University Botswana Journals
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Striking a Delicate Balance: Humanitarian Intervention and the Prohibition on the Use of Force under Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter
Get PDFThis paper seeks to critically assess whether humanitarian intervention has become an exception to the prohibition on the use of force under Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter. The paper adopts a two pronged approach to the question. First, it examines whether or not Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter can be interpreted in a manner that would justify humanitarian intervention being an exception thereto. The paper moreover assesses the approach adopted by the United Nations Security Council in authorizing the use of force in interventions for humanitarian purposes. The second prong of the paper addresses the position of humanitarian intervention and the use of force under customary international law. The paper appraises instances in which where humanitarian intervention was conducted without authorization of the Security Council. The paper evaluates justifications advanced by intervening states and, more importantly, reactions of other members of the international community to such interventions
“NO GAY IN MY HOUSE”: EXPLORING GAY & BISEXUALLY IDENTIFYING MALE SEX WORKERS IN BOTSWANA
Get PDFMale sex work has been a growing phenomenon in Botswana. Despite a wide range of literature associating entry into sex work with childhood sexual abuse and a lack of familial acceptance of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual adolescents and young adults, the issue remains un-investigated in Botswana. This paper presents part of the findings from an exploratory investigation of male sex work in Gaborone and Kasane. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted and key findings from five interviews on sections focused on, a) sexual orientation, b) entry into sex work, and, c) family dynamics and influences are discussed. The study reveals that most respondents were sexually abused as children and not accepted/rejected by family when they came out or discovered by family members to be gay or bisexual. Five case studies are presented where respondents openly narrated their victimization experiences. These experiences were also presented as having a role in the decision to enter into sex work, and accounting for several other destructive behaviours such as alcohol and substance abuse. This paper argues that a history of childhood sexual abuse and familial rejections of certain sexual orientations should be considered when planning interventions for male sex workers. Little is known about childhood experiences of the gay or bisexual youth in Botswana and how such shape their lives, perceptions and attitudes. A study of this kind sheds light into issues affecting the LGBT community and most importantly could educate and influence policy on the protection of vulnerable
DECOLONISING CURRICULA FOR A KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN SOCIETY: THE TIME IS NOW
Get PDFThis conceptual paper was inspired by Nako Timepieces, a brand that bears Botswana’s heritage on a wrist and is founded on the belief that state-of-art watchmaking innovation can be synonymous with cultural and historical significance (Nako Timepieces, 2019). The introduction of a local language and history of Botswana to the international community through a luxury watch carries an important hallmark of decolonisation. Decolonisation of curricula is a discourse that provides an indigenous understanding of education as a decolonial exercise. Decolonising curricula means redefining curricula by considering other cultures and contexts from which education is understood. Of particular importance in this paper is African indigenous knowledge and cultures from which education is defined. The current curricula is founded on colonial mind-set framed around the idea of usurping the being of indigenous people and also purge the colonies of indigenous knowledge. This is the knowledge that a decolonised curricula should promote and use to compete on the international stage as demonstrated by Nako Timepieces—by promoting a local language and Botswana’s heritage. Decolonisation should start at primary school level rather than at higher levels of education as taught in the saying lore lo ojwa lo sale metsi, a Setswana proverb that says ‘mould the plant while it is still young and supple for when it is older and hardened, it will break.
ASSESSING INTERNSHIP PRACTICES FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM STUDENTS – CASE STUDY OF A TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN BOTSWANA
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to assess the relevance of internship for travel and tourism students at a technical college in Botswana. There is inadequate research assessing the relevance of internship, essentially for students enrolled in travel and tourism programmes. A qualitative approach was employed in this study in 2017. Kolb’s experiential learning theoretical framework was used to achieve the aims of this study. Participants in the study included nine travel and tourism students, ten internship host organizations, two internship coordinators and two curriculum development officers from the Department of Teacher Training and Technical Education. Participants were purposively selected. Thematic content analysis was employed. The results suggest that the internship programme undertaken by travel and tourism students at the technical college is irrelevant. The knowledge that the students acquire during classroom instruction does not match the expectation in travel and tourism industry. This research recommends that the curricula for travel and tourism programmes offered in institutions of higher learning be reviewed to ensure that students are equipped with relevant knowledge and skills for the travel and tourism industry and develop creative self-efficacy.  
Religious Bumper Stickers in Contemporary Botswana: Social and Cultural Constructs and Denominational Positioning in the Battle for Membership
Get PDFThis paper analyses the aesthetic elements constructed in religious communications. Employing semiotic analysis, the paper focuses on the bumper stickers pasted and found on cars in Botswana. The study sought to examine the techniques of persuasion used by various local Christian religious ministries and the approach that these ministries have towards the public they are attempting to reach out. The data used is part of an ethnographic study that was conducted from April 2016 to March 2019, whose overarching aim was to explore the intersection between media and religion in Botswana, particularly the extent to which religious groups use new media to advance their religious missions. The findings demonstrate that through the use of bumper stickers, various religious denominations in Botswana have attempted to elicit people’s interests in their churches, and advanced the positioning of their church in society
The Bible, Social Media and the Public Persona of ill-bodies in neo-Pentecostal Charismatic Churches
Get PDFA simple Google search can reveal how religion has damaged the image of faithful believers on various social media platforms. Picking from selected faith-healing practices of neo-Pentecostal Charismatic Churches, this paper demonstrates ways in which some Christian churches are, and continue to taint the public persona of ill-bodies on Facebook and other internet websites. The paper takes the position that, when ill-bodies confess of having spiritual husbands or wife; of being witches in order to receive total healing in the name of Jesus Christ, this does not only orient desperate adherents towards self-fulfilment but does greater harm on the public image of ill-bodies. It proceeds to attribute these practices–giving testimonies-to a defective understanding of Jesus of Nazareth’s miracles and a conservative reading of the Bible meant to promote proximity-seeking behaviours. It concludes by pointing out the long-lasting repercussions of those confessions in the lives of believers when uploaded on the internet and circulated on various social media website
FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORIES IN TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: LIBRARIANS’ PERSPECTIVE
Get PDFOne way of improving visibility and accessibility of national research is for institutions of higher learning to use Institutional Repositories (IRs). Studies done to date show that generally, academic staff do not deposit their research outputs on or even use IRs for academic related work. However, in recognition of the diverse stakeholders on IR adoption and success, there have been calls for a wider understanding of the role of university administration, funding agencies, librarians, academic disciplines, commercial publishers, conference and workshop organizers and other entities that are directly and indirectly involved in the contemporary scholarly publishing cycle on scholars’ failure to adopt university IRs. This multi-site case study, therefore, investigated the role of librarians in creating an enabling environment to assist academic staff to utilise IRs. This study adopted an interpretivist approach and used Engeström’s Third Generation Activity Theory to guide the investigation. The research data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with librarians in two tertiary institutions. The findings of the study show that there is need for institutional repository advocacy and outreach programs by academic librarians to familiarise academic staff on utilisation of IRs. The study also established the need for librarians to reconsider their information resource capturing and dissemination practices, including user support services
An Early Date for the Stone Age at Kgale View in Gaborone, Botswana
Get PDFBotswana is a long way from establishing a credible Stone Age chronology for any part of the country,especially for the earlier periods. Most recorded early sites are open gravel occurrences with limitedarchaeological value, given the increased probability of artefacts being redistributed and mixed with thosefrom earlier or later events as well as the loss of organic matter. Relevant sites with any stratigraphic,ecological and other value are more likely to be buried and thus only exposed during erosion or excavation.Such a window of opportunity was offered with the development of a new shopping mall in Gaborone,the country’s capital city. This paper demonstrates the potential contribution of salvage archaeology tounderstanding our past, especially where construction work opens up deep trenches with profiles, oftenexposing otherwise hidden relics. Second, in this instance, it has also produced the oldest cultural datesyet in Botswana. Thermo-luminescence dates obtained during the archaeological salvage of this site areimportant as they confirm the early replacement of the Early Stone Age (ESA) in the Southern Africaninterior. Third, there is some suggestion for the re-use of artefacts by later Middle Stone Age (MSA) people.Finally, of particular interest is the provisional evidence for symbolic behaviour in the ESA. Cognitivelymodern behaviour is generally believed to have only started in the Middle Stone Age
An Appraisal of Participation and Rural Development in Botswana: The Case of Mmankgodi Village
Get PDFThis paper is based on a study that sought to investigate the nature and extent of beneficiary participation inrural development planning and management in Mmankgodi village in the Kweneng District of Botswana.Data for the study was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The studyfound that there was limited beneficiary participation in the identification, initiation, implementationand evaluation of rural development projects in Mmankgodi. This was attributed to a number of factors,including: the centralised nature of the rural development processes in Botswana, disjointed participatorystructures, lack of a participatory framework, ineffective participatory forums and the negative perceptionsof development workers towards the community’s input. It was observed that these workers often imposetheir own perceptions of particular development situations, thus undermining those of the community
Nothing Will Ever Kill The Radio Star! Tribute to Thuso ‘Thuzoski’ Letlhoma, 1972-2020
Get PDFIn 1979 The Buggles released a hit song titled, ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’. As the country mourns thedeath of famed announcer Thuso Letlhoma, himself a star on the national broadcaster, avid listener BotsaloNtuane pays tribute by going down memory lane on the times and magic of Radio Botswana