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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Applied Statistics, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia
No full textThis thesis reports on a statistical analysis on risk factors associated with under-five mortality in Namibia.
Secondary data were obtained from the 2013 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey data. Children
survival was measured by age at death and the event variable was whether the children were still alive or
dead after the first five (years) of their lives. Variables included were maternal education, mother’s marital
status, the age of the mother at first birth, preceding birth interval, type of birth, place of residence,
household wealth index, status of breastfeed and the place of delivery. Descriptive summary statistics in
the form of tables and graphs were used to profile the background characteristics of the children. Survival
analysis techniques (Kaplan-Meier curves, Log Rank Test and Cox Proportional Hazards model) were used
to establish the determinants of survival among under-five children. Frailty model with regions as a
random effect was fitted- to determine the influence of unobserved risk factors on under-five mortality.
Results revealed that maternal highest level of education (higher/tertiary level), status of breastfeed
(children who have been breastfeed), the place of delivery (those born in private medical facilities) and
type of birth (single births), were found to be the risk factors associated with under-five mortality in
Namibia. Policy efforts should focus on encouraging mothers to breastfeed the children as children who
were breastfed are 54 times less likely to die below the age of five (5) compared to those who were not
breastfed and more focuses on programs that empower women such as free education to all, especially
tertiary education. Children born at private facilities are at lower risk of death compared to those born at
home and this calls for further research on the reasons behind
Remarks by Hon. Prof. Peter H. Katjavivi, MP, Chancellor of NUST. Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Academic Welcome for the Year 2020. Monday 27th January 2020.
No full textSpeech by NUST Chancellor, Peter H. Katjavivi, on the occasion of the new academic year 2020
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF OMARURU MUNICIPAL DUMPSITE ON GROUNDWATER WITHIN OMARURU RIVER BASIN.
No full textRiver basins are vulnerable to pollution from anthropogenic activities such as the disposal of waste from domestic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities. The anthropogenic activities can be a source of contamination, consequently affecting the quality and quantity of groundwater. The study aimed at assessing the impact of the Omaruru municipal dumpsite on groundwater quality. Ideal individual sampling sites were selected based on their positions relative to the municipal dumpsite. Water and soil samples were analysed onsite for physical and chemical parameters including Total Dissolved Solids (3036 mg/L), Turbidity (1.69 NTU) and Electrical Conductivity (20 mS/cm) by using HANNA, H19811-5 multi-meter instrument. Heavy metals (lead, manganese, iron, copper, cadmium) that can impact groundwater quality were analysed in the laboratory using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and geochemical analysis of soil samples were was conducted in a laboratory using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). High concentrations of heavy metals were measured in water from boreholes located downgradient of the river sub-catchment. A strong correlation relationship was found between the concentration of chemical parameters found in the soil from the municipal dumpsite and groundwater from nearby water boreholes. Chemical parameters that exceeded the Namibian water quality standards were Calcium (Ca) 100-300 mg/l > (90 mg/l), Chloride (Cl) 250> (64 mg/l), Iron (Fe) 0.3 mg/l > (0.1mg/l) and Copper (Cu) 1.3mg/l > (0.5mg/l). Chemical parameters that were found within Namibian water quality standards and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards were Potassium (K) 0.2 mg/l < (1 mg/l), Magnesium (Mg) 0.07 mg/l < (25 mg/l), Barium (Ba) 0.03 mg/l < (0.5 mg/l), Lead (Pb) 0.015mg/l < (0.05) mg/l, Cadmium (Cd) 0.03 mg/l < 0.01 mg/l) and Nickel(Ni) 0.07mg/l< (0.25 mg/l). Contamination Factor (CF) of the study area ranged between 0.8–2.7 indicating the degree of overall groundwater contamination of the sampled sites. The Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) values from the study were measured between
0.003-0.7, while the value of Pollution Load Index (PLI) of the study area was at 2. The PLI value of
>1 is polluted whereas a value of <1 indicates no pollution. A strong positive correlation existed between heavy metals found in water and soil from the municipal dumpsite. Concentrations of physical and chemical parameters were benchmarked with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Namibian water standards for drinking water quality
A Feminist Stylistics Study of the Representation of Women in The Lion and the Jewel and The Trials of Brother Jero
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 Haileleul Zeleke Woldemariam
21 February 2020This study examined the influence that patriarchy has on society and how it has affected women’s representation in literary works. Thus, the study focused on a feminist stylistics study of the representation of women in The Lion and the Jewel and The Trials of Brother Jero. The sole purpose and reason of conducting this research was to examine and evaluate the representations of women in the selected Nigerian plays by Wole Soyinka using a feminist stylistics approach. Specifically, this research sought to achieve the following objectives: to examine how lexis is used to represent women in the plays, evaluate how syntax is employed to represent women in the plays, and lastly to compare and contrast the women representation through discourse in the selected plays. Soyinka’s plays are written to disclose and expose the subjugation of women by men as it is shown in The Lion and the Jewel and The Trials of Brother Jero. The conclusion of the findings is that women are represented through derogatory words and phrases which are connoting negativity and their sexual availability. Women characters in the plays are portrayed as sex objects for men as their bodies are reduced to different parts like hair, body size and breasts and this was not a case for the male characters as they were described and presented in terms of their appearances. As per the conclusions and findings, this study suggests that further research needs to be conducted for an effective improvement of representing women in literary works. It is also recommended that female and male characters should be given equal roles and it is imperative to employ the use of gender free language in everyday interactions
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Natural Resources Management at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
No full textHuman existence generates massive amount of waste. These wastes are usually dumped at disposal sites especially in developing countries due to lack of landfills. As a result of continuous waste dumping, soils in disposal sites have become sinks of toxic heavy metals. Oshakati disposal site is open and all waste from the town irrespective of the source get dumped at the site. The scoping assessment which was done at the site in 2018 found high levels of heavy metals way above the standard limits. This study was then undertaken to investigate the spatial variability of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) concentrations in soils adjacent to Oshakati solid waste disposal site in Namibia, to understand the impacts of the disposal site on soils nearby. This was done by assessing heavy metal occurrence and levels in soil samples taken from an area adjacent to the Oshakati disposal site.
A total of 95 topsoil samples at a depth of 30 cm were collected from Oshakati disposal site vicinity (56 samples), control site 1 (28 soil samples) and control site 2(11 soil samples) using a soil auger. Soil samples were collected from four transects that were laid according to cardinal direction from 10 metres to 150 metres away from the disposal site. A similar method was employed at control sites. The disposal site vicinity was an area comprised mainly of farm fields and homesteads, while control site 1 was an open area, located about 700m away from the disposal site where human activities were limited while control site 2 was a homestead with a farm field situated approximately 2 km away from the disposal site.
Soil samples were analysed for their physicochemical properties such as pH, particle size analysis, texture and electrical conductivity (EC) using a pH meter, pipette method, USDA classification system and conductivity meter respectively. Soil samples were further analysed for the concentrations of the following heavy metals: cadmium, lead, arsenic, chromium, manganese, nickel, copper and Zinc using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) as a standard analytic technique.
Results of physicochemical parameters showed that soil at disposal site vicinity was slightly acidic with high EC compared to control sites and all study sites recorded a sand texture. Heavy metals were found in various concentrations at all study sites except for cadmium which was not detected in the disposal site vicinity. Manganese recorded the highest mean values and arsenic the least in all study sites.
The mean metal concentrations recorded at disposal site vicinity where : Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As while at control site 1 mean values where : Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu >Ni > Pb > Cd > As and at control site 2: Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > As. The result showed that the disposal site contributed to the presence of heavy metals present in the disposal site vicinity. A MANOVA test indicated a significant difference (P < 0.05) in mean metal values between disposal site vicinity and control sites. These differences stated that beside zinc and lead, heavy metal concentrations were higher at control sites compared to disposal site vicinity. This was attributed to contamination from another anthropogenic source other than the disposal site.
However, all heavy metals analysed in this study from all study sites were found below the standard limits for heavy metals in soil established by SA and WHO. Furthermore, distance did not influence the spatial variability of heavy metal concentrations, as no correlation was detected between them. A Pearson’s correlation matrix test indicated that only at 100m distance were significant linear relationship existed in the interaction between mean metal concentrations and distance. Manganese positively correlated strongly with nickel, copper and arsenic (r = 0.9046, r = 0.8283, r = 0.6563, p > 0.05) while nickel values correlated strongly with those of manganese, copper, zinc and arsenic (r = 0.9046, r = 0.8686, r = 0.6015, r = 0.5704, p = 0.05). Nevertheless, chromium, cadmium and lead did not show any interactions with other metals. The interactions were attributed to soil physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC and water holding capacity.
The occurrence of heavy metals, although in low concentrations in soils at the disposal site vicinity requires periodic monitoring, as heavy metals do not degrade. With continuous dumping of waste in the disposal site, heavy metals will continue to accumulate in soil and cause potential threat to soil properties and living organisms inhabiting these soils. The researcher, therefore, recommends that local authorities develop and implement a soil quality monitoring system that will regularly asses heavy metal levels in soils adjacent to disposal sites. This is necessary to ensure healthy environments
Ruptures and continuities of struggle: Social movements and popular struggles in urban Namibia, 1980s (ILMI Working Paper No. 11)
No full textInvestigating the potential of Moringa Oleifera for agribusines development and rural youths’ self-employment in the Livingstone rural areas.
No full textFirst, I give glory and honour to the Lord God Almighty. I would like to express my gratitude and give my extended appreciation to Dr Thinah Moyo and Dr Julius Manda for their guidance right from the first day that this study was proposed up to this stage. I would also like to express a word of appreciation to Mr Mwala Lubinda for his input in the data analysis. I am also indebted to Mrs Stella Ndjovu and Mrs Diana Ndjovu for their kind assistance in the distribution and conduction of the questionnaire interviews. I am equally grateful to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for providing me with funding for the research. Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to give gratitude to my husband, Prof. H. M. Kwaambwa, for the support that he rendered to me from the beginning of my degree, financially, emotionally and physically. I am also grateful to my mother, father and family for their prayers and encouragement
An analysis of the risk of collisions between aircraft and vultures in Namibia
No full textCollisions between aircraft and birds and other animals occur frequently and are known in the aviation industry as wildlife strikes. They are considered to be one of the most serious safety and financial risks to the global aviation industry. The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations specialised Agency, requires that the appropriate authority shall take action to eliminate or to prevent the establishment of any source which may attract wildlife to the aerodrome, or its vicinity, unless an appropriate wildlife assessment indicates that they are unlikely to create conditions conducive to a wildlife hazard problem. Namibian airports reduce the wildlife strike risk by managing the airport habitat and actively chasing birds and other hazardous animals away. The bird strike risk in airspace between airports is not managed or assessed in Namibia. Following one White-Backed Vulture strike and several reports of near-misses with vultures by pilots of small aircraft, this study investigated possible collision hotspot areas considering small commercial aircraft flight paths and vulture movement areas. The study used spatial proximity analysis and temporal overlap to compare telemetry and nesting location data for the three most commonly encountered vulture species to flight paths and times of small commercial aircraft. Collision risk hotspots were identified over three national parks: Etosha, Waterberg and the Pro-Namib portion of the Namib-Naukluft. Ascending from, or approaching, Hosea Kutako International Airport from the east was identified as a particular risk for White-backed Vulture conflict, while risk of Lappet-faced vulture strikes was high to the east of Walvis Bay airport. Flight times of vultures and aircraft corresponded greatly, increasing the collision risk. The recommendations of this work are that pilots of small commercial aircraft should be made aware of particular risk areas, and that landing at Hosea Kutako from the east, or taking off in an easterly direction should be minimised when wind conditions allow, to reduce vulture collision risk
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Natural Resources Management at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
No full textLand cover refers to the observed vegetation, structures, or other features that cover the land such as closed forests, open forest, woodland, grasslands, bushland, and settlements. Land cover change is one of the serious threats to the forests and woodlands of Namibia, and it is mainly triggered by forest resource utilization and conversion to agriculture by local communities. As one of the mechanisms to control land cover change, Namibia introduced the Community Forests (CF) programme for local communities to own, manage and use forest resources sustainably. Therefore, this study assessed changes in land cover in Okongo Community Forest (CF) in Namibia for the period 2003 – 2017 by comparing the Okongo CF with the areas outside Okongo CF. The study also monitored major changes (trends) in forest composition of Okongo CF since it was gazetted. The study area is situated in the Okongo constituency in the eastern part of Ohangwena region and includes Okongo CF, Omufitu Wekuta CF, within Okongo Conservancy. The study area was divided into five sub-areas - Okongo CF, Omufitu Wekuta CF, the central buffer zone, the buffer east and the buffer west to compare the land cover change. The study adopted a mixed approach by analysing land cover on satellite images (2003 Landsat 7 satellite imagery and 2017 Landsat 8 satellite imagery) and forest inventory data for 2000 and 2015 derived from the National Forest Inventory database. The satellite image data collected were analysed quantitatively using a GIS and FRAGSTATS technology for landscape metric calculations. The inventory data were entered and organised in Excel. Trees were placed in diameter at breast height (DBH) classes and the stem density, mean DBH, and basal area of all measured trees were determined. DBH distribution was studied for the timber species such as P. angolensis, B. plurijuga, B. africana and G. coleosperma, as well as stem densities and basal area per ha.
The main land cover changes that occurred for the period 2003 – 2017 between Okongo CF and areas outside Okongo CF include a decrease of forest/shrubs land in three of the five sub-areas: the buffer west (-4.7%), Omufitu Wekuta CF (-4.6%), and the central buffer zone (-6.9%). Forest cover remained close to the same in Okongo CF (0.2 %) and the eastern buffer (-0.01%). An increase in bare land was found in the buffer east of the study area (260.1%) and Omufitu Wekuta CF (557.7%). However, the Okongo CF showed more declined in bare land (-98.1%) than other parts of the study area. About 0.67% of the study area was converted to settlements area and this includes part of Okongo, Omufitu Wekuta CF and the central buffer zone. As for human activities, it is agriculture that showed an increase in all areas with much increase experienced in the buffer west (77.3%), Omufitu Wekuta CF (85.1%) and the central buffer zone (113.1%) of the study area. The study found that the eastern part of the study area (includes Okongo CF and the
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buffer east) shows hardly change in forest/shrubs cover and agriculture. The FRAGSTATS analysis of landscape metrics for landscape structure and patterns Spatio-temporal fluctuations showed that patch density generally increased for nearly all land cover classes except for bare soil (80 ha). Largest patch index decreased for forest/shrubland (94.2%) as compared to other land uses and the interspersion and juxtaposition index (IJI) decreased for forests/shrubs land (15%) and bare land (1%) while it increased in agriculture land (9%).
The study found that the mean DBH of all measured tree species in 2000 inventory was significantly higher than the mean DBH of 2015 inventory (p-value = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the distribution of frequencies of timber tree species between the 2000 and 2015 inventories (U=44.5, p=0.684). This study found a significantly lower count of 250 stems per hectare for the 2000 inventory as compared to the 2015 inventory with 300 stems per hectare (p-value = 0.021). The study found that the mean DBH of timber species (P. angolensis, B. plurijuga, B. africana and G. coleosperma) in 2000 and 2015 was not significantly different (p=0.875). There was no significant difference between the basal cover of 2000 and 2015 inventory (p-value = 0.737).
It is concluded that the Okongo CF experienced a positive and favourable decrease in bare land class and area converted to bare land in comparison with the other parts of the study area. The study also concluded that there is a favourable increase in an area that was converted to forest/shrubs land compared to Omufitu Wekuta CF, the buffer west and the central buffer zone. Another small patch of an area of the Okongo CF was converted to agricultural land and settlements whereas the remainder of the area remains forest/shrubs land. This suggests that there has been sustainable land use management in Okongo CF since its gazettement in 2006. Considering the effects of changes in areas outside Okongo CF, it was recommended that the Government must consider extending strategies employed in Okongo CF to Omufitu Wekuta CF to realise positive gains, introducing indigenous forests plantations and educating people to increase awareness on the importance of conserving forests
DESIGNING A CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVING ELECTROWINNING CURRENT EFFICIENCY
No full textContinuous quality improvement by applying statistical process control has been long recognized in the processing industry. Effectively monitoring and controlling of process variability can result in sustained process stability and maximized process efficiencies. The electrowinning process is an energy-intensive process, and the cost of electrical energy is ever increasing. The effectiveness of utilizing electrical energy in the electrowinning process is best measured by current efficiency. Although substantial research has been done to improve current efficiency, no evidence on improving current efficiency from a quality perspective or by applying statistical process control has been found in the reviewed literature. This identified knowledge/research gap needs to be filled.
This research project intends to contribute to the existing knowledge by filling the identified knowledge/research gap. The research aims to design a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency. The objectives of the 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 (iii) to develop a continuous quality improvement framework for improving current efficiency, by applying statistical process control.
A sequential mixed research methodology was applied in this research. In this case, a qualitative research approach was followed by a quantitative research approach. Questionnaires were utilized to establish factors influencing current efficiency and best practices for improving current efficiency. The quantitative research approach was accomplished by collecting and analyzing electrolyte samples and instrument data. This is in addition to gathering historical data from an instrument database and analytical laboratory database. The established research strategy includes exploring current efficiency factors, analyzing historical data, establishing current efficiency improvement best practice and finally designing a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency