboo scrimber beams
can thus be used for long-span, heavy-load bamboo structural engineering. This
exploratory investigation will aid in the design, fabrication, and use of bamboo-based
structural composite materials in practical engineering
Strengthening web application security through technical measures.
Get PDFThesisThis research aimed to investigate web application vulnerabilities and develop effective countermeasures against various malware attacks. The research objectives were to identify and assess prevalent web application malware, evaluate current malware detection approaches, and develop secure web applications with a clear understanding of vulnerabilities and associated countermeasures. A detailed methodology was employed, including a mixed-mode approach combining theoretical analysis and practical application.The research findings highlighted the common types of web application attacks, including SQL injection, directory traversal, and packet sniffing, and underscored the significance of technical measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and
secure coding practices in enhancing web application security. The investigation revealed key vulnerabilities in web applications and demonstrated how these could be exploited by hackers, leading to potential compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.The study emphasised the effectiveness of input validation, client-side and server-side validation, and input sanitisation as defences against SQL injection attacks. It also stressed the importance of securing the web server with HTTPS encryption to counter packet sniffing vulnerabilities. The research underlined the importance of implementing
technical security measures and maintaining vigilance in identifying and addressing potential security risks.The research contributes to existing efforts in web application security and provides a foundation for future research and development in this area. The findings also highlight the need for continuous monitoring and proactive management of web application security. Future work should explore emerging technologies and tools for enhancing web
application security and developing best practices for secure web application development
Stakeholders’ perceptions on assessment practices for students with visual impairment: a case of a public university in Tanzania.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Education in Special Education.Both lecturers and students rely on educational assessment to reflect and adjust the progress of teaching and learning process, without it the process would never be complete. This study, being guided by the connectionism theory by Thorndike, sought to explore the stakeholders’ perceptions on assessment practices for students with visual impairment (SwVI) in one Tanzanian Public University. The study was guided by three objectives: to explore methods used to assess learning of SwVI, interrogate the suitability of the assessment practices used by lecturers for SwVI and to establish lecturers’ experiences of assessing learning of SwVI in higher learning institutions in Tanzania. Data was analysed qualitatively under an intrinsic case study design. The study sample comprised seven lecturers, one transcriber and twelve SwVI making up the total of twenty participants who were purposively sampled. Data were generated through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis and analysed thematically. The study revealed that SwVI undertook the same assessment tasks like their peers without visual impairment, although their tasks were subjected to adaptations where necessary to meet their educational needs. This enhanced equity and fairness in performing assessment tasks since SwVI had equal playing ground as their peers. Furthermore, the findings revealed mixed perceptions of participants on the suitability of assessment practices in that some were satisfied with assessment practices used while others expressed their dissatisfaction on the same. This suggests that SwVI are unique beings who deserve to be served in the assessment process based on their individual educational needs. Additionally, it was revealed that lecturers and braille transcribers used their own experiences to serve SwVI in the assessment process since the university had no policy or guidelines on disability which specifically described on how SwVI should be assessed. This resulted to many challenges and inconsistencies faced in the assessment process for SwVI. It could equally be concluded that SwVI are not similar, each student with visual impairment is unique and different from the other, and thus a one-size-fits-all approach is not applicable when administering assessment tasks to them. Arising from the findings, it was recommended that the university under study should develop a policy on disability which should elaborately describe how SwVI should be assessed. Additionally, studies should be conducted to investigate further the stakeholders’ perceptions on assessment practices for other categories of disability like hearing impairments, specific learning disabilities, autism and so forth in different levels of education.
Key words: Assessment practices, adaptation, impairment, inclusive education, visual impairmen
The impacts of converting residential properties to commercial properties on livability in Lusaka: a case study of Northmead residential area, Lusaka.
No full textMasters thesis degree in Spatial Planning at the University of ZambiaThe aim of the study is to examine the impacts of converting residential properties to commercial properties on livability in Northmead residential area of Lusaka. Conversion processes are lacking Development control which is timely and coordinated in Northmead. For example, most approvals are done after the development has started. Using a case study approach, a sample of 120 respondents from Northmead was conveniently selected and surveyed using questionnaires. Key informants from government institutions were purposively identified and surveyed using interview guides. Secondary data from relevant plans, policy documents and legislation was also reviewed.
The findings reveal that the residential conversion has been increasing steadily since 2009. The year 2016 recorded the highest percentage of 4.7 percentage increase in residential area conversion and the least year is 2009 with the 2.0 percent. The rate at which conversion of residential properties are being converted in Northmead is on the average of 5 houses per year. The southern boundary of Northmead particularly along Great East road has been experiencing more conversion than any other area. The study identified factors leading to conversion of residential properties in the Northmead includes: characteristics of the neighborhoods; the accessibility; the area offers renting or business factors; government policy which are very flexible in local government on space planning design; the desire to improve economic opportunities in light of growing uncertainty; the mismatch between demand and supply for retail spaces; infrastructural development and redevelopment; interest in expanding population and entrepreneurial activities; proximity to town gentrified residential communities; urban sprawl responsible for conversion of residential properties to commercial. The findings also revealed effects of converting residential to commercial properties on liveability in Northmead includes the reduction in formal residential stock, high rental prices, physical development challenges, developmental control challenges and abuse of land, poor quality of parks and gardens 44.2 percent, improved waste management 55 percent, excellent availability of water 50.83 percent, reduction in crime 64.17 percent, high congestion 50 percent. Poor safety equipment 49 percent, average education 59.17 percent poor backyard garden 46.67 percent, average road access 56.67 percent, improved public transport 63.33 percent, average telecommunications-network 45 percent, average reliability of utilities such as water, electricity 50.83 percent, reduction of sporting facilities 59.17percent, variety of shops 73.33 percent, The study also reveals that there is no strong legal framework or monitoring to check conversion of existing land use structure in the area.
The research concludes that the Ministry of local government and Lusaka city council should adopt regular monitoring land use changes in the area, designation and reservation of certain areas within Northmead for residential only, control the type of the business in the residential area, government should upgrade the police stations nearby because the existing one is small and bring up story buildings.
Key Words: Conversion; Livability; Northmead; Sustainable Urban Renewal; Infrastructure planning
Genetic dissection of resistance to anthracnose in yellow bean collection of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems.Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a major disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) worldwide. Yellow beans are a major market class of common bean especially in eastern and southern Africa. The objectives of this study were i) evaluate the yellow bean collection for resistance to eight races of C. lindemuthianum, and ii) conduct genome-wide association analysis to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with resistance to eight races of C. lindemuthianum. The Yellow Bean Collection comprised of 255 diverse yellow bean genotypes was evaluated for resistance to races 5, 19, 39, 51, 81, 183, 1050 and 1105 of C. lindemuthianum. The Yellow Bean Collection was genotyped with 72, 866 SNPs using Genotyping by Sequencing and genome-wide association analysis was conducted using Mixed Linear Model in TASSEL. Several genotypes with superior levels of resistance to the eight races used in the current study were identified. The yellow bean genotype YBC278 was the only one among 255 genotypes that was highly resistant to all eight races. Resistance in the Yellow Bean Collection to the eight races used in the current study was controlled by major-effect loci on chromosomes Pv01, Pv03, Pv04, Pv05 and Pv07. The genomic region on Pv01, which overlapped with the Andean locus Co-1 provided resistance to races 81, 1050 and 1105. Significant SNPs for resistance to race 39 were identified on Pv02. The genomic region on Pv04, which overlaps with known major-effect loci Co-3, Co-15, Co 16, Co-y and Co-z, provided resistance to races 5, 19, 51 and 183. Novel genomic regions for resistance to race 39 were identified on Pv05 and Pv07. Plant resistance genes (R genes) with NB-ARC and LRR domains, which occurred in clusters, were identified as positional candidate genes for genomic regions on Pv02 and Pv04