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Human Behaviour as Driver of Environmental Degradation and Climate Change in Joya's the Last Fishing Boat and Ojiofor's the Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
No full textThe term ‘Anthropocene’ calls our attention to rethink the role of human-caused climate change which is altering the earth’s environmental conditions. This article is concerned with highlighting the impact of human behaviour as driver of environmental degradation and climate change as portrayed in Ojiofor’s ‘The Boy who Harnessed the Wind’ and Joya’s ‘The Last Fishing Boat.’ The research is qualitative in nature. An Ecocritical approach is applied to the analysis of the texts alongside close reading. The focus is on various thematic concerns of Ecocriticism, particularly on how these two film scripts depict human behaviour as driver of environmental degradation and climate change. This research is concerned with how film scripts reveal how Malawians are depicted using various endowments of the environment signifying how humans rely on the environment for essential resources. At the same, the article is also interested on how the two films’ portrayal of how humans are at the mercy of nature, suffering the consequences of their actions which serves as a rich and multifaceted metaphor that invites reflection on environmental responsibility, human hubris, and the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world. The article argues that the two film scripts’ portrayal of human action as the leading cause of environmental degradation thereby contributing to climate change, emphasises that while individuals enjoy the endowments of nature, ironically, they are the main culprits of destructors of the environment. In this case, the two film scripts contribute to sustainability narratives by showcasing characters and communities in Malawi engaging in practices that destroy the environment which if addressed may help in mitigation of environmental harm
Assessment of the Effects of the Fertilizer Support Programme on Maize Productivity: A Chow-test approach.
No full textIn an effort to alleviate poverty and increase the incomes of millions of rural Zambia that depend on agriculture, the Zambian government has been implementing the Fertilizer Support Programme since 2002. Since then, the allocations to the FSP have been increasing despite claims that the programme has not been achieving the intended objectives. Unlike other studies conducted on the subject, this study used time series data to assess the effects of the fertilizer support programme on maize productivity. The methodology involved the use of tests of structural breaks (Chow-test) as a device for identifying discontinuities in the data which potentially represent treatment effects. The paper used data from the FAO database on national production and area under production between 1990 and 2010 (a period that covers the pre — FSP period (1990-2001) and post-FSP (2002-2010).
The results showed that there has been a significant difference in the marginal productivity of land between the two periods (l .857 tons/hectare for the pre — FSP period compared to 2.219 tons/hectare for the post — FSP period) at the five percent significant level. The conclusion is that even though the FSP has resulted in significant increase in marginal productivity over the period in question, the question still remains whether the cost of the programme can be justified by the observed increase in marginal productivity
Serological evidence of Newcastle disease in unvaccinated village chickens in selected districts of Western and Southern provinces of Zambia
No full textA serological survey for antibodies against Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) involving 170 village chickens was carried out in Mongu district of Western and in Batoka, Choma and Magoye districts of Southern Province of Zambia respectively. The objective was to determine the sero-prevalence of NDV in the study districts. The chickens had no history of vaccination against NDV. Serum samples were tested by the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for presence or absence of antibodies against NDV antigens. Antibody presence against the virus was noted in 57.58% and 20.37% in Western and Southern Provinces, respectively, with titers ranging from 2 to 64. However, protective antibody titers of ≥3 (log2) against NDV were found only in 35 % and 1l % of those chickens from Western and Southern provinces, respectively. The findings indicated a considerable activity of the virus among the village chickens in the two provinces. However, the proportion of birds with protective antibodies reported herein is not sufficient to prevent outbreaks in individual village chicken flocks. These results suggest that village chickens may play a significant role in the transmission of the virus to the commercial poultry farms and indicate the need for the routine vaccinations of scavenging village chickens. Nation-wide active surveillance of ND should also be conducted to define the true status' of the disease in village chickens in Zambia
Antimicrobial Potential of Combretum molle Leaf Extracts: Insights from Zambia
Full text linkThe global rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates innovative solutions. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical composition of Combretum molle, a native Zambian plant, to explore its potential as a cost-effective source for novel antimicrobial agents. Exhaustive extraction using solvents of varying polarities was performed on dried leaf extracts of C. molle. These extracts were tested against a panel of clinically significant gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial isolates and screened for phytochemicals. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and glycosides. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using disk diffusion and broth microdilution techniques, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined through spectrophotometry and spot inoculation. The results revealed substantial antimicrobial activity, with hexane extracts showing the highest efficacy (MIC range: 3.6 to 50.4 mg/ml) and ethanol extracts exhibiting comparable activity to tetracycline (inhibition zones: 6 to 26 mm, P-value < 0.05). These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of C. molle extracts and support their possible integration into ethnomedicine as alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. By tapping into nature's arsenal, this study contributes to the search for effective strategies against multi-drug resistance, offering hope in the fight against AMR
A Market Penetration Framework for Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) In Zambia
No full textIn many parts of the world, LPG serves as a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy. LPG is a mixture of flammable hydrocarbon gases that are liquefied through pressurization and commonly used as fuel and serves as an important source of energy for various purposes. However, despite the huge potential LPG brings of reducing pollution and deforestation, the uptake of this
product still leaves much to be desired. The challenge remains with the suppliers of the product to ascertain how to enhance market penetration to increase their market share. The aim of the study was to develop a market penetration framework for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) companies to spur firm growth. This was a phenomenological qualitative study that enlisted 36 respondents using expert-based sampling. Respondents cut across the LPG population of firms. Data was analyzed using semantical qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed that in order to compete, LPG firms have embarked on branding, to help them build their image and bolsters sales. As at December 2020, it was estimated that the total population in Lusaka was 3.4 million and LPG daily usage was estimated to be 16,789 users. Market penetration was approximately 0.49%. In theory, there are still 3,264,000 or 96% potential customers for LPG of the population that remains untapped. These penetration numbers indicate potential for growth for LPG use. According to LPG actors, despite the market being saturated, the price of the commodity was not
coming down. Among the seven methods in the study to enhance market penetration, respondents emphasized more on the need to encourage potential customers on the usage of LPG. It can be concluded that the market penetration of the LPG industry in Zambia is very low. There are opportunities to increase market share as long as bottlenecks are addressed
Persuasion in Julius Chongo's Poceza M'Madzulo and Fumbi Khoboo
No full textThe paper aims at exploring Julius Chongo’s use of pursuation in his written works. By focusing on four stories; two from Poceza M’madzulo which are ‘Fisi Wankhuli’ (The Greedy Hyena) and ‘Mkomwini Woba M’mphika’ (The Son in Law Who Stole from the Cooking Pot) and another two from Fumbi Khoboo! which are ‘Okoma akali Moyo’ (Those who Love when One Is still Alive) and ‘M’busa Oipa’ (The Evil Pastor), this paper uses the concept of rhetoric to examine the stories above and observes that Chongo uses persuasion to keep his audience engaged. He also employs the element of vividness more in stories that were transcribed from performed radio stories than those that were published. It is concluded that Chongo departed from the text to add more persuasive devices while performing the stories on radio
Acceptability of Male Circumcision in HIV Prevention Among the Males aged 18 years and above in Mufulira Urban.
No full textObjectives and design: The overall aim of this study was to determine the acceptability of male circumcision in HIV prevention among the males aged 18 years and above in Mufulira urban.
A cross sectional study was conducted in Mufulira urban in December, 2009. The study comprised face to face interviews of 407 respondents using a structured interview schedule and two Focus Group Discussions involving males aged 18 to 30 years and those aged 31 years and above respectively. Respondents were drawn from one high density area. The Township was purposively sampled. Systematic sampling was used to select the households. One randomly selected male aged 18 years or older was interviewed from each selected household using a structured interview schedule. Individuals for the FGDs were purposively selected to ensure homogeneity of the group.
The chi-square test was used to compare the proportions. A result yielding a P value of less than 5 percent was considered to be statistically significant. Data from FGDs were analyzed using Content analysis.
Results: The study revealed that only 18.7 percent of the respondents were circumcised. About 60.7 percent of the respondents expressed willingness to be circumcised if male circumcision could offer partial protection against the acquisition
of HIV/AIDS. Though knowledge on male circumcision stood at 69 percent, only 26.3 percent of the respondents were specifically aware that male circumcision could reduce transmission of HIV from infected females. There was no significant association between knowledge and willingness to undergo male circumcision. Cultural beliefs in the study did not significantly influence willingness to undergo male circumcision. The only significant association was between improvement in genital hygiene and willingness to undergo male circumcision (OR= 2.06; CI [1.09, 3.87]).
Conclusion: though the level of male circumcision in Mufulira urban is on the lower side, the procedure is perceived positively. Acceptability of the procedure in the area is high
Managing an Academic Journal: Reflections from Outgoing Jonas Editor-In-Chief.
Full text linkThe University of Zambia (UNZA) Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences (JONAS) has reached an editorial-board transition point in 2024, following the expiry of tenure of the current Editorial Board. This JONAS Vol. 6 Issue No. 2 is my last effort as Editor-in-Chief, having assumed office 10 years ago, in 2014. In this editorial I present my personal reflections on managing an academic journal from inception
A Critical Analysis of the Factors Contributing to Poor Pupil Performance in Grade 12 English Language Final Examinations.
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to establish factors that contribute to Grade 12 pupils’ poor performance in English Language in Zambia and to suggest strategies that can be used to improve performance in grade 12 examinations in Zambia. This study was purely qualitative and employed a descriptive case study design. Secondary school teachers, heads of departments, learners (current and past), deputy head-teachers, English Language Examiners, parents, and standards officers (both at district and provincial level) were included in the sample. Instruments used in data collection included interviews, document analysis and focused group discussions. According to the findings, some of the factors which contributed to poor performance included lack of supervision of teachers, work overloads on the teachers, overcrowding in the classrooms, shortage of teachers, lack of teaching and learning materials and poor language proficiency in English among learners. In addition, the study also established strategies that can be used to improve performance. These include improving school based and district-based monitoring and supervision, reducing the workload for teachers, expanding infrastructure, employing of more teachers and providing adequate teaching and learning materials
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Full text linkWe once again welcome you to an intellectually rich parked thirty seventh (37th) volume of ZANGO – Zambia Journal of Contemporary Issues. As one Ghanaian saying reminds us that ‘A single bracelet does not jingle’ this edition of ZANGO contains exciting scholarly articles based on well researched topics drawn from studies done in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia. The articles in the current volume have produced a well-mixed academic jingle that provides a soothing scholarly sound to thirsty minds of readers