Browsing by Title
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Chilisa, B. (National Council on Measurement in Education. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com, December NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The study briefly looks at the new developments in the national examination system in Botswana. With this new system, the government opted for a criterion-referenced testing (CRT) model for primary and junior secondary schooling national examinations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1009 Files in this item: 1
Chilisa_EMIP_1999.pdf (365.9Kb) -
Marobela, M. (Emerald Group Publications, www.emeraldinsight.com, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Capitalist transformation of the public sector is global phenomenon that affects many countries. This paper seeks to examine recent public sector reforms introduced by the Government of Botswana to improve civil service performance. The underlying political philosophy behind the change in the public sector is explored by relating neoliberal ideology which is driving the reform agenda to the discourse of new public management (NPM) URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/858 Files in this item: 1
marobela_IJSE35_2006.pdf (1.480Mb) -
Ntshwene, K.; Kashiwagi, J.; Kashiwagi, D. (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors http://www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=5042&fileExtension=PDF, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The traditional contracting/delivery system in Botswana, introduced by the US, UK, and European educators, consultants, and practitioners, has not been working well in Botswana. The poor project delivery system results have forced the organization of a new group, the Government Implementation Coordination Group (GICO) to attempt to solve the problems. In the fall of 2008, the University of Botswana (UB), through the US State Department sponsored Fulbright program, brought professor Kashiwagi, and the best value Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS) technology, the Information Measurement Theory (IMT), and the Industry Structure Analysis to the UB project management section. This paper proposes that the client’s professional representative requires a new, more effective role. The role includes using performance information, transforming the client’s expectations into a design/construction intent by using expert vendors, ensuring the vendors manage and minimize the risk that they do not control, outsourcing the technical responsibilities, and doing quality assurance instead of quality control. This paradigm will minimize project risk, maximize project value, and increase the professionalism of project management, construction management, and quantity surveyors. These concepts will be tested on three test projects in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/473 Files in this item: 1
Ntshwene_COBRA_2009.pdf (1.344Mb) -
Makgala, Christian John (Routledge (Taylor and Francis) http://www.routledge.com, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: This article is a modest sketch of the historical background to the phenomenon of xenophobia, with which policymakers in Botswana are grappling in the early twenty-first century. It is not, however, a historical treatise on xenophobia. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that scholarship on xenophobia is recent, being a post-liberation development in Southern Africa. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/510 Files in this item: 1
Makgala_AHR_2006.pdf (1.805Mb) -
Aranibar, J.N.; Otter, L.; Macko, S.A.; Feral, C.J.W.; Epstein, H.E.; Dowty, P.R.; Eckardt, F.; Shugart, H.H.; Swap, R.J. (Blackwell Publishing, January 1, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Nitrogen (N) cycling was analyzed in the Kalahari region of southern Africa, where a strong precipitation gradient (from 978 to 230mm mean annual precipitation) is the main variable affecting vegetation. The region is underlain by a homogeneous soil substrate, the Kalahari sands, and provides the opportunity to analyze climate effects on nutrient cycling. Soil and plant N pools, 15N natural abundance (d15N), and soil NO emissions were measured to indicate patterns of N cycling along a precipitation gradient. The importance of biogenic N2 fixation associated with vascular plants was estimated with foliar d15N and the basal area of leguminous plants. Soil and plant N was more 15N enriched in arid than in humid areas, and the relation was steeper in samples collected during wet than during dry years. This indicates a strong effect of annual precipitation variability on N cycling. Soil organic carbon and C/N decreased with aridity, and soil N was influenced by plant functional types. Biogenic N2 fixation associated with vascular plants was more important in humid areas. Nitrogen fixation associated with trees and shrubs was almost absent in arid areas, even though Mimosoideae species dominate. Soil NO emissions increased with temperature and moisture and were therefore estimated to be lower in drier areas. The isotopic pattern observed in the Kalahari (15N enrichment with aridity) agrees with the lower soil organic matter, soil C/N, and N2 fixation found in arid areas. However, the estimated NO emissions would cause an opposite pattern in d15N, suggesting that other processes, such as internal recycling and ammonia volatilization, may also affect isotopic signatures. This study indicates that spatial, and mainly temporal, variability of precipitation play a key role on N cycling and isotopic signatures in the soil–plant system. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/577 Files in this item: 1
ARANIBAR2004NITROGEN CYCLING.pdf (2.135Mb) -
Kamwendo, G. H. (Nordic Association of African Studies. http://www.njas.helsinki.fi, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: In 1994, South Africans of all races and political parties took part in the first democratic elections. The election and inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the first black president marked the beginning of a new era - an era of democracy. The new era has, among other things, witnessed reforms in language planning. The current paper is a critique of South Africa's language planning efforts during the first decade of democracy i.e. 1994-2004. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1097 Files in this item: 1
kamwendo_NJAS_2006.pdf (108.8Kb) -
Akpabio, E.; Mustapha-Lambe, K. (Brill academic publishers, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: From the viewpoint of the cultural imperialism hypothesis and its complications, the overall aim of this study was to find out if foreign films still had a stranglehold on Nigerian audience members. The findings indicate that a majority of respondents watch and have a favorable attitude towards Nigerian home video films. However, in terms of preference between local and foreign films, a small percentage indicated preference for the former. The study concludes that the high squality of production of American films accounts for the favorable views held by respondents, even though it is apparent that these and other foreign productions no longer have a captive market in Nigeria. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/463 Files in this item: 1
Akpabio_pgdt_2008.pdf (1.184Mb) -
Abegaz, B.M.; Ngadjui, B.T.; Bezabih, M.; Mdee, L.K. (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. http://www.iupac.org/publications/pac/, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: Marketed plants are an important but a vulnerable group of plants whose investigations as well as conservation should be considered with priority. The chemistry, and in some cases biological activities of novel iso¯avonoids, nor-lignans, anthracene and naphthalene derivatives and poly prenylated ¯avonoids isolated and characterized from Hagenia abyssinica, Salsola somalensis, Hypoxis spp., Taverniera abyssinica, Aloe spp., Bulbine capitata, Rhamnus prinoides and Dorstenia spp. are discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/289 Files in this item: 1
Novel natural products.pdf (4.533Mb) -
Nedović-Budić, Z.; Knaap, G.; Budhathoki, R.N.; Cavrić, B. (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, http://www.urisa.org/, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents an assessment of the regional capacity in implementing geographic information systems (GIS) and databases. We draw on a Web survey to determine the availability and assembly of spatial data at the metropolitan level in the United States. Information was sought from 388 planning organizations and regional agencies located in 349 metropolitan areas. Based on 116 responses (30 percent response rate), we generate descriptive statistics and run a regression model addressing the following aspects of the regional GIS capacity: data (contents, update, and assembly); technology (compatibility of software and data formats, data access, and the use of standards); people (staff, leadership commitment and support, regional communication and cooperation); policy (data sharing, funding, rules and responsibilities, and mandates/programs); and context (urban and regional issues and affluence). Although the survey reveals only a snapshot of a dynamic and evolving phenomenon, the results indicate that the status of metropolitan GIS in the United States may not be matching what is technically feasible. While the capacity is getting better over time, the process is relatively slow and the challenges of creating the base for building the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) are persistent. Future research and practice should place more emphasis on the relationship between the NSDI and its installed base. Nurturing of networks and compatibilities among organizational entities at various levels, local and regional in particular, should be given priority in devising policies and programs for a useful and sustainable spatial data infrastructure. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1022 Files in this item: 1
cavric2009BUILDINGBLOCKS.pdf (2.681Mb) -
Kaelo, P.; Ali, M.M. (Elsevier; www.elsevier.com/locate/ejor, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Modifications in mutation and localization in acceptance rule are suggested to the differential evolution algorithm for global optimization. Numerical experiments indicate that the resulting algorithms are considerably better than the original differential evolution algorithm. Therefore, they offer a reasonable alternative to many currently available stochastic algorithms, especially for problems requiring 'direct search type' methods. Numerical study is carried out using a set of 50 test problems many of which are inspired by practical applications. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/64 Files in this item: 2
kaelo_EJOP_2006.pdf (1.708Mb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
O'Halloran, L.; Shugart, H.; Wang, L.; Caylor, K.; Ringrose, S.; Kgope, B. (Elsevier, February 19, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The Kalahari Transect (KT) is an International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme mega-transect designed to examine hydrological and ecological patterns and processes throughout the savannas of southern Africa. The KT traverses a precipitation gradient ranging from w920 mm rain/year in the north to w260 mm rain/year in the south. Previous research shows a positive correlation between canopy cover and precipitation suggesting a water limitation on productivity. However, there has been minimal research on other possible sources of limitations, such as soil Nitrogen (N) and/or Phosphorus (P). We used a factorial in-situ experimental design to test for increased aboveground grass production (measured as peak season standing stock) under elevated soil P and Pþ N levels. Four sites along the KT precipitation gradient were used in this study: Mongu (Zambia), Pandamatenga (Botswana), Ghanzi (Botswana) and Tshane (Botswana). Soils at each site were amended with N and P fertilizers during the dry season. We extracted soil samples during the following growing season to analyze for plant available soil P. Vegetation samples were harvested from which we measured foliar P and aboveground grass biomass production. We saw differences in foliar P at the treatment and site level but not for the interaction between treatment and site. There were individual effects from site on biomass but not for any interactions with nutrient treatments. Despite higher levels of foliar P, we did not detect an increase in aboveground biomass. This may be explained by luxury uptake or allocation to below ground resources. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/797 Files in this item: 1
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Disele, P.L.P.; Peters, S.; Masoloko, T.; Shumba, A. (Office of Research and Development, University of Botswana; http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: The new millennium has come but we are not healthy: the Human Immuno-deficiency VIruS (HIV) IS taking its toll. It is critical for everyone to find ways of coping with this problem, along side campaigns to eradicate the virus. There is need to explore the power of nutrition in boosting the immune system. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1148 Files in this item: 1
Disele_PBJAS_2001.pdf (426.5Kb) -
Mahgoub, S.E.O. (AFAHPER-SD; see http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153, NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: Nutrition and health are closely related to each other. Adequate nutrition leads to good or normal health. The focus of this paper is on the interaction of, and relationships between, nutrition and infection (as a health aspect). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/220 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)Mahgoub_AJPHERD_1998.pdf (1.414Mb) -
Ekosse, G.; De Jager, L.; Van den Heever, D.J. (AJOL http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/article/view/30799/23130, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This study aimed at establishing occurrences of chest pains and frequent coughing among different classes of residents within Selibe Phikwe, Botswana where there are on going nickel-copper mining and smelting activities. Through the administration of questionnaires and structured question to 600 individuals, 7 health service providers, 200 business enterprises, and 30 educational institutions, attempts were made to establish and verify the existing human health status at Selebi Phikwe by focusing on chest pains and frequent coughing which are considered to be some of the respiratory tract related symptoms of sicknesses and diseases. With the aid of statistical package of social sciences (SPSS), interpreted results from respondents indicated that 33% of the individuals complained of persistent chest pains, and 27% of educational institutions, 45% business enterprises, and all health service providers had learners, workers, and patients who complained of chest pains. Furthermore, 49% of the individuals complained of persistent frequent coughing; and 70% of educational institutions, 45% business interprises, and all health service providers had learners, workers, and patients who complained of frequent coughing. According to study sites, respondents living in sites closest to the mine and smelter/concentrator plant reported a higher incidence of chest pains and frequent coughing, compared to those living in other parts of the study area. Residents associated fumes and dust from mining activities to the frequent coughing and persistent chest pains, which could be symptoms of respiratory tract diseases. This baseline investigation calls for further studies to establish relations of mining activities to human health at Selebi Phikwe. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/379 Files in this item: 1
Ekosse_AJHS_2005.pdf (2.243Mb) -
Oladokun, O.; Aina, L. (Athabasca University Press, www.aupress.ca, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Open and distance learning (ODL) has created room for the emergence of virtual education. Not only are students found everywhere and anywhere undertaking their studies and earning their degrees, but geographical boundaries between nations no longer appear to have much relevance. As the new education paradigm irretrievably alters the way teaching and learning is conducted, the application of modern educational ICTs has a major role to play. With students of transnational or cross-border education dispersed into various nooks and crannies of Botswana, many others enlist for the “home-baked” distance learning programmes from their diverse locations. Like the face-to-face conventional students, distance learners also have information needs which have to be met. But blocking the distance learners’ realization of their information needs is the digital divide, which further marginalizes the underclass of “info-poor.” The survey method was used, and a questionnaire administered to 519 students of four tertiary level distance teaching institutions that met the criteria set for the study yielded a 70.1% response rate. The results showed that while the Government of Botswana has made considerable effort to ensure country-wide access to ICT, which now constitutes an effective instrument for meeting information needs, a number of problems still exist. The factors impeding easy access are unearthed. The findings of an empirical study portraying some learners as information-rich and others as information-poor, and the consequence of distance learners studying on both sides of the digital divide, are discussed. Suggestions on bridging the digital divide are offered. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/971 Files in this item: 1
Oladukon_IRRODL_2011.pdf (1.307Mb) -
Ndana, N. (University of Botswana, Department of English, http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper explores the dilemma of the emergent African intellectual, activist or modern leader by focusing on Sol Plaatje's experiences. It shows that by acquiring western education and values, the African intellectual occupied a position of in-between-ness, forcing him or her to promote and oppose both western and African values, and beliefs, resulting in a split identity. Consequently, his or her relationship with both the foreign culture and what he or believed to be his or her people, was bound to be problematic, leading to frustrations and disappointment. In dealing with such frustration Plaatje employed Shakespeare's text to lash out at his fellow Africans, and Tswana speakers in particular, for their reluctance in supporting his political and cultural projects. I conclude by showing that blaming his people for what he perceived to be their lackadaisical and cavalier attitude towards projects intended to uplift their status was somewhat misguided because it failed to recognize the dynamics of adopting and imbibing western values. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/854 Files in this item: 1
Ndana_MJLL_2008.pdf (2.410Mb) -
Molefi, R.K.K. (University of Botswana, Research and Development Unit / http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/africanjournals/browse.cfm?colid=12, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper examines the responses of colonial governments to outbreaks of bubonic plague in the interior, particularly that of the Bechuanaland Protectorate (Botswana) administration. Bubonic plague first reached Southern Africa through the seaports of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Durban in 1900 at the height of the Anglo-Boer war of 1899- 1902. The dread disease found Southern Africa's ports, harbours and railway stations bursting at the seams with wartime commerce, and with an influx of refugees from the interior and large numbers of migrant labourers. From the ports, the plague spread to towns close to railway stations and finally into the interior where it caused havoc for the political economy of rural Southern Africa. Bubonic plague normally spreads as a disease among rodent populations living in the vicinity of human habitation. Fleas from dead rats if unable to find another rodent host begin to infest people instead. Bubonic plague became endemic in Southern Africa, and natural reservoirs of the malady still exist in the region. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/736 Files in this item: 1
Molefi_PBJAS_2001.pdf (1.105Mb) -
Le Gall, B.; Tshoso, G.; Dyment, J.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Jourdan, F.; Fe´raud, G.; Bertrand, H.; Aubourg, C.; Ve´tel, W. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/jsg, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The structural organization of a giant mafic dyke swarm, the Okavango complex, in the northern Karoo Large Igneous Province (LIP) of NE Botswana is detailed. This N1108E-oriented dyke swarm extends for 1500 km with a maximum width of 100 km through Archaean basement terranes and Permo-Jurassic sedimentary sequences. The cornerstone of the study is the quantitative analysis of NO170 (exposed) and NO420 (detected by ground magnetics) dykes evidenced on a ca. 80-km-long section lying in crystalline host-rocks, at high-angle to the densest zone of the swarm (Shashe area). Individual dykes are generally sub-vertical and parallel to the entire swarm. Statistical analysis of width data indicates anomalous dyke frequency (few data !5.0 m) and mean dyke thickness (high value of 17 m) with respect to values classically obtained from other giant swarms. Variations of mean dyke thicknesses from 17 (N1108E swarm) to 27 m (adjoining and coeval N708E giant swarm) are assigned to the conditions hosting fracture networks dilated as either shear or pure extensional structures, respectively, in response to an inferred NNW–SSE extension. Both fracture patterns are regarded as inherited brittle basement fabrics associated with a previous (Proterozoic) dyking event. The Okavango N1108E dyke swarm is thus a polyphase intrusive system in which total dilation caused by Karoo dykes (estimated frequency of 87%) is 12.2% (6315 m of cumulative dyke width) throughout the 52-km-long projected Shashe section. Assuming that Karoo mafic dyke swarms in NE Botswana follow inherited Proterozoic fractures, as similarly applied for most of the nearly synchronous giant dyke complexes converging towards the Nuanetsi area, leads us to consider that the resulting triple junction-like dyke/fracture pattern is not a definitive proof for a deep mantle plume in the Karoo LIP. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/400 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2005Okavangogiant.pdf (3.456Mb) -
Magole, L.; Magole, L.I. (Elsevier, July 15, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The Okavango Delta is amongst the largest Ramsar sites (http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf) in the world and an important wetland for community livelihoods, conservation and tourism in Botswana. Over the years, the utilization of the delta has shifted from communal use to state control, with an increased use for conservation and tourism. This increased use for conservation and tourism has manifested in the physical expansion of the conservation area – Moremi Game Reserve and the formation of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the reserve, whose primary land use is wildlife utilization. The expansion of the conservation area has translated into several practical matters, including expansion of the area for non-hunting activities or photographic areas. The livelihoods of local communities of the Okavango delta who depended on fishing, hunter-gathering, livestock rearing, rain-fed agriculture and flood recession farming have been negatively affected by the expansion of conservation and tourism in the delta. The livelihoods alternatives in the form of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and tourism have not provided substitutes for the people as the communities are still reliant on the same old livelihood sources as in the past, albeit within smaller and restricted areas. This paper explores the ownership of the natural resources within the Okavango Delta. It asks and attempts to answer the following questions: Who owns and controls the use of the land? Who has access to other resources there in? Who makes the decisions on how the delta resources should be managed and used? Who benefits from the delta resources? We argue firstly that ownership of the delta as defined by legal parameters and demonstrated in natural resource management practice is vested on government. Secondly, government, after assuming ownership of the delta continues to sell its stake to the international community, at the expense of local ownership and access to resources. We conclude that in the process the ability of local communities to source a livelihood out of the delta as they previously used to, is compromised. This we argue works against the goal of sustainable development for improved livelihoods as proclaimed in government policy documents. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/754 Files in this item: 1
The Okavango whose delta is it.pdf (853.1Kb) -
Magole, L.; Magole, L.I. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/pce, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The Okavango Delta is amongst the largest Ramsar sites (http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf) in the world and an important wetland for community livelihoods, conservation and tourism in Botswana. Over the years, the utilization of the delta has shifted from communal use to state control, with an increased use for conservation and tourism. This increased use for conservation and tourism has manifested in the physical expansion of the conservation area – Moremi Game Reserve and the formation of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the reserve, whose primary land use is wildlife utilization. The expansion of the conservation area has translated into several practical matters, including expansion of the area for non-hunting activities or photographic areas. The livelihoods of local communities of the Okavango delta who depended on fishing, hunter-gathering, livestock rearing, rain-fed agriculture and flood recession farming have been negatively affected by the expansion of conservation and tourism in the delta. The livelihoods alternatives in the form of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and tourism have not provided substitutes for the people as the communities are still reliant on the same old livelihood sources as in the past, albeit within smaller and restricted areas. This paper explores the ownership of the natural resources within the Okavango Delta. It asks and attempts to answer the following questions: Who owns and controls the use of the land? Who has access to other resources there in? Who makes the decisions on how the delta resources should be managed and used? Who benefits from the delta resources? We argue firstly that ownership of the delta as defined by legal parameters and demonstrated in natural resource management practice is vested on government. Secondly, government, after assuming ownership of the delta continues to sell its stake to the international community, at the expense of local ownership and access to resources. We conclude that in the process the ability of local communities to source a livelihood out of the delta as they previously used to, is compromised. This we argue works against the goal of sustainable development for improved livelihoods as proclaimed in government policy documents. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/746 Files in this item: 1
Magole_L_PCOE_2009.pdf (1.650Mb)