Browsing by Title
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Kalabamu, F. (Elsevier http://www. doi:10.1016/j.habitatint.2003.09.005, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to identify gender contracts in self-help housing construction. Gender contracts have been defined as invisible power relationships that determine roles, responsibilities, privileges, status, sexuality and behaviour of men and women within households, communities, the market and the state. Gender contracts shape social, economic, political and sexual relationships in what people often refer to as ‘our culture’. Various gender contracts constitute a gender system (e.g. patriarchy or matriarchy) under which general rules, perceptions, hierarchies and privileges are formulated, refined and preserved. The paper notes that although the advent of colonialism and capitalism did not replace patriarchal structures in Botswana, they set in new political and production systems that upset the traditional power base and provided opportunities for women to challenge traditional gender contracts—notably the marriage contract that had hitherto been used to oppress women. The paper further notes that despite women having made inroads into male domains, there has surfaced new sites and forms of female subordination largely due to gendered inequalities in accessing and controlling contemporary critical resources (land, money, modern technical skills and formal employment) as well as continued male dominance of community and state structures. Taking Lobatse as a case study, the paper tries to identify gender contracts formed as a result of men’s takeover of construction activities which were traditionally undertaken by women in Botswana. It notes that besides dominating construction work, men control access to land, building skills, housing finance, and the entire self-help housing process in Lobatse, thereby forcing women into subordinate positions from which they have to bargain or negotiate new gender contracts. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/430 Files in this item: 1
Kalabamu_HI_2005.pdf (2.325Mb) -
Mafela, L. (Routledge. http://www.informaworld.com, August NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This study explores the historical relationship between the languages of Basarwa of Botswana and Setswana, in order to understand the dynamics underpinning their appropriation of the Setswana language, as they adjust to their changing livelihoods. The study contributes towards the promotion of a better understanding and awareness of the issues of language shift and language use amongst Basarwa. Basarwa occupy the lowest rungs of the social ladder in Botswana. Due to the close association between the status of the people and the status of their language, the Basarwa languages accordingly rank low in use and status nationally (Andersson & Janson, 2004, p. 118; Batibo, 2005, p. 71). Like the other minority languages, the Basarwa languages also have a low status and a low prestige in education and in written discourse. Moreover, the study observes that in their quest to mediate their socio-economic marginalisation, Basarwa have had to appropriate Setswana, the dominant national language for survival. However, their appropriation of the Setswana Language has had deleterious effects on their languages and overall sociocultural identity. In this context, the nationally dominant Setswana language not only dominates public discourse, but also official spoken discourse as well, while English dominates official written discourse (Andersson&Janson, 1993, pp. 83 84). The sources used to guide this analysis include secondary material, official and unofficial documents, as well as the author’s own observations, as a Motswana and an educationist. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/529 Files in this item: 1
Mafela_IJM_2009.pdf (1.665Mb) -
Rankokwane, B.; Gwebu, T.D. (Springer, www.springerlink.com/index/52P6472307264K5M.pdf, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: In Gaborone, as in other large cities in the developing world, individuals try to make a living by engaging in novel occupations such as landfill scavenging. This paper reports on a research conducted in the Gaborone landfill, the largest in Botswana. The study content-analyzed available literature from other countries. It also relied mainly on direct field observations. The discussions on and answers to closed and interview schedules by stakeholders, affected- and- interested – persons, provided the information on the threats and opportunities related to the landfill site and its informal management activities. This on-going case study lends credence to the potential of scavenging in sustaining livelihoods among those who cannot secure employment in the formal urban market. Scavenging tends to be useful although it may hazardous to the informal entrepreneurs. Taking all the threats into consideration, the decommissioning and closure of the landfill seems inevitable, in spite of the apparent short-term livelihood opportunities it provides to the informal sector. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/362 Files in this item: 1
Rankokwane_GJ_2006.pdf (1.200Mb) -
Mabaleha, M.B.; Yeboah, S.O. (AOCS Press., NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Seed oils from six legume cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris, grown in the Kingdom of Lesotho, were extracted and their physicochemical properties and FA compositions were determined in order to compare their dietary lipids with those in P. vulgaris cultivars grown in other parts of the world. The oil content of the beans was very low, ranging from 1.5 to 2.0% (w/w). The acid values ranged from 11.0 to 19.2 mg KOH/g, whereas a combination of the PV and the p-anisidine values in Holm’s equation gave oxidation values that ranged from 11.0 to 15.0. Thus, considerable enzymatic hydrolysis and oxidation had taken place in the beans during storage. Iodine values ranged from 80.5 to 92.3 (Wijs method), indicating moderate unsaturation in the oils. However, capillary GC analysis, supported by proton NMR analysis of the FAME, gave a total unsaturation range from 79.67 to 84.24%. The dominant FA were α-linolenic acid (36.47–48.81%) and linoleic acid (20.96–36.10%), with appreciable amounts of palmitic acid (14.33–18.23%). This FA composition pattern is quite similar to the FA distribution reported for low oil-bearing legume seeds. Thus, notwithstanding the different climatic and soil conditions, the general properties of lipids in the southern African legume cultivars were quite similar to those of lipids in P. vulgaris cultivars grown in other parts of the world. The high content of α-linolenic acid in the cultivars of P. vulgaris could very likely play a beneficial role in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease among the large populations consuming them in the southern African region. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/303 Files in this item: 1
Characterization and compositional.pdf (3.533Mb) -
Kayombo, B.; Meulenburg, F.; Moganane, B. G.; Dikinya, O.; Aliwa, J. N.; Nsinamwa, M.; Gaboutloeloe, G.; Patrick, C.; Mzuku, M.; Machacha, S. (University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, April NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: A study was carried out during 1998-2001 with the objective of, firstly, assessing the impact of cultivation on soil quality, and secondly, evaluating the effects of human and animal activities on soil erosion and range resources. A Topical Rapid Rural Appraisal (TRRA) based on rapid appraisal approaches, was conducted in three benchmark villages in Bobirwa Sub-district. A diagonistic survey report provided similar information for Kgalagadi District. Three benchmark sites were located in Bobirwa Sub-district and two others in Kgalagadi District. Soils were characterized at benchmark sites and in the laboratory for physiochemical properties. Soil erosion was monitored using embedded nail technique. At all benchmark sites, trends show a deterioration of soil quality, both in terms of nutrient depletion and poor physical properties for cultivated soils in comparison to uncultivated soils. There is visible evidence of environmental degradation of land resources resulting partly from considerable soil trampling and loosening during the dry season by livestock. During the wet season, the loosened soil is washed down elsewhere and/or deposited at watering points. The confounding effects of drought, overgrazing, poor management and ever-increasing utilization of veld products have led to the decline of a considerable number of tree and grass species. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/645 Files in this item: 1
Kayombo_BJT_2005.pdf (3.655Mb) -
Characterization of arsenic occurrence in the water and sediments of the Okavango Delta, NW BotswanaHuntsman-Mapila, P.; Mapila, T.; Letshwenyo, M.; Wolski, P.; Hemond, C. (Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam; http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/768/description#description, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Detailed chemical analyses were performed on surface water, groundwater and sediment samples collected from the Okavango Delta between February and November 2003 in order to examine the distribution and geochemistry of naturally occurring As in the area. Surface water in the Okavango Delta, which is neutral to slightly acidic and has high dissolved organic C (DOC), was found to be slightly enriched in As when compared to a global value for stream water. Of the 20 new borehole analyses from this project, six were found to have values exceeding 10 ug/L. the current World Health Organization provisional guideline value for As. The results from field speciation indicate that As(III) is slightly more predominant than As(V). There is a positive correlation between As and pH and between As and DOC in the groundwater samples. For the sediment samples, there is a positive correlation between As and Co. As and Fe. As and loss on ignition (LOI) and between As and the percent fines in the sample. Reductive dissolution of oxides and hydroxides in the sediments with organic C as an electron acceptor is the likely mechanism for the release of As from the sediments into the groundwater. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/135 Files in this item: 2
huntsman-mapila_app_geochem.pdf (3.170Mb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Døssinga, L.N.; Frei, R.; Stendal, H.; Mapeo, R.B.M. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/precamres, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Major and trace element, samarium (Sm)–neodymium (Nd) and lead (Pb) isotopic analyses of individual mesobands of five Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) and associated volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Neoarchean Tati Greenstone Belt (TGB, Northeastern Botswana) were conducted in order to characterize the source(s) and depositional environment(s). Rare earth element (REE)–yttrium (Y) patterns of individual BIF mesobands showfeatures characteristic of other Archean BIFs with LREE depletion relative to MREE and HREE, positive La/La∗PAAS, Eu/Eu∗PAAS, Y/Ho ratios and no Ce/Ce∗PAAS anomalies. The REY patterns are comparable to modern seawater and together with low concentrations of high-field strength elements these features are indicative of an essentially detritus-free precipitation. Elevated Eu anomalies in the TGB BIFs are a general feature observed in ∼2.7 Ga BIFs worldwide and possibly result from widespread magmatic activity and associated high-temperature fluid fluxes to the oceans at around this time. Uranogenic Pb isotope data for the BIFs define correlation lines with slopes corresponding to apparent ages of ∼2.7 Ga which brackets the depositional timeframe. Pb isotope data on sulfides and Pb-stepwise leaching (PbSL) data on garnets define a correlation line with an apparent age of 1976±88 Ma. This age is similar to tectono-metamorphic events within the adjacent Limpopo belt. Elevated 207Pb/204Pb relative to 206Pb/204Pb ratios of BIFs are indicative of a high- (238U/204Pb) prehistory of their source materials which can best be modeled by a 3.0–3.2 Ga extraction of these sources from an older Archean mantle reservoir. The TGB BIFs show evidence of two periodically interacting water masses during the deposition. The first is characterized by elevated Sm/Nd ratios and a negative inferred εNd(2.7 Ga) value of −2.5 and is associated with high Fe fluxes. The second source, associated with high Si fluxes, is characterized by lower Sm/Nd ratios and a less negative inferred εNd(2.7 Ga) value of −0.4. While the association of high Fe concentrations and elevated Sm–Nd in BIF mesobands is characteristic of hydrothermal seawater input, the Sm–Nd isotopic characterization of this source, unlike other Archean BIFs, points to a significantly LREE enriched mantle source. This finding is compatible with the potential existence of a sub-continental lithospheric mantle reservoir beneath the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal craton. The old (up to ∼3.5 Ga) Nd (TDM) model ages, particularly of iron-rich mesobands of the TGB BIFs, support such a scenario. In contrast, Si-rich solutes were likely derived from weathering of mafic continental crust. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/389 Files in this item: 1
Mapeo2009Characterization.pdf (2.630Mb) -
Metuno, R.; Ngandeu, F.; Tchinda, A.T.; Ngameni, B.; Kapche, G.D.W.F.; Djemgou, P.C.; Ngadjui, B.T.; Bezabih, M.; Abegaz, B.M. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/biochemsyseco, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Three species of the genus Treculia namely, Treculia acuminata Baill., Treculia africana Decne ex. Treà ´cul and Treculia obovoidea N.E.Br. grow in the humid rain forest of southwest Cameroon. They are also widely distributed in tropical Africa. T. africana is commonly known as African bread fruit. These three species are commonly used in folk medicine against skin diseases and dental allergies (Berg et al., 1985). The twigs, stem and wood of T. acuminata and the leaves of T. africana, whose chemical constituents are reported herein, were collected from Kumba, Cameroon, in August 2004, and identified by Mr Victor Nana of the National Herbarium in Yaounde, Cameroon where voucher specimens (N 2921/Srf/CAM and 29053/SRF/Cam, respectively) are deposited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/291 Files in this item: 1
Chemical constituents of Treculia.pdf (2.209Mb) -
Dikinya, O.; Mufwanzala, N. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/JSSEM, May NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The utilization of chicken manure as an organic fertilizer is essential in improving soil productivity and crop production. We carried out the study to assess the effects of chicken manure on soil chemical properties and the response of application rate on the yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) as well as the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. To quantify these effects, we added chicken manure to samples of Calcisols, Arenosols and Luvisols at application rates: 5, 10, 20 and 40% chicken manure. The addition of chicken manure irrespective of application rate did not change the acidity or pH of Calcisol, suggesting its hypo-buffering capacity. While the results reveal increases of EC with increasing rate, at rate above 40%, the ECs were above the critical salinity level of 4 mS/cm indicating potential threat to soil productivity. The exchangeable bases increased with application rate, suggesting the positive effects of chicken manure in enhancing soil fertility. Similarly significant increase of nitrogen and phosphorus were observed following the addition of chicken manure. Initially the spinach yield increases up to optimum rate of 0.06, 0.07 and 0.16 g/plant for Luvisol, Arenosol and Calcisol, respectively and subsequently drops after critical threshold values; 15, 5 and 1% for Calcisol, Arenosol and Luvisol, respectively. Interestingly above the rate of 40%, the yield was almost zero for all soils, suggesting the ineffectiveness of chicken manure in enhancing soil productivity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1003 Files in this item: 1
Dikinya_JSSEM_2010.pdf (514.6Kb) -
Fako, T.T. (Taylor & Francis, www.taylorandfrancis.com, NaN, 1997)[more][less]
Abstract: The 1990s began with a commitment to children through the adoption, by the United Nations General Assembly, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This Convention set the minimum standards of protection for children's survival, health and education; protection against exploitation at work; protection against the degradations of war; and protection against physical and sexual abuse. By 20th July, 1994, 163 countries had ratified the Convention and 11 other countries had signed but not yet ratified the convention (World Health Organization, 1994:1). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1119 Files in this item: 1
Fako_ST_1997.pdf (535.5Kb) -
Maundeni, T. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Based on a recognition that men's abuse of women has an impact on children, there is much that social work can do to address the problem of children living with domestic violence. Using findings of a study on children's experiences of parental separation and divorce in Botswana. this paper focuses on children's experiences of violence in the family as well as on perceptions of how the violence affected them. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for social work. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/878 Files in this item: 1
Maundeni_PBJAS_2000.pdf (533.3Kb) -
Amanze, J.N. (Edinburgh University Press, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Argues that although Botswana is predominantly a Christian country, belief in and veneration of ancestors continues unabated. Ways in which the resilience of ancestor worship is based on the fact that it is the core of the Tswana Traditional Religion; Creation of another brand of Christianity that is attracting many Batswana Christians because they feel it is relevant to them as Africans in their struggle for human existence. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/765 Files in this item: 1
Amanze_SWC_2003.pdf (6.527Mb) -
Bwalya, Kelvin Joseph (May 14, 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: The emergence of knowledge economies and extensive use and adoption of ICT in business entities have placed more pressure on governments to implement e-Government in their public service delivery platforms. For some of the governments, implementation of e-Government follows no explicit strategy but is done with a loosely coordinated approach. A properly designed e-Government implementation strategy with input from the local context is desired if implementation were to be deemed successful. Because of efficiencies brought about by the adoption and appropriate use of ICT in businesses and other private sector entities, e-Government is slowly becoming a sine qua non for responsive and transparent governance and is seen as one of the most important ingredients to national competitiveness. Using a desk literature review, this paper emphasises the different factors that should be considered when developing e-Government projects, especially in Africa. The paper discusses the basics of e-Government readiness in Zambia by analysing the different initiatives that are being put in place to encourage e-Government development, and analyses the balance between the back-end and front-end applications in public delivery platforms. The paper posits that a lot needs to be done if proliferation of e-Government applications was to be attained in Zambia and that future Zambia and that future e-Government strategies should be implemented within the realm of community informatics. This entails the application of ICT aimed at personal, social, economic, cultural and governance development of and within communities. It is anticipated that the adoption of a community informatics approach will enable the citizens to buy-in to the different e-Government applications and thereby guarantee continued usage. This paper presents factors which may act as reference points when e-Government strategies are being drawn for the SADC region. Description: A discussion paper URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1146 Files in this item: 1
Bwalya_Unpublished_2011.pdf (3.081Mb) -
Mosha, A.C. (Allen press, www.allenpress.com/ -, NaN, 1996)[more][less]
Abstract: In this paper we trace how Gaborone has grown from a very small village to the capital city of Botswana in a period of less than 30 years. Attention has been given to how careful design of master plan concepts has shaped the city and responded to the needs and aspirations of the residents. Through appropriate and enabling urban- development policies, standards and codes, a very amenable environment has been created. The city can boast of adequate and modern civic and commercial centers; modern functional infrastructure including water, electricity, roads and sewage systems; access to land for virtually all people; adequate housing provided by both the public and the private sectors and for the low income, the adoption of a very successful program of squatter upgrad- ing and self-help housing. Through careful management and development control practices, city growth has been contained quite well in spite of rapid development and the future of the city looks quite bright. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1061 Files in this item: 1
Mosha_AMBIO_1996.pdf (2.779Mb) -
Code-switching in Botswana history classrooms in the decade of education for sustainable developmentMafela, L. (Routledge http://www.informaworld.com, July NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Education is an important vehicle for the achievement of overall sustainable development. Moreover, international organisations have encouraged governments around the world to work towards achieving education for all. The notion of inclusive education has been useful in ensuring that country-level educational policies and practices incorporate and serve the interests of learners coming from diverse socio-cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Language facilitation has been earmarked by UNESCO (2005) as a necessary component of education for sustainable development. Despite global affirmation of the importance of language, the absence of language facilitation policies hampers the achievement of education for sustainable development at classroom level. This article explores language use in Botswana's History classrooms in the context of education for sustainable development. It is based on an exploratory study that was undertaken to investigate the use of code-switching in Botswana's History classrooms. The article begins with a discussion of the concept, origins and evolution of sustainable development, and how it links with education for sustainable development. The article goes on to link education for sustainable development with issues of equity and inclusiveness, and explores the role of language in the facilitation of an enabling and interactive teaching and learning environment. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/725 Files in this item: 1
Mafela_LM_2009.pdf (1.531Mb) -
Mogobe, K.D.; Bruce, J.C.; Meyer, S. (University of South Africa (Unisa Press)http://www.unisa.ac.za/, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Higher education in developing countries face a particular challenge; half of the world’s higher education students are found in developing countries, placing great strain on an already under funded system. Whilst the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) health strategy urges countries to embark on massive capacity building, the truth is that the higher education sector in Africa does not have the resources to do so. The NEPAD higher education document (2001) proposes the idea of multi-country partnerships to address the sector’s problem and at the same time, address the capacity building needs for improved health care delivery. This paper reports on pertinent aspects of collaboration between universities on the African continent for the purpose of capacity building in nursing and midwifery. The paper outlines the rationale and context of the Collaboration in Higher Education for Nursing and Midwifery in Africa (CHENMA) project. The discussion focuses on the conditions in Africa that hamper the development of nursing and midwifery. It describes the efforts of the Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter to improve nursing and midwifery, initially in East Africa and later in Francophone Africa through the CHENMA project. The paper articulates the values and underpinning principles, outcomes of and lessons learnt from the project. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/685 Files in this item: 1
Collaboration in higher education.pdf (1.194Mb) -
Fombad, M.; Mutula, S.M. (University of Malaysia, http://ejum.fsktm.um.edu., NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: The paper discusses collection development practices at the University of Botswana Library that are largely influenced by subject librarians as the drivers of the collection development policy. The paper looks at the challenges facing the library’s collection development practices especially in relation to falling book budgets, proliferation of electronic materials, difficulties of dealing with faculty, poor book trade infrastructure, delays in the delivery of ordered books, and problems of evaluation of materials. The paper highlights strategies that the library is employing to deal with the challenges. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/715 Files in this item: 1
FombadUBLCollections.pdf (40.40Kb) -
Mafela, L. (Research and Development Unit, University of Botswana http://www.thuto.org, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The dairy industry arose in Bechuanaland primarily as an alternative to beef production in response to South Africa's restrictions on the import of cattle from the Protectorate African dairy producers were at a disadvantage compared to settler farmers due to the lack of government support for the infrastructure essential for highly perishable dairy produce The decline of dairy production in the later colonial period can be attributed to the revival of beef exporting, which undercut the Administration's already limited interest. These events can be situated within the broader pattern of colonial underdevelopment. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/699 Files in this item: 1
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Malumbela, G.; Alexander, M.; Moyo, P. (Elsevier http://www.linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0958946508000784, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents a discussion on a paper authored by Chung et al. [Chung L, Najm H, Balaguru P. Flexural behaviour of concrete slabs with corroded bars. Cement Concr Compos 2008;30:184-93]. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/426 Files in this item: 1
Malumbela_CCC_2008.pdf (146.7Kb) -
Magole, I. (Routledge, December 14, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The contestation for common pool resources in Botswana pits powerful institutions such as national governments and international organisations against powerless local communities who continue to rely heavily on these resources despite all attempts to dislodge them. This paper explores how common pool resource management has shifted from locally based and peoplecentred endogenous resource management to state-defined and controlled forms. This shift has marginalised San communities, who have historically relied on their commons for survival. The paper is informed by case studies of two San villages in Ngamiland District in northwestern Botswana, Mababe and Phuduhudu, both situated adjacent to national parks. The government and donor agencies introduced community-based natural resource management with the promise of reversing the loss of the commons for such groups as the San; however, the evidence on the ground suggests the promise has not been translated into practice. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/793 Files in this item: 1