The Namibia Journal of Managerial Sciences (NJMS) is a diamond open access, double-blind peer-review, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary platform that publishes original and peer reviewed articles. NJMS serves as a platform for scholars to disseminate high-quality research and contribute valuable knowledge to society.
The Nexus Between Macroeconomic Indicators and Economic Growth in Namibia
The incidence of unrelated factors led to negative global economic shocks on two key macroeconomic indicators: unemployment and inflation. As a participant in the global economic market, Namibia was not isolated from negative external shocks. The Namibian government used macroeconomic and fiscal policies to stabilise inflation and reduce unemployment. However, there is a time lag before these policies can have a significant effect on Namibia’s economic situation. This study aims to predict unemployment and inflation trends and their impact on economic growth and explore the relationship and direction of causality among the variables. This study applied a cointegration test followed by a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to test the nexus between the dependent variable, real GDP, and the independent variables, inflation and unemployment. Time series data spanning 2000 – 2021 on all variables were used for the study. The results showed a positive relationship between real GDP and inflation, with a change of 0.07% in the long run, but an inverse relationship between real GDP and unemployment, with a change of 3.2% in the long run. These findings imply that less concern should be given to rising prices in Namibia in the short run, as an increase in economic growth will have a positive impact on reducing unemployment in the long run.
Copyright (c) 2025 Blessing Tafirenyika, Ruth Eegunjobi, Anthony Adeyanju and Ndaumbwa Victory https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Indigenous Traditional Festivals: Survival of the Oshipe Festival Post-Colonial Era
This qualitative study explores the transformation and survival of the Oshipe festival among the Aawambo people of Northern Namibia in the face of Westernisation, Christianity, and urbanisation. Once a deeply spiritual and communal event rooted in indigenous knowledge systems, the Oshipe festival has undergone signific ant changes that threaten its continuity. Using a qualitative narrative inquiry approach and a non-probability snowball sampling method, the study collected data from 30 community members through focus groups and individual interviews. It explored the decline in traditional practices and identified current efforts toward cultural preservation. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed a complex interplay between cultural erosion and adaptation, with emerging strategies such as documentation, cultural education, and digital dissemination offering hope for the festival's revitalisation. The study recommended the integration of indigenous knowledge into formal education and heritage policy to ensure the survival of cultural identity in modern Namibia.
Copyright (c) 2025 Salomo Ndeyamunye Ndeshimona https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
An Analysis of Drama-in-Education as an Effective Teaching and Learning Methodology in Early Childhood Education: A case of Mogoditshane Child Development Centre
This research is a critical analysis of drama-in-education as an effective teaching methodology in early childhood education in Botswana. The target group was 15 pre-school learners and three ECD teachers from Mogoditshane Child Development Centre. The theoretical framework of this study is underpinned by Drama-in-Education (Heathcote, 1982), Theatre for Development (Boal, 1982) and Social Cognitive (Bandura, 1986) theories. These theories consider the use of theatre elements as essential in achieving both its pedagogical and artistic objective (Bolton, 1993). The study used a participatory case study approach within the qualitative action research paradigm. Data was gathered through focus group discussion and participant observation. Research instruments included in-depth open-ended interviews, an observation checklist, and data was also digitally recorded. The literature survey included books, journals, newspapers and organizational records on internet reports. Teacher-in-role and freeze-frame/tableau were the overarching drama-in-education teaching techniques essential for pre-school learners to be able to understand concepts in class. This research showed how the safety of drama through the creation of dramatic elsewhere, distancing, framing and role playing, works towards a deeper understanding by pre-schoolers in class. The research noted that if ECD learners are told something, they tend to forget. If they are shown something, they remember, but if they are involved practically, they understand. Findings call for efforts to conduct lessons in early childhood education experientially through drama-in-education as a teaching strategy. This research recommends early childhood schools and education authorities in Botswana to explicitly consider drama-in-education as an effective early childhood teaching methodology in the 21st century. This paper concludes with a strong plea for the inclusion of accredited drama and theatre pedagogical courses in pre-school teacher-training colleges.
Copyright (c) 2025 Isaac Chidaura https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Political Rhetoric for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Namibia
Namibia’s political leadership discourse intertwines indigenous knowledge systems and traditional values with the country’s sustainable rural development agenda. This study examines two landmark speeches – the 34th Independence Anniversary address (2024) and the Presidential Inaugural speech (2025) – to illustrate how Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and cultural values are woven into nation-building rhetoric. The analysis reveals that, even when not explicitly named, indigenous values underpin themes of national unity, resilience, and communal participation. Both speeches emphasise working together “with one heart and one mind,” portraying traditional authorities and local communities as vital partners in development. Key rural initiatives – from electrification and road infrastructure to agricultural projects – are framed as efforts to empower communities and ensure shared prosperity for current and future generations. This participatory approach reflects a form of environmental stewardship rooted in local knowledge, aligning with global sustainability efforts. Notably, Namibia’s leaders link these indigenous and communal principles to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 15: Life on Land, by promoting sustainable land use, agriculture, and the protection of natural heritage. The integration of IKS and traditional leadership in political discourse thus highlight an inclusive vision of rural sustainability, where unity in diversity and cultural heritage are seen as foundations for achieving long-term development and “prosperity for all.”
Copyright (c) 2025 Frieda Nanyeni-Kanyemba https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
An Investigation into Strategies to Promote Co-operatives Growth and Resilience to Environmental Risks in Namibia
The co-operatives are faced with various challenges and uncertain environmental risks that limit their abilities to succeed and grow. Even though co-operatives are considered the most effective private sector approach to poverty reduction, employment creation, wealth distribution, and economic inclusion of less privileged community members; a slow growth in the number of co-operatives registered in Namibia is observed. This study sought to explore the business environment risks commonly faced by cooperatives in Khomas, Otjozondjupa, and the Northern Central Regions (Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati, and Ohangwena) and develop strategies to help them build long-term resilience to business environmental risks. The study adopted an interpretivism philosophy, embraced a qualitative research approach, and used a phenomenological research design. Purposive non-probability sampling technique was used in identifying and selecting the participants for the interviews. The collected data was analysed thematically. It was found that co-operatives are faced with financial constraints, lack of knowledge among co-operative members about the co-operative concept and seven principles of co-operatives, lack of conflict management, lack of access to land, insufficient potable water supply in the rural areas, and an increase in theft of co-operative assets in the study areas. Drought, disease outbreaks (Covid-19 and Foot and Mouth Disease), natural disasters (flood and wildfire), credit default, and locust outbreaks were found to be the common Business Environmental Risks experienced by co-operatives in Namibia. It was established that a lot needs to be done by both the Regulator and co-operatives themselves as they are both failing each other. To promote the growth of co-operatives, enhance their sustainability, and strengthen their resilience to crises, the study recommends that co-operative members should be encouraged to attend courses related to conflict management, risk management, and study the co-operative concept to master the seven principles of co-operatives. The government should continue rehabilitating, constructing, and excavating boreholes and earth dams to address water shortages. Financial providers should make their funds affordable and accessible to co-operatives. It further recommends co-operatives to develop and implement various strategies for coping with crises and promote growth.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fares Nghilundilwa Nghilukilwa and Blessing Tafirenyika https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: Addressing Bias and Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace is a cause for concern. It includes unjust treatment based on a person’s race, colour, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and age, among others. In the workplace, discrimination may occur among colleagues and job applicants. Discrimination can also be evident during the recruitment process. Companies continually seek ways to enhance recruitment and select the most suitable candidates for specific jobs. Consequently, it has been observed that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the employment process has surged in recent years. In the workplace, AI plays a crucial role in automating Human Resources activities such as recruiting, qualification screening, and applicant experience monitoring. This automated technique helps organisations quickly identify the top applicants from a pool of profiles. Yet this recruiting approach has been criticised mainly for perpetrating discrimination. This paper examines the antidiscrimination standards established by the International Labour Organisation to assess the contribution that these standards have made towards reducing inequality and AI-induced discrimination in the workplace. The paper will also focus on the progress of African countries in addressing AI-induced workplace challenges. Against this backdrop, recommendations will be made to address AI discrimination in the workplace.
Copyright (c) 2025 Thandekile Phulu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Top Management Team Diversity (TMTD) and Innovativeness on Performance in Namibia Private Organisations
The research tested the statistical assumptions with objective top management demographic data and performance indicators from private sector organisation from 28 surveyed teams with 133 top managers participating, and document search of 231 teams selected, with 1742 participants in total. After generating eight stepwise regression models, propositions based on the model, found that TMTD has no significant impact on organisational performance, in isolation. Namibian TMTs prefer technical capabilities as the main driver for innovativeness, and in the same spirit need the right amount of fault-line stimulation and diversity management interventions to perform. The study found that demographic characteristics might influence team cognitive ability, character, and functional knowledge but team innovativeness and performance are influenced by managing team characteristics, and contextual factors.
Copyright (c) 2020 Marius Frederick Johannes and Albert J. Isaacs https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Assessment of the Ethical, Social and Health Acceptability Perceptions of Water Reuse for Potable Purposes in Windhoek
This paper summarizes the human and engineering dimensions of water reuse including ethical, health and social aspects in Windhoek. A survey was carried out through a structured questionnaire on various stakeholders to investigate the water quality assurance, control and publicity that should accompany water reuse for potable use. The questionnaire examined existing links between both direct and indirect water reuse sources and sustainable water management in the Upper Swakop Basin within which Windhoek falls. In view of diminishing fresh water that is threatened by water pollution the paper also examined the existence of integrated urban water planning to control and curb water pollution of the downstream freshwater Swakoppoort dam supplying the city of Windhoek. Slightly above half (53.5%) of the respondents were willing to drink water treated and certified reclaimed water to keep alive; 16.9% would resort to drinking bottled water and 28.2% would buy a filter and put it on the tap. Greater than 60% of respondents had trust and assurances of the safety of certified recycled water from the NGWRP water reuse plant. Nearly half (43.5%) of the general respondents wished there could be public bill boards sharing information of the product water quality. The involvement of all stakeholders affecting or affected by activities related to the direct or indirect water reuse for drinking is required to improve the water quality sources of recycled water and the routes of exposure. Proper effective awareness and educational programmes should be aimed at reducing discharge of hazardous chemicals from households. Communities should be educated to refrain from carelessly dumping point and non-point sources of water pollution. By tracing recycled water and fresh water systems from source, water pollution risks can be minimised.
Copyright (c) 2020 Pazvakawambwa G. T, Ogunmokun A.A and Tjipangandjara K. F. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Social Media and Consumers Buying Behaviour: Empirical Proof from Tertiary Institutions in Kwara State
The increasing usage of social media by different segments of the market especially among the millennials has opened a new boulevard of marketing opportunities for firms to influence consumer buying behavior through social media platforms available on the net. This study essentially examined the impact of social media on consumer buying behavior as well as the relationship between Social media sites and consumer buying behavior using Kwara State Tertiary Institutions as a case study. The data for study was collected through a structured questionnaire which was administered on 334 respondents who are selected through a mixture of stratified and simple random sampling techniques from the six tertiary Institutions located across the three senatorial districts of the state. The study data were presented using frequency distribution tables, and charts, while multiple regression analysis was used as instrument of analysis. It was found that consumer buying behavior has a significant positive relationship with all the social media networking sites and that social media networking sites have significant impact on consumer buying behavior Kwara State Tertiary Institutions. The study recommended that corporate managers should leverage on the significant impact that exists between social media sites and consumer buying behavior to formulate appropriate virtual world programmes and strategies for their products which will serve as interactive communities where buyers could share product information and experience.
Copyright (c) 2020 Mustapha Yusuf Ismaila https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Customer Service on the Menu: Work Engagement of Waiters in Windhoek
In order for restaurants to make a profit, apart from providing delicious and nutritious food, restaurants need to provide quality service to their customers. Work engagement is a positive work-related state that impacts on productivity, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. This study aims to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction, organisational commitment and work engagement. Another objective is to identify whether job satisfaction and/or organisational commitment are indeed predictors of work engagement amongst some waiters in Windhoek restaurants. Job satisfaction is regarded as the overall evaluation of employees regarding how pleasurable their jobs are. Organisational commitment is characterised by employees wanting to remain with the organisation. Participants were sourced from different restaurants in Windhoek (n=158). The participants comprised of 53 (33.5%) males and 105 (66.5%) females, mostly between the ages of 31 to 40 years (43.7%). Intrinsic job satisfaction (r = 0,56, p < 0,05), extrinsic job satisfaction (r = 0,29, p < 0,05) and organisational commitment (r = 0,45, p < 0,05) were positively related to work engagement. Intrinsic job satisfaction and organisational commitment were found to be significant predictors of work engagement. Having disengaged waiters could result in poor service delivery and customer dissatisfaction. Restaurants need to regularly assess job attitudes, provide role clarity and supervisory support, minimise work-related stress and provide regular training opportunities. This study will add to the existing knowledge of Industrial/Organisational Psychology and spark interest for future research and intervention on waiters in Namibia.
Copyright (c) 2020 Caroline Kazimbu and Wesley R. Pieters https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Reflections of Student Nurses on Clinical Learning Experiences in Selected Health Settings in Windhoek, Namibia
Nursing lecturers and registered nurses have been charged to teach nursing students during theoretical and clinical sessions. However, the manner in which these lecturers implement these responsibilities with specific reference to clinical sessions and how students experience this remains uncertain. The purpose of the study was to determine how students experience their teaching and learning experiences during clinical sessions per se. The design used to investigate this challenge was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. The population and sample were the same because it included all first year students of 2014 and they were forty in total. Data was collected through narratives that the students wrote on a monthly basis. Open coding was used to analyze the data. Trustworthiness was maintained through the following principles; credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability and ethical considerations were adhered to. Research findings revealed that students experienced positive and negative experiences during clinical sessions concerning the learning environment, supervision and involvement in opportunities for learning. The results gave an indication on how to proceed to make clinical learning and teaching more effective for students to learn in conducive environments. The nurse guiding and teaching nursing students in clinical settings will always be a very important teacher. It is recommended that nurses in the clinical settings should receive in-service training in better understanding their role as nurse educators and being better communicators.
Copyright (c) 2020 Agnes Van Dyk, E. Venter and Stephanie Van der Walt https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Comparative Study of Cybercrime Laws in Nigeria and China (The Constraining Dynamics)
Cybercrime is a growing threat to security of life, property and transactions generally. The threat posed by cybercrime arises from the fact that criminals and fraudsters have realised the huge potentials of cyberspace and have consequently, replicated their nefarious activities in the physical world in ways that are unique to the cyberspace. To check aberrations arising from use of the cyberspace for criminal purposes, United Nations (UN) and various countries have made legislations to forestall criminal acts in the internet. It’s against this foregoing background that this paper comparatively, appraised legal constraints that may hinder efforts with implementing principal laws enacted to curb cybercrimes in Nigeria and China. From an analysing primary secondary data, this paper identified the constraints as jurisdiction matters, law enforcement, applicable laws, issue of evidence, courts and human rights concerns among others. Findings of this paper indicate that these constraints are real. However, the level of success in addressing the constraints varies in the two countries under consideration. As a developing country whose cybercrime law was only enacted in 2015, Nigeria has not acquired solid experience in the application of its cybercrime law. This is unlike China, a developed economy whose principal cybercrime law not only dates back to 1957 but is robust and has been tested. Among the recommendations is that all cadres of personnel that will administer cybercrime laws be trained to be computer, information and communication technology literate especially in Nigeria.
Copyright (c) 2020 Florence U Masajuwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
This paper is about the Demographic Dividend and the need for Namibia to generate evidence through research for the country to take full advantage of the opportunity. The paper shows how the demographic dividend is delivered through its most important mechanisms; namely, labour supply, savings, and human capital. The focus of the paper is on how the demographic transition process will support the delivery of the Dividend through its effect on the size of the labour force, increase in the labour force participation rates particularly among women, and overall increase in labour productivity. Model calculations show that the relative contribution of children age 0-14 will decline from 0.35 in 2021 to 0.24 in 2061, while the relative contribution of both the working age population (age 15-64) and the elderly (age 65+) will increase over time, but more so for the working age than the elderly. The Spectrum Model has been used to determine the amount of programme efforts that would be required to achieve a desired fertility reduction in Namibia from 2017 to 2063. Estimates show that overall modern contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) must increase from 55% in 2017 to over 75% by 2062. For the demographic dividend to materialise, there should be in place a conducive policy environment, including among others: access to health and reproductive health services and facilities; promotion of quality education and skills development for the youth; conducive macroeconomic opportunity for national saving and close to full employment of the youth.
Copyright (c) 2020 Oladele O. Arowolo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Prioritising Subjective Well-being and Health: Outcomes for the Workplace
Poor health and well-being have led to less productive employees, lower quality decisions and higher levels of absenteeism. Physical activity, psychological well-being, general health and happiness are constructs that all influence a person’s overall well-being in their professional and personal lives. This quantitative study investigated the impact of general health and psychological well-being on happiness of cyclists in Namibia that took part in the Nedbank Cycle Challenge 2019 (n=160). Making use of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis the data was analysed. This study found a relationship between somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction (general health), personal relations (psychological well-being) and happiness. Regression analysis identified that personal relations (positively), social dysfunction and anxiety/insomnia (negatively) predicted happiness of cyclists in Namibia. Interventions for employees such as team building and emotional intelligence training are needed to increase personal relations between colleagues, subordinates and supervisors. It is suggested that there is a need for an increase in awareness regarding the benefits of exercise since this may have a positive impact on employees, reducing absenteeism, improving productivity, work engagement and organisational commitment. Employees and organisations need to prioritise psychological and physical well-being of all employees to ensure longevity, quality of life and organisational prosperity.
Copyright (c) 2021 Sheona Boardman and Wesley Reginald Pieters https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Exploring the Lecturers and Students’ Attitude Towards Alternative Assessment in Academic Writing Instruction
This study explores the lecturers and students attitudes towards alternative assessing in academic writing instruction. Informed by the Teacher Knowledge theory, this study is based on assumption that lecturers and students’ knowledge of alternative assessment may play a significant role on the success of the administration of the assessment of student learning. The findings of the study are based on the analysis of qualitative data collected through lecturer interviews and student focus group discussions. A thematic approach was employed in the analysis of data. The study concludes that the lecturers and students’ attitude which is skewed towards the positive direction may be an indication that there could be hope for success in attempts to integrate alternative assessment in academic writing instruction. The study strongly emphasises the need for lecturer education on assessment practices that respond to the current students’ academic literacy needs.
Copyright (c) 2021 Hafeni Pamwenase Shikalepo Hamakali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Health Status of Displaced Children in Foster Homes in Windhoek, Namibia
The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the health status and social needs of children who were admitted to foster homes in Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed. To achieve the objectives of the study, a check list was used to gather data from all children who were staying in the four foster homes in Windhoek. The health status and needs of 159 children were assessed through performing an individual physical examination. The findings of the physical examination revealed four major health concerns namely: Ear, nose, throat and mouth problems; Eye problems, Skin problems, and urogenital problems. Recommendations based on the study were: Regular physical examination of foster children to be conducted to promote the health of the children, and the sick children to be taken earlier to the nearest health facilities for early treatment and care.
Copyright (c) 2021 Joan Kloppers, Agnes Van Dyk and Esther Kamenye https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Green Products Awareness and its Influence on the Purchase of Green Products in Windhoek, Khomas Region of Namibia
The purpose of this research was to study green products awareness and its influence on the purchase of green products in Windhoek, Khomas Region of Namibia. The main objective of the study was to find out the level of awareness towards green products purchase. The study adopted mixed methods, primary data was collected using a standardised interview guide and structured questionnaires. A sample of 120 respondents was considered in the current research. In-depth interviews were conducted to assess the level of awareness of green products purchase in the Khomas region. Quantitative primary data collected through structured questionnaires were coded, cleaned and entered into SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, t-test and chi-square test for associations of continuous and categorical variables performed. The predictors for purchase of green products were determined using bivariate and logistic regression analysis. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Statistically significant association between the purchases of green products with the three main sources from which respondents knew about green products prevailed. The research finds statistically significant association between the purchases of green products with the role of social media in creating green product awareness. It also emerged that a statistically significant association between the purchase of green products and the independent variables determining green product information confirmed. The research also finds a negative association between purchase of green products and the knowledge about environmental benefits of green products. The results also showed that the main sources of green product information were the television, radio and social media.
Copyright (c) 2021 Benedict Sewe Odhiambo, Lovemore Matipira and Petsy Neiss https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Demographic Variables: A Predictor of Consumer Buying Behaviour in Retail Outlets in South-West Nigeria
Retailers in informal and formal retail outlets with insufficient information and lack of in-depth understanding of the varying factors that affects the buying behaviour of consumers encounter difficulties in satisfying their customers. The study examined the effects of demographic variables as a predictor of consumer buying behaviour in retail outlets in Nigeria. Primary data was employed. 1,000 respondents were selected trough convenience sampling technique and regression analysis was used. The study findings revealed that in informal retail outlet, marital status and health have positive effects at 5% significance level and LR-stat (52.79) with sig (0.000) while educational level, income and gender have negative effects. In the formal retail outlet, age, price level, income, gender and health have positive effects at 5% significance level and LR-stat (103.42) with sig (0.000) while variables such as marital status and saving have negative effect on the buying behaviour of consumers. The study concludes that in formal retail outlets, demographic variables have a significance in informal retail outlet as well as formal retail outlet. The study recommends that retailers in informal and formal retail outlets should study and understand all the demographic variables as it has either positive or negative effects at different levels of significance.
Copyright (c) 2021 Mukaila Ayanda Aremu, Hameedat Bukola Olodo and Moriam Adeyemi Aremu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Impact of Work Relationships and Certain Job Factors on the Work Engagement and other Positive Work Outcomes of Primary School Educators in Namibia
The objective of this study was to investigate whether certain job factors (work relationships, rewards/recognition, organisational support) can enhance positive job outcomes (work engagement, organisational commitment, lower turnover intention) whilst all of these factors can be regarded as job resources that can help educators cope with stressors. A convenience sample (N = 826) of primary school educators of 14 educational regions in Namibia was utilized in this study. The Antecedents Scale, Work Engagement Scale, Rewards/Recognition Scale, Affective Commitment Scale, Turnover Intention Scale and Survey of Perceived Organisational Support were administered. The results confirmed that positive co-worker and supervisor relationships, appropriate rewarding and recognition of educators and strong organisational support will enhance educator work engagement and organisational commitment and whilst seeing for lower turnover intention. Good co-worker relations contribute the most to engagement levels of educators. Co-worker relations, supervisor relations and organisational support contribute significantly to educators’ organisational commitment. Furthermore, good supervisor relations and organisational support were found to be crucial to prevent educators from resigning. Finally, work engagement has a partial mediating effect between job factors (work relationships, organisational support, rewards/recognition), on the one hand, and organisational commitment, on the other hand. However, work engagement does not have a mediating effect between job factors and turnover intention.
Copyright (c) 2015 Manfred Janik and Lilita Marques https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Economic Production in Postcolonial Tivland, 1960-2000
This paper is an appraisal of the nature of economic changes that have taken place in Tivland since 1960. It considers the foundations for the economy laid by export agriculture and its subsequent decline, together with the role that the discovery of oil came to play and occupy significantly in the Tiv and Nigerian national economy. The paper discovers that, while export agriculture declined, local and national markets emerged to meet the expanding Tiv production in the agricultural sector. Equally, from the 1970s, the seeds of industrialisation were laid by the Benue State and Nigerian federal governments in establishing factories such as the mega Benue Cement Company, which all expanded the modern economy in Tivland in Benue State of Nigeria.
Copyright (c) 2015 Terhemba Wuam https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Promoting Good Practice in Botswana Public Service (BPS)
While Botswana has received accolades as one of well-governed countries in Africa, the actual public service is degenerating into a negative interface. The prevailing situation in the work place has been that of poor service delivery, exacerbated by an extremely apathetic work attitude. As opposed to relying heavily on enforcing written rules and regulations, the paper seeks to emphasize the importance of hybrid approach that has space for morality and spirituality to guide public service. The paper recommends that Botswana Public Service (BPS) should take a leaf from religious groups where followers have exhorted the principle or virtue of service to others, purely on moral and religious grounds without any expectation of worldly gains. Those in public service should regard service to the citizenry as a virtuous, noble and morally desirable calling. It should invariably translate into the existence of a pervasive patriotism based upon benevolence.
Copyright (c) 2015 Keratilwe Bodilenyane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Critical Consumer Problems in St. Lucia: a Focus Group Study
The purpose of this study was to critically examine consumer issues in St. Lucia. Rural adult consumers are the most disadvantaged in terms of levels of education, income, and access to resources, which may help to prevent and mediate consumer concerns. The specific research questions examined were: What is the nature of problems experienced by rural St. Lucian adult consumers in the marketplace? How do rural St. Lucian adult consumers solve the challenges they encounter in the marketplace? What is it like for rural St. Lucian adult consumers as they go about trying to learn to solve the consumer issues they face? What do rural St. Lucian adult consumers perceive to be the requisites for effective decision-making in the marketplace? For the purpose of data collection, two focus group interviews (8 participants per group) of clustered participants were used. The findings of this study revealed that rural adult consumers face numerous problems in the marketplace, rely on information from friends, family, neighbours and co-workers extensively before entering the marketplace, call for education programmes to educate them about consumer problems. This study provides a significant contribution to our understanding of the many consumer issues faced by rural adult consumers in the marketplace, and how these consumers navigate in the marketplace without the benefit of a consumer education programme.
Copyright (c) 2015 Peter Clement https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Democratic and Participative Approaches in Managing Change in Education
The objective of this study is to give a critical analysis of democratic and participative approaches in managing change in education. Pre-independent Namibia was subjected to apartheid policies that continue to have consequences for present-day Namibia. After independence of Namibia in 1990, democratic and participative approaches were introduced. The theoretical framework of this study is grounded in democratic and participatory leadership approaches in managing change in education (Auala, 1999). Fundamental to the process of democratisation is an adherence to the basic belief that people have the right to participate in the change process and decisions that affect their lives. A qualitative research method was used by obtaining information from respondents through interviews. Documents analysis through literature review was also used in this study. The study addresses the following questions: 1) Explain why democratic and participative leadership approaches in managing change in education are so important? 2) Who should be involved in the change process at schools? 3) What are the causes of resistance to change and how can they be eliminated? The data analyses and the findings reveal that one of the best methods for reducing resistance to change is to involve those affected by the change to participate in the decision making, planning, designing and implementation of the change process in order to win the hearts and minds of the stakeholders. The study concludes that democratic and participative approaches in education are the key to quality education for all.
Copyright (c) 2015 Rehabeam Katengela Auala, Erkkie Haipinge, Fredrika Babsy Uahengo, Julia Chaka and Jogbeth Kaita https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
An Analysis of Rhetoric and Humour in Dudley’s Political Cartoons
This article is a rhetorical and humorous study of Dudley’s political cartoons. The article explores the use of rhetoric and humour in Dudley’s political cartoons that were printed in 2012. All political cartoons were extracted from The Namibian newspaper. The cartoons were analysed for rhetoric and humour using both visual and language based elements. The analysis used Aristotle’s rhetorical proofs of persuasion: ethos, pathos and logos as well as humour theories of superiority and incongruity. The study revealed that Dudley’s political cartoons employ ethos when the characters who were chastised and cheered at are individuals who have high profile in society; people whom the readers are looking at and people who are deemed to have goodwill for the nation at heart. Pathos was used to stir up the emotions of the readers so that they could support his arguments. The study revealed that when the caricatures are criticised and put down because of their actions, superiority theory of humour is employed. The cartoons are incongruous when the cartoonist delivers something humorous and different from the readers’ expectations.
Copyright (c) 2015 Rauna Mwetulundila https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Impact of Globalization on Labour and Poverty Reduction: An African Perspective
Globalisation gained momentum in the 1990s as a negation of the protectionist international trade policies which had characterised the world prior to that. The main discourse in this paper is that contrary to orthodox theory that globalisation would lead to job creation and poverty reduction; globalisation has led to an increase in poverty levels, unemployment and a drop in living standards, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The second exposition is anchored on the premise that globalisation has taken the struggle between labour and capital, which is heavily skewed against the former, to a new level. Thirdly, the paper postulates the argument that there is a dialectical relationship between neo-liberalism and globalisation, i.e. neo-liberalism is the sine qua non for globalisation. Finally, we submit that the main drivers of globalisation are Multi-National Corporations (MNCs), while the main enablers are the World Bank, the IMF and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Copyright (c) 2015 Gerson U. Tjihenuna https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Transforming Namibia’s Human Resource Toward Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development: Lessons for Managers, and Those Engaged in Education, Training and Business Services
This paper explores the creative urge (CU) that transforms hominids from the notional view as human resource to the fully functional state of contributing human assets. Its aim is to build understanding of the creative energy that is embedded in all of us – in our cells and our individuality. Mostly latent, this capacity goes often misunderstood, unrecognized or is under-utilized in the average person. Those that realize this innate potential within them recognize also the value and power of the intuition which, when discovered, plants labels on us as “geniuses, creators, artists, leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs”. Those that do not realize this potential, are left to fallow in the perpetual rat race, as followers and hewers for others. In this presentation, I have tried to model and show the explicit and implicit relationships between empirical evidence of CU and its various sources and to characterize common traits that are shared by innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. To appreciate the phenomenomics, the paper explores the various ways in which we inherit, acquire and inculcate our individual traits, and how, with this new insight, we can mould and transform them into our characters, skillsets, talents, intellect, intelligence, and how they do transmogrify our values as individuals, family, and collectively, as communities, tribes and nations. Among other things, the paper explains how the creative urge (in us) kindles our attributes, directs the several paths we use to uncover, enhance, advance and activate the entrepreneurial attributes that are stored or trapped mechanically in our subconscious mind. How we connect our physical and metaphysical sensors with the intuition and, more importantly, how we can valorise the human mind to its highest creative potential. Illustrating mentally and graphically, the paper presents a value assessment of the intuition and its pervading role and enlightening influence on our creativity, insight and intellect, and how we can use such influences to re)construct mental and physical prototypes for production, services, for economy and the structures and visions that we use to drive and sustain public and corporate policy. In summary, this exposé provides insight into valuable techniques we may use to ignite and create our own development models to raise ourselves as innovators, entrepreneurs, and collectively as firms and nations. Lastly, the paper explains the pervasive influences of directed education and training on entrepreneurs; and the links between environment, anthropology, culture and social constructs we make to engage with or alter the course of nature and our natural destiny. It opines a sort of blueprint to build up our perceptive skills and insights to enable and amplify our capacities as individuals for innovation, creativity and entrepreneuring. Finally, we should be able to recognize the creative urge that is responsible for the source of energy we are and embody.
Copyright (c) 2015 Earle S. Taylor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Strategies for Improving Poor Performance in the Botswana Public Service
The work performance of the Botswana public service has been a major concern to the government, civil society, development partners and the nation at large. The prevailing situation in the work-place has been that of low work performance, poor service delivery and high labour turnover (Tshukudu: 2006: & Tshukudu: 2009). The poor work performance has led to a decline in the economic growth from an average GDP of 8 per cent to 7.1 per cent between 1990 and 2003 (World Bank Report 2003: 40). This article presents 15 strategies for the effective management of poor performance in the Botswana Public Service. One crucial aspect of improving performance is eradicating poor performance through strategies that will assist public service managers in effectively improving poor performance in their organisations, departments and ministries.
Copyright (c) 2015 Theophilus T. Tshukudu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Rationale for the Establishment of the SADC Protocol on Education and Training and its Envisaged Benefits to the Region
Since the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Education and Training (SADC-PET) was launched in 1997, only some of its member states have implemented it into their national policies. This has resulted in the region’s failure, as a whole, to achieve the protocol’s objectives. After a brief introduction of its subject, the paper examines SADC member states in order to determine what steps have precisely been taken to implement the protocol thus far and ends by presenting the challenges that have prevented the objectives of the protocol from being implemented and fully achieved by its member states.
Copyright (c) 2015 David Richard Namwandi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Role of Management in the Provision of Quality Service in a Tertiary Institution: The Case of University of Botswana
This article provides an analysis of the role of management in the provision of quality service in the University of Botswana (UB). Students are internal customers and their experiences are based on the overall assessment of service delivery as it is a critical component in tertiary institutions. Generally, the UB students’ perceived experiences with service delivery are considerably lower than their expectations and desires of services provided by the institution. Particular areas of concern are, amongst others: problems with online registration; information enterprise resource planning (iERP) system failure; poor class attendance by lecturers; and lack of support from managerial staff to both lecturers and students. The researcher used secondary sources of data. In a nutshell, the findings indicate that in most cases, management is not up-to-date with student expectations in terms of quality service delivery; hence inadequacies in University service quality standards. The paper recommends that the UB’s management should be trained on internal customer satisfaction so that they play a significant role in ensuring competitive advantage through providing quality services. In view of the fact that provision of quality service will help drive UB towards achieving its vision to be a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and the world, UB should put measures in place in order to ensure full employee and management engagement on quality service delivery.
Copyright (c) 2016 Theophilus T. Tshukudu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Relation Between Psychological Empowerment and Turnover Intention at a Parastatal in Windhoek, Namibia
Finding ways to reduce turnover within organisations is challenging, especially during economically difficult times and with high levels of skills shortages. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relation between psychological empowerment and turnover intention. Instead of using money only to retain employees, managers and organisations can find ways to reduce the turnover intention of employees. Psychological empowerment is a set of cognitions regarding an individual’s job orientation in relation to meaning, competence, self-determination and impact. Psychological empowerment is linked to identifying and removing conditions from an organisation that increase powerlessness amongst the employees. Turnover intention is the subjective probability that an employee will leave his/her work within a certain period of time. Turnover intention was found to be the strongest predictor of actual turnover. It was found that when employees experience higher levels of psychological empowerment they will also experience lower levels of turnover intention and increased levels of productivity within the organisation. A cross-sectional survey was used to assess the correlation between psychological empowerment and turnover intention at a parastatal in Windhoek (n=101). Making use of Spearman’s rank order correlation, psychological empowerment was negatively related to turnover intention (r = -0.46, p < 0.05; medium effect). Removing disempowering practices from the organisation will reduce employees’ level of turnover intention. The unique nature of this study, especially within the Namibian context, paves the way for future research on a large scale but also adds to the existing body of knowledge within industrial/organisational psychology and to aspects of employee retention within the world of work.
Copyright (c) 2016 Getrud Mashuna and Wesley R. Pieters https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0