Ounongo Repository (Namibia Univ. of Science and Technology)
Ounongo Repository (Namibia Univ. of Science and Technology)Not a member yet
826 research outputs found
Sort by
Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Computer Science at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
No full textIndigenous Knowledge (IK) is the unique, traditional, local knowledge existing within and developed around the specific condition of women and men indigenous to a particular geographic area. Forms of expressing IK include folklores, songs, stories, festivals, outfit and proverbs. Proverbs are grounded upon years of experience and close observation of life and natural phenomena. Some research posed proverbs to be the bedrock of civilization of a society. By implication, almost all societies have proverbs or a form of it. The Nigerian Yoruba society is endowed with enormous proverbs which serve pivotal roles. The significance of proverbs to society and in particular Yoruba society cannot be overemphasised. Thus, attempts have been made to archive them both digitally and in print.
However, present users with simple lists of proverbs to browse. These forms of representation also pay no attention to proverbs’ applicability to daily challenges; they are hard-coded and unfriendly. Thus, reducing proverbs to passive text rather than active wisdom. Due to the proliferation of intelligent linguistic agents, they can serve as media of communicating proverbs. However, agents need more than text to attain a level of intelligence whereby they respond to queries (complaints) with relevant indigenous proverbs. Hence, Yoruba proverbs are yet to be represented and preserved with technologies that maximise their usefulness. Thus, this study aimed to design a semantic proverb representation that allows linguistic AI applications to apply indigenous proverbs to domain contexts (complaints).
Employing research through design methodology, minimum metadata about proverbs required to explain, interpret and apply best fitting proverb(s) to a domain context from a pool of proverbs were identified by reviewing literature. Case study based data was elicited through interview. The data gathered corroborated literature standpoint that the meaning of a proverb is context-dependent. By implication, the context of application affects the meaning of proverbs. After thematic analysis, there are four main factors that determine proverbs’ relevance to contexts, namely proverb intrinsic-attributes, proverb user attributes, context attributes and audience attributes. Subsequent to these findings, a generic computer understandable representation of proverb was designed.
Notwithstanding, it must be ascertained that this representation is robust enough for intelligent agents to use when responding to complaints or query. Hence, a simple complaint-response app and a chatbot were developed by active coding. The chatbot was tested by seven users with a
v
complaint each. The users passed comments and corrections were made. Subsequently, it was tested and 31 complaint-response pair were recorded. These responses were given to 20 evaluators to rate their suitability to complaints on a scale of 1 to 5. The average rating was 3.12 rounded off to 3.0 implying the advice is sensible, acceptable to the listener, useful to some extent but might be general. I ascribe this limitation (over generalisation) to the application layer where models are not accurate and not the representation itself. I conclude that the representation is adequate for the purpose it was designed, but its veracity and efficacy are dependent on the accuracy of the application layer
Academic Welcome 2020
No full textSpeech by Dr. Andrew Niikondo, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic, on the occasion of the opening welcome of the NUST academic year, 27 January 2020
DESIGNING A CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVING ELECTROWINNING CURRENT EFFICIENCY
No full textIn general, the electrowinning process consumes substantial electrical energy. Considering the ever-increasing unit cost of electrical power there is a need to improve current efficiency so that electrical energy is utilised efficiently. In light of the research/knowledge gap identified, this research aims to design a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency. The objectives of this research are as follow: (i) To explore factors that influence current efficiency; (ii) To evaluate the factor that has the most significant effect on current efficiency, by applying statistical process control; and finally (iii) To design a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency, by applying statistical process control. The scope of work for this research focused on applying statistical process control on an online industrial copper electrowinning process instead of doing laboratory experiments. In this case, a sequential mixed research methodology was applied and Minitab statistical software package was utilized for analysing data by creating control charts. The factors that influence current efficiency were explored and the main factors are as follow: metallurgical short-circuits, impurities, electrode condition, electrode alignment, contacts condition, electrolyte temperature, reagent addition, electrolyte acid concentration, current density, rectifier current, electrode insulators, cathode nodules, electrolyte copper content, and electrolyte flow rate. After analysing constructed control charts and implementing an out of control action plan, it was concluded that metallurgical short-circuits (hotspots) have the most significant effect on current efficiency than all the other factors. Bringing hotspots under statistical control resulted in improved current efficiency by 5.40 % which is equivalent to approximately 74 MT of 99.999 % pure grade A copper cathode production over a period of 1.5 months. Finally, a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency was designed. This was done by considering the following: Anderson Darlington normality test, non-normal data transformation (using Johnson and Box-Cox transformation), constructing control charts, and then analysing control charts which include Pearson correlation analysis, out of control points alignment analysis, root cause analysis, process capability analysis, and implementing an out of control action plan
Assessment of the Pollution Load of the Woji Creek Water Body, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-South, Nigeria
No full textThis study was aimed at assessing the pollution load of the Woji Creek River Water in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This was based on eight water quality parameters of THC, PAHs, TOC, TOM, Oil/ Grease, DO, COD and BOD using three study stations in each area composed of the Woji, Akpajo and Rumuwoji River Water. The DO, BOD, COD were analyzed using Titrimetry, PAHs by the HPLC, TOC by the NDIR, while Oil/ Grease was analyzed by Partition Gravimetry. The result showed highest mean values of 0.68±0.028 (THC), 0.27±0.03 (PAHs), 5.94±0.023 (TOC), 10.24±0.016 (TOM), 10.78±0.02 (Oil/Grease), 5.51±0.00 (DO), 36.40±0.10 (BOD) and 104±1.00 (COD). The result showed that of partialregeneration but polluted when compared to known permissible limits and previous research studies. This may be attributed to the dilution effect of rainfall. There is an ardent need to monitor and control anthropogenic inputs into this strategically located water body which traverses the oil rich city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Examining the portrayal of the subaltern in three southern African novels
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 KRISHNAMURTHY
JANUARY 2020The research presents a decolonial critical analysis of three Southern African novels written between 1971 and 2002. The three authors namely, Bessie Head, Zakes Mda and Wally Serote provide an unflinching gaze at inferiorised characters in the heyday of apartheid and beyond. All three authors depict the different characters in the crucible of one of the most horrid systems of government known to humanity as it gave preferential treatment to certain section of society while allowing others to wallow in poverty, marginalisation and a general lack of hope for the future. The thesis employed an Afrocentric analysis of the novels emanating from decoloniality which encourages the browbeaten to question their alienation, disillusionment brought about by Western conceptualisation of reality, which in turn produced hierarchies based on race, language, culture and social standing and locality. These hierarchies created binaries which placed people from the global South at the lowest rank, hence the advocacy for an emancipatory framework that will permit the peripherised to defy the unjust world order through a commitment to sovereignty by embracing a decolonial epistemology which inter alia encourages them to abandon the West’s myth of disembodied knowledge and opt for truths in parenthesis which has unmatched potential to cater for their diverse and plurally based needs. The thesis proved that it is possible to shift the traditional centre to the periphery and empower the marginalised through epistemic decolonisation, decolonisation of human reality (the blindfolded way some view existence emanating from the erroneous conception of reality paraded by the North, since they have accepted the fallaciousness of their “God’s eye view” as the truth) and being able to shift the geography of reason, since western epistemology’s falsehoods can no longer be tolerated. Finally, the thesis proved that the relentless quest for alternative truths has the potential to liberate these characters, which are the fictional representatives of the “wretched of the earth” and allow all people of the global South to live in harmony and gentility after their liberation from the manacles of the North’s oppressive falsehoods and indoctrination has been accomplished
Ecology of resident Temminck's Pangolin (Smutsia Temminckii) in Central Namibia
No full textPangolins are the most trafficked mammals worldwide and as Asian species’ numbers have
drastically declined, African pangolin species have been increasingly targeted for the illegal
wildlife trade. Due to their nocturnal and elusive behaviour, many pangolin species, especially
Southern Africa’s Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temmicnkii), are understudied and poorly
understood. Previous research predominantly stems from the 1990’s and demonstrates highly
variable results in pangolin ecology and behaviour. This study represents the first detailed
research within Namibia, focusing on the ecology of Temminck’s pangolin in the central shrub
savannah habitat on a fenced private nature reserve. The overall objective of this study was to
contribute to knowledge of the basic ecology of Temminck’s pangolin to help inform conservation
strategies for pangolins through understanding home range sizes and overlaps between
individuals, prey preference, and burrow selection. The study was conducted from September
2018 to March 2020 utilizing VHF telemetry, GPS tracking, and field observations. A total of 46
resident individuals were identified on the 22,000 hectare private reserve and 36 were tagged.
Home range sizes were calculated for the entire tagging period utilizing MCP and 95% and 50%
Kernel density models. Home range and core area during the growing and non-growing seasons
for male and female individuals were calculated using 95% and 50 % Kernel Density models and
Complex Region Spatial Smoother (CReSS) analysis. Home range sizes on average were 6.32 km2
– 23.97 km2 for males and between 5.10 km2 – 11.11 km2 for females. Core area sizes on average
ranged from 1.81 km2 – 7.03 km2 for males and between 1.75 km2 – 2.17 km2 for females. Male
home ranges overlapped with four or more female home ranges, showing a polygamous mating
system. During the growing season there were 53 instances of home range overlap and 23
instances of core area overlap. During the non-growing season there were 25 instances of home
range overlap and 7 instances of core area overlap. Pangolins mostly fed by excavating nests,
showed clear preference for 6 species of ants and termites, and fed almost exclusively on
Anoplolepis spp. during the growing season although this species was not the most abundant in
the area. The study animals preferred burrows of at least one meter deep located at the base of termite mounds in dense thornshrub of mostly Senegalia mellifera. Home range and social
dynamics were comparable to those found by Heath & Coulson in Zimbabwe and the preference
for Anoplolepis sp. and burrows under termite mounds is comparable to studies done in South
Africa. The study assists in determining likely densities of pangolins in Namibia’s thornbush
savanna and provides prey and burrow preference variables which can be used to determine
suitable release sites for confiscated live trafficked pangolins
Global export competitiveness of Namibian hides and skins.
No full textGlobalisation increases competitive pressure and technological changes. Agribusiness in developing economies experiences these new challenges in an attempt to globalise their operations. These challenges have a continuous effect on the competitiveness of the Namibian economy in the hides and skins sector. It is, therefore, important that the hides and skins subsector prepares for intense competition to sustain and improve its operations. Analysis of hides and skins export competitiveness is thus important to measure overall sectoral performance. The study provides an overview of the global and local hides and skins sector before a discussion on analysed export competitiveness of Namibia’s hides and skins. Four indexes were used to measure Namibia’s hides and skins export competitiveness for 18 years (2001-2018), and this includes, Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Index of Contribution to Trade Balance (CTB), Grubel-Lloyd Index (GLI), and Michaely Index (MI). The analysed results show that Namibia is globally competitive in the production and export of hides and skins. RCA index results reveal that Namibia maintained its comparative advantages for 14 uninterrupted years of the analysed 18- year period. The findings of the CTB index indicate that the hides and skins sector contribution to the overall trade balance is negative and there is no real surplus. The analysis of the GLI index reveals that in general, Namibia exports the same quantity as much as it imports for most of the hides and skins commodities. Results of the Grubel-Lloyd Index indicate that Namibia has a higher complementarity in the production and export of hides and skins. The results of the GLI index also show that Namibia has a great potential to increase its export competitiveness through improved production of hides and skins.
A paradigm shift is needed for Namibia to further enhance and maintain its export competitiveness of hides and skins. Overall contribution to trade balance showed a negative trend and this situation should be improved through increased production and export to enhance competitiveness. Increased off-take by improved production will significantly lead to more exports of hides and skins. Communal farmers who are still practicing cultural livestock rearing, keeping large heads of livestock as a sign of wealth, need to be mentored on the importance of commercialising farming practices and value addition to hides and skins. A transformation strategy to change farmers’ traditional farming philosophy should be established to enable farmers to practice commercial farming in a communal set up. Strategies such as frequent monitoring and evaluation, coaching and advice will help to inculcate modern farming practices into farmers’ mind-sets to improve production, processing, and trade. Key role players in the hides and skins sector need to be capacitated through technical, financial, and infrastructural support to improve flying and drying of hides and skins. Value chain actors should be informed of economic importance of hides and skins, how their role (as livestock producers, hides and skins processors) contributes to the quality of end products considering practiced farming systems. The government should formulate policies to regulate the hides and skins sector with tailor-made management strategies at all levels of the value chain. Emphasis should be put on value addition, marketing, skilled workforce, sustainable animal husbandry, disease management strategies, improved slaughtering facilities and practices, preservation and handling procedures, tanning, and processing techniques and facilities
The thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
No full textWildlife poaching provides a serious threat to conservation and eco‐tourism development. Antipoaching
activities have led to increased poacher‐ranger conflicts which have caused injuries and
deaths on both sides. Rangers are faced with many perils ranging from being attacked by communities
and poachers, the wildlife they protect as well as the harsh environment that they operate in, which
can lead to injuries, illnesses and death. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality, rangers need to
be able to perform initial stabilisation and care when a medical emergency in the field occurs. The
main aim of this study was to determine whether anti‐poaching operatives and game rangers are
equipped to deal with the unique medical emergencies facing them in the often remote and
inhospitable Namibian rural environment. Little or no research was found regarding medical readiness
of game rangers and their ability to adequately perform initial casualty care in the field, considering
their unique workplace challenges. Furthermore, no information could be found on the availability and
the adequacy of first aid supplies and equipment to perform such medical duties. This study used a
descriptive non‐experimental design to determine which medical emergencies were most common in
field ranger duties and their medical readiness to deal with such emergencies. Convenience sampling
was used to conduct surveys amongst rangers and organisations which employ them. Additionally, a
usage and attitude survey was undertaken to establish the most required contents for a personal first
aid field kit for field rangers. The analysis is based on 115 medical readiness surveys and 69 field kit
surveys. Most rangers in Namibia’s remote areas were found to lack first aid training and equipment
to deal with medical emergencies, yet the occurrence of injuries and illnesses were very frequent and
often serious. The nearest healthcare facilities are often far away and may be insufficient to provide
definitive management to a ranger that is seriously injured or ill in the field. Furthermore, Emergency
Medical Services in most rural areas are unreliable and rangers depend on own transport, sometimes
using a donkey cart, to reach a medical facility. Due to the distinctive challenges that rangers face,
standard first aid programmes and kits do not meet their unique requirements. Operating in a
wilderness or remote area rangers will not only need extensive knowledge of common injuries and
illnesses to care for themselves or a colleague, but they will also need to rely only on the equipment
they carry with them. Therefore, rangers must be adequately trained and equipped for emergencies
in the field. The study recommends a portable first aid kit based on the most common injuries and
illnesses from this unique sector of work
Assessment of Atmospheric Dispersion of Fly Ash within the Vicinity of Van Eck Coal-Fired Power Station, Windhoek, Namibia
No full textIncrease in population led to the growth of industrialisation which has stimulated the development of alternatives to produce electricity, including the use of coal. Coal-fired power plants produce an abundant amount of electricity, addressing the ever-increasing electricity demand. Power plants produce fly ash as a result of coal combustion for electric power generation. The Van Eck Power Station is the oldest and only coal-fired plant in Namibia that is located at the outskirts of Windhoek. The power plant produces electricity from the combustion of coal. Its refurbishment began in 2013, to improve its efficiency and allow for longer operational period. Van Eck’s rehabilitation included coal feeders which reduce emissions and new grates for boiler units which reduce ash emissions to ensure that the plant is a cleaner coal-fired power plant.
Fly ash is produced when coal is pulverised and blown with air into the boiler's combustion chamber where it directly burns and generates heat. Trace elements in coal deposits would not only contaminate the air, soil and underground water but also have an impact on human health. The thesis was aimed at assessing the possible pollutant elements found in fly ash and soil in areas surrounding the Van Eck Power Station. The thesis was also aimed at modelling the distribution and dispersion of those elements at a particular distance in areas around the Van Eck power plant using the Gaussian Plume Model. Soil samples were obtained from sites within the vicinity of Van Eck Power Station, and XRF Analysis was used to determine the concentration of elements in the soil. To obtain samples of fly ash, fall out buckets filled with distilled water were mounted on poles away from the main source of pollution. The deionised water was analysed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES) Analysis method for the detection of elements. Gravimetric analysis was also applied to measure the weight of dust, which in the report is expressed as fly ash.
The study revealed more concentration of sulphur oxides specifically as sulphites and sulphates, as well as Zinc, while the rest of the elements of interest were detected significantly in low amount. Others were below the level of detection in both the fly ash and soil sampling. Also, soil sampled near the power plant was detected with a high amount of SOx and Zinc. Fly ash collected showed that areas near the power plant contain more pollutants than areas further from the power plant. Ash captured through the dust-fallout bucket method within the jurisdiction of the power plant was above the South African dust monitoring criteria. The model illustrated that elements during the day were more absorbed than reflected during the night.
Based on the research analysis, it was found that the power plant does not produce an abundant amount of pollution due to off-peak operations. However, comprehensive results
may be obtained if this type of research is repeated on a different, specified timeframe. The station may require control efficiency compliance measures for noxious gases and particulate matter (PM) concentrations. These results will be important in the formulation of emission limits, air quality guidelines and control of emission of pollutants. Air quality modelling is essential in baseline reports of projects
Herero-Nama genocide as historical fiction: A new historical analysis of Mama Namibia, The Scattering, and The Lie of the Land
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
Supervisor: Prof Sarala KrishnamurthyDuring its colonial rule in Namibia, Germany committed what is widely considered to be the first genocide of the twentieth century—the genocide of the Herero and Nama people. Although the said genocide took place over a hundred years ago, its profound consequences are still significant and relevant today. In the years that followed the end of German colonial rule in Namibia, there has been a noted colonial amnesia over what happened to the Herero and Nama people, and their narratives have remained on the periphery of the grand narrative of the nation. The recent publication of the three selected novels speaks to the relevance of the subject matter and creates new opportunities for engaging with this period of Namibian colonial history. This study explores the literary representation of the Herero-Nama genocide in the three selected novels in order to explain the contribution of historical fiction to the excavation of occluded narratives and engaging with Namibian history and related discourses. Using the New Historical perspective, the study analyses the literary representation of the genocide, examines the reflection of contemporary discourses on land and reparation, and explores intertextuality in the three novels. The study shows that the novels enhance the understanding of history by relating it in a literary form and adding faces to the atrocities, wherein they offer a platform to revise what has been recorded and shared, thereby enhancing historiography by presenting alternative histories. Furthermore, the novels reflect contemporary discourses circulating in the culture in which the novels emerged, in particular, land and reparation discourses, wherein their engagement with these discourses has a bearing on the shape and direction of the discourses. The study recommends coalescing New Historical framework with other frameworks in future studies for a greater understanding of the novels