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Gender based violence in the Uncertainty of Hope by Valerie Tagwira and The Fading Sun by David Mungoshi: A feminist analysis
No full textTHESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGLISH AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS
AT THE NAMIBIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NUST) SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR SARALA KRISHNAMURTHYGender Based Violence (GBV) has been alarmingly on the increase in the recent past the world
over, and it is regarded as a global pandemic issue due to perceived existing inequalities
including women dependency on their male counterparts within societies; as an expression
of gender inequity and/or toxic masculinity, GBV is considered a pandemic that exists in all
humanity and societies at varying degrees of occurrences and severity. Therefore, there is a
need for contingent mitigating mechanism to shield marginalized sections of societies i.e.
women and girls against GBV pandemic. In order to mitigate GBV, it is necessary to analyse
factors that lead to Gender Based Violence against women whilst exploring available coping
mechanisms that female victims of abuse may employ. This thesis therefore, analyses two
novels, The Uncertainty of Hope and The Fading Sun to determine why economically
independent women remain in abusive relationships; the study employs radical feminist
theory to digest and harmonise the two selected novels with literature in its exploration to
create readers understanding of how they view Gender Based Violence from a difference
lenses in cognisance of the belief that women get abused because they are financially,
economically and support‐wise depending on their counterparts. Moreover, the study aims
to explores few Gender Based Violence remedies by looking at the coping mechanisms as
highlighted in the two literary texts used for this research; this is with the view that the study’s
findings would eventually help women in abusive relationships to learn to cope and discover
coping mechanisms other than separation which many a times negatively affect children
AN EXAMINATION OF ETHICAL ISSUES CONFRONTING OPERATIONS OF SELECTED HYBRID MEDIA ORGANISATIONS IN THE DIGITAL AGE IN NAMIBIA
No full textThis qualitative study examined ethical issues confronting operations of selected hybrid
media organisations in the digital age in Namibia. It specifically used the cases of Namibia
Media Holdings and The Namibia, which are the biggest hybrid media organisations in
Namibia in terms of readership and circulation thus far. The overall research question was:
what contextual factors have shaped ethical dilemmas experienced by full-time journalists
and news editors working for the Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) and The Namibian? It
located itself with the interpretivism philosophical underpinning, in which a case study
research design was used to as it provides room for observing multiple actors within specific
contextual parameters. A total of sixteen (16) full-time employed journalists and five (5) news
editors were selected using purposive sampling technique. Qualitative data were collected
through the administration of focus group discussions and interviews. Thematic analysis was
used to analyse data, in which emerging themes were categorised, labelled and interpreted
in response to each research question. Key findings indicate that a number of contextual
factors responsible for shaping ethical dilemmas encountered by professional journalists
working for selected hybrid media organisations in the digital age in Namibia. These include:
the ever-changing technological landscape; the immediacy of internet; media sustainability;
the integration of social media platforms in the news work; the absence of specific ethical
framework for hybrid media organisations; conflicts of interest; and the notion of public
interest. It came out clear that traditional media ethics such as accuracy, truthfulness and
impartiality are still relevant to inform operations of hybrid newsrooms and are also
cornerstones without, which there is no professional journalism. In order to inform the
operations of hybrid media organisations in the digital age in Namibia, the following media
accountability ethical frameworks and policies were cited: revision of the Code of Ethics for
the Namibian Print, Broadcast and Online Media; strengthening of digital fact-checking
mechanisms; and additional journalistic training
Iron metabolism and its association with chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
No full textThesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Sciences,
Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek,
Namibia.Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a low‐grade systemic inflammatory condition that is characterised by
hyperglycaemia driven by defects in insulin resistance, insulin secretion, or both. Hyperglycaemia,
obesity‐induced inflammation, and dyslipidaemia have been implicated in increasing cardiovascular
risk in patients with T2D. Interestingly, a growing body of evidence has also linked these abnormalities
to altered iron metabolism in patients with T2D. However, the exact mechanisms behind this
dysregulation are not well understood. Therefore, understanding the iron profiles in poor glucose
control may pave ways to the identification of pathways involved in iron dysmetabolism and the
development of therapeutic interventions. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate
iron profiles in patients with T2D and to further assess the impact of inflammation on these profiles.
In addition, it aimed to assess the cardiovascular risk in patients with T2D and to determine whether
there are any associations between iron lipids and inflammation profiles in these patients
An analysis of the use of English prepositional phrases in the essays of selected first year students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
No full textTHESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGLISH AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS AT THE NAMIBIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NUST)The aim of this study was to analyse the use of English prepositional phrases (PPs) in the essays of selected first year Bachelor of Human Resources Management students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). The use of PPs are a key constituent of sentence structure. The study used the qualitative method for data collection and analysis. A total of 50 handwritten essays were collected from first year students who were studying towards their Bachelor of Human Resources at NUST. It is important to stress that handwritten essays, as compared to computer assisted typed essays, present realistic feedback on how the study group use PPs. Computers are likely to correct all grammatical aspects of the essays, thereby providing unrealistic data. The transformational generative grammar theory was applied as a framework for the study. The study adopted a descriptive study method because it was the most suitable approach, considering that the study looked at how words are combined to form phrases, with the main emphasis on the study of PPs. The convenience sampling method was used for data collection as it allows the researcher to collect data from a conveniently available pool of respondents. The study findings revealed that there are two types of PPs that were used in the students’ handwritten essays, namely the adjectival and the adverbial. The study further established six functions of PPs, applicable to the analysis of essays. Lastly, the study revealed that the analysis of syntactic ambiguities in PPs can help to clarify the punctual meaning of a PP. The study concluded by recommending that a functional syntactic study of students’ essays can be conducted to analyse other parts of speech such as the noun phrases, verb phrases or even the function of pronouns. In addition, a morpho-syntactic analysis of prepositional phrases and their ambiguities in the essays can be studied. The study further recommends that a contrastive analysis of the use of English prepositional phrases in comparison with prepositional phrases in indigenous languages can also be studied
Drivers of human-carnivore conflict in Epupa and Okanguati conservancies, Kunene region Namibia.[Unpublished master's thesis]. Namibia University of Science and Technology.
No full textHabitat fragmentation has increased the prospect of human and wildlife encounters consequently resulting in conflict. In an agriculture-focused landscape, conflict occurs when wildlife including carnivores destroy property and prey on livestock. Conservancies in Namibia have monitored natural resources inclusive of Human-Carnivore Conflict (HCC) and analysed the temporal trend of conflict over the years. However, the spatial distribution of livestock predation, including potential anthropogenic and environmental risk factors have not been assessed.
Using binary logistic regression modelling (GLM), selected environmental (EV) and anthropogenic (AV) variables associated with the occurrence of livestock predation in Epupa (EC) and Okanguati (OC) Conservancies by leopard, caracal, hyena (spotted and brown), cheetah and jackal were investigated. The following data were collected; i) livestock predation data for modelling spatial and temporal distribution, ii) household interviews on livestock predation experience, iii) vegetation structure at killing sites and iv) kraal structure assessment.A total of 425 incidents were reported in EC between 2014-2020 and 523 in OC between 2012-2020 with the highest number of incidents in both conservancies recorded during the wet season. The majority of cases in OC are attributed to cheetah while caracal was responsible for the majority of incidents in EC. Vegetation structure and visibility differed by hunting preferences of the different carnivores. Cheetah hunted in areas with average visibility of 69.5m ± 40.8m, leopard (31.8m ± 29.1m), caracal (49.1m ±18.4m), jackal (68.6m±38.5m) and hyena (50.8m ±17.42m). Leopard killing sites had the lowest tree and shrub density per 50m².
Distance to natural and artificial water points is identified as a determinant of livestock predation in both conservancies. The probability of conflict occurrence was higher in proximity to water points. In addition, elevation, distance from houses and fields were also important predictors. The risk of livestock attacks is predicted within the livestock zone, around villages and houses. The structure of kraals that experienced livestock attacks was poor in comparison to kraals that did not experience livestock attacks. The presence of a kraal at some households did not guarantee livestock enclosure at night hence attacks around the house. Furthermore, livestock herding did not prove effective.
Livestock predator conflict is a nationwide problem, therefore the application of modelling as a tool of identifying risk areas to align management and mitigation measures could be useful for natural resources managers. In light of the above results, the study recommends strategic location and distribution of water points inclusive of wildlife areas, and conservancies to enforce overnight livestock kraaling in conflict hotspots. Wild prey and carnivore populations are a crucial component in managing and determining the causes of conflict hence conservancies must conduct regular game counts. In addition, the reintroduction of wildlife in the areas should be considered to foster wild prey population growth
INVESTIGATING THE IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19 ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PRINT MEDIA IN NAMIBIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE NAMIBIAN, CONFIDENTE AND NEW ERA
No full textUsing case studies of The Namibian, New Era and Confidente newspapers, this study set out
to investigate the implications of Covid-19 on the sustainability of Namibian newspapers,
measures being employed by these newspapers to respond to these influences, and
whether these measures are helping the three newspapers sustain their operations. To do
this, the study draws on the theory of structuration and the concept of media sustainability.
Informed by the interpretivist paradigm, this study applied a qualitative methodology and
purposefully sampled 21 participants which included an editor, marketing manager and
distribution manager, as well four journalists from each of the three newspapers. In-depth
interviews were conducted with the participants by the researcher. The study found that
Covid-19 has adversely impacted the operations of the newspapers studied, with declining
advertising, copy sales, job losses and reconfiguration of news work in both production and
distribution. This has prompted the newspapers to respond by adopting a myriad of
measures which include retrenchments, salary cuts, reduced employee benefits, salary
payment date changes, and reducing both print runs and the number of pages. They have
also resorted to expanding their operational scope by bidding for printing jobs, as well as to
write Annual Reports for corporates. Apart from attempting to deepen stories to escape
online competition, newspapers are also now using digital platforms to generate interest for
their print editions by sharing snippets of articles on social media prior to publication of
fuller articles in the print edition. Further, the study also observed that the newspapers have
resorted to giving clients advertising discounts in order to keep them engaged with their
print editions. All the three newspapers have developed packages that include digital
platforms to further lure clients amid Covid-19. Lastly, the study revealed that journalists
are responding to slimmer staff complements, induced by Covid-19, through up-skilling.
While the acknowledgement that newspapers will cease to exist at one point is unanimous,
the study notes that this can be either delayed or derailed by Namibian newspapers in
changing the way stories are told, deepening coverage of community stories and seeking
cost-cutting interventions from the government, among others. In summation, the study
concludes that despite the pressures presented by Covid-19 in Namibia, the printed
newspaper remains resilient, owing to specific market dynamics unique to Namibia
AN AUDIENCE ANALYSIS OF HOW THE YOUTH FACT-CHECK ‘FAKE NEWS’ CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN OMBILI AND HOCHLAND PARK, NAMIBIA
No full textThe proliferation of "fake news” have massive implications, especially at the times of elections. People
who live in marginalised communities are the most exposed to fake news and least armed to decode
coordinated information campaigns (information disorders). As a result, it may affect the practice of
active citizenship by news consumers as their voting decisions may base on misconceptions. The net
effect of this is that, their voting behaviours are done on the basis of highly distorted information whereby
those who are most privileged are in a position to make voting decisions on the basis of truthful and
credible information. This study explored how the youth in Namibia fact-checked news and information
circulated on social media platforms during the 2019 electoral campaign. Firstly, it examined the major
forms or types of fake news produced in Namibia before, during and soon after the elections. Secondly,
it examined the criteria used by the youth in Ombili and Hochland Park to determine the truthfulness and
accuracy of news and information. Thirdly, it assessed the newsworthy factors that the youth in Ombili
and Hochland Park consider before sharing news on social media. This research employed virtual
ethnography, qualitative content analysis,to understand, and document the types of fake news produced,
and circulated in Namibia. Focus Groups Discussions (FGDs), and face-to-face interviews were then
employed to get a sense of how young people sift through fake news. Grounded in Hall’s Encoding and
Decoding model, fabricated contents, manipulated contents, misleading contents, conspiracy theories
and imposter contents were observed in 2019 elections. The study revealed that there was systematic
abuse of mainstream brands to spread information disorders to confuse and disorient voters. In addition,
these types of fake news were fueled by the poor coordination, and delays in communication from the
Electoral Commission. Most of the fake news were aimed at discrediting and casting aspersions on the
candidature of Dr Hage Geingob of the Swapo Party, and Dr Panduleni Itula, who was an Independent
Candidate at the time. This study found that young citizens’ ability to decode fake news is influenced by
the level of education, literacy skills, class differences and media exposure as pointed out by Hall’s theory.
Therefore, this study would add that availability of resources to fact check online news and information
and political affiliation are also key in fighting fake news. The study recommends that government should
ensure that its citizens have access to quality information through tasked institutions, to avoid
fabrications, and distribution of information disorders, and provide a room for media and digital literacy
campaigns in order to enhance skills of citizens of deconstructing coordinated information disorders,
especially on social media platforms. News consumers need to embrace the concept fact checking before
agreeing, and distributing information from social media as this would protect them from making
decisions that are based on misconceptions, which could affect others
Mini thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree B.Sc. Honours in Applied Mathematics
No full textThe human papillomavirus (HPV) infests the cells of the cervix and causes cervical cancer. With an estimated 530 000 new cases per year, it is the third most frequent malignancy among women globally. In Namibia, 135 people died because of the disease in 2018. Cervical cancer is a public health issue in developing nations with significant social and economic consequences. In Human Papilloma Virus (HIV) positive women, HPV infection and persistence, as well as cervical precancerous lesions and malignancy, are more common. The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is a cervical cancer-screening test that looks for both precancerous and cancerous cells in the cervix. Visual examination with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy are becoming the favoured techniques for early identification of cervical cancer in developing nations. The Pap smear is a cervical cancer-screening test that examines the cervix and colon for precancerous and cancerous abnormalities. In Namibia, VIA and cryotherapy are rapidly replacing Pap smears. To date, however, the scale and impact of the use of these methods have not yet been investigated in Namibia. The aim of the study was to investigate how the use of VIA and Cryotherapy has impacted HPV-infected patients.
Women in reproductive age group (20-49 years) visiting two Namibian hospitals (Katutura and Central Hospital) were investigated using a cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted using a mixed methodological approach.
The Statistical Software Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse information gathered through questionnaires; while data received through interviews was analysed by coding and creating themes.
The study highlighted the experiences of women who underwent VIA and Cryotherapy methods. The 250 women that participated in the study ranged from 25-50 years of age. One hundred and seventy-eight patients (71.2%) were in the 40-49-year-old age group.
Most of the participants were from the Havana area. The great majority 188 (75.2%) were Oshiwambo speaking and 155 (62%) were single. In the study, 139 (55.6%) women were HIV positive and the remaining 111 (44.4 %) were HIV negative. Fifty-six (22.4%) patients were using family planning by injection. In this study 53, 46, 204, 135, & 158 children were respectively given birth by women of 25 to 30, 31 to 35, 36 to 40, 41 to 45, 46 to 50 aged groups. The 36-50 age
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groups have more kids. The majority of women 151 (60.4%) with HPV infection who participated in the study have more than 3 children.
Interestingly, there was an association between para gravida and HPV infection among the women who took part in the study.
A family history of cancer was mentioned by up to 27.6% of the individuals. Ninety-nine (39.6%) received a Pap smear procedure with negative result in the past. Out of the 250 women, 132 (52.8%) received cryotherapy while 19 (7.6%) women had colposcopy treatments respectively
Hegemony and resistance in A Man of the People, Anthills of the Savannah and Purple Hibiscus: A postcolonial study
No full textTHESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ENGLISH
AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS
SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR SARALA KRISHNAMURTHYThe purpose of this study was to investigate the concepts of hegemony and resistance in three
postcolonial novels, A Man of the People, Anthills of the Savannah as well as Purple Hibiscus. The study
also analysed how identity is constructed in the three novels. Qualitative research was used as the
approach of the study with postcolonialism as the theoretical framework. The analysis was done in light
of Frantz Fanon’s books, The Wretched of the Earth and Black Skin White, White Masks. The study was
based on the argument that the colonial world has transformed the mind of the colonised in significant
ways as the dominant groups tend to view the colonised people as being subordinate, making them
subjects of their manipulation. It is this form of oppression that leads to the magnification of one
culture at the expense of the other and consequently the shattering of identity. Based on the findings of
the study, some major trends on hegemony were found in the three novels. The study found that there
is still hegemonic rule in the postcolonial society. The following types of hegemony were found in the
novels: personal hegemony, political hegemony, hegemony in education, globalisation hegemony,
colonial hegemony, monetary hegemony, religious hegemony, cultural hegemony, and military
hegemony. Resistance against hegemony in the three novels has been employed through educated
intellectuals and using violence for freedom. The modes of resistance include the role played by the
educated intellectual in resisting oppression, and the second one includes the violent ways in which the
oppressed oppose their coloniser. The identity of the colonised, as portrayed in the novels, is one that is
dislocated and separated from its native roots. The analysis on identity in all of the three novels reveals
that the colonised society faces a crisis in identity, an alienated identity. However, the two novelists
have tried to revive this deformed identity through fiction
Topicbodies scripted with violence: Resistance, resilience and coping strategies in Kasanda's Dante International, Schoemans's This is not a Flowerpot and Blood Rose by Orford
No full textA RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTERS OF ENGLISH AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS
(MEAL) DEGREE AT THE NAMIBIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR SARALA KRISHNAMURTHYThis study is an exploration of the representation of bodies scripted with violence focusing
on the notions of resistance, resilience and coping strategies in Kasanda’s Dante
International (2012), Schoeman’s This is not a flowerpot (2007) and Blood Rose by Orford
(2007). The purpose of the study was to explore literary representations of violence that is
inflicted on the bodies of the victims who are usually women and children. The study also
demonstrated bodies that are written with violence are vested with elements of resistance,
resilience and coping strategies to fight against violence. In order to analyse the exploration
of violence in the three novels, the researcher engaged content analysis method. The study
used the corporeal feminist theory which addresses the issue of bodies that have been
violated in public and private spaces and how they are vested with agency to fight back. The
literary depiction of the bodies that are written with violence using Namibian literary corpus
written by women or books set in Namibia is an area which has not been comprehensively
explored by scholars. The three novels were chosen using purposive sampling. These novels
have been chosen due to fact that they portray characters and themes which fell into the
interest area of the researcher as they cover central concerns of gendered violence.
Moreso, the study used a qualitative research design to analyse the literary representation
of the bodies written with violence in Orford’s Blood Rose, Kasanda’s Dante International
and Schoeman’s This is not a flowerpot. The study revealed the following themes that relate
to the bodies in Blood Rose, Dante International and This not a flowerpot: violence,
resistance, resilience and survival or coping tactics. The study concluded that the chosen
novels, Blood Rose, Dante International and This not a flowerpot proffered a valuable
insights into the violence that is inflicted on the bodies of the victims. In the process the
objectives of the study were attained. Added to that the study concluded that bodies that
bear signs of violence shows signs of resistance, resilience as much as they cope with
violence they encounter in private and private spaces. This study is a contribution to
knowledge of violated gendered bodies within the African literary archive written by
women, but more specifically the Namibian literary corpus. Additionally, the study
recommends further researches on the study of the bodies that are written with violence
that ensue out of the violence inflicted by violators who are no longer only men