The University of Zambia Journals
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Review of Zambia’s Potential for More Value Addition to the Downstream Copper Chain
Get PDFZambia copper industry has been in existence for over a century. The country contains most known reserves in Africa and holding about 6 percent known copper reserves in the world. Copper production plays a big role in the performance of the economy. Copper exports account for more than 70 per cent of total exports and 12 per cent of the country GDP. However, with the rich history of mining and copper reserves, studies have shown that Zambia still exports more than 70 per cent of her raw copper blister or copper anodes. Only 5 percent of copper cathodes produced consumed locally to further produce finished products such as copper rods and cables. The study will, therefore, focus on the potential that Zambia has to add value in the copper chain downstream. Specifically, the research focused on the downstream copper production and processing potential in respect of copper blister or anodes, copper cathodes, copper rod and cables. In addition the study reviewed whether the current mineral development policies and taxation are adequate to encourage value addition downstream and also investigate local and regional market for the final copper product.The research utilised statistical data available from Central Statistical Office, Bank of Zambia, Chambers of Mines, ZCCM-IH and international Copper Study groups to establish production, export copper and import of copper rods or cables. In addition to the above, research included visits to the only two copper fabricators ZAMEFA based in Luanshya and Neelkanth Cables Limited in Ndola.Using the statistical data collected and field visits to the fabrication industry, it was established that Zambia has a potential to add more value to its downstream copper chain by producing more than 1million copper blister or cathodes from the available smelter facilities and though enhancement of policies and taxation incentives
Assessment of Impacts of Indoor Residual House Spraying on the Diversity, Abundance and Distribution of Human Malaria Vectors in Chongwe District, Zambia
Get PDFDominant human malaria vectors in Chongwe District, Zambia, were identified and impacts of
Indoor Residual House Spraying (IRHS) on their diversity, abundance and distribution
assessed. A case-control type of study design was used in which Chishiko village in the district
was the case in point, where houses had been sprayed with DDT insecticide during the 2008-
2009 malaria transmission period through a government of Zambia sponsored IRHS
programme and Chiota village was the control, where houses had not been sprayed with any
insecticide during the same period. Human malaria vector identification was both
morphological using mosquito identification taxonomic keys and molecular, for
morphologically inseparable mosquito sibling species complexes through use of Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR) assays. Vector abundance was determined through computations of
mosquito mean densities and comparison of these using ANOVA, while the variance: Mean
ratio (S-squared/x-bar ) was used to determine vector distribution patterns in the study areas.
Three endophilic mosquito species were identified from the study areas as Culex
quinquefasciatus Say 1823, Anopheles squamosus Theobald 1901 and a species from the A.
gambiae complex comprising seven morphologically indistinguishable sibling species.
Molecular discrimination of the A. gambiae complex species collected from the study areas
through PCR revealed that it was A. arabiensis Patton 1905 and further, this species was found
to be the major vector of malaria in Chongwe District. The Expected Species Total computed
for the study areas indicated the mosquito vector abundance to be three in the study areas,
while the variance/Mean ratio showed that malaria mosquito vectors were contagiously
distributed in Chiota village (S-squared >x-bar ) and that there were no malaria vectors in Chishiko
village. The difference in density of A. arabiensis between DDT-insecticide-sprayed houses in
Chishiko village and the non-sprayed Chiota village houses was significant ( p < 0.05)
indicating that the IRHS programme exerted a positive impact on the diversity, abundance and
distribution of human malaria vectors in Chongwe District. But it is also possible that the
vectors might have resorted to feeding and resting outside of the sprayed houses. A longitudinal
study would be necessary to complement these findings
Iron Removal in Borehole Water: A Case Study of Luapula Province
Get PDFA research study was carried out to investigate the operation of Iron Removal Plants (IRP’s) in
four rural districts of Luapula Province, namely Mansa, Milenge, Mwense and Samfya. The
“before-and-after” study design was used to compare the difference in iron concentration before
and after IRP intervention, and to assess the latter’s performance. Inventory of existing boreholes
installed with IRPs was done and two different samples were taken from each water point; one for
immediate field analysis, and another for laboratory analysis. Cluster sampling was used in picking
respondents for the questionnaire survey in assessing effectiveness of operation and maintenance
of the IRP’s. Pump flushing was used to ascertain the main source of iron in the water. Different
retention times were tested within one hour of sampling in ten minute intervals to assess its effect
on iron concentration in the water.
The results from the performance evaluation process of the current IRP’s showed 85.6 to 92.5
percent performance efficiency. From the flushing tests conducted, it was observed that the iron
concentration in the water increased over time with continuous pumping thereby indicating that the
geology of the area was the source of the iron. Results from a t-test statistical analysis showed no
significant difference (P < 0.05) in iron concentration between water points installed with Indian
Mark II pumps in comparison to those installed with the Afridev pumps. Further, there was
remarkable iron removal with increased retention time. Strategies used for operation and
maintenance of the IRP’s were not very effective due to the attitudes and perceptions of the users
and Government’s capacity to operate the IRP was found to be limited due to inadequate funding
and lack of devolution
The Infodemic of COVID-19 Vaccines: Science and Pseudoscience Highlights
Get PDFSince we are discussing COVID-19 vaccines, it is also important to fundamentally state from the onset that vaccine immunity is dramatically superior to natural immunity. We are stating this because, the most consistent misinformation which is axiomatic among anti-vaxxers is that natural immunity is superior to vaccine provided immunity. Now let's look at some of the existing or emerging pseudo-science surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. One of the misconceptions is that the COVID- 19 vaccine will induce infertility. This is a baseless claim. And, unfortunately, the claim is made in a few complicated scientific terms, making it the most dangerous form of misinformation. In a nutshell, the COVID-19 vaccine leads to the development of antibodies. If you come in contact with COVID-19 virus after getting the vaccine, these antibodies will attach to the spike on the COVID-19 virus. Once attached, the virus is no longer able to attack the body. The misinformation claims that COVID-19 antibodies also attach to spikes (called proteins) on the placenta (called syncytins)
Distance education students’ experiences of informal study groups in higher education
Get PDFAlthough informal learning is an important way of modern adult learning, the experiences of distance students in informal study groups have remained unexplored. The theoretical framework that best informed the study is the informal learning theory. The purpose of the study was to investigate distance education students’ experiences of informal study groups. The study had four key objectives, namely to: identify interaction patterns of adult education distance students’ informal study groups, establish adult education distance students’ experiences of informal study groups, determine practices in adult education distance students’ informal study groups, and explore challenges faced by adult education distance students in informal study groups. A qualitative research paradigm was used, in particular a descriptive survey using an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design. Twenty-five participants were drawn from a class of 93 fourth year adult education students at the University of Zambia. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The study participants were asked about how they interacted within study groups chiefly in terms of age, gender and number. They were also asked to describe the activities and experiences they had in their respective informal study groups. Data collected was coded manually and analysed thematically and descriptively. The simple figures and statistics in this study are justified by the researchers who followed a sequential mixed methods approach. The extent to which gender was a factor in interaction patterns in informal study groups was not clearly established due to variations in the sample representation. However, the findings established that there was no significant variation in the manner informal study group were organised. The study revealed many benefits that accrued to students’ participation in informal study groups such as improved academic performance. The findings are in tandem with the informal learning theory which recognises the fact that learning among adults can be collaborative. Despite the many benefits, a number of challenges were identified such as the lack of suitable and sufficient study materials. It is, therefore, recommended that the integral link between informal learning and formal learning should be emphasised through professional development of lecturers so that in turn they can encourage students to form informal study groups. Further, lecturers should support students by providing them with links to various online resources so as to enhance learning in informal study groups
ENABLED OR DISABLED? PORTRAITS OF DISABILITY IN AFRICAN LITERATURE
No full textThis article evaluates the portrayal of disability and disabled characters in African literature. Disability, in this article, refers to any form of physical, mental or cognitive development condition, such as blindness, deafness, dumbness, being crippled, among others. The study as presented in this article analysed several African texts, from both the oral and the modern African traditions, with a view of determining the nature of the portrayal of the disabled. Are there stereotypes, and are these stereotypes negative or positive? According to the study, there are some positive as well as negative portrayals of the disabled, although most of them are negative. Although the study was not exhaustive, it still provides a glimpse into the portrayal of disability in different types of African literature
DISRUPTING PROSE: DOES THE ZIMBABWEAN NOVEL ASSIMILATE OTHER GENRES? A STUDY OF HOVE’S BONES
No full textThis article is part of a larger study on novelness in the Zimbabwean novel, and is restricted to the novel’s quality of assimilating other genres. This follows Mikhail Bakhtin’s theory that the novel is an incomplete and ever-growing genre as it is a culmination of other genres. This article examines Chenjerai Hove’s first novel published in English, Bones (1990).The article notes that Hove has employed within the novel oral literary elements such as the proverb which appears extensively. It is also observed in this article that Hove has included other elements such as dialogue, monologue, and the lyric. The article concludes that through the use of other genres, particularly the poetic quality, the novel turns out to be an easy read and reflects the needs of the peasants whose cause it intends to champion
Challenges of Family Involvement in the Education of Learners with Deaf-blindness in Selected Special Schools of Southern Province of Zambia
Get PDFDeaf-blindness is a low incident but emerging area of disability in Zambia. Children who are deafblind depend immensely on the sort of parents and family to interact with the outside world. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the challenges of family involvement in the education of deafblind learners in selected schools of southern province. A qualitative case study was used as approach and design respectively. The main instruments in data collection were face-to-face interviews, a focus group discussion, questionnaire and documents. The study sample comprised 18 participants were sampled using the purposive sampling procedure. Data was collected from 1 SESO, 2 district education officers-special education, 2 head teachers from 2 selected schools, 8 teachers from 2 selected schools, and 6 parents for deafblind children. Data analysis engaged thematic analysis which involved organizing data through use of open, axial and selective coding of the data before presenting the emerging themes. The study found that the challenges were; long distances between schools and home which made it difficult to have a complete multi-disciplinary team because parents lived in long far places and they were not attending the meetings when called upon. Another challenge was that most teachers were not competent in deafblind education. They lacked training in handling deafblind learners. Deafblind education was viewed as a new area in teaching. This led to the teachers exhibiting a negative attitude towards deafblind education because of lacked skills including those needed to collaborate with families and other stakeholders. In addition to that, most teachers felt that they were labelled as teachers for the deafblind and if it happened that they were absent the other teachers were not ready to teach those learners. Concerns were also raised during the study that parents found it difficult working with educators who did not appreciate their effort in supporting schools. Inability of teachers and families to learn and use communication symbols of deafblind learners was a significant barrier to family participation. Socio-economic status of family, particularly low financial standing affected the extent to which parents got involved
Writing Proficiency across Diverse Writing Systems: An Evaluation of the Effects of Orthographic Depth
Get PDFThis paper seeks to compare the effects of orthographic depth on 4th graders’ writing skills among Nyanja-English bilinguals in Zambia. The paper was premised on the assumption that orthographic depth would considerably affect writing development in similar ways as reading acquisition, and it was, therefore, envisaged that the dynamics observed in reading would be replicated in writing. To evaluate this hypothesis, Nyanja and English writing samples of six 4th graders were analysed to determine differences in writing mechanics and intelligibility in the scripts using a sequential mixed-methods case study design. Results show a significantly high word account in the English scripts, while the Nyanja scripts had more word variety. Additionally, English scripts were generally longer and had more syntactically complex sentences, while Nyanja samples had more word variety. It was difficult to differentiate intelligibility because participants failed to follow the basic convention of the main idea-supporting sentence paragraphing in both languages. The other major difference in the scripts was related to word spellings as most irregular English words were phonetically spelled. Majority of the Nyanja spelling errors were mostly over-generalisations of the English conventions. Basically, the study reveals that orthographic transparency, as shown in the acquisition of reading skills, exerts some influence on the development of writing skills as well. In conclusion, it was noted that despite being orthographically opaque and more challenging to master, pupils still have a slight advantage in English writing over Nyanja because of the availability of practice material, although oral vocabulary helps in generating more variety in the latter
Socio- Psychological Factors Associated with Child Sexual Abuse: A Study of Lusaka Central Prison Child Sexual Abuse Convicts.
Get PDFObjective and study design: with the view of examining the socio-psychological factors associated with child sexual abuse among child sexual abuse convicts, a study was conducted in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia at Lusaka Central Prison also commonly known as Chimbokaila prison between January 2015 - July 2017. The scientific objectives of this study were to identify the background characteristics of convicts who are in jail for child sexual offenses; to establish the psychological factors associated with child sexual abuse among convicts; to explore the social correlates associated with child sexual abuse among convicts; to explore the social correlates associated with child sexual abuse among convicts and to establish the relationship between experiences of convicts in prison and behavioral intensions with regards to child sexual re-offending. 30 male child sexual abuse convicts were assessed for personality disorders and were interviewed to realize some of the social factors that may be associated with child sexual abuse
Results: Results of the DSMI IV criteria checklist showed that 24 respondents did not have a personality disorder while 6 respondents had a personality disorder. From the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality inventory 4 (MMPI- IV) showed that 10 participants had a personality disorder, while 20 participants did not have a personality disorder.Results obtained from social correlates associated with child sexual abuse were: misleading physical appearances and substance misuse. With regards to marital status, there was no statistical relationship between child sexual abuse and marital status. It was also found that there is no statistical relationship between child sexual abuse and Alcohol consumption It was also found that the respondents who took alcohol before imprisonment were more than those that did not. Most child sexual perpetrators were not sexually abused as children, those who were sexually abused as children were very few Percent and frequency distribution of Respondents by age group was: age group 25-30 recorded the highest frequency of 36.7%, followed by age group of 20-25 with 23.3%. Percent and frequency distribution of the respondents by marital status; of the total respondents 40 percent (n=12) were single and 46.7 percent (n=14) were married, divorced participants and others had an equal share of percentage at 6.7 percent (n=2).
Conclusion: Put together the results suggest that the majority of participants did not have a personality disorder, in regards to Psychological factors that may be associated with child sexual abuse. Whereas a lot of common themes (most participants abused alcohol before imprisonment, were physically abused and not sexually abused in their childhood) were realized for social factors that may be associated with child sexual abuse, However for background characteristics it was found that most child sexual abusers were within their mid twenties and most of them were single with a primary level of education as the highest level of education obtained by most participants