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Consumers’ perception and satisfaction of rail transport service in an urban centre: The Namibian experience
No full textProf Efigenia Semente, Ms Gloria Tshoopara, Mr Jacinto Silva and Dr Maxwell Chufama
Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education, NUSTMost transportation service providers have reached crossroads, where it is crucial for them to satisfy consumers by providing them with the best facilities while at the same time providing low cost transportation with
amenities, hence, assessing consumers’ perception of or attitudes towards transportation services is critical for competitive advantage
An interlanguage pragmatics investigation of lecturer and student interactions in the Department of Informatics 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 TECHNOGY
SUPERVISOR: PROF. HAILELEUL ZELEKE WOLDEMARIAMRequests and refusals are the most frequent speech acts in communication and is the reason why so much study has been focused on them in different contexts. In interlanguage pragmatics study, requests and refusals remain a great focus of attention as they have a bearing on the success or failure in cross-cultural communicative processes. The present study sought to analyse the strategies utilised by the students when formulating requests and refusals as they engaged with their lecturers at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) using the interlanguage pragmatics theoretical framework. Of utmost importance, the study sought to dig deeper and accentuate adverse conditions for interlanguage pragmatics competence. Two Written Discourse Completion Tests (WDCTs) were administered to a study sample of 63 second year students from the Department of Informatics at NUST to elicit for data relating to strategies utilised by the students in the production of requests and refusals. A comprehensive questionnaire was also administered to the 63 second year students to collect data on the adverse conditions to interlanguage pragmatics competence. The study sample of 63 second year students was obtained by utilizing the Systematic Random Selection to a study population of 75 students. The elicited data revealed that interlanguage pragmatics’ failure or miscommunication is happening in the Department of Informatics at NUST due to the utilisation of direct requests. Students also apply blunt and negation of proposal to refusals when they engage with their supervisors. Moreover, the questionnaire establishes that the transfer concept and limitation to effective input environment could be contributing to interlanguage pragmatic competence problems to the students. Cultural concerns could also be linked to the limitations in pragma-linguistic and socio-pragmatic knowledge in the students
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Health Sciences degree in the Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Applied Sciences and Natural Resource Sciences.
No full textWater is an essential part to the well-being and economic development of mankind. Namibia’s dry climate makes it susceptible to drought; hence, water is a scarce resource. To address water scarcity, boreholes are drilled to access groundwater for agricultural, industrial and domestic use. Many local authorities rely on this resource for supply to residents for domestic and other uses. But, the quality of groundwater is influenced by various factors, including pollution from point and non-point sources. A case study was done which involved the collection of water samples in the boreholes and laboratory analysis and assessment of the quality of sampled water. Non-probability-purposive sampling method was applied in the selection of sampling site. This study assessed the physicochemical (toxic heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) as well as microbiological (Coliforms, E. coli and heterotrophic plate count) water quality of groundwater from boreholes that are supplied to the community of Ovitoto in Otjozondjupa region. This was done to assess the prevalence and possible human health concern as an outcome of consumption of the water. A total of 108 water samples were collected over a period of six months at an average of monthly intervals. Elemental components were extracted from water samples using mineral acid digestion and analysed through the use of Inductively Couple-Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while the microbial entities were analysed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction method (PCR). The overall mean concentration of heavy metals in the absorbed water samples through the sampling periods were Zn (0.83 mg/kg), Cd (0.01 mg/kg), Pd (0.02 mg/kg), Fe (17.76 mg/kg) and Mn (7.09 mg/kg). A strong correlation (r=0.99) was obtained between Zn and Cd while Cd and Cu were averagely correlated (r=0.55). Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values 1 for both adults (4.75) and children (18.10). There is the possibility of carcinogenic health risk by Zn with a value of 0.13. Of great concern, however, is the potential development of carcinogenic health risk with respect to Mn. Other metals do not have physical benefits to human system, and they are toxic at low levels. Therefore, proper monitoring and quality assurance protocol of the level of toxicity of heavy metals in borehole water is recommended
Is language a barrier to public’s participation in the law-making process? An analysis of Namibia Broadcasting Corporation’s live broadcasting of Namibia’s Parliamentary proceedings in the official language.
No full textThis study investigated the issue of language as a barrier to the rights of the public's
participation in law-making process and the impact of the live broadcasting of
Parliamentary proceedings by the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). It further
looked at the role of the media, specifically NBC, in the facilitation of the citizens'
participation in law-making and processes of parliament. The objectives of the study
were to establish the role of the NBC, in the facilitation of citizens' participation in the
law making and processes of parliament. It also critically analyse the extent to which
language is a barrier to the public's participation in the law-making process and finally
analysed the impact of Namibia Broadcasting Corporation's live broadcasting of
Parliamentary proceedings in English on the citizenry. For the purpose of data
collection, the researcher employed the qualitative research approach by conducting
interviews with Namibian citizens. The study revealed that the role of the media in
facilitating citizen participation in law-making and parliamentary processes is critical
and significant because the media create knowledge and awareness on governance
issues and parliamentary functions such as the law-making process. The study also
found that language is a barrier to the citizens' participation in the law-making process.
Based on these findings, the study recommended that translation be considered during
the live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings and that a dedicated radio and
television channel be established to involve more citizens in the law-making and
processes of government
A RECEPTION ANALYSIS OF SELECTED CARTOON MESSAGES ON COVID-19 BY UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS AT HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN WINDHOEK
No full textThis study investigated how cartoon message interpretation on Covid-19 influenced learners
understanding and dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and to establish learners’ knowledge
of Covid-19 and exposure to Covid-19 cartoon messages. The study also sought to assess
how Covid-19 cartoon messages influenced learners’ perception towards observing Covid 19 protocols.
To investigate how cartoon message interpretation on Covid-19 influenced learners
understanding and dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, the research used the qualitative
approach. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was employed intending to get
information from 18 learners at Highlands Christian School. Data was collected through
focus group discussions and recorded with the aid of a mobile device to record primary data
as voice data and was transcribed data to verbatim. The researcher used a reductionist
approach in that only summaries of responses were put into text and tabulated making use
of the thematic analysis approach.
The study revealed that all learners were aware of Covid-19 and what it entails through the
word of mouth from parents and teachers at school, news, radio. Some leaners knowledge
was acquired through watching Covid-19 cartoon messages on Namibian Broadcast and
Corporation and YouTube channels. The majority of learners interpreted the cartoon
messages they watched as intended by the producer. They found the videos useful,
informative, interesting and educational. However, a smaller number of learners found the
videos to be repetitive and lack adequate information they need. The findings from the study
also revealed that Covid-19 cartoon messages influenced learners into changing their
perceptions about Covid-19 and observing Covid-19 protocol. As a result, the study then
recommended that the government of Namibia need to create effective, interesting,
engaging, age appropriate and culturally sensitive content that will be disseminated to all
urban and village learners. The cartoon videos should also be translated into several
languages
Hydrogen Hype - Curse or Blessing?
No full textMr Harald Schütt, Former President of Renewable Energy Association of Namibia; Managing Director of Hungileni Investment cc; Director and Shareholder of SunEQ Four; Country Coordinator of Private Finance Advisory Networ
ASSESSING THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICES OF THE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION PENSION FUND (GIPF) OF NAMIBIA
No full textSocial media have a significant role as a communication tool used by public relations
practitioners in disseminating and sharing information as well as obtaining feedback from
clients. When used effectively as a communication tool, social media can help address
complaints, do market research to identify the needs of the clients and can help any organisation
identify new market niches. Despite the essential role of social media, many organisations,
including Government Institution Pension Fund (GIPF) Namibia are still not using social media
to their maximum and are still opting for traditional methods of communication by the public
relations practitioners. This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach. This study
assessed the use of social media in public relations practices of the GIPF. The study adopted a
quantitative approach, using a case study research design. The study population comprised
GIPF staff members and clients. Hence, the sample consisted of 200 participants. A convenient
sampling method was used to select a sample. A structured questionnaire with mixed questions
collected both qualitative and quantitative data. The major findings of the study were that social
media has a great impact on public relations practices and traditional social media platforms,
notably Facebook, Instagram and Twitter remained popular. The recommendations were based
on the research findings. Hence, the study recommends that various strategies can be used to
enhance social media use and visibility. It was also recommended that public relations
practitioners should be trained so that their awareness and use of social media is improved
Urban mobility in African cities
No full textDorcas Nthoki Nyamai
International Planning Studies, Department of Spatial Planning
TU Dortmund UniversityThe places of necessity that can be reached and the potential life that an individual can build/achieve are
all in one way or the other linked to mobility and how we spatially organize our cities.TU Dortmund Universit
Presentation and Discussion Session by the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP)
No full textMs Rennie Munyayi
(Acting Director: SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in IWRM &
Projects Coordinator
Bacteria associated with petroleum hydrocarbon wastes in Kupferberg landfill site, Windhoek.
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,
NamibiaPetroleum compounds are organic contaminants of great interest due to their extensive dispersal,
stubbornness, versatile structure and harmful elements that have been generally known to belong to
the family of carcinogens and mutagens organic toxins. They contaminate many environments
worldwide and enter the global environment through crude oil spillage, fossil fuel combustion as well
as natural inputs like natural petroleum seepage. A range of indigenous microbes have the ability of
decontaminating, breaking down, transforming and removing these hydrocarbon contaminants from
the environment through biodegradation processes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate
and identify the bacterial strains present in the soil contaminated waste samples collected from the
Kupferberg landfill site in Windhoek and to ascertain their ability to grow efficiently in hydrocarbon
based medium. Collected bacterial strains were grown on nutrient agar and were characterised based
on their colony features and biochemical reactions using the API 20NE identification database system.
Sterile nutrient broth media was inoculated with a loop full of the bacterial isolates supplemented
with 1 ml of sterile old diesel engine oil, and the optical density was measured spectrophotometrically
on a daily basis. The highest mean bacterial count was found out to be 3.6 x 10 CFU/ml in site G, and
the lowest mean bacterial count was found out to be 0.9 x 10 CFU/ml in site I. The bacterial strains
isolated were Aeromonas hydrophila, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Sphingomonas paucimobilis,
Pseudomonas luteola, Burkholderia gladioli, Photobacterium damselae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Pasteurella spp., Brevundimonas vesicularis, Burkholderia cepacia, Chryseobacterium indologenes and
Aeromonas salmonicida, and it was observed that Sphingomonas paucimobilis was the predominant
isolate in all the samples. Ten selected bacterial strains were subjected to hydrocarbon utilisation/
degradation test, and it was observed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain with a mean average
optical density of 1.738, utilised the hydrocarbon in the medium more efficiently than the other
isolates. The study demonstrated that the isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa could be considered as
good prospects for the bioremediation of hydrocarbons