Browsing Faculty of Social Sciences by Issue Date
Now showing items 1-20 of 74
Next Page-
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) -
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) -
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) -
Maundeni, T. (Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: This article draws on existing literature and a field study conducted by the writer to explore the problems faced by African females when studying abroad. A comparative perspective is adopted and, whilst it is recognised that women are particularly disadvantaged in general, the principal thesis is that African women are particularly disadvantaged, especially when they undertake studies abroad. The article describes and analyses the disadvantages faced by women broadly throughout the world, by African women in general and in education in particular, and the difficulties they face when studying abroad. The implications for policy practice and research are considered and some short-and long-term strategies suggested whereby improvements could be effected. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/896 Files in this item: 1
Maundeni_GE_1999.pdf (831.7Kb) -
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) -
Fako, T.T.; Linn, J.G.; Brown, B.E. (Kluwer Academic Publishers, www.vlib.ustu.ru/storon/kluwer, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: The transfer of new health technology to South Africa is occurring despite the fact that North American and European health care planners and entrepreneurs have a very limited understanding of traditional Black South African cultures which condition the health-related behaviors of the majority of the population. Consequently, relatively few people of African descent in this very diverse nation are, at least initially, benefiting from the new imported medical technology. This study gives an overview of traditional Black medicine in South Africa and, through the presentation of several case studies, discusses its implications for the societal adoption of new health technology received from the United States and other industrialized nations. The example of the successful application of cervical cancer exams in rural and urban clinics of the Eastern Cape is analyzed and institutional mechanisms that support successful transfer are identified. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1129 Files in this item: 1
Fako_JTT_2000.pdf (791.1Kb) -
Molomo, M.G. (Routledge, http://www.informaworld.com, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper discusses the relationship between the ruling party and opposition parties in the struggle to capture political power in Botswana. It demonstrates the resilience of the multi-party framework that is founded on the basic principles of political freedom and civil liberty. Moreover, it explains how the poverty of ideology has presented a political landscape without any clear political alternatives. More concretely, it outlines the weaknesses of opposition parties, that they do not pose any serious challenge to the ruling party. However, in spite of their weaknesses, opposition parties have played a more constructive role in shaping the democratic process than has commonly been recognised. They have provided important checks and balances to make government more accountable and responsive to peoples' needs, yet they have not projected themselves as alternative governments. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/995 Files in this item: 1
Molomo_CCP_2000.pdf (2.191Mb) -
Somolekae, G.S. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: This article is about the struggles of Batswana women to attain gender equality. The article traces women's exclusion from public decision-making much broadly as a fundamental feature of the Tswana patriachal structure. This situation tends to reinforce itself within the public sphere in terms of discriminatory legislation and other forms of marginalization. The favorable international climate and the institutionalizationof the women's movement are identified as some of the factors that have helped to bring about positive change. However, it is urged that in order for their marginalization to be effectively addressed, the focus of the women's movement should not be on increasing numbers per se, but on transforming institutions. Women representatives should be at the forefront of pushing this transformative agenda. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/986 Files in this item: 1
Somolekae_PBJAS_2000.pdf (652.0Kb) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
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) -
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.; Ntau, C. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: This article focuses on the changing trends and patterns in the youth's participation in the electoral process. It examines trends in electoral participation in general and that of the youth in particular and attempts an explanation. It draws on the results of accumulated surveys and opinion polls that have been conducted over the years by the Democracy Research Project(DRP) of the University of Botswana. The article argues that the reasons for the lower participation rates among the youth are to be found in traditional Tswana society's political culture that does not consider public affairs a domain for women and the youth. This culture is reproduced by the major agencies of socialisation such as the family, school system, political parties and the media. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/772 Files in this item: 1
Ntsabane_PBJAS_2000.pdf (661.9Kb) -
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) -
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) -
Nthomang, K. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: This research note gives an overview of the doctoral research I conducted in 2000-0 I. The study entitled: Understanding the Development Experiences and Aspiration of One Basarwa Settlement in Botswana: Failed Implementation or Relentless Colonialisms was conducted among the Basarwa in the Kanaku settlement in the Southern Administrative District of Botswana (Mabutsane-subdistrict). My motivation to conduct this study has stemmed from my own professional experience. As a lecturer in the Department of Social Work, and a member then of the Basarwa Research Committee (BRC) and a human rights activist, I became aware of the injustices experienced by the Basarwa in Botswana in the name of "development". A number of concerns about the situation of the Basarwa, relating to the context, process and application of development policies and programmes, were raised both locally and internationally with regularity. Engaging in these forums and participating in research activities, seminars and conferences supported by the BRC changed me in a fundamental way. The experience has taught me that the current environment in which the Basarwa are stigmatized, disempowered and held with contempt by the dominant Tswana groups and the government offers them little hope to realize their aspirations for development programmes. So, I became interested in the processes that contribute to the continued marginalisation of the Basarwa and the search for answers, hence the conceptualization of this research. The research examined the situation of indigenous peoples in a global context and linked it to the situation of the Basarwa in Botswana and the various development approaches and strategies undertaken to address the situation. Specifically, the study explored how Basarwa resident in the Kanaku settlement understand development, as a result of their experiences with the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP), and what their aspirations are for appropriate development programmes. The study highlighted both the immediate and underlying problems responsible for continued failure in the implementation of the RADP projects in Kanaku. Using a theoretical-historical perspective of multiple colonization as a framework, I examined how the process of "development" has been and continues to be 168 used as a tool of colonization by dominant groups in society. I argue that the outcomes of development have been detrimental to the lives of the Basarwa and have functioned primarily as tools of colonization. The research calls for alternative development strategies to address the situation of the Basarwa in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/881 Files in this item: 1
Nthomang_PBJAS_2002.pdf (1.677Mb)
Now showing items 1-20 of 74
Next Page