UNAM Open Access Journal University of Namibia
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LGBTQI rights are human rights: A Namibian perspective
Get PDFThe Namibian Constitution has been noted to be modern, progressive and internationally exemplary but fails to include and recognise the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) community. Chapter III of the Namibian Constitution, which is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, focuses on “Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms” and these rights were the “very principles Namibians had fought for” (Geingob, 2004, p.
135). During the apartheid regime, many Namibians were not privileged to enjoy these basic human rights since oppression and discrimination against “different” people was the order of the day. Even though the fight for political independence is over, the fight for equality and inclusivity still continues. This paper explores the Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms in the Namibian Constitution; extracting key information from other legal instruments to highlight the inherent contradictions in the protection of certain rights. It specifically focuses on the right to be free from discrimination of any kind and the right to assembly and association (marriage). This paper recommends that sodomy be decriminalised, same-sex marriages and joint adoption (same sex) be legalised in Namibia since
the criminalisation and illegality of these add to extreme intolerance of differences, discrimination, exclusion and societal divide
Discourse roles of particles in Chiyao
Get PDFThis paper seeks to investigate the discourse roles of particles in Chiyao along with their environment of occurrence and scope of interpretation. The analysis is based on the data collected through audio-recording of traditional narratives which were later transcribed to identify utterances with particles. The findings establish that particles in Chiyao can occur in three major types of environment, namely within the NP as is the case with question particles, demonstrativeparticles, and exclusive particles; within the VP as is the case with question particles, exclusive particles, and negative particles; and in pre-sentential position (e.g. emotional particles, additive particles, and contrast particles). Concerning the scope of interpretation, the analysis indicates that particles that occur within the NP have their scope of interpretation limited to the NP, while the meaning of those that occur as part of the VP or in pre-sentential position applies to the entire sentence. As for the discourse roles, it is shown that the Chiyao particle performs different significant roles, including emphatic roles, such as emphasising negation; and exclusive roles, that is, to single out some elements within a clause from the rest of a clause in order to show focus. It is further shown that particles are used to signal interrogation, and for anaphoric purposes. Moreover, particles in Chiyao indicate deixis as well as emotions such as surprise,anger, disapproval and shock. Finally, particles indicate contrast and addition. These findings lead to a conclusion that the use of particles represents an important communicative strategy in Chiyao
Promoting gender equality: An examination of feminist rhetoric in Kaleni Hiyalwa’s novel Meekulu’s Children
Get PDFWomen’s rhetorical contributions have been overlooked in the field of rhetoric because the rhetorical tradition has a long history of excluding female or feminine ways of speaking and writing. It is also worth noting that the analyses of women’s writings have been restricted to the coverage of the feminist perspectives and not necessarily the domain of rhetoric and the analysis of their works of fiction. This has therefore, led to the realisation of a gap in the present paper regarding the examination of feminist rhetoric in literary studies. Through a rhetorical lens, this paper examined the arguments that demonstrate that women have immensely contributed to the liberation struggle in Namibia alongside men; hence, there is a need for equal acknowledgment. Based on the Aristotelian rhetorical theory, the study established how the arguments (logos) provided in Kaleni Hiyalwa’s novel, Meekulu’s Children, provide evidence that women indeed actively participated in the liberation struggle and how these proofs stir the readers’ emotions (pathos). Furthermore, the determination and willingness of characters (ethos) to collaborate with other characters to promote gender equality was examined. Invitational rhetoric was also used to determine whether the novel has promoted feminist principles of equality, self-determination and immanent value. The paper found that arguments can be made to provide evidence for feminist rhetorical analysis with regards to how Dila and his wife were murdered by the omakakunya; the raping of his wife, how Meekulu cooks for eendume domomufitu, and also how Kamati and Estela make seemingly insensible choices to run out of the country. As a result, these supportive arguments stimulate emotions as exemplified by the descriptions of the murder of Dila and his wife and how Ketja copes with the death of both parents, which stirs empathy from the readers. Moreover, the novel presents how the men and women of Elombe have been supportive of each other in good and bad times throughout the time of war thereby bringing to the fore views geared towards appreciating the African sense of Ubuntu. Lastly, the study determined that invitational rhetoric allows readers to participate in conversations in the novel through the use of rhetorical strategies like: emotional utterances, respect of different ideologies, and rhetorical questions
Mchango wa Ishara za Mwili kwenye Maana katika Lugha ya Kiswahili : Mifano kutoka katika Vialami Pragmatiki eh, sawa, mh na ah
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The contribution of gestures on meaning has attracted attention of many scholars (c.f Goodwin, 1986; Mc Neill, 1992; Kendon, 2004; Kidwell, 2013; Müller, 2013; Zhi-pheng 2014). Many researches dealt on its contributions in English language. However, its contributions specifically on Swahili has been given less or no attention. As noted by Kendon (2004) and Zhi-pheng (2014) that the intepretation of gestures can yield different intepretations from one culture to another. The current article investigates the contributions of gestures on meaning in Swahili. Pragmatic markers (henceforth PMs) eh, sawa, mh, and ah have been used as case study. Data was obtained from ‘vijiwe vya kahawa’ (setting of informal conversations created around people drinking coffee) and ‘vijiwe vya mamantilie’ (setting of informal conversations created around women preparing and selling food on the streets. The analysis was done using Social Semiotic Approach under Multimodality Theory by Kress (2010). The results indicate that gestures contribute to the meaning-making. It was observed that various gestures (such as facial expressions, eye gaze, mouth, head and hand movements) were used in conjunctions with uttering the PMs hence helped to convey their meanings. Generally, the article concludes that spoken Swahili is rich in meanings complemented by the contributions of gestures. Thus, the current study calls for more researches on gestures in Kiswahili since they play a big role in the sense-making process.
Kiswahili version
Mchango wa ishara za mwili kwenye maana ni suala ambalo limewashughulisha wataalamu wengi (taz. kwa mfano Goodwin, 1986; Mc Neill, 1992; Kendon, 2004; Kidwell, 2013; Müller, 2013; Zhi-pheng 2014). Hata hivyo, tafiti nyingi zilizofanywa zinahusu mchango wa ishara za mwili kwenye maana katika lugha ya Kiingereza na si Kiswahili. Kufuatia tahadhari wanayoitoa Kendon (2004) na Zhi-pheng (2014) kwamba matumizi ya ishara za mwili yanaweza kutofautiana baina ya lugha moja na nyingine, makala hii inachunguza mchango wa ishara za mwili kwenye maana katika lugha ya Kiswahili. Vialami Pragmatiki (kuanzia sasa VIPRA) eh, sawa, mh na ah vimetumika kama uchunguzi kifani. Data zimekusanywa kutoka katika mazungumzo yasiyo rasmi yanayofanywa na wazungumzaji wa Kiswahili katika vijiwe vya kahawa na vya mamantilie. Uchambuzi wa data umeongozwa na Nadharia ya Njianyingi za Mawasiliano kwa kutumia mkabala wa Semiotiki Jamii wa Kress (2010). Matokeo ya uchunguzi huu yanaonesha kwamba ishara za mwili zina mchango kwenye maana za eh, sawa, mh na ah. Ishara tofautitofauti za (kama vile mwonekano wa sura na macho, kichwa, mikono, macho na mdomo) zilionekana kutumika pamoja na eh, sawa, mh na ah na; hivyo, zilisaidia kuchanuza maana za VIPRA hivyo. Kwa ujumla, makala hii inadokeza kwamba lugha ya Kiswahili (hususani Kiswahili cha mazungumzo) ina hazina kubwa ya maana inayotokana na mchango wa ishara za mwili. Hivyo, ipo haja ya kufanya uchunguzi zaidi ili kubaini ishara mbalimbali za mwili na namna zinavyotoa mchango kwenye maana
Uforensiki katika Ujumi wa Riwaya Pendwa ya Kiswahili: Uchambuzi wa Riwaya ya “Kikosi cha Kisasi”
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This paper aims to explore forensic aesthetics in Swahili literature showing how forensic induces the aesthetics in the Swahili novels. Forensic science emerged in the 19th century because of the development of science and technology. It has an impact on various fields of expertise such as law, chemistry, physics, biology and others for its effectiveness. Due to the misinterpretation of forensic in Swahili novels, most of the stakeholders of Swahili literary works such as Kezilahabi (1976), Hussein (1971) and Kimura (1991) emphasize that the authors of popular novels mimic the Western literary styles. Along with the negative attitude of various stakeholders of Swahili literature, the popular fictional Swahili novels still retain their status and are increasingly widespread in Swahili-speaking societies. This is due to the fact that these novels have the fascination of the phenomena introduced by the science and technology that clearly distinguishes itself around the world based on the aesthetic view of each society. This paper will dispel the negative stereotypes about the popular Swahili novels containing crime, romance and spying. In addition, it will introduce forensic aethetics as it relates to Swahili literature and emerges itself in Swahili novels such as Kikosi cha Kisasi.
Kiswahili version
Makala haya yanakusudia kuchunguza namna uforensiki unavyoibua ujumi wa riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili, sambamba na kuitambulisha taaluma ya uforensiki inavyojitokeza katika riwaya ya Kikosi cha Kisasi. Kutofahamikavyema kwa taaluma ya uforensiki katika riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili, kumesababisha mtazamo hasi kwa wadau mbalimbali wa fasihi ya Kiswahili kama vile Kimura (1991), Hussein (1971) na Kezilahabi (1976), waliotafiti na kuihakiki riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili na kuiona kuwa ni riwaya isiyo na mafunzo yenye maadili kwa jamii, kutokana na maudhui yake ya ujambazi, mauaji, uhalifu, ujasusi, mapenzi na upelelezi kuelezwa waziwazi. Hali hii imesababishwa na uchache wa wanataaluma waliojihusisha na tafiti zinazohusu uforensiki katika riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili. Hata hivyo, suala la uforensiki katika kuibua ujumi wa riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili halijashughulikiwa. Kutoshughulikiwa huko kunaendeleza mtazamo hasi wa kuziona riwaya hizi kuwa zimeiga utamaduni wa kigeni na hazina umuhimu katika jamii yetu, licha ya kuwa jamii yenyewe tayari imeshaathiriwa na utandawazi kutokana na maendeleo ya sayansi na teknolojia.. Makala haya yatasaidia kuondoa mtazamo hasi uliopo juu ya riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili na kuidhihiridha namna uforensiki unavyoibua ujumi katika riwaya pendwa ya Kiswahili hususani riwaya ya Kikosi cha Kisasi
Local perceptions of risks to semi-nomadic livelihoods in Namibia: : A case study of the Himba pastoral community
Get PDFThis study investigates Himba pastoralists’ perceptions of risks to their livelihoods. Using a semi structured questionnaire, 20 pastoralists from a Himba community were interviewed. The results show that there are multiple perceived risks that are seemingly threatening their livelihoods. Most of the perceived risks are associated with natural resources; primarily the limited sources of water and the lack of adequate pastures. These two are the most important factors to a semi-nomadic
lifestyle; hence they pose the greatest threat to their livelihoods. Pressures from both wildlife and the increase in human population have also been recognized as risks to the community. While these perceptions of risks appear to have spurred the community into employing certain management strategies, this has not changed their semi-nomadic way of living as pastoralists. The current management strategies appear to be insufficient in managing the risks. The struggles of farmers in an arid country is expected under the climatic change dynamics, but the provision ofsolutions by the government is limited, especially for human wildlife conflicts. Thus, leaving thesemi-nomadic Himba people to continue being vulnerable to riskswith no feasible solutions at the moment. This begs the question of whether the nomadic way of living has a chance of surviving under the changing climate in dryland countries such as Namibia
Polymorphism of the KAP1.3 and KRT33A genes in the Swakara sheep of Namibia
Get PDFThe objective of the study was to determine polymorphism in the KAP1.3 and KRT33A genes of Swakara sheep. Blood samples were collected from 40 Swakara sheep randomly selected from four farms; Neudamm, Gellap-Ost, Kalahari and Tsumis. Genomic Deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated using the Inqaba biotech-kit protocol. PCR-Single strand conformational polymorphism gel electrophoresis method was used to genotype the two genes. The PCR products were sequenced to construct phylogenetic trees for evolutionary analyses. Chi-square test at 5% level of significance was used to analyze the data. Three genotypes were identified at KAP1.3 gene, with genotype frequencies of 0.5 (AA), 0.35 (AB) and 0.15 (CC). The frequency distribution of genotypes across all four farms differ significantly (P=0.05). Two genotypes (AA and BB) of the KRT33A gene were identified. The KRT33A locus was not statistically significant (P=0.118), and the allele frequency was 0.25 (A) and 0.75 (B). The KAP1.3 and KRT33A genes showed no significant deviation from the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium. Phylogenetic tree showed relatedness of the Swakara sheep found in Namibia. The revealed polymorphism in the KAP1.3 and KRT33A may prompt further studies on KAP genes in Swakara sheep, which may help with the identification of genetic markers linked to superior pelts and strategic selection of breeding stock
Public self-censorship in WhatsApp intra-group communication in Zimbabwe
Get PDFThe social networking sites have been lauded for their ability to offer mediascapes that enable the full exercise of individual rights and freedoms; such as the right to privacy on social networking sites, freedom of expression and association, among others. This is significant given that the majority of the world’s population now has a significant presence on social media. Communication trends indicate a shift from interaction in the real/physical world to more interactions andtransactions occurring online or in virtual space. This necessitates an exploration of the extent to which privacy and freedom of expression are guaranteed in online interactions. The study reveals the perpetuation of a spiral of silence whereby participants in intra-group communication engage in public self-censorship. Using online participant observation, in which the researcher used data collected from four WhatsApp groups, and the Censorship regimes model, the study interrogates how public self-censoring is implicated even in spaces where no such censoring is otherwise not required
The role of cash incentives in HIV behaviour change: A case study based on the RHIVA programme in Namibia
Get PDFThis study explores the use of cash incentives towards positive behaviour change amongst
adolescents at different schools in the Khomas Region, Windhoek, Namibia. The aim of the
research was to assess the efficacy of the Reducing HIV/AIDS in Adolescents (RHIVA)
programme’s cash incentive-based theory of change. The hypothesis of the model is that cash
incentives can promote positive behavioural change. The behaviour change is related to HIV/AIDS
prevention and other behavioural patterns more specific to adolescents. The study used secondary
data from a pre-post quasi-experimental research design collected between 2013 and 2015. The
primary data came from 529 responses to a baseline survey and 458 responses to an end-line survey
conducted in the Khomas Region. The secondary analysis explored the impact of cash incentives
on learners’ sexual behaviour, especially the learners who received full RHIVA intervention (IG2).
The study concludes that the full RHIVA programme intervention resulted in a 10% reduction in sexual activity. The RHIVA programme is effective for learners younger than 16 years and for females from middle to high-income areas. However, the study found that cash incentives do not result in an increase in the number of times that learners were tested for HIV. It also found that direct cash payments to learners have the potential to be both a deterrent and an incentive for positive behaviour change as direct cash payments are prone to other socio-structural pressures such as the prevalence of alcohol and drug use at school and community levels. The study further concludes that conditional cash transfers remain very important in increasing the HIV Counselling
and Testing (HCT) uptake of learners despite certain limitations
The discursive manifestation of two publics: The case of selected speeches of three former African leaders
Get PDFThe explanation of the political problem pervading the majority of countries in post-colonial Africa lies in the existence of two publics namely, the amoral civic public and the primordial public, which African political leaders are said to operate in. The amoral civic public, which includes institutions such as the military and the civil service, is dominated by the primordial public, which is based on primordial ties and gives politicians their moral framework. Using the practices of Political Discourse Analysis (PDA) which falls under Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) and perceives discourse as an (social) action, this paper explores how the two publics manifest in selected speeches of three African leaders namely former Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, former South African President Jacob Zuma, and former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. The speeches, taken from media outlets such as newspapers, were chosen on the bases that they generated controversy and were widely discussed in media. The paper explains how some elements of the speeches that fulfil the requirements of a good image in the primordial public contravene the principles and norms of democracy. The findings show that that there is an existence of two publics that have a relationship with each other and which are the cause most of the problems in post-colonial Africa