Browsing Faculty of Social Sciences by Title
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Fako, T. (Botswana Society, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40979677, NaN, 1983)[more][less]
Abstract: There has been sufficient concern in Botswana about the family that it has become a subject of several radio debates and panel discussions. Recently, a National Law Reform Committee was set up to look into, among other things, the existence of both customary and statutory laws relating to marriage. Whatever the success of the Law Reform Committee will prove to be in the future, for now, it does represent a significant formal recognition by government that there are serious problems in this area of concern. By reflecting on field experiences, teaching as well as public discussions of the subject, this paper calls attention to an area of social research which is contemporary and relevant, but which has not enjoyed systematic attention hitherto. The aim of this paper will be to illustrate how the modern Tswana family as it is found today throughout the country, to a lesser or greater extent, does not correspond with its modern ideal as well as its legal conception. This departure from the defining characteristics creates problems for family life and in the long run have retarding effects on community, and by extrapolation, National development potentials. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1133 Files in this item: 1
Fako_BNR_1983.pdf (1.462Mb) -
Mookodi, G.; Fuh, D. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Researchers and activists in Botswana have played an active role in the international campaign to alleviate women s subordinate position in economic development. Of late attention has shifted from 'women' to 'gender'. This shift has been premised on the need to provide a more holistic framework that focuses on relations between women and men, rather than on women exclusively. However, there are mounting concerns among academics and development practitioners that the gender debate has reached a stalemate in Botswana. The impasse is manifested in the perception that 'gender' and 'women' are used as synonyms in much gender discourse, research and activism. This paper argues that focusing on women and ostracising men makes the task of mainstreaming (or engendering) research and practice an unobtainable illusion. We propose new dimensions in gender discourses that will provide more balanced perspectives on both women and men. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/901 Files in this item: 1
Mookodi_PBJAS_2004.pdf (790.8Kb) -
Mogalakwe, M. (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, http://www.codesria.org/?lang=en, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Britain declared Bechuanaland a 'protectorate' in 1885 in a move largely driven by military strategic considerations rather than by the availability of economic resources. This can give the impression that in Botswana the process of economic underdevelopment, that is often associated with colonialism, never took place in this British 'protectorate'. This article reveals that even in the so-called 'protectorate', the British colonial state policies subverted indigenous economic interests and stifled opportunites for indigenous private capital accumulation, while actively promoting the economic interests of a small white settler capitalist class. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/652 Files in this item: 1
Mogalakwe_AD_2006.pdf (1.331Mb) -
Ama, N.O.; Oucho, J.O. (Medical and Pharmaceutical Publications, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: The healthcare of Batswana (citizens of Botswana) as indicated in the country’s Vision 2016 is one of the top priorities of the government of Botswana, yet Botswana’s National Health Policy, the Immigration Policy and the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme Framework all are silent on the obligations of the government to provide health services to the immigrant and refugee population. In view of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Botswana, South Africa and other sub-Saharan countries, it is critical that reproductive health services be as affordable and accessible for the immigrants and refugees as they are for other residents in Botswana. This study measured the views of the primary healthcare providers in Botswana on the perceived reproductive health needs of immigrants and refugees and the availability and accessibility of reproductive healthcare services to the immigrant and refugee populations in the country. This information will be important for policy makers, the government of Botswana and the private sector to shape intervention measures to assist immigrants and refugees in seeking and accessing the desired reproductive health services. Methods: The study targeted all 4 667 medical doctors and nurses who were serving in various hospitals and clinics in 23 health districts of Botswana as at June 2005 when this study was conducted. Using NCS Pearson statistical software, the sample size for the study was determined to be 851. This estimated sample size was allocated to the 23 health districts (strata) using probability proportional to size (PPS). Having obtained the sample size for each district, the healthcare providers to be interviewed from each health district were selected randomly and in proportion to the number of doctors and nurses in each district. Questionnaires were administered to these healthcare providers by research assistants who explained the purpose of the study and obtained informed consent. The questionnaires were coded to ensure the anonymity of the respondents. It contained questions about the healthcare providers’ demographic characteristics, their opinions on the reproductive health needs of immigrants and refugees, and their views on factors that influence the accessibility of these services to immigrants and refugees. Data were collected from 678 doctors and nurses(about 80% of the targeted sample). Results: The majority of the healthcare providers indicated that the most important reproductive health needs of the immigrants and refugees, namely pregnancy-related services (prenatal, obstetrics, postnatal conditions), treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS treatment and counselling and family planning were not different from those of the locals. However, some major differences noted between the local population and the foreigners were (i) that antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) programmes were never accessible to the non-citizens; and (ii) that while treatments and other health services were free to Batswana, a fee was charged to non-citizens. Although 86% of the 21 studied reproductive health services were available in the healthcare system more than 50% of the time, only 62% of them were accessible to the immigrants and refugees 50% of the time. The major reasons for inability to access these services were: (i) The immigrants and refugees have to pay higher fees to access the reproductive health services; (ii) Once an immigrant or refugee is identified as HIV positive, there are no further follow-ups on the patient such as detecting the immune status using a CD4 count or testing the viral load; (iii) The immigrants and refugees do not have referral rights to referral clinics/hospitals for follow-ups in case of certain health conditions; and (iv) The immigrants and refugees are required to join a medical aid scheme to help offset part of the costs for the desired services. Conclusions: The study recommended that the government of Botswana should improve the availability of reproductive health services to immigrants and refugees, and expunge those laws and practices that make it difficult for immigrants and refugees to access the available reproductive health services. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1070 Files in this item: 1
Ama_SAFP_2009.pdf (664.2Kb) -
Mogalakwe, M.; Mufune, P.; Molutsi, P. (Taylor and Francis (Routledge), www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/, NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: Labour legislation is the unique device governments use to lay down standards and conventions in the workplace and to control industrial relations. Using focused interviews with unionists, government officials, employers and other relevant parties, this field study investigated the way in which labour legislation in Botswana affects the organisation of the country's federation of unions. The findings indicate that the BFTU's organisation is affected by the Trade Union and Employers Organisation Act.In particular, the restrictions in this Act separate policy and administration in the BFTU and this has had negative implications for the union's effectiveness. The fact that its policymaking body is part-time negatively affects coordination, communication and cooperation processes in the BFTU. According to the Act, public sector workers are not technically employees and therefore cannot belong to unions. This gives the impression that the state is not particularly convinced about the benefits of unionisation. This may create a difficult environment in which the BFTU and other unions must operate. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/886 Files in this item: 1
Mogalakwe_DSA_1998.pdf (1.165Mb) -
Molomo, M.G. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Electoral systems are manipulative instruments that determine how elections are won and lost. Botswana is widely regarded as a frontrunner in democratic politics, but the electoral system that it operates has been wanting in some respects. Tthe First-past-the-post system has helped to consolidate democratic practice, and also provides for an effective link between Members of Parliament and their constituencies, but empirical evidence suggests that it is the least democratic electoral system. Its winner-take-all practic distorts electoral outcomes, and often produces minority governments. The article proceeds to discuss proportional representation (PR) and semi-proportional representation, and outlines their strengths and weaknesses. The paper concludes that since both the FPTP system and PR systems have inherent limitations, the best system would be one that draws on the best aspects of each system. The anicle recommends a variation of the Mixed-Member Proportionality system. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/900 Files in this item: 1
Molomo2_PBJAS_2000.pdf (880.6Kb) -
Sebudubudu, D. (Made Plain Commucation, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Botswana has since 1965 held nine successive multi-party elections, making it Africa's longest running democracy. Although elections are high tension events, they have not sparked violence in Botswana- a rare feature in the African continent. This chapter provides an assessment on how the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) contributes to the national integrity system of the country. This chapter examines the role and structure of the commission; the resources it accounts for; its mechanisms for redress, as well as its relationship with other national integrity pillars. The aim of this assessment is to provide an overview of the laws that establish and govern the commission, and the practical situation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/592 Files in this item: 1
Sebudubudu_TACB_2008.pdf (1.331Mb) -
Kiggundu, J. (CODESRIA http://www.africanbookscollective.com, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Copyrights may provide more effective protection for indigenous knowledge than other forms of intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and 97 confidential information. The most important aspect of copyright law may be neighboring rights. Neighboring rights are provided to those who perform in ceremonies or belong to groups which hold knowledge. The rights of indigenous peoples must be protected with international laws as well as national laws which are designed to protect those with indigenous knowledge. Model Licensing Agreements as well as university involvement in indigenous knowledge are also essential for international indigenous knowledge protection. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/583 Files in this item: 1
Kiggundu_IKSIPC_2007.pdf (3.611Mb) -
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) -
Fako, T.T.; Forcheh, N. (Taylor & Francis, www.taylorandfrancis.com, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: In this paper the authors examines the extent of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction in a national sample of 325 nurses working in hospitals, clinics and health posts in Botswana. The analyses explored the effects of background variables, work context variables, resources variables, recognition and support variables, and union membership on job satisfaction. The findings show that nurses were generally not satisfied with their jobs. Twelve of the 31 variables examined were found to be associated with job satisfaction. Age, basic level of education, level of nursing training, level of income, extent of satisfaction with income, type of health facility, adequacy of telecommunication facilities and overall health since posting were found to have strong and positive associations with job satisfaction. Adequacy of equipment, recognition from supervisors, and overall health before posting had moderate and positive effects on job satisfaction. Satisfaction with current workstation had a positive but weak relationship with job satisfaction. No relationship was found between job satisfaction and other work environment variables such as adequacy of transport, opportunity for in-service training and relationships with peers. Similarly, workload was not found to be an important determinant of job satisfaction among nurses, nor were community involvement and membership of nursing organisations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1132 Files in this item: 1
Fako_ST_2000.pdf (1.521Mb) -
Mfundisi, A. (Made Plain Commucation, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This chapter looks at local governance in the context of the national integrity system. Local councils provide local services and incur financial expenses within the statutory framework set by the central government. The chapter first looks at the legal and policy framework to ascertain whether it facilitates transparency, accountability and integrity in the local government system. Secondly, the accountability of local governance is examined. Thirdly, the relationship between local government finance and local integrity system is explored. Lastly, anti-corruption agencies are examined to assess their effectiveness in fighting corruption at local government level. The chapter concludes that local government is not actively involved in anti-corruption activities and makes some key recommendations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/595 Files in this item: 1
Mfundisi_TACB_2008.pdf (1.799Mb) -
Mogalakwe, M. (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, www.emeraldinsight.com/, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether expatriate workers in Botswana are a labour aristocracy. Design/methodology/approach - This is a case study based on documentary research methods. Findings - The evidence presented supports the case for the existence of a foreign labour aristicracy in Botswana. The labour aristocracy thesis has come under attack for describing the better-paid workers aslabour aristocrats and for its failure to take cognizance of the heterogeneity of the working class. Although it appears that the thesis has now been relegated to the periphery of labour studies debates, evidence from Botswana of a two tier wage structure, one for citizens and another for "expatriates", resonates with the basic tenets of the labour aristocracy thesis. Research limitations/implications - There is a need to revisit the debate and for more case studies from different Third World countries. Practical implications - The paper highlights the difficulties faced by citizen employees in Botswana in seeking to improve their material conditions. Originality/value - This paper reveals a linkage between a wages policy and the notion of national development in a specific society. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/892 Files in this item: 1
Mogalakwe_ER_2008.pdf (817.5Kb) -
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) -
Mookodi, G. (CODESRIA, http://www.codesria.org, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Male violence against women has become commonplace in contemporary Botswana. Analyses of gender-based violence in Botswana indicate that men are acting out their dominance through acts of violence. This dominance is created and reinforced by patriarchal beliefs and practics. The discussions are characterised by notions of female victimhood and universal male dominance. This paper contextualises male violence agaisnt women by examining the role played by economic and social change in the shaping of gender identities and relations. I show that while contemporary forms of male dominance have resulted from their privileged access over time to resources such as wages and property, men also face uncertainties of unemployment and reduced social status. I also show that rather than assuming the role of passive victims, women have developed, and continue to develop, contradictory survival strategies such as cohabitation and sexual relations that not only reinforce notions of male dominance but sometimes also challenge power relations and render some men victims. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/714 Files in this item: 1
Mookodi_ASR_2004.pdf (1.452Mb) -
Mulinge, M.M.; Munyae, M.M. (The Haworth Press, www.haworthpress.com/, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Utilizing data collected from a randomly selected sample of 360 academic and managerial staff, regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of acceptance of change among employees at the University of Botswana. The results showed moderate levels of employee acceptance of innovations and revealed that, of the four categories of substantive factors analyzed, managerial features were the most important determinants of acceptance of organizational change. It was concluded that management action is needed to boost the levels of acceptance of change and that a more participative approach to the management of the change process is necessary to guarantee the involvement of all stakeholders from the decision-making to the implementation and administration stages of the process. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1120 Files in this item: 1
Mulinge_JAB_2008.pdf (1.912Mb) -
Selolwane, O. (African Sociological Review, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The main thesis of this paper is that Botswana's opposition parties are accountable for their failure to provide the voting public with a meaningful alternative to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. While conceding the explanatory importance of other factors such as resource capacity, this paper departs from conventional wisdom by focusing on the strategic and ideological weaknesses of the opposition parties. it argues that the opposition parties made a number of strategic errors which rendered them electorally unattractive before they could establish their legitimacy as contenders for government power. To break the monopoly of power that the ruling party has so far enjoyed, Botswana's opposition must transform itself into a meaningful competitor and government-in-waiting. To do that they must (a)demonstrate that they have a viable, alternative economic management strategy to better satisfy the interests of a diverse voting public and (b)develop broad based political strategies targeting the diverse voting public to build voter confidence in the capability of the party as a possible government. The ruling party's track record of four decades of sustained economic growth leaves a formidable challenge to the opposition. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/761 Files in this item: 1
Selolwane_ASR_2002.pdf (1.586Mb) -
Amey, KA.A.; Forcheh, N.; Setlhare, K. (Dove Medical Press Ltd. www.dovepress.com/, NaN, 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: Predictive models for mortality due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease as a result of opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, have been developed. Methods: The data are taken from the Statistics South Africa multiple causes of death data for 2006 and 2007, which is available for public use. The dataset was compiled from death notifications, and contains up to five causes of death as well as some demographic characteristics of the deceased. The logistic regression modeling framework was used to model the presence or absence of HIV disease, given the predictive variables. Results: The higher the number of causes listed, the higher the likelihood that HIV would be a cause, with the percentage of notifications of HIV listed increasing from under 2% when only one cause is listed to almost 15% when 4–5 causes are listed. When the logit model was fitted to the multiple cause of death model, it was found that individual demographics were good predictors of the likelihood that the death notification would have HIV as one of the causes of death. Although there are highly significant differences in the likelihood that people of different demographics would die from HIV, the predictive power of these demographic factors on their own is very low, especially when there is only a single cause of death mentioned. With the full multiple cause of death model, two-way interactions between tuberculosis, pneumonia, and other opportunistic infections were highly significant, and their inclusion lead to significant improvements in the predictive power of the model. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1071 Files in this item: 1
Forcheh_OAMS_2012.pdf (302.7Kb) -
Vasudeva, R.; Divanji, G. (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, http://epubs.siam.org, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Let (X(t), t ≥ (0) with X(0) = 0 be a stable subordinator with index 0 < α < 1 and let (tk) be an increasing sequence such that tk+1/tk → ∞ as k → ∞. Let (at) be a positive nondecreasing function of t such that a(t)/t 1. Define Y (t) = X(t + a(t)) − X(t) and Z(t) = X(t) − X(t − a(t)), t > 0. We obtain law-of-the-iterated-logarithm results for (X(tk)), (Y (tk)) and Z(tk), properly normalized. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1135 Files in this item: 1
Divanji_TPA_2006.pdf (120.0Kb) -
Molefe, W.B.; Mguni, B.S. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Opinion polls are a relatively new phenomenon in Botswana but nonetheless a welcome development as they inform both the candidates and the campaigners on pertinent issues facing the electorate. Opinion polls becomes more visible and more discussed during every general election in Botswana. Unlike developed countries where poll taking begins more than a year before an election and continues until the last few hours of the election night, polls here have been conducted at one time only during election years. Due to financial and logistical constraints they are not conducted at times when there are issues of public and national concern. Most of the polls so far polls have been conducted by the Democracy Research Project of the University of Botswana. However, as Bogart puts it 'the fundamental prmclple of statistical sampling, the basis for polling, seems hard for many people to understand'. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/903 Files in this item: 1
Molefe_PBJAS_2000.pdf (525.0Kb) -
Sebudubudu, D. (University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This article argues that despite a change in government in 1994, there are continuities and parallels between the politics of patronage and political corruption under the apartheid National Party and African National Congress (ANC) governments in South Africa. The paper attempts to demostrate this argument first by examining how the policies of the National Party promoted patronage and provided an environment for corruption. Secondly it argues that the policies of the ANC government have since 1994 facilitated patronage and encouraged corruption as well. The paper argues that both governments use public resourcs to promote the positions of their disadvantaged supporters and to build a suport base. As well, they engaged in public corruption to serve both political and personal purposes. It concludes that such patronage and corruption have not been confronted effectively as they operate in the interests of consolidating the government. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/712 Files in this item: 1
Sebudubudu_PBJAS_2008.pdf (3.236Mb)