Browsing Faculty of Social Sciences by Issue Date
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Mphinyane, S.T. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: Thefocus of this paper is on the role of outsider activists who are supporting a group of Basarwa resisting relocation from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana. The role of non Basarwa activists is problematized in order to unravel some of the complexities surrounding advocacy, especially its bearing on the relative power of the 'supported'. The paper argues that in the case of Basarwa who are currently being forcibly relocated by the Botswana Government out of the CKGR, oftentimes the voice of 'outsiders' who eloquently expose the human rights abuse of their subjects becomes more dominant than the local voices. This is especially so when the advocacy is done using Information and Communication Technologies (lCTs). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/907 Files in this item: 1
Mphinyane_PBJAS_2002.pdf (682.4Kb) -
Mogotsi, I. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: New technology has been identified as one way to alleviate poverty in developing nations. This is because it makes available cheaper drugs, cheaper inputs such as fertilizers and new seed varieties that are needed by the poor to improve their lives. New technology also connects producers with quick and easy access to overseas markets and sources of inputs through the internet, for example. However, in order for the poor to make use of these new methods to improve their lives, they need to be able to access the new technology. In order for anybody to use the internet, for example, they need to have access to it: it should be available and affordable, in the rural as well as urban areas. They also need to have the basic education that enables them to use and even appreciate such new technologies. This paper argues that the poor in Botswana do not have access to the new technology because of lack of education. They also do not have the "old technology", such as electricity and the telephone, that are pre-requisites for access to the new technology. Therefore, if new technology is to work to alleviate poverty in Botswana, emphasis should be put on making the old technology available and affordable. Education should also emphasize science and math curricula. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/902 Files in this item: 1
Mogotsi_PBJAS_2003.pdf (375.9Kb) -
Mukras, M.S. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Although Botswana is clearly one of the richest countries with one of the most vibrant economies in Africa, available statistical evidence suggests that the problem of poverty has recently caused a lot of concern in the country. Numerous attempts already made to deal with the problem have not yielded encouraging results, as the incidence of poverty continues to persist. Drawing from the experiences of three other African countries, this paper recommends a strategy based on strengthening small and medium enterprises (SMEs)for poverty reduction in Botswana. After discussing the constraints facing the SMEs in the country, the paper presents a set of six recommendations designed to ameliorate, if not eliminate, these constraints, thereby strengthening the employment and income generating capacities of the SMEs and consequently reducing poverty in the country. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/783 Files in this item: 1
Mukras_PBJAS_2003.pdf (672.9Kb) -
Sebudubudu, D. (Botswana Society, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Botswana is widely perceived as a succesful working democracy in Africa. What is striking about Botswana is that one party dominance over the past 36 years has not led to a proliferation of corruption as it did in most African countries. However, in 1994, Botswana established a specialised anti-corruption agency, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), following a series of corruption scandals. The DCEC combats both corruption and economic crime i.e. thefts and frauds perpetrated on the public revenue. The focus of this article is on the DCEC, the reasons for establishing it, and the nature of its performance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/981 Files in this item: 1
Sebudubudu_BNR_2003.pdf (2.689Mb) -
The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade regime: Opportunities and challenges for BotswanaMokhawa, G.; Osei-Hwedie, B. (Botswana Society, http://www.botsoc.org.bw, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: For a long time now, African countries have been demanding increased trade with the developed economies of the West as a means to promote economic development. 'Trade not aid,' has become the hallmark of this demand. Increased trade is to be realized through preferential access to developed economies markets, especially in manufactured goods. It is hoped that exports of manufactured goods would propel industrialization and help diversify economies away from traditional raw material exports. The USA has responded to Africa's demands through the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) that allows Africa access to the world's biggest and most lucrative market. This article examines the objectives of, and benefits under, AGOA with a view to analysing the opportunities it creates for Botswana's economic diversification into manufacturing, especially in the case of textiles and apparel industries; and the challenges it poses for Botswana. Analysis of the challenges help us to highlight not only Botswana's internal weaknesses and problems but also that of the AGOA provisions, as well as pose the question of who benefits, helping us unravel the US motives behind AGOA. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/967 Files in this item: 1
Mokhawa_BNR_2003.pdf (2.220Mb) -
Maundeni, T. (Botswana Society, http://www.botsoc.org.bw, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Over the last two decades rates of divorce have increased in Botswana (Murray, 1981; Ahmed and Letamo, 1989; Bhebhe and Mosha, 1996). Despite this trend, little is known about women’s experiences of marital property division and the subsequent effects of this on women and children. This issue is of particular interest not only because little is known about it, but also because of the influence of social change on women and children’s experiences of divorce. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1012 Files in this item: 1
Maundeni_BNR_2003.pdf (1.639Mb) -
Acquah, B. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: The need for productivity increases in the agricultural sector in Botswana in order to help improve farm incomes, especially incomes of resource-poor farmers, has been an important concern in the poverty alleviation effort in the country. Appropriate technology generation and dissemination in both the crop and livestock production sub-sectors hold the promise of improving agricultural productivity. This paper discusses how the farming systems approach (FSA) can contribute to the successful generation and dissemination of appropriate agricultural technologies. The paper concludes that prerequisites for success in the technology generation and dissemination process include the political will to do so, adequate funding, the provision of relevant technical personnel and the willing participation offarmers in the technology generation process. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/770 Files in this item: 1
Acquah_PBJAS_2003.pdf (480.9Kb) -
Siphambe, H.K. (John Wiley, www.wiley.com, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: The impressive performance that Botswana has achieved since gaining independence in 1966 is one of the few success stories of economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. For the period 1965-1990, growth in per capita averaged 8.4 per cent per annum. In the 1990’s the country has however experienced lower average annual growth rates of about 1.7 per cent (Freeman and Lindaur, 1999). The fast growth in the 1970s and 1980s enabled the country to move from a position of severe poverty to being one of the richest in the region, and is one of the few in sub-Saharan Africa now classified as a middle-income country. Unemployment is however one of the most serious problems that the country is facing. This paper explores the issues of unemployment and employment in Botswana’ economy. This paper looks at both the supply and demand side of the labour market. Our supply side analysis involves using the original 1995/96 Labour Force Survey data to understand the unemployed. Part of the process involves specifying a probit function to determine precisely the factors determining unemployment. The paper also looks at the demand for labour by various key sectors of the economy, and tries to determine the quantitative relationship between employment and its major determinants. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/994 Files in this item: 1
Siphambe_SAJE_2003.pdf (721.2Kb) -
Siphambe, H.K. (University of Botswana, http://ub.bw, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper brings out the various theoretical measurements of poverty and looks at Botswana's performance in terms of these measures. In terms of income poverty, Botswana's poverty has been declining over time and predictions are that it will continue on the downward trend even though the reduction is not at an adequate pace to achieve the Vision 20I6 goal of zero poverty levels by 20I6. Until the advent of HIV/AIDS, Botswana was doing extremely well in terms of capability poverty as was shown by improving human development indices such as life expectancy, infant mortality, primary school enrollment and illiteracy rates. The health indices have however started to decline due to HIV/AIDS. Botswana has had a system that allows for equal participation of all individuals, even though in practice women and minority tribes are excluded from participation in decision-making processes. The paper also looks at the various poverty reduction programmes and argues that even though some of them have been successful in reducing poverty, there is a need to move away from welfare programmes that created a dependency syndrome of Batswana on government. Lessons learnt from the past programmes are useful for designing better future programmes for poverty reduction. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/993 Files in this item: 1
Siphambe_PBJAS_2003.pdf (470.3Kb) -
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) -
Mogalakwe, M. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: About a decade ago, the left learning Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE) published an article by Hoogvelt et al 1992)entitled: ‘The World Bank and Africa: A Case of Mistaken Identity.’ The article criticized the World Bank’s simplistic tendency to lump together African countries as if Africa is one entity. In their critique of the World Bank’s simplistic methodology, the authors cite several statements from the bank’s reports that posit, inter alia, that Africa is facing deepening crisis because of weak economic growth, low levels of manufacturing, poor export performance, declining industrial output, climbing debt, falling per capita incomes, low levels of investments and savings, weak institutional capacity and deteriorating social indicators, all compounded by accelerating population growth. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/784 Files in this item: 1
Mogalakwe_PBJAS_2003.pdf (1.064Mb) -
Rathedi, M. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Poverty is a complex problem and reducing it depends upon many interconnected factors. It cannot be attributed to one main cause. Its reduction is possible only by achieving economic growth. An indirect causal connection between growth and poverty reduction can be seen because governments will have greater scope for action through suitable policy measures that can take care of the interests of the poor. In spite of the efforts of most of the developing countries, where the levels of poverty are high, to reduce the magnitude of poverty, the percentage of people living below the poverty level has not been reduced significantly. Of course, international financial institutions have been extending the necessary assistance by setting the goals. But poverty reduction lies in the nature of the growth process itself, as determined by the set of economic policies that are being pursued by governments to justify actions targeted towards the poor. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/883 Files in this item: 1
Rathedi_PBJAS_2003.pdf (574.5Kb) -
Osei-Hwedie, K. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Economic growth is usually recognized as a vital factor in poverty eradication. Thus, with the excellent performance of Botswana's economy over the years, observers had hoped that poverty in the country would decline dramatically. However this has not been the case. Mass poverty in Botswana has led to increasing concems with policies and associated development efforts that focus on, or have aspects aimed at, poverty eradication. The government of Botswana has implemented social polices to assist vulnerable groups such as the destitute, the elderly and remote area dwellers (RADs). Despite these efforts, many individuals and households continue to experience poverty. This paper discusses poverty eradication within the context of Vision 2016, which is aimed at prosperity for all Batswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/894 Files in this item: 1
Osei-Hwedie_PBJAS_2004.pdf (799.5Kb) -
Siphambe, H.K. (Taylor & Francis (Routledge), www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Regional integration is a necessity for sustainable development and the generation of dynamic growth amongst SADC countries. For real integration to be achieved, there is a need for deep integration, which allows countries to surrender part of their sovereignty to a supranational power that will be responsible for bringing in uniformity amonst member nations in terms of policies and action. Countries in the region, even those like Botswana that have done well economically, share problems of poverty, high unemployment and disparuty in income distribution. Botswana, however, has some lessons to offer to the region, coming mainly from its prudent management of the economy, democracy and peace. As regional integration may lead to underinvestment in skills development if not properly coordinated, countries need to pursue employment creation more vigorously. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/885 Files in this item: 1
Siphambe_DSA_2004.pdf (701.0Kb) -
Fako, T.T.; Linn, J.G. (Botswana Society, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40980365, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The nature of the work of a nurse incorporates several distinctive and stressful features which include dealing with crises, the continuous physical and emotional demands of patients, and daily confrontation with pain, suffering, and death (Douglas, Meleis, Eribes and Kim 1996; Hillhouse and Adler 1997; van Wijk 1997). As a result, nurses experience higher rates of stress- related disease, mortality, suicide, psychiatric admissions, and general physical illness than does the general population (Harris 1989. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1121 Files in this item: 1
Fako_BNR_2004.pdf (3.042Mb) -
Ntseane, D.M. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This article analyses the findings of a study conducted to investigate the effects of teacher transfers onfamily well-being. While much concern has been raised about the trauma of transfers on families, this is the first empirical study conducted to investigate these concerns. The primary aim of the study was therefore to understand the experiences of teachers affected by transfers. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire addressed to 361 transferred teachers in selected primary and secondary schools. In addition face-to-face indepth interviews were conducted with 20 couples. The findings suggest that transfers are a source of great strain when separate residences have to be maintained as a result of the transfer. In general couples experience enormous challenges in their marriages. They have difficulties parenting at a distance and are financially burdened due to maintaining two separate homes. The study provides much-needed literature on the impact of personnel transfers on families. It also offers policy makers and practitioners with a sound information base for the development of transfer policy that takes family needs into consideration. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/899 Files in this item: 1
Ntseane2_PBJAS_2004.pdf (711.3Kb) -
Balogi, K.T.O. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Since the 1980s, some major villages in Botswana have experienced an increase in deviance and crime among youth. This deviance is often manifested in an escalation of criminal gangs that are mostly male in composition. The intense search for the causes of this problem by traditional and modern custodians of law often blame parents' inability to control and guide their children. This paper explores some of the difficulties of regarding the family as either the cause or the potential solution to the problem of youth deviance and crime. Blaming families fails to take into account the effects of societal changes that undermine the effectiveness of the family as an agent of social control. Drawing on existing literature, this paper concludes that it is no longer useful to assume the centrality of the family in combating youth crime. Poverty, unemployment, changes in marriage patterns and divorce must also be taken into account, as all of these have serious implications on the structure and agency of the family. This calls for a baseline study on the family to put the fundamental issues of its structure and agency into proper socio-economic and cultural perspective. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/895 Files in this item: 1
Balogi_PBJAS_2004.pdf (666.2Kb) -
Shine, S.J.; Sebusang, S.E.M. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents a MATLAB solution for the shear force, bending movement, and deflection as continuous functions of the distance measured from the left and support for a simply supported beam carrying concentrated and uniformly distributed loads. The solution has been cast in such a way that it can be easily modified for the beam to carry any number of these loads. The solution provides an easy way of determining the maximun values of the functions and their locations.Using numerical values for a particular loading, the solution and graphs for the above functions are presented as obtained from an actual MATLAB script, which has been included at the end of the paper in appendix. The reader who has access to MATLAB is encouraged to use the script to verify the results presented. Also mechanics lectures who are involved in engineering undergraduate education will find the script very useful in terms of demostrating the effect of various concentrated and uniform loads on simply supported beans. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/823 Files in this item: 1
Shine_BJT_2004.pdf (565.4Kb) -
Ntseane, D.; Maundeni, T. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Based on the premise that children in the 21st century face numerous problems that affect their educational, social, psychological, and physical well being, this article argues that social workers are needed in Botswana schools to help students deal with the psychosocial problems that hinder effective learning. Such problems include truancy and school drop-outs, divorce, H1V/A1DS, poverty, child abuse, substance abuse, low-selfesteem, teenage pregnancy, sexual harassment and lack of support services. Children cope differently with psychosocial challenges. Some are resilient and can thrive in the face of adversity; others cannot. The latter can benefit greatly from planned interventions by social workers. This article aims to spark debate and further research among stakeholders involved in issues of social work and education. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/880 Files in this item: 1
Ntseane_PBJAS_2004.pdf (601.9Kb) -
Setlhare, L. (John Wiley, www.wiley.com, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper examines how monetary policy was actually conducted in Botswana, by specifying and estimating a monetary reaction function for the Bank of Botswana (BoB). Basically, a monetary reaction function (MRF) for a central bank is an equation that is intended to establish the goals that have actually been influencing the actions of the central bank. A MRF would exist if the monetary authorities (or BoB in particular) have been purposeful and reasonably consistent in the policy-making process. Thus, a study of a MRF provides a test on whether the monetary policy-making process has been characterised by systematic (if it exists) or random (if it does not exist) changes in the policy instrument(s). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/992 Files in this item: 1
Setlhare_SAJE_2004.pdf (983.8Kb)