Browsing Faculty of Social Sciences by Title
-
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) -
Maundeni, T. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Even though HIV/AIDS affects people of all gender and age, most HIV research in Botswana has mainly focused on either girls or women, neglecying the boy child. This paper discusses the reasons for this neglect, explores the various factors that predispose the boy child to HIV infection and concludes by outlining strategies for the wayforward. The paper points out the need for more reliable data on the number of boys infected with HIV and calls for intensive HIV education with special emphasis on skills and social norms. It argues that the key challenges in addressing the needs of boys at risk of HIV infection lay in convincing the public that children have to be tested for HIV and, deconstructing traditional concepts of masculinity in ways that fit new realities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/879 Files in this item: 1
Maundeni_PBJAS_2004.pdf (796.6Kb) -
Othata, O.; Seleke, T. (Made Plain Commucation, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This chapter reviews Botswana's integrity mechanisms within the business sector. It examines the role of the state owned businesses, by far the majority in Botswana,as well as the emerging privately owned business sector. It compares the role of various kinds of legislation relating to unlisted and listed companies, and the role of oversight bodies. In addition to relying on legislation and practice relating to business in Botswana, the authors of this chapter conducted an extensive survey of listed and unlisted companies, and conducted interviews with people in the business sector. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/636 Files in this item: 1
Othata_TACB_2008.pdf (1.771Mb) -
Fako, T.T. (Taylor & Francis, www.taylorandfrancis.com, NaN, 1997)[more][less]
Abstract: The 1990s began with a commitment to children through the adoption, by the United Nations General Assembly, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This Convention set the minimum standards of protection for children's survival, health and education; protection against exploitation at work; protection against the degradations of war; and protection against physical and sexual abuse. By 20th July, 1994, 163 countries had ratified the Convention and 11 other countries had signed but not yet ratified the convention (World Health Organization, 1994:1). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1119 Files in this item: 1
Fako_ST_1997.pdf (535.5Kb) -
Maundeni, T. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Based on a recognition that men's abuse of women has an impact on children, there is much that social work can do to address the problem of children living with domestic violence. Using findings of a study on children's experiences of parental separation and divorce in Botswana. this paper focuses on children's experiences of violence in the family as well as on perceptions of how the violence affected them. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for social work. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/878 Files in this item: 1
Maundeni_PBJAS_2000.pdf (533.3Kb) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
Mpabanga, D. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: This article attempts to analyse the trends and patterns relating to the past eight general elections in Botswana, from the pre-independence period in 1965 to 1999. Factors that have influenced elections in the last eight years will be discussed, and trends established for the same period. Data from various past election reports and analysis carried out by other researchers will be referred to in this article. The data used will be derived from; the total number of potential voters in Botswana; the number of electorate who registered for the elections and the number who actually voted. Percentages of the electorate who registered and actually voted, the ratio of electorate who voted to potential voters, and the ratio of voted to registered voters will be discussed. The electoral trend of percentage of voters by party and by number, and percentages of national assembly seats by political parties that contested in the last eight general elections will be studied. A summary and conclusions on these factors and lessons to be learned from the experiences of the past eight elections will be included. These experiences will be beneficial to all the political parties in the country, and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in particular, which has won the 1999 general elections with an overwhelming victory. The BDP government and political parties should learn from the past experiences, and develop an improved and effective performance for the government. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/906 Files in this item: 1
Mpabanga_PBJAS_2000.pdf (889.0Kb) -
Molomo, M.G. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: This article outlines that the Constitution of Botswana provides for an executive presidency with extensive powers. Unlike other constitutions in the region where power is vested with the people, in Botswana it is vested with the President. While democratic procedures have not been flaunted in Botswana, in a situation where one political party dominates both the executive and the legislative branches of government, there is cause for concern. In this situation, the checks and balances provided for in the constitution are almost redundant. The declaration of the state of emergency and the granting of the Vice-President, Ian Khama, sabbatical leave by the President are examples where the President used his executive powers. This article concludes that given the wide-ranging executive powers that the President enjoys, there is a strong case for presidential elections. In that way, the president would be directly elected by the electorate and therefore directly accountable to them. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/897 Files in this item: 1
Molomo_PBJAS_2000.pdf (1.063Mb) -
Mokomane, Z.S. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: In this anicle, data from a survey conducted in March 1999 by the University of Botswana Democracy Research Project in fifteen constituencies in Botswana is used to examine the relationship between party preference and selected demographic characteristics namely, age, sex, place of residence and education. Bivariate analysis results indicate the ruling BDP is the only party that enjoys higher support among women and among rural dwellers. Opposition parties, on the other hand, have a stronger suppon base among middle-aged people in the 29-49 years age bracket. The results also indicate that the level of education tends to have a major role in determining party preference. The last section of the article critically discusses these findings. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/898 Files in this item: 1
Mokomane_PBJAS_2000.pdf (423.7Kb) -
Forcheh, N.; Fako, T. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The study proposes a measure of effective productivity among service workers and seeks a parsimonious predictive model of “effective productivity” among nurses in Botswana. Employee productivity has become a concern of organisations in all economic sectors world wide. In Botswana, it has also become a national priority issue and has been listed as one of the goals of the long term vision for Botswana due to perceived low productivity among the workforce. Productivity among nurses is of special significance because of their critical role in the primary health care system. Nurses working under local government control in Botswana provide a good case study since they all have to perform certain routine activities from which their productivity could be measured and compared. Self completed anonymous questionnaires were used to collect the relevant data from all health facilities under local government control in Botswana. A representative sample of 325 questionnaires were returned and analysed. Chi-squared test of association was used to identify univariate factors associated with effective productivity from among a list of 38 variables. Hierarchical stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify a predictive model for effective productivity among nurses. Thirteen of the 38 variables were found to be significant univariate predictors of effective productivity (p<0.05). Only eight of these factors were retained during a search for a parsimonious predictive model. These in order of importance were midwifery training, involvement with the Village Development Committee, involvement in making health policies, peer support, religious affiliation, ability to complete the Botswana Obstetric Record, quality of health after posting and involvement with the community. The overall impact of these factors was found to be additive. The results underline the importance of midwifery training for effective productivity among nurses in Botswana. It is concluded that all nurses in Botswana should be encouraged and accorded the opportunity to do midwifery training. Nurses should further be encouraged to become more involved in the communities in which they work, as well as develop supportive relationships and a friendly atmosphere at the work place. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/713 Files in this item: 1
Forcheh_AJBM_2007.pdf (191.7Kb) -
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) -
Mookodi, G. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Gender inequality is characterised by unequal power relations between women and men. One of the key manifestations of these unequal power relations is violence. Studies conducted in Botswana indicate that actual violence and threats of violence against women severely hamper the achievement of gender equality. This paper presents the results of national studies on the extent and nature of violence against women. The studies reveal that most cases of violence are domestic - committed by men against their wives or cohabiting parmers. The paper examines the dynamics of domestic violence. the factors that perpetuate it and the difficulties of stopping it. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/904 Files in this item: 1
Mookodi2_PBJAS_2004.pdf (644.1Kb) -
Siphambe, H.K. (Taylor and Francis (Routledge), NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Using primary data from a 1993/4 Household Income and Expenditure Survey in Botswana, this article presents empirical results on occupational attainment, its determinants, and the extent of filtering down in Botswana's labour market, given changes in labour market conditions over time. It was found that the Botswana labour market has been characterised by some ‘filtering down’ of educated workers into less skilled jobs as the supply of skilled manpower exceeded demand. Those who entered the labour market earlier, those with more education, those located in the urban areas and male workers are more likely to occupy jobs that are higher up in the hierarchy than to be in an unskilled blue-collar job. Jobs higher up in the hierarchy are also more rewarding financially. The article shows that there is occupational segregation of workers by gender in Botswana's labour market in that female workers are generally confined to a narrow range of occupations. The policy implications are that employment creation has to be pursued vigorously and the issue of gender discrimination investigated further URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/884 Files in this item: 1
Siphambe_DSA_2000.pdf (652.9Kb) -
Forcheh, N. (Wiley-Blackwell, www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: Summary. Ehrenberg presented the simple law-like relationship log(w) = 0.8h + 0.4 ? 0.04 between the weight and height of children aged 5-13 years. Several researchers have confirmed that this relationship holds, irrespective of the child's ethnic, racial, gender and social class. In anthropometry, a weight-height relationship is used to measure the nutritional status of children. For this purpose, the World Health Organization have adopted the National Center for Health Statistics population as the international reference population. The relationship between the World Health Organization-National Center for Health Statistics anthropometric standards and Ehrenberg law-like relationship is examined. Differences between the weight-for-height relationship in anthropometry and the law-like relationship between weight and height for children are small and can be attributable to functional differences. It is found that an Ehrenberg law-like relationship can be extended to include children who are under 5 years old. Criteria for using the law-like relationship to assess the nutritional status of these children are thus suggested. The criteria are evaluated using anthropometric data of a sample of 513 children from a rural district of Botswana. The results indicate that the proposed method of using the law-like relationship to assess nutritional status is much simpler and at least as reliable as the existing methods in anthropometry. Description: Symbols on the abstract may differ from the original abstract URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1055 Files in this item: 1
Forcheh_JRSS.A_2002.pdf (2.588Mb) -
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)