UNAM Open Access Journal University of Namibia
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Work-life balance: : Implications for employees at UNAM Rundu Campus during COVID-19
Full text linkThe focus of this study was to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 on the work-life balance of employees at the Univerity of Namibia Rundu Campus. The study was conducted by choosing 10.participants who were purposively selected according to the departments where they work. The study used a qualitative research in which a case study approach was adopted. The data generation.processes was obtained through semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and narratives to get insight and quality data. During interviews, open ended questions were used and other questions arose naturally. The semi-structured interviews were used to enable us to get deep information by probing participants’ responses. This has assisted to elaborate on incomplete answers by being flexible and getting clarification on the perceptions of workers during the challenging times of COVID-19. Participants were grouped in 2 groups comprised of teaching and non-teaching staffs. The particpants were given questions in advance ahead of group discussions to be aware of the topic concerned and to make them feel comfortable during discussions. The narrative approach also called ‘story telling’ was used by the researchers to give voice to the participants to elaborate on their own experiences. Thus asking the respondents questions about their understanding of work-life balance and how the COVID-19 has impacted their lives added valuable data to the research. The overall findings of the research show that the COVID-19 pandemic has actually added more pressure to the already strained situation of the employees and has some how compromised on the work quality.The findings also reveal that dealing with pandemics especially those that restrict movements of people is a complex task because each organization is unique and different. Therefore, workers experiences of coping with the situation differ from one another because every organization experiences the daily challenges differently in various contexts
The morphological evolution of -ile suffix across Bantu languages : The case of Nyasa-Tanganyika corridor
No full textThis paper describes morphological properties of -ile suffix across four Bantu languages selected from the Nyasa-Tanganyika corridor. The suffix -ile which is traditionally an aspect (perfective) marker is changing and becoming amenable to different roles across Bantu languages. The changing behaviour of the suffix and/or its disappearance in some languages makes it difficult to specify its roles unless close attention is paid to an individual language. The findings presented in this paper indicate that in the languages under study, the suffix –ile functions as both a tense and an aspect marker. It co-occurs with pre-root formatives to mark different past tenses. In Nyakyusa, in particular, the suffix marks different categories of aspect, namely anterior, non-progressive and indefinite conditional aspect. However, in Ndali, Malila and Nyiha, the suffix -ile marks only the non-progressive aspect. The data examined in this paper indicate that the additional role of -ile suffix has changed in addition to its traditional role, i.e., marking aspect; the suffix marks tense categories as well
Data to support African ‘resistance’ to COVID-19 hypothesis are not available
Full text linkMore than two years since the first case was reported in Africa, COVID-19 still lurks on the African continent, shattering the hopes and livelihoods of millions of people. Although Africans are accustomed to infectious disease outbreaks, COVID-19 seems unique in its aetiology and impacts. Assertions that Africans were ‘resistant’ to COVID-19 in the first wave were put forward, but data to support the accuracy of these claims are not available. More research data are required to explain COVID-19 prevalence and interventions in African settings. Control of COVID-19 should not just be left to medical doctors. All experts, working in multi-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary, intra-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary (MIIT) teams, should be involved in finding solutions to COVID-19 in Africa. We urge all our readers and contributors to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Biostimulation potentials of saw dust and cow blood on a spent engine oil polluted soil
Full text linkThe study was carried out to examine the biostimulatory effect of saw dust and cow blood on remediation of soil polluted with spent engine oil. A completely randomized design with four treatments and three replicates each were used; three rates of saw dust and 1 litre of blood was applied to crude oil polluted soils. The results for soil physicochemical parameters showed significant variations (P < 0.05) as the levels of total organic carbon, total petroleum hydrocarbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and nitrogen increased 2 weeks after pollution but decreased 4weeks after remediation. The bacteria count at two weeks after pollution was (1.4 × 103to 21.07 × 103) but increased at 4 weeks after remediation to (1.67 × 103 to 80.13 × 103 ). This study showed improved soil physicochemical properties after the application of saw dust and cow blood as biostimulatory agents on the soil polluted with spent engine oil
The Experience of international students on studying a master's course at Delta University : N/A
No full textABSTRACT
This study investigates the experiences of international students on studying a postgraduate course at Delta University. Previous studies have not explored in detail the experiences of blended learning on international students during the Covid-19 era when universities in the UK shifted teaching from face-to-face to blended or online learning. This research thus seeks to address this research deficit by employing zoom interview method to examine international students’ experiences of blended learning.
The research discovered that some international students had positive experiences of studying a postgraduate course because the university staff members were supportive towards students. Furthermore, blended learning gave students the flexibility to manage their studies. On the contrary, students’ negative experiences were attributed mostly to Covid-19 regulations of social distancing whereby students made limited friends and various students’ activities were cancelled. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made. Provision of sufficient and relevant information to students on what will be taught in courses is needed in order for students to make the right decisions regarding the courses of study. Additionally, students need extra support on how to write the dissertation. Moreover, lecturers should offer the pre-recorded videos as an online live session because students concentrate effectively when lectures are leading the session compared to when students are on their own
The effect of arboricide application on soil chemical properties at Neudamm farm, Namibia
No full textAbstract
This study assessed the effects of chemical treatments on soil chemical properties at Neudamm farm. A total of 6 composite soil samples were randomly collected from all three 250 m2 belt transects in each of the three chemically treated and control sites at a depth of 15 cm using a soil auger. The soil was analysed for pH, organic matter, organic carbon and soil minerals. A GLM procedure of SAS was used for analyses. The soil pH was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the chemically treated site of 2015 (6.06), followed by the control (5.61) and the chemically treated site of 2017 (5.5). The OC and OM percentages were greater (P < 0.05) in the chemically treated site of 2015 than in all three sites. The chemically treated site of 2016 had the highest soil Ca (551 ppm), K (197.3 ppm), Mg (76 ppm), P (23.3) contents, followed by the site of 2015, than the control site. The study concluded that chemically treated sites had improved soil fertility through controlled bush density. The study recommends that arboricides should be applied as aftercare and for long term monitoring be carried out routinely to acquire systematic trends of the soil chemical properties.
 
Assessment of elephant poaching in rural communities:: Case studies of four Villages in the Okavango Delta Area, Northern Botswana
No full textBotswana’s 2005 Environmental Management Act plays an important role in facilitating the overall management and sustainable utilisation of the country’s natural environment, including wildlife and the wilderness. Yet, wildlife conservation and poaching/illegal hunting is still a challenge in the country. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess elephant poaching in four rural communities in the Okavango Delta region in Northern Botswana. A datasheet was designed and used to capture elephant poaching registered cases at the four wildlife (Department of wildlife and National parks) stations. Additionally, a semi-structured questionnaire with open and close-ended questions was used to solicit perceptions and thoughts on elephant poaching in the study area. The results indicate an increase in elephant poaching at the four study sites despite the newly introduced wildlife poaching deterrent strategy known as “shoot to kill”. A large number of elephants were poached and firearms were used, with the .375 calibre rifle and its ammunition being popular. Generally, elephant poaching occurs during the winter time and poachers are mainly citizens. Overall, illegal hunting or poaching of trophy animal species remains a challenge in Northern Botswana. While illegal poachers have become sophisticated, the management and sustainability of such resources prove to be difficult, although there is a sign of decline. Hence, the government has to deal with wildlife resources (especially elephants) management almost immediately as it threatens the existence of the rich animal heritage resources of the Okavango region. Therefore, we recommend that the Botswana government intensifies anti-poaching patrols countrywide, especially in the Okavango region during the winter period when the demand appears to become too high. Stricter controls should be made on access to firearms. The government needs to liaise with neighbouring countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and others to curb the scourge and increase measures to sustain wildlife heritage resources in the region
A model for language of science interpretation: Rhetorical understanding of climate change scientific discourse
Full text linkThe study explored the dynamics of the rhetoric of the models on climate change publications. The model for the language of science interpretation presented in this research paper was developed from the analysis of climate change publications. Additionally, the arguments presented in this study were drawn from a theoretical framework that saw rhetorical argument and discourse as a significant feature of science publications. The language filter model of science interpretation presented was intended to demystify the language of science. It clearly shows how knowledge as perceived by scientists goes through different stages before it reaches the consumers of that knowledge. Afterwards, the perceived knowledge goes through language interpretation and language is arguably affected by time. Regardless of how careful scientists can be in describing the observable elements of phenomena, cultural meanings and cultural bias are likely to subvert the aim of objectivity. The study adopted a qualitative approach. By employing a qualitative approach, the emphasis was to discover and understand the epistemological dynamics of the rhetoric of science interpretations. Rhetorical interpretations of science publications seem to be multifaceted, thus, requiring a research design that enabled such complexity to be analysed and explored. The study concluded that models seemed to be effective in dealing with large information; they, however, lack the epistemological and ontological interconnections between science and public interest
Using the sound reading system to teach English spelling: A case study
Full text linkNamibia is a country where English is mostly acquired as a taught subject and Grade 4 is a transitional year where the medium of instruction changes from the mother tongue or predominant local language to English. The National Curriculum specifies that it is crucial for learners to acquire English literacy skills in Grades 1, 2 and 3 to ensure a smooth transitioning to Gr.4. However, data revealed that when Namibian learners enter the Senior Primary phase (Grade 4-7), their shaky foundation leaves them at a disadvantage which hinders optimal academic progress. Spelling is essential for reading comprehension therefore it is crucial for literacy development and needs to be taught explicitly in the Junior Primary phase. The case study presented in this paper is part of a broader qualitative M.Ed. study which explored the teaching of English spelling by using the Sound Reading System (SRS) in spelling instruction from Grade 1 to Grade 3 at a school in the Erongo region of Namibia. The findings revealed that teachers felt their own alphabetic knowledge was strengthened and their approach to teaching spelling had evolved. The use of SRS provided a systematic approach to their teaching. The teachers believed that there is a definite link between spelling and reading and that this strategy has provided an opportunity to teach these skills simultaneously and in an integrated manner. The paper discloses that for spelling instruction to be effective, teachers should be equipped with thorough alphabetic knowledge as well as pedagogic content knowledge
Metaphor in newspaper communication on cancer in southern Africa: The case of Lesotho press: The case of Lesotho press
No full textThis paper examines military metaphors used in cancer illness discourse in Lesotho. The paper focuses on metaphors used in Sesotho newspapers’ communication and the ideologies encoded by the identified metaphors. Through a qualitative content analysis approach, analysis of the data reveals that the role of military metaphors employed by the Sesotho press in cancer communication is to highlight the government’s and institutions’ commitment to spearheading massive mobilisation of efforts towards addressing this social ill. However, this paper argues that cancer discourse in the Sesotho press should not be dominated by military metaphors. This is based on a view that militarised language promotes a dichotomous world view where there are winners and losers, and this may promote dichotomous thinking where cancer is presented as a contest of either winning or losing. This paper maintains that this framing is problematic because, as it has been observed, cancer is a deadly disease, and therefore must be treated with caution including the use of language that is devoid of stigmatisation