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Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the mafic dyke swarm of the north eastern part of the Mesoproterozoic Irumide Fold Belt, North eastern Zambia
Get PDFThe north eastern area of Zambia, that lies between Chama and Lundazi towns, is underlain by biotite gneisses of the Mesoproterozoic Irumide Fold Belt. The biotite gneisses are part of the Kampemba Group of the Irumide Fold Belt. A complex of mafic dyke swarm that appears to occupy a North East trending fracture zone occurs mainly between the two towns. The dykes have the same trend with the fracture zone. Individual dykes vary in size from about hundreds of metres long by a few 10s of metres wide, to about 4 kilometre long and about hundred metres wide. This study examined the petrogenesis of the mafic dyke swarm through the application of petrography, whole rock geochemistryas well as isotope geochemistry.
Fifteen fresh dyke swarm samples were sent to Actlabs in Canada for whole rock geochemical analysis. Three of the samples were analysed for Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope geochemistry, and age determinations by K-Ar age dating method. The results received on age determination (geochronology) gave the ages, 1522 ± 90 Ma, 1067 ± 55 Ma and 608 ± 35 Ma. Sm and Nd grades ranged from 1.99 – 3.112 ppm and 6.666 – 9.88 ppm respectively. Nd were calculated by the laboratory at -5.23, -8.23 and -9.73. 87Sr/86Sr returned values of 0.710886, 0.714503 and 0.719612.From the petrographic study of the thin sections, the studied dyke rocks were classified as gabbroic. They were composed mainly of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, hornblende with subordinate olivine, quartz, sericite, epidote and opaque phases. The dyke rocks occurred mainly in coarse and medium grained varieties and only two of the twelve samples examined, were fine grained. Diagrams which were generated from whole rock geochemical data and the relative depletion of Nb and Ta to the other incompatible elements revealed that the dyke swarm was emplaced in a back arc continental subduction environment. The geochemical data further revealed that fractional crystallisation affected the magma of both types of rocks identified in the study, tholeiitic and calc-alkalis. Since no two samples came from the same dyke, it was deduced that all the mafic dykes in the study area experienced various levels of fractional crystallisation of possibly olivine, clinopyroxenes, plagioclase feldspars and hornblend
Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Crop Productivity amidst Rainfall Variability Concerns in Chongwe District, Zambia.
No full textClimate change is a global challenge brought about by accelerated anthropogenic activities, leading to an increase in the presence of greenhouses gases in our atmosphere. Its impacts are exacerbated in climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture. Majority of Zambia’s small holder farmers are defendant on rainfed agriculture making them vulnerable to impacts of climate change and variability. This study was aimed at assessing the determinants of smallholder farmers’ crop productivity amidst variability in rainfall received in Chongwe District. Convergent research design was adopted as an approach that involves the collection of qualitative and quantitative data at the same time of the same phenomena. Five study sites (villages) in Chongwe were purposively sampled, namely; Mudenda, Mutakama, Mulwila, Kalilika and Kangalangala. The total number of respondents for this study was 38 people which comprised of three (3) key informants and 35 smallholder farmers. The key informants included respondents from the Zambia Meteorological Department, Chongwe District Agriculture Office and a Traditional Leader. The trend analysis revealed that rainfall in Chongwe District has been decreasing at an annual rate of 9.60mm between 2000 and 2020. Even though the reduction is not significant (p = 0.181) the consistent reduction in rainfall trends indicates a concern that should move smallholder farmers to devise adaptation measures to combat a decrease in rainfall. Further, maize yields had been decreasing at an annual rate of 0.012 ton/ha between 2010 and 2019 which was not statistically significant (p=0.812). An assessment of social factors that could influence maize productivity revealed household size (r = 0.754; p = 0.012) and farming experience (r = 0.344; p = 0.043) as significant factors that affected maize productivity at household level in Chongwe. The research therefore concluded that Chongwe district has been experiencing decreased rainfall trends and maize productivity which increases smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to impacts of climate change. The study recommended that interventions should focus on increasing the resilience of smallholder farmers in Chongwe through increased climate change awareness and reduced vulnerability through household income diversification and public social capital mechanisms
The Implications of Godfatherism and Eliocentricism in Nigeria Politics for National Development
Get PDFOne of the fundamental problems of godfatherism is that it does not revolve around ethical considerations. Nigerian politics is bedeviled by the problems of godfatherism, eliocentrism, corruption, tribal sentiments, monetized politics, political assassination, political thuggery, and religious bigotry or Islamic fundamentalism. Godfatherism has become a cankerworm in Nigerian politics. Godfatherism in Nigerian politics has become very problematic due to the evils of corruption. This paper adopts the hermeneutical methodology in discussing the inextricable nexus between godfatherism and eliocentrism in Nigerian politics. The purpose of this paper is to reveal that godfatherism and eliocentrism serve as impediments to Nigeria’s quest for democratic sustainability and accountability. Godfatherism has paved the way for political irresponsibility and poor leadership structure. The evils of godfatherism have given room for leadership irresponsibility. Leadership in Nigerian democratic setting has failed woefully due to selfish aggrandizement and kleptocratic practices of some Nigerian politicians. Many Nigerian representatives have become very corrupt, and they have plunged the country into serious economic hardship and poor socio-political and economic insecurity. One of the serious implications of the evils of godfatherism is that it has resulted in socio-economic and political insecurity. Today’s Nigerian society has been bastardising and balkalnised by the evils of elite politics, corruption and godfatherism. The method adopted on this study relied on purely secondary means. The findings of this paper, however, show that godfatherism has very negative consequences. If necessary, steps are not taken Nigeria’s quest for sustainable national development would only be a mirage. This paper concludes that godfatherism remains one of the indices of the evils of kleptocratic practices in Nigerian politics
Editorial Comment
Get PDFThis Special Issue of the University of Zambia Journal of Law and Social Sciences was prepared by the Department of Primary Education of the School of Education at University of Zambia. It was a product of the Knowledge Innovation Exchange (KIX) funded project, which ran under the title, “Scaling the School Readiness Initiative: Strengthening School and Community Capacities for Adoption of Play-based Learning in Uganda and Zambia”
A Manufacture of Kachasu, a Traditional Distilled Liquor in Lusaka, Zambia
No full textThis study examined the manufacturing processes and safety concerns of kachasu, a traditional distilled liquor produced in Zambia and other African countries. Despite being illegal in Zambia, the production and sale of kachasu continues, raising public health concerns due to unsanitary manufacturing conditions and high alcohol content. The research involved key informant interviews with fourteen processors from high-density compounds in Lusaka, revealing the use of raw materials such as maize malt, sugar, water, and starter cultures from previous batches. Seven distinct production methods were identified, each involving spontaneous fermentation and distillation. The alcohol content of kachasu ranged between 20 per cent and 70 per cent, with three different grades collected during distillation. The unsanitary conditions of production, including the use of makeshift distillation equipment and contaminated packaging materials, pose significant health risks. This study highlights the need for regulatory oversight to improve the safety of kachasuand mitigate its potential public health impacts
Implementation of physiotherapy health education for caregivers and stroke patients
Get PDFIntroduction: Globally, stroke stands as a prominent cause of mortality and a significant contributor to disability. The prevalence of stroke is expected to rise by 2030, exposing affected individuals to the risk of secondary complications. Lifestyle choices can further complicate this condition, potentially leading to prolonged hospitalization, substantial medical expenses, the loss of productive working years, and disability. In the context of managing stroke, physiotherapy emerges as a crucial intervention. Notably, the stroke caseload in Zambia has been on the rise (2020), yet there is limited information available on the methodologies employed by physiotherapists for health education at the University Teaching Hospital. This study aims to investigate the delivery of physiotherapy health education to stroke patients and their caretakers at the University Teaching Hospital in 2022.
Materials and Methods: Employing a qualitative study design with a case study approach, this research engaged physiotherapists, stroke patients, and caregivers as participants. Data collection involved Focus Group Discussions, and thematic analysis was applied to interpret the gathered information. Ethical clearance was obtained from ERES, the University Teaching Hospital, and the Physiotherapy Department.
Results: The study involved a total of 27 participants, comprising 8 physiotherapists, 10 stroke patients, and 9 caregivers. A noteworthy 80% (8 out of 10) of stroke patients received health education, while only 11.1% (1 out of 9) of caregivers received similar education. All physiotherapists (8) uniformly employed a one-on-one approach to deliver health education to both patients and caregivers.
Conclusion: The findings reveal that a substantial majority, 80% (8 out of 10), of stroke patients received health education, while a smaller proportion of caregivers (1 out of 9) benefited from such education. The unanimous preference among physiotherapists (8) for the one-on-one method suggests its effectiveness, particularly when integrated into treatment sessions. This approach ensures that education is seamlessly woven into the fabric of ongoing therapeutic interventions
Exploring Academic Factors Affecting Candidates Performance in Senior Secondary Religious Education Examinations in Zambia, 2011 to 2022
No full textThis paper seeks to explore the academic factors behind the low mean pass percentage of Candidates from 2011 to 2022 that Zambia as a country has continuously recorded in RE senior secondary final examination with a view to help teachers of RE and Candidates make the best progress possible in RE. A qualitative study approach with a descriptive case study was used. Data was collected through semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, document analysis and lesson observations. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The exploration revealed a number of factors responsible for the low mean scores being recorded in RE at senior secondary school final examinations. The academic factors include teachers and candidates negative attitude towards RE, poor instructional materials for RE, poor teaching approaches by RE teachers and curriculum design mismatch with material content and assessments. Going forward, the article recommends all stakeholder involvement in the curriculum and content revision, through continuous professional developments CPDs and stakeholder orientations in order to create consistency in the teaching, learning and assessment of RE
THE PROCESSES, STRUCTURES AND ACTORS IN THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE MILITARY IN NEW DEMOCRACIES
Get PDFThis article identifies and interrogates the conceptual issues surrounding the philosophy of democratic control of the military in new democracies from a liberal-pluralist perspective. Such control aims at curbing the military’s power and aligning it with civilian-crafted defence policies. It is observed that the dominant paradigm neglects the role of societal and external forces in the process of democratic control. Prominence is largely given to governmental institutions notably, the executive, legislature, and to some extent, the civil society. The article employs the comparative, historical, institutional, and structural tools of reconceptualising the theory and practice of civilian control of the military in new democracies. It is argued that democratic control of the military is a multifaceted process involving many actors. These cover legitimated state organs including military leaders, societal or domestic non-governmental forces, and international actors. They exercise respective functions in institutionalising democratic control. The article notes that the trajectory of the democratic control of the military in Africa, Asia, and Latin America depends on inconsistencies in Western influences on the domestic political environments of such states
NOMADIC CHILDREN IN KENYA: EXAMINING THE PLACE OF SOCIAL WORK IN THE CONFLICT-LIVELIHOOD-VULNERABILITY INTERFACE
Get PDFNomadic pastoralists of Kenya occupy the drylands of the country that make up roughly 80 per cent of the total land area. The defining attributes of these areas include soil moisture deficiency, ethnic conflict and food insecurity. Nomadic pastoralism, the local mainstay is challenged by the cross-pollination of environmental vagrancy, ethnic conflict and poor social services. This subjects children to perennial mobility in the rangelands and, hence, hard-to-reach with social services. The migration increases children’s vulnerability and exposes them to conditions that are counterproductive to their growth and development. Consequently, the children are unable to access quality social services including water, health, education and food. This increases their vulnerability to different shocks due to the relative deprivation occasioned by the apparent conspiracy of the social and natural environments. This article uses secondary data to understand the nexus between conflict, livelihood and vulnerability, and the place of social work in the nomadic children of Kenya,and its implications on nomadic children. We conclude that conflict and nomadic pastoralism combine to expose nomadic children to numerous adversities. Henceforth, we recommend social work intervention to moderate nomadic children’s vulnerability and augment their welfare
Efficacy of Aloe Vera and Curcuma Longa in managing Porcine Staphylococcal Infections
Get PDFAntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a global public health threat, and impacts the livestock sector. In Southern Africa, alternative ethno-remedies for AMR in pigs are under-researched. This study evaluated the efficacy of Aloe vera and Curcuma longa in managing Staphylococcus aureus infections in pigs. Herbs were collected following a non-participatory rapid appraisal from Luanshya and Lusaka Districts of Zambia, while S. aureus was sourced from porcine nasal swabs. Crude extracts were prepared using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous solvents. The agar dilution method assessed the efficacy of three groups: Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, and a combination (5:1). Cephalexin, neomycin, and kanamycin served as positive controls, while DMSO was the negative control. Curcuma longa showed the highest bacterial susceptibility (S=75%, I=25%), followed by Aloe vera(S=56%, I=19%, R=25%). The combined formulation yielded S=48 per cent, I=26 per cent, R=26 per cent. The positive control produced S=63 per cent, R=37 per cent, and the negative control had R=100 per cent. Curcuma longa and Aloe vera exhibited potential in managing porcine upper respiratory tract infections caused by S. aureus in Zambia. These findings warrant further safety and clinical tests to validate their use, determine minimum inhibitory concentrations, and establish appropriate dosages for effective application