UNAM Open Access Journal University of Namibia
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3,4-erythro-7-dichloromethyl-3-methyl-3,4,8-trichloro-1,5E,7Eoctatriene is an important Namibian cytotoxic lead compound
Full text linkThe selectivity of this compound, together with that of the famed Halomon, was tested for different solid tumorcell lines with respect to the CCRF-CEM leukemia cell lines according to the disk diffusion assay. The selectivityof the two compounds were similar in many respects, however Halomon had an IC50 (µ/mL) of 0.37 versus 1.3for 3,4-erythro-7-dichloromethyl-3-methyl-3,4,8-trichloro-1,5E,7E-octatriene (Vogel et al., 2014). In addition,3,4-erythro-7-dichloromethyl-3-methyl-3,4,8-trichloro-1,5E,7E-octatriene was also evaluated for cytotoxic effectson an esophageal cancer cell line (WHCO1) and had an IC50 (µM) of 8.5, which is greater cytotoxicity in thisassay compared to the known anticancer drug cisplatin, which had an IC50 (µM) of 13 (Antunes et al., 2011).Using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, I was also excited to find that this compound is alsothe major metabolite found in Namibian Plocamium cornutum species. It is relatively easy to isolate in reasonablygood quantities using only liquid-liquid partition separation techniques. In addition, the surprising yields enablenumerous additional in vitro or in vivo testing to be carried out on this compound here in Namibia
#Blessed: An analysis of writing-back-to-self on the emerging issues of transactional sex relationships in The Blessed Girl (2018), Bare: #The Blesser Game (2017), Sweet Medicine (2016) and The Y in yOUR Man is Silent: Book 1(2019)
Full text linkMethodology
The content analysis of four contemporary African literature texts in English was the focus of this qualitative desktop position paper. Qualitative literary research was suited for this position paper since it gives textual descriptions and non-numerical data about transactional sex relationships categorized as blessers, blessees, sugar daddies, sugar babies, and side-chicks in the selected novels. The textual descriptions of transactional sex relationships in the selected novels have enabled the researcher to conduct an analytical reading and interrogation of the issues presented in the texts and to categorize them as emerging issues in African society using Mwangi’s (2009) postcolonial paradigm of writing-back-to-self. The purposive sampling technique was used to select and analyse the four novels by southern African writers based on their representation of transactional sex relationships. The selected novels were The Blessed Girl by Angela Makholwa (2018), Bare: #The Blesser Game by Jackie Phamotse (2017) and The y in yOUR Man is Silent: Book 1 by Yvonne Maphosa (2019)
secondary school teachers’ understanding of namibian boys’ underachievement and under-participation in education
Full text linkTo create awareness on gender disparity in academic achievement between boys and girls, we conducted the Namibian boys’ underachievement in education study (Zimba, et.al; 2023). We report on data from this study pertaining to secondary school teachers’ understanding of the issue. Using a pragmatic parallel mixed methods research design, systematic and criterion sampling techniques, we administered structured questionnaires to 528 teachers. We also conducted focus group discussions with 115 of these teachers. According to teachers, some boys performed worse than girls because they withdrew from learning activities, were not interested in education, dropped out of school and they did not participate in learning activities. Teachers also reported that several parents undermined their sons’ educational achievement by giving them too much freedom to roam around while strictly controlling the behaviour of their daughters, allowing their sons to abuse alcohol and drugs, not giving their sons chores to perform at home and not being concerned of their sons’ education, welfare, and misconduct. In addition to reviewing educational policy to target and support boys’ education, we have recommended that teachers should be made aware of differences in learning and socialization styles of boys and girls and that they should include the learning needs of boys in their teaching. We have also recommended that pre- and in-service teacher education programmes should sensitize and instil in teachers caring and nurturing attitudes towards boys who underachieve in education, raise awareness of gender disparity in education attainment that is in favour of girls and empower teachers to initiate programmes and attitudinal changes aimed at redressing the disparity. Without undermining educational benefits that have accrued to girls over the years, this could be done by drawing lessons and strategies for change from successful programmes targeting girls’ education
An Assessment of the delegated education and training function of the Kunene Regional Council
Full text linkThe mandate of the Regional Education Directorate is to provide access to quality education in Namibia. This sector has been identified as the priority social service due to its fundamental importance in improving the quality of life hence this study undertook an assessment of the delegated education and training function of the Kunene Regional Council. The study used a qualitative method in data collection due to its ability to yield rich and thick description of phenomena. The research design was a case study involving key informant interviews, observation and desk research. Ten interviewees were purposively and conveniently selected from four key stakeholders: The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Local Authorities and the National Planning Commission. The research population for this study consisted of about 300 staff members and 30 respondents constituted the sample size for this study. To supplement primary data, secondary data was sourced from observation and desk study of relevant documents. Data were analysed by arranging the responses thematically. The findings of the research revealed that the understanding of the decentralisation policy and concepts are different among research participants. The findings further revealed that there is a lack of inter-organisational collaboration and coordination regarding the management of delegated education activities which leads to poor planning as well as refusal by seconded staffs to follow the correct reporting lines. The study recommends more sensitization and advocacy on education and the challenges faced by the Kunene Regional Council. 
Ethnomycological study of Termitomyces mushrooms at Judea-Lyabboroma and Katima rural in the Zambezi Region, Namibia
Full text linkIn this study, face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data on the indigenous uses and traditional knowledge of Termitomyces mushrooms in Judea-Lyabboroma and Katima rural, Zambezi Region, Namibia. The results showed that Termitomyces were used in the form of powder or paste to heal diseases such as cancer and kidney problems, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), heart disease, severe diarrhea, cancer-related diseases, kidney problems and in the prevention of miscarriages. In both constituencies, the pseudorhiza for the Termitomyces mushroom was reported to be an important part that is used in healing various diseases. The results not only motivate the research team to continue finding more possible potential benefits that Termitomyces can provide but to encourage validation and pharmaceutical studies to be carried out for drug discovery on these mushrooms in order to provide conclusive results on the potential use of the Termitomyces in Namibia and beyond
A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Zimbabwean Education Amendment Act, 2019
Full text linkIn 2013, Zimbabwe adopted the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act. This Constitution has dedicated Sections 6 and 63 which regulate language use, and in the absence of a written language policy, the two Sections serve as the de facto language policy. The inclusion of the two Sections is a major milestone in the history of language planning, policy, and management in Zimbabwe, especially given that the previous Constitution was completely silent on language issues. In 2019 the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education adopted the Education Amendment Act, 2019 in order to align the Act with the Constitution. Against this background, this article provides a Critical Discourse Analysis of this Act in order to examine the adequacy or lack thereof of its language provisions. The study employed a multi-method approach to data collection in order to ensure triangulation of results. The main source of data was document analysis of the Act and other related policy frameworks to determine the adequacy or lack thereof of its language provisions. This was complemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with purposively sampled key participants in the education sector. Findings of this study show that the Act does not mark a departure from the past trilingual language-ineducation policy. In covert, overt, and subtle ways, the Act reproduces, maintains, perpetuates, entrenches and sustains the hegemony of English, Shona and Ndebele. 
The Belief that male circumcision reduces HIV transmission is a key predictor in circumcision status: A survey of Namibian Health Science students
Full text linkThe aim of this research was to establish the circumcision prevalence and the factors associated with the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) among health science students. A crosssectional study was carried out between July - August 2019. An anonymized questionnaire with 22 items was self-administered to health science students. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed on the demographic and beliefs information obtained. Logistic regression models were used to explain the associations, with the significance level set at α = 0.05. Eighty-six (65.6%) males were circumcised out of the 131 participants. The majority of students were enrolled for Medicine (61%). The following factors were associated with circumcision: Kavango ethnic group, OR 2.70 [CI 0.84- 6.60]; Holding the belief that circumcision reduces HIV transmission risk OR 3.96 [CI 0.42 - 2.39]; VMMC campaigns involving local celebrities OR 5.83 [CI 0.20 - 3.43]. This study highlights the need for upscaling VMMC among Health Science students via social mobilization and advocacy
Citations of first year students at the University of Botswana
Full text linkAcademic disciplines are often called discourse communities in research into academic discourse. Citing and referring to other authors in writing shows respect to the intellect of individuals. Students need to cite sources properly in order to be members of the Academic discourse community. This study explored in-text citations in research projects written by first-year students in the Faculty of Education at the University of Botswana. Using Swales’ notion of a discourse community, text analysis and qualitative content analysis, twenty research projects were analysed and three students and two lecturers were interviewed. The findings suggest that students need to be taught the importance of in-text citations and also be assisted to be members of the academic discourse community. There is a need for clear guidelines on citations and regulations for in-text citations and plagiarism for students as soon as they are admitted into their first academic year.
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on growth and physiological responses of water stressed Azadirachta indica A. Juss seedlings
Full text linkA neem nursery experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of AM on germination, growth, physiological traits and to evaluate the effect of AM fungi in tolerating water stress. The experiment comprised of two treatments; AM-inoculated and non-inoculated three months old neem seedlings, of which the treatments were subjected to water stress condition. A slightly higher germination rateof 7.77 % was observed in the Glomus mosseae inoculated treatment relative to the non-inoculated treatment. Moreover, water stress exhibited significant reductions in various morphological parameters and relative water content, with more effects pronounced in non-inoculated treatment. The AM–inoculated treatment showed prompt recovery during water resumption period which was reflected in the reduction of relative stress injury. Proline and soluble carbohydrate contents were significantly more in leaves of non-inoculated treatment as compared to AM-inoculated treatment during water stress. Although, water stress caused a reduction in mycorrhizal abundance, growth, and soil moisture content, AM considerably maintained plant growth performance hence retained better soil moisture content
Editorial Comment: : Education, health, and spiritual wellbeing
Full text linkManaging the corporate world and the individual in every sphere of life remains a work in progress. Even when the tried and tested is adopted, new issues seem to crop up requiring a rethinking and adaptation to present challenges. This issue of the Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences tackles this from a multifaceted angle – education, health, and spiritual wellbeing