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Metaphors of migration and survival: Negotiating crisis times through seeking alternative spaces.
No full textThis paper is about the fictional representation of the tenacity, innovativeness and agency displayed by people who seek to better their living conditions and survive socio-economic and political cesspools. The aim is to demonstrate how political boundaries are surmounted and the various means used to
migrate as a way to be in the diaspora and better one’s condition. A worst case scenario of Zimbabwe under a crisis is used to demonstrate the resilience and resourcefulness of ordinary people as they struggle to migrate and embrace global citizenry
Outsourcing third party logistics services usage in the Namibian manufacturing industry.
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master in International Business in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business at the NUST.The aim of the study is to give a comprehensive understanding of the Namibian
manufacturers’ current status of using third party logistics (3PL) services in Namibia. An
exploratory survey was conducted to investigate the extent use of 3PL services by
Namibian manufacturers, the reasons for Namibian manufacturers using 3PL service, the
reasons for Namibian manufacturers not using 3PL services, the level of satisfaction of
Namibia manufacturing firms using 3PL services, the organizational impact of using 3PL services on the Namibian manufacturers and the future plans of current 3PL users in
Namibia’s manufacturing industry. The findings of this study were collected through the use of an e-mail survey questionnaire. The respondents are logistics managers working for the Namibian manufacturing firms that are listed on the membership list including 140 members of the Namibian Manufacturers Association (NMA). The data was analysed by using Excel program. The current study found out that more than 50% of the Namibian manufacturers outsource 3PL services. Namibian anufacturing companies that outsource indicated that cost reduction was the main reason for outsourcing. Overall,
the user manufacturers are satisfied with the 3PL provider’s level of performance. In
addition, the use of 3PL services will moderately increase in the future. However, 3PL providers need to be aware of this prospective development in the outsourcing logistic industry to improve their performance and commit to the service level set forth. In general, the Namibian manufacturers believe that their business benefits largely from the use of 3PL services in many areas of their firms.Supervisor: Dr. Susan Grinste
Address by Honourable Dr. David Namwandi, Minister of Education, on the occasion of the MTC bursary hand-over, 27 May 2013, Windhoek, Namibia.
No full textMTC Bursary Hand-over (2013 May 27, Windhoek, Namibia
Assessing the Namibian government's policy on improving national food production: A case study of the agronomic sector.
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master in International Business in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business at the NUST.The third National Development Plan, extending from 2007-12, seeks amongst other things to boost agricultural production at household and national levels in order to increase food security and create
opportunities for employment. Government has indicated that Green Scheme initiative is hampered by low incentives for engaging in
agricultural product ion and processing, and by unfavourable responses to manufacturing by food processors, manifested by the apparent low level of investment in agriculture and the food-processing sector. We conducted a questionnaire-based study focusing on the operators of eight major
irrigation projects in northern and southern Namibia to determine the challenges faced in the economic, political and legal environment , aimed at understanding the underlying constraints to large-scale food production under irrigation. The main objective of the study is to understand the
effective mechanisms necessary to boost agricultural production through
sound investments into the sector. Data was collected through semi - structured interview quest ions and answers recorded on the questionnaire sheet. Respondents indicated that no incentives for investing in
agriculture and food product ion were provided. Private operators of agroirrigation projects bemoaned the unreasonable limited lease period (5-10
years) , making it difficult to recoup any large-scale investment. Technical
problems included lack of expertise to operate and service recently acquired modern technologies. Respondents suggested the introduction of longer leases, enabl ing investors to recoup their costs and realize
profits from their investments. Project operators called for the training of
competent personnel to provide technical services and know-how on the projects as well as the acquisition of new technologies to replace the obsolete equipment current ly in use.Supervisor: Prof. Ravinder Ren
Speech by Prof. Tjama Tjivikua, Vice Chancellor, NUST, on the occasion of Mining Engineering student presentations, 26 July 2013, Windhoek.
No full textMining Engineering Student Presentations (2013 Jul. 26 : Windhoek
African proverbs and conflict management: A study of selected Shona, Oshiwambo, Yoruba and Swahili proverbial expressions.
No full textPreprint. Published item: African Journal of Rhetoric, 4, 122-149. ISSN 1998-2054.This study employs a Dialectical – Relational Approach to analyse selected Shona, Oshivambo, Yoruba and Swahili proverbs in a bid to show that African proverbs have vast potential in mitigating and possibly preventing conflict that has ravaged the continent thus almost threatening to reverse gains made in economic, political, educational and social spheres in recent years on the continent. Informed by Ubutuism, the study argues that African proverbs have a role to play not only in the economic development of the continent, but also in maintaining positive social relations with the rest of the world as is demanded by modern diplomacy and the quest for dignified social existence. In the study, I reveal that the Aristotelian three proofs of ethos, pathos and logos are inherent in African proverbs and can be used in all spheres of life in modern Africa to add value in education, commerce, politics and socialization systems both for the youth and adults. The study makes a critical analysis of proverbial expressions that deal with love, respect, endurance, care, goodwill and humility to reveal not only how proverbs should inform African education systems, but that their incorporation in many spheres of life would provide answers to vices such as greed, brutality (e.g. killing of people for various reasons), lack of ethical conduct, lack of respect for adults, sexual promiscuity and corruption. A purposive sampling of proverbs has been employed in this study
Legislative oversight and economic governance in Namibia: An evaluation of the role of parliament in the budget process.
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Leadership and Change Management in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business at the NUSTThe research focused on legislative oversight and economic governance in Namibia by evaluating the role of Parliament in the budget process, namely consultations, formulation, debate and approval,
implementation and auditing and assessment. The research therefore examined the work of Parliament and its Standing Committees in the budget process and established the problems that were being encountered in
particular since 1995 when Parliament adopted a report on the report on the Agenda for Change was adopted which made several recommendations on the reforms that Parliament needed to undertake in order
to become more effective. The research looked at the internal and external factors that affected Parliament’s role in the budget process. Thus specific questions related to the role of Parliament in the
budget process were answered. These were related to whether Parliamentarians have the relevant skills, capacity and necessary support services to enable them to play an important role in the budget process;
whether the Ministry of Finance and other Government Ministries and Departments were providing Parliament and its Standing Committees with comprehensive, accurate, appropriate and timely information
on budget related issues and whether the legal framework in Namibia adequately empowered and facilitated Parliament to exercise oversight in the budget process.Supervisor: Prof. Earle Taylo
A review of current and future challenges in paints and coatings chemistry.
No full textPaints and coatings are very important to everyday life. However, their formulation is becoming more and more complex due to legislative demands, driven by environmental and health concerns, to reduce or eliminate completely volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and any solvents considered hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Liquid coatings formulation must simultaneously meet VOC limitations and HAP restrictions by shifting to high solids, low-solvent coatings as well as water-borne coatings. Non-aqueous
formulations that meet existing and pending VOC and HAP regulations and offer the performance customers expect/require are still being produced. Switching to environmentally-friendly coatings involves more than simply replacing organic solvents with VOC-free ingredients such as water. Efficient formulation demands that basic rules governing the rheological behaviour are
well-defined. This paper highlights the formulation and some of the current
and future challenges in the paints and coatings industry with emphasis on
the chemical aspects
Welcoming remarks by Prof. Tjama Tjivikua, Vice Chancellor, NUST, on the occasion of the eLearning Africa pre-conference workshop, 24 May 2013, Windhoek
No full texteLearning Africa Pre-Conference Workshop (2013 May 25 : Windhoek
An empirical investigation into the factors affecting the performance of SMEs in the retail sector in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in International Business in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business at the NUST.In developing countries, Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role
in fostering socio-economic development. They create employment opportunities,
empower communities and make positive contributions towards the gross domestic
product. The survival of SMEs is therefore crucial in alleviating poverty and achieving
sustainable development. This research aims to investigate the factors that affect the
performance of SMEs in the retail sector in Namibia. The research will begin by
highlighting the environment in which the SMEs operate currently as well as the state of doing business in Namibia. It was identified that the economic environment in which the SMEs operates its neither good nor bad, and this was supported by the prior studies in Namibia on contrary.
Various studies on the factors that adversely affect SMEs performance were
reviewed and the theoretical framework was derived from the findings of the studies.
Hypotheses were drawn from the theoretical frameworkand each hypothesis was tested
separate from other factors. The quantitative and qualitative methods where applied in the gathering of data. A 5 Likert scale was used in the questionnaires whereby conclusion where drawn based on the mean results and the weighting ranking method.Out of the 14 attributions examined, the study found out that resources and finance, external environment, competitions and corruption are the most factors that adversely affect the performance of SMEs in the Namibian retail sector. Guidance was also given on what should be done in order to reduce the risk of failing among the SMEs and also to increase the survival chances of the small and medium enterprises in the market. The study also highlights on the rubrics that could be used to measure the performance of SMEs in the Namibian retail sector. It is up to the SMEs to employ the measurement tool which best fit their business. The rubric would then be employed to establish and isolate the factors that affect the performance of SMEs in the retail sector. The research concluded by giving suggestion on what should be done to improve the performance of SMEs in a dynamic business environment.Supervisor: Prof. Grafton Whyt