Browsing by Title
-
Dikinya, O.; Areola, O. (Springer, http://link.springer.com/, March NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The use of treated urban wastewater for irrigation is a relatively recent innovation in Botswana and knowledge is still limited on its impact on soil heavy metal levels. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare heavy metal concentration in secondary wastewater irrigated soils being cultivated to different crops: olive, maize, spinach and tomato in the Glen Valley near Gaborone City, Botswana. The studied crop plots have been cultivated continuously under treated wastewater irrigation for at least 3 years. Most crop farms have sandy loam, loamy sand soils. Based on food and agriculture organization, heavy metal threshold values for crop production have been studied. Results showed that the wastewater irrigated soils in the Glen Valley have higher cadmium, nickel and copper than desirable levels, while the levels of mercury, lead and zinc are lower than the maximum threshold values recommended for crop production. The control sites show that the soils are naturally high in some of these heavy metals (e.g copper, zinc, nickel) and that crop cultivation under wastewater irrigation has actually lowered the heavy metal content. Comparing between the crops, mercury and cadmium levels are highest in soils under maize and decline linearly from maize to spinach to olive to tomato and control site. By contrast, concentrations of the other metals are at their lowest in maize and then increase from maize to spinach to olive to tomato and to control site. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1105 Files in this item: 1
ijest 2010 dikinya and areola.pdf (685.3Kb) -
Jain, P. (Emerald, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Purpose – This paper analyses the opinions of the Botswana National Library Service’s (BNLS)Headquarters (HQ)staff and staff of the Botswana public libraries on strategic human resource management issues, which were tested by six hypotheses. Design/methodology/ approach – The analysis was carried out by statistical means. The t-test was the method used for comparing the two groups’ mean scores. Analyses were repeated using the Chi-squared test. Findings – The study identified a number of issues where staff had differences of opinion: changing employees’ expectations about work, transformational leadership, job satisfaction, performance feedback and delegation of responsibility. The paper briefly discusses the issues where the status of the library influenced staff opinions. Research limitations/implications – It is to be noted that the data collected from HQ has to be used with caution because the number of respondents there was smaller than the respondents from public libraries. Practical implications – The author throws light on human resource management techniques in the everyday library environment. This paper may help policy makers to identify ways in which they can motivate their employees; it may help policy planners to identify their staff’s different requirements. Originality/value – This paper provides a useful and insightful application of a general human resource management tool to the specific organizational context of public libraries. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/771 Files in this item: 1
Jain_LR_2005.pdf (1.185Mb) -
Ntsabane, T. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Southern Africa has through much of its 20th century history been characterised by a centre~periphery regional economic system. At the centre has been South Africa(minus its African reserves) and the rest of the region the periphery. Key has been the migrant labour system whereby the centre has been able to extract cheap labour from its periphery. The cheapness, however, is disputed by among others Burawoy (1976). The labour- supplying periphery was actually composed of two tiers. On the one hand were the African Reserves, comprising the Transkei, Ciskei, Bophuthatswana, etc., politically a part of South Africa. On the other hand were the independent states of Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/893 Files in this item: 1
Ntsabane_PBJAS_2003.pdf (764.7Kb) -
Morapedi, W.G. (Routledge (Taylor and Francis) www.routledge.com, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: This article focuses mainly on the Tuli block and Ghanzi farming areas because they were and still are the most economically viable. The aim of this article is to draw a comparison between the labour situation in Ghanzi and the Tuli Block farms during the protectorate years, specifically from 1930 to 1966. These two areas lie in two extreme ends of Botswana. The Ghanzi farms lie in the dry highlands of western Botswana, close to Namibia. In the 1930s and early 1940s Ghanzi was a peripheral area, having little contact with the rest of the country and the settler economy being largely subsistence. The Tuli Block is in the valley bushveld of eastern Botswana close to the Transvaal (now Limpopo province).By the 1930s and 1940s, this area had already adopted commercial farming. It is interesting to compare these two areas because while one would expect many similarities under British protection, the contextual variations that existed also created divergences that invite comparisons. Whites (predominantly Afrikaners) from South Africa owned the farms in both areas, but there were different regional variations, different ecological zones and ethnic workforces that make an interesting comparison. These key aspects of the farming areas and their implications will become clear as the study unfolds. Another interesting comparison is between the different ethnicities that provided labour within the Ghanzi farms. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/506 Files in this item: 1
morapedi_AS_2007.pdf (2.681Mb) -
Moroke, T.S.; Dikinya, O.; Patrick, C. (Elsevier Science Ltd, http://www.elsevier.com/locate/pce, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Water infiltration is an important component of water balance for improving crop production potential in dryland soil tillage systems in Botswana, particularly in the eastern region. Hardsetting soils common in arable lands of Botswana, often require some kind of tillage such as mouldboard ploughing, chiselling and ripping to improve waterharvesting and crop growth conditions. The objective of this study was to compare ponded cumulative infiltration, steady state infiltration rate and sorptivity of soils cultivated using deep ripping, single and double mouldboard ploughing. This study was conducted on Chromic Luvisols (sandy loam), Haplic Luvisols (sandy clay loam), Ferric Luvisols (clay loam), and Ferric Arenosols (sand). Infiltration was measured using double ring infiltrometer method for 4 h. Although infiltration was smaller on traffic line of deep ripping system at all sites, it was only significantly (P < 0.05) different on Ferric Luvisols and Ferric Arenosols. Compared with conventional ploughing, steady state infiltration was greater but not significantly (P > 0.05) different under deep ripped. Cumulative and steady state infiltration rate was greater under sandy than loamy soils, smaller under double ploughing compared with single ploughed and deep ripped soils. Sorptivity was not significantly (P > 0.05) different among tillage systems but was greater under sandy than sandy loam soils. Information on tillage and infiltration can improve implementation of waterharvesting technologies and crop production in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1007 Files in this item: 1
Moroke_PCE_2009.pdf (666.4Kb) -
Areola, O.; Dikinya, O.; Mosime, L. (Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/Journals/AJPSB.html, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This study compares soil quality parameters, and salinity and heavy metal levels in soils cultivated with different crops under secondary treated wastewater irrigation in the Glen Valley, near Gaborone City, Botswana. The hypothesis being tested is that the impact of wastewater on soil quality varies with soils and crop types. The study covers 4 selected crops, maize (Zea mays L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), olive (Olea europaea), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), most widely cultivated by the farmers. Three farm plots per crop type were sampled at 5 sampling points and at two soil depths, 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Samples were also collected at 5 sampling points from two control sites. Irrigation water samples were collected from microbiological analysis from 2 farms per crop type. The most significant differences and relationships are between those crop farms, such as maize and two of the spinach plots, with predominantly sandy soils (loamy sands – sand loams) on the one hand, and the olive, tomato and one of the spinach plots with sandy clay loams on the other. The importance of soil texture was confirmed by the strong correlations between the sand and silt contents, several soil quality parameters, heavy metals and other elements. With the exception of Cd and Hg, most soil heavy metal contents were lower on the irrigated plots than on the control plot. The EC values also show that soil salinity levels were still low on the irrigated fields, but SAR and ESP values were high. The secondary treated wastewater being used in the Glen Valley is biologically clean, but one recorded case of E. coli emphasizes the importance of avoiding sprinkler irrigation at all costs to protect human health. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1002 Files in this item: 1
Dikinya_AJPSB_2011.pdf (249.7Kb) -
Nnyepi, M.; Gobotswang, K.S.M.; Codjia, P. (Macmillan, www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/, May 12, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This study documents a marked discrepancy between the nutritional status of children aged 0–5 years in Botswana when measured by national surveys compared to clinic-based surveillance. We compared the average prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age z-scores below 2 standard deviations of the mean of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)/WHO reference standards) in children 0–5 years of age. According to clinic surveillance, prevalence of underweight has fallen from 14.670.03 to 3.570.04 per cent between 1993 and 2010. In national surveys, it had fallen from 14.670.01 to 11.570.01 per cent between 1993 and 2007. We explored several possibilities to explain this discrepancy, and conclude that it is because of sampling bias in the clinic surveillance. This finding underlines the need for properly conducted surveys to ensure accurate information about the nutritional status of children. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1051 Files in this item: 1
Nnyepi_JPHP_2011.pdf (1.267Mb) -
Oladokun, O. (Routledge (Taylor & Francis) www.routledge.com, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The study investigated the information seeking behaviour of two categories of distance learners in Botswana, comprising the cross border students and those that registered with the University of Botswana. The return of 364 duly completed questionnaires recorded 70.1 percent response rate. Cross tabulation and chisquare were made to relate the independent variables to the findings and establish possible influence where appropriate. The study made recommendations that could assist the providers of distance education on the information milieu in which distance learners operate generally in Africa and Botswana in particular and also lead to the improvement of students’ use of information resources. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/656 Files in this item: 1
Oladokun_JLISDL_2010.pdf (1.331Mb) -
Mafela, L. (Research and Development Unit, University of Botswana. http://www.thuto.org, NaN, 1997)[more][less]
Abstract: In both precolonial and Westerm forms of schooling, education was a crucial medium of construction and articulation of ideas concerning the role and behaviour of women. Precolonial education reproduced and maintained sharp gender differentiation in the division of labour. Socialisation and women's own internalisation of their role and position in society, upheld dominant male ideology and subordination of women. Under colonialism, missionary and colonial education renegotiated but did not fundamentally change the role and position of women. However, it inadvertently also provided women with ways to move out of the household sphere into the wider labour market, albeit as unequal participants. Missionary education strictly separated the sexes and rested on the continued association of women with Victorian notions of 'domesticity'. The concept of ideology is used in this paper to tease out and highlight the gender dynamics which have influenced and directed education among Batswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/525 Files in this item: 1
mafela Competing gender ideologies.pdf (794.6Kb) -
Ngowi, A.B. (MCB University Press. http//:www.emerald.library.com/ft, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: The primary purpose of forming alliance in the construction industry is to pool together the resources of the participating partners in order to form a team that has a competitive advantage. Each partner in an alliance has its own competence and market share that do not necessarily fall under the alliance as common resources. Therefore, although the competitive advantage aimed at when forming an alliance is for common profits, each partner has a possibility of using it (the competitive advantage) for private profits (i.e. activities that do not fall under the alliance). Using a case study from Botswana, this paper argues that a construction alliances strives as long as the profits created by common activities are substantially higher that the ones that can be created by private activities. Once one of the partners in the alliance can create the competitive advantage in question on its own, it will opt out of the alliance through such mechanisms as withdrawing some of its key contributions to the alliance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/344 Files in this item: 1
Ngowi_2001_JEIMngt.pdf (1.186Mb) -
Ngowi, A.B.; Iwisi, D.; Mushi, R. (Taylor and Francis Ltd. http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/09613218.asp, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: Traditionally, competitive advantage has been based upon large-scale production and accumulation of large quantities of physical and financial assets. Large financially capable firms, particularly Multi-national Corporations (MNCs) and large construction firms create competitive advantages and sustain them through the use of such defence mechanisms as entry barriers and other competition-impeding features of industry structure. Small firms in developing countries, especially in Africa can hardly mobilize financial resources to match the MNCs and the large construction firms, nor can they employ similar defence mechanisms due to their lack of global reach.Using the construction industry in Botswana, the paper reports on a pilot study that investigated the factors that are crucial to creating constantly changing competitive advantage in the context of low financial resources. It concludes by emphasizing that firms operating in low financial contexts should create dynamic competitive advantages instead of imitating the strategies used by large financially capable firms. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/264 Files in this item: 1
-
Mookodi, G.B. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: The concept of female-headed household has emerged as an important analytical category in the examination of poverty in life chances both within the context of policy research and social science scholarship. This paper presents the complexities that arise in the use of the concept of female-headed household within the context of Botswana. The paper presents some of the criticisms that the concept of headship in itself presents a monolithic and often limited notion of social organisation that fails to take into account complex gendered social interactions that occur within and outside the confines of domestic units. The results of a study conducted in 1996 reveal the complex interplay of cultural-structure and individual agency that are obscured by discrete notions of 'headship'. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/905 Files in this item: 1
Mookodi_PBJAS_2000.pdf (1.239Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Luhanga, P.V.C.; King, J.G. (Regional Energy Resources Information Center (RERIC) Asian Institute of Technology. http://www.rericjournal.ait.ac.th/index.php/reric/index, December NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Please refer to the attached article for the ABSTRACT. Due to technical problems with some scientific formulae it was not possible to upload the abstract HERE. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/408 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_IEJ_2005.pdf (2.539Mb) -
Comprehensive study of solar conditions in Mozambique: the effect of trade winds on solar componentsNijegorodov, N.I.; Devan, K.R.S.; Simao, H.; Mabbs, R. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/renene, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: A new algorithm to simulate all solar components and optimum slopes, Bopt, based on new models for direct normal beam and diffuse radiation and an analytical model to predict Bopt, developed at the University of Botswana is applied for complete study of solar conditions in Mozambique. The components of solar radiation depend to a large extent on the number of h of sunshine. However, it is obvious that cloud-cover is determined mainly by the prevailing trade winds, which carry moisture and rain clouds. This is of especial concern in coastal areas. In the current work, hourly, I, daily, H and monthly mean, H¯ components of solar radiation and the optimum slopes of a north-south aligned collector are simulated and analyzed for 21 synoptic stations in Mozambique. Monthly mean daily direct normal, H¯ bn solar radiation maps are plotted for December and June and discussed. It is found that, to a great extent, isoinsolation curves are determined by the prevailing trade winds, mountain chains and coastal conditions. Plotted maps of annual mean daily direct normal and global solar radiation also show tremendous dependence on the prevailing winds. Several special locations in Mozambique with quite high or very low solar radiation components are pointed out and the reasons explained. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/267 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_RE28_2003.pdf (2.514Mb) -
Ayalew, Y.; Mbero, Z.A.; Nkgau, T.Z.; Motlogelwa, P.; Masizana-Katongo, A. (The Science and Information Organization, http://thesai.org/Publication/Default.aspx, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a content analysis of computing job adverts to assess the types of skills required by employers in Botswana. Through the study of job adverts for computing professionals for one year (i.e., January 2008 to December 2008), we identified the types of skills required by employers for early career positions. The job adverts were collected from 7 major newspapers (published both daily and weekly) that are circulated throughout the country. The findings of the survey have been used for the revision and development of curricula for undergraduate degree programmes at the Department of Computer Science, University of Botswana. The content analysis focused on the identification of the most sought after types of qualifications (i.e., degree types), job titles, skills, and industry certifications. Our analysis reveals that the majority of the adverts did not set a preference to a particular type of computing degree. Furthermore, our findings indicate that those job titles and computing skills which are on high demand are not consistent with previous studies carried out in the developed countries. This requires further investigation to identify reasons for these differences from the perspective of the practices in the IT industry. It also requires further investigation regarding the degree of mismatch between the employers computing skills demands and the knowledge and skills provided by academic programmes in the country. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/916 Files in this item: 1
Mbero_IJACSA_2011.pdf (417.6Kb) -
Pheko, B.C. (Kamla-Raj Enterprises, http://www.krepublishers.com, March NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate the outcomes of the 10 year- basic education policy in Botswana through comparison of one cohort national results of School Leaving Examination (PSLE) of 2003 and its Junior Certificate (JC) of 2006. The main assumptions of this policy are that all children will have gone through a quality education. The PSLE (2003) results indicate that most pupils passed their examinations and proceeded to junior secondary education level. However, the problem is that the JC national results of 2006 show that most completers have poor results which do not allow them to proceed to senior secondary education. This is an indication of poor quality education. The observation is that class sizes at junior secondary education are huge (45 - 51) and there are inadequate teaching resources at junior secondary education. The Ministry of Education should take cognizance of the educational problems at this level and make efforts to reduce class size, provide adequate teaching resources so that teachers could be able to give each student the attention she/he deserves. These have affected students’ performances and it is therefore important for the Ministry of Education to introduce Regional examinations at Form 2 in order to monitor each individual performance and provide remedial if it is necessary. These may improve quality education at this level. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1093 Files in this item: 1
Pheko_JSS_2010.pdf (623.3Kb) -
Mmopelwa, G.; Ngwenya, B.N. (Academic Journals, December 4, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The Okavango Delta is the largest multi-species and multi-gear fishery in Botswana. However, there is lack of an understanding of the nature of fish market in the Delta. The objectives of the survey were (1) to identify and describe the socio economic profile of the fishers in the fishing market, (2) to describe the operations of the market and (3) to identify market constraints of fishing. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from fishers in four study sites in the Delta. The study revealed that fishing market in the Okavango Delta is very ‘informal’ in nature, with almost no intermediaries, and catering only for the local population. Lack of preservation facilities, transport, low levels of skills and lack of access to credit are the various constraints facing fishers. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/739 Files in this item: 1
-
Bolaane, B. (July 2, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Public participation is considered the touchstone for the success of recycling schemes. In recognition of this, the trend in recycling policy and legislation is geared towards promoting people centred approaches in recycling with public education as the main driver towards increasing public participation. Most of the time, these initiatives do not take into consideration the perceptions and attitudes of the key stakeholders of municipal officials and the public towards waste recycling schemes. These perceptions and attitudes appear equivocal. This paper highlights the potential constraints to promoting people centred approaches in recycling and recommends some strategies that could mitigate them. The paper is based on a case of Gaborone and used household and key-informant interviews. The study found that, even though municipal officials in Gaborone are aware of the potential benefits of recycling, they appear not to embrace waste management reforms such as municipally organised recycling schemes amid their limited knowledge in organising such schemes. In addition, the study found that even though the public are aware of recycling, this does not necessarily translate into participation in recycling initiatives. Other factors such as limited economic direct economic incentives and absence of ‘visible’ recycling centres were found to limit participation in recycling initiatives. Further, the public are biased towards separating materials for recycling that have known markets and are of significant financial value. The paper concludes that while public education is important to raise awareness and enhance public participation in recycling, in Gaborone, such education must be complemented by direct incentives targeted to the participating public. To this end, the paper proposes a multi-stakeholder approach to recycling initiatives that involve NGOs, households, the private and public sectors to mitigate some of the above constraints. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/141 Files in this item: 2
bolaane _constraints.pdf (119.4Kb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Ssegawa, J.K. (University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: By the turn of the century, Botswana will be 34 years old as an independent nation. Reflecting on the past, is a background of tremendous achievements from a socio-economic development perspective. The achievements could not have been possible if it was not for the contribution. The construction industry’s (CI) contribution to socio-economic development may be viewed from many areas, among them, creating employment, wealth and demand for manufactured goods, infrastructure and producing factors of production (e.g. office space, factory shells, roads, etc) for other sectors. However, the relationship between the general economy and the CI has not been established explicitly despite numerous studies. Using Botswana’s CI and the economy, some of the paradigms proposed in previous studies revisited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/843 Files in this item: 1
Ssegawa_BJT_1999.pdf (1.185Mb) -
Ssegawa, J.K. (University of Botswana http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: By the turn of the century,Botswana will be 34 years old as an independent nation. Reflecting on the past, is a background of tremedous achievements from a socio-economic development perspective.The achievement could not have been possible if it was not for the contribution from the various sectors of the economy, such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and of course, construction. The construction industry's (CI) contribution to socio-economic development may be viewed from many areas, among them, creating employment, wealth and demand for manufactured goods, infrastructure and producing factors of production(e.g. office space, factory shells, roads, etc.) for other sectors. However, the relationship between the general economy and the CI has not been established explicitly despite the numerous studies. Using Botswana's CI and the economy, some of the paradigms proposed in previous studies revisited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/706 Files in this item: 1
Ssegawa_BJT_1999.pdf (1.950Mb)