Botswana Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Evidence supports the implementation of task shifting to address health worker shortages that are common in resource-limited settings. However, there is need to learn from established programs to identify ways to achieve the strongest,... more

Evidence supports the implementation of task shifting to address health worker shortages that are common in resource-limited settings. However, there is need to learn from established programs to identify ways to achieve the strongest, most sustainable impact. This study examined the Botswana lay counselor cadre, a task shifting initiative, to explore effectiveness and contribution to the health workforce. This evaluation used multiple methods, including a desk review, a national lay counselor survey (n = 385; response = 94%), in-depth interviews (n = 79), lay counselors focus group discussions (n = 7), lay counselors observations (n = 25), and client exit interviews (n = 47). Interview and focus group data indicate that lay counselors contribute to essentially all HIV-related programs in Botswana and they conduct the majority of HIV tests and related counseling at public health facilities throughout the country. Interviews showed that the lay counselor cadre is making the workload ...

The article analyses various cases of captivity in a region comprised within modern-day South Africa and Lesotho in the late precolonial period. Focusing on a single social institution, bohlanka, the article follows its traces scattered... more

The article analyses various cases of captivity in a region comprised within modern-day South Africa and Lesotho in the late precolonial period. Focusing on a single social institution, bohlanka, the article follows its traces scattered among the Batlhaping, the Basotho, the Barolong, the Bataung, and other smaller precolonial communities. Generally considered by scholars as a form of clientship based on cattle-loans, bohlanka is here redefined as originating from warfare and captivity, and later expanding to include the destitute. The fundamental elements of the institution-violence, natal alienation, and suspended death-lead to the conclusion that bohlanka constituted a local form of slavery that pre-dated colonial influences.

Currently, Botswana is one of high income economies in Africa. Since independence in 1966, the government has put emphasis on the development of human capital through education and skills development of the citizens. The country has... more

Currently, Botswana is one of high income economies in Africa. Since independence in 1966, the government has put emphasis on the development of human capital through education and skills development of the citizens. The country has dedicated much of the government funds to education to the extent possible while the contribution and payoffs of education expenditure have been limited. This study examines data from 1960-2013 and attempts to link GDP and education expenditure in a long run framework. It has been noted that member states of the United Nations are under pressure to achieve development goals and countries like Botswana need to estimate not only public spending requirements and the macroeconomic implications of financing them, but also the potential social and economic rewards associated with education. Estimations show that at least 40% of people in developing economies are illiterate and governments intend to leave no stone unturned in eliminating this problem. This study applies the Johansen cointegration test and Granger causality procedure to examine the long run affiliations of the variables. Astoundingly, for Botswana economy, there is no long run comovement between GDP and education expenditure for the period 1960-2013. It is advised to review the quality of education and the programmes offered by the local institutions. Jel code:

The objectives of this study were to investigate the extent of user-friendliness of sexual reproductive health services offered in Botswana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 youth. A self-administered questionnaire was used... more

The objectives of this study were to investigate the extent of user-friendliness of sexual reproductive health services offered in Botswana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 youth. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the friendliness of the health providers, health facility and program design using a 5-point Likert scale. The mean age of the participants was 22.1 (SD = 3.5) years. A third (33%) of participants perceived the referral system as not being youth-friendly and/or not adequate. The majority of participants (84.2%) agreed or strongly agreed that the health providers greeted youth receiving sexual and reproductive health services in a polite manner with 89.2% either agreeing or strongly agreeing that health providers told youth to return if they had concerns and 91.9% encouraging them to ask questions. More than a quarter (26%) indicated the health providers had no respect for youth; 27% of the response variables were rated lowest among the va...

Objective: This study, investigated whether high self-efficacy and high self-esteem could predict Batswana males and females intention to practice safe sex. Safe sex behaviors investigated included, consistent use of condoms, abstinence... more

Objective: This study, investigated whether high self-efficacy and high self-esteem could predict Batswana males and females intention to practice safe sex. Safe sex behaviors investigated included, consistent use of condoms, abstinence from sex and sticking to one partner. Method: A self reported anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data from 286 young people aged between 13 and 19 (M = 15.02, SD = 1.02) of which 283 were native citizens of Botswana. Results: Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). Prior to using multiple regression analysis to predict safe sex practices, Pearson’s correlations were conducted on the two independent variables (self-efficacy, self-esteem) and the outcome variable (safe sex behaviors). The findings suggested that intention to limit partners, intention to abstain and intention to use condoms correlated positively with high self-efficacy. High self-esteem exhibited low correlations with the afore-mentioned sexual behaviors. Multiple regression analysis also showed that self-efficacy had a stronger predictive power on the safe sex behaviors under study in comparison to high self-esteem. Conclusion: There has been contradicting evidence on some of the literature on whether high self-esteem is better predictor of safe sex practices. In the current study there were no strong positive correlations exhibited on high self-esteem and safe sex behaviors, rather, high self-efficacy was a better predictor of safe sex practices. The country of Botswana has been battling the fight against HIV/Aids for decades and with the current focus being on behavior change, studies like the current will better inform intervention measures used in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS

Purpose Technology has influenced the implementation of electronic records management systems (ERMS) in government agencies. The high incidence of poor service delivery in government agencies is a key factor that has put pressure on the... more

Purpose Technology has influenced the implementation of electronic records management systems (ERMS) in government agencies. The high incidence of poor service delivery in government agencies is a key factor that has put pressure on the government to implement ERMS. Despite the potential benefits of implementing ERMS, the adoption and use of these programs has been slow and some systems have failed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess how Tlokweng land board (TLB) implemented its electronic records management program using Kotter’s model and awareness, desire, knowledge, ability and reinforcement change model. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and used a case study research design to collect data at TLB. The research made use of mixed methods approach to collect data using questionnaires, interviews and document reviews. Purposeful sampling was used to solicit data from 53 participants in the land board. Findings The findings of the stu...

Investment opportunities remain vast within the Botswana economy and investors seek to make wise choices about their investments hence would require help selecting the most profitable from the options presented to them. Recent studies... more

Investment opportunities remain vast within the Botswana economy and investors seek to make wise choices about their investments hence would require help selecting the most profitable from the options presented to them. Recent studies have showed their own view of unit trusts and the stock market and how to benefit from them but none has touched on the long term investment especially generally for Botswana. This dissertation aims to evaluate a structure of investing both unit trusts and into the stock market using the unique earnings capabilities of the respective asset classes. Current literature has outlined that the unit trust industry is one of the fastest growing in the finance sector and their competitive edge lies with their diversification thereby minimising risk and creating room for wealth creation while on the other hand the stock market bears a number of systematic risks for different types of stock available. With higher risks are an expectation of higher returns hence risk takers would benefit vastly. The researcher adopted an abductive approach for a pragmatist philosophy so say that there are a number of ways to interpret one picture hence being open minded about investment ventures available for inclusion in one’s portfolio. Instruments such as questionnaires were used to collect data and analysis for which done though statistical software’s; archival research analysis which was quantitative was through the assistance of Microsoft excel. The data was collected from a sample of investors whom a good number of which are of have a University degree in Finance hence have sound knowledge on the dynamics of investing. The study found that BIHL from the sample of listed companies outperformed the others and is the most profitable stock on the stock exchange; BIFM and Stanlib have profitable portfolios which investors should venture into and are the money market and balanced prudential fund respectively. The study has also found that a number of investors would like to invest in the future and are certain about investing their money in a company than keeping it in a bank, only a fair number of the participants seem aware of fund managers available in the country hence this research would like to bridge the gap of lack of sufficient information. The concluding decisions emphasised henceforth was that indeed stock and unit trusts are profitable in the short, medium and long term thus the recommendation is to invest in both starting with unit trusts then the stock market given that capital is adequate. The limitation of the study though is the assumption of adequate capital which is not always so and lack of a third party to corroborate the prospected portfolio for Batswana investors.

In the early 1990s, a string of high-level corruption scandals in Botswana outraged citizens and undercut the country’s reputation for good governance and fiscal prudence. In 1994, the government created the Directorate on Corruption and... more

In the early 1990s, a string of high-level corruption scandals in Botswana outraged citizens and undercut the country’s reputation for good governance and fiscal prudence. In 1994, the government created the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), responsible for combating corruption through investigation, prevention, and education. The DCEC won global recognition for its innovative preventive and educational efforts, ranging from preventive units embedded within problem-prone government offices to outreach programs for youth and rural communities. The directorate’s investigative record was more varied, however. Even though investigations of petty graft led to convictions, high-profile cases foundered in court. The DCEC had limited responsibility for those legal setbacks, because its role in prosecution was merely advisory, but the rulings bolstered public concerns that Botswana’s economic and political elites were above the law. Judicial reforms and capacity-building efforts begun in 2012 raised hopes for future investigative gains.

This paper discusses the challenges faced by Chinese merchants when engaging in retail activities in Botswana. The theory of a middleman minority will be used as a theoretical perspective to assess both the challenges and the strategies... more

This paper discusses the challenges faced by Chinese merchants when engaging in retail activities in Botswana. The theory of a middleman minority will be used as a theoretical perspective to assess both the challenges and the strategies employed to meet them. The paper argues that Chinese merchants’ self-imposed isolation (combined
with their sense of vulnerability as foreigners) is deeply rooted in their attitudes. This determines their circumstances and their responses to signs of hostility from the host society. On the other hand, the particular geographical location and economic situation of Botswana offers Chinese merchants opportunities to avoid competing among themselves and to manage their rejection by local society.

Of all the overarching, overlapping, and sometimes overworked themes of this book, there are three that I would like the reader to keep in mind. First are issues of definition and the relationship between ritual and religion. Second is... more

Of all the overarching, overlapping, and sometimes overworked themes of this book, there are three that I would like the reader to keep in mind. First are issues of definition and the relationship between ritual and religion. Second is the discipline of archaeology itself, the material it deals with, and the ways it is influenced by that material as a discipline, with certain given abilities, limitations, and interests. And, last come the various perspectives of study, some new and others old, that could be seen as fruitful avenues for future research, different archaeologies of ritual. In this final chapter, I will discuss mainly the first and the third themes, though still referring to the second (for which see also chapter 2).

"Passion killings"--murders of young women by their young male partners, sometimes followed by suicide--became a public issue in Botswana in the 1990s, and have continued. Two conflicting narratives emerged, one blaming the loss of... more

"Passion killings"--murders of young women by their young male partners, sometimes followed by suicide--became a public issue in Botswana in the 1990s, and have continued. Two conflicting narratives emerged, one blaming the loss of cultural values of respect, one blaming the persistence of cultural values of male domination. This paper argues that there is some truth in both narratives, but that an understanding, and remedies, for increased intimate partner violence must be understood within the context of Botswana's diamond-based high pressure capitalism, with its commodification of social relations, and within the long perspective of the impact of Botswana's location as a labor reserve for SA mines on relations of kinship and gender.

Students on teaching practice from Molepolole College of Education have been using the SHEEP model to identify and assess individual pupils in their classrooms with a variety of special needs. SHEEP is an acronym for five areas under... more

Students on teaching practice from Molepolole College of Education have been using the SHEEP model to identify and assess individual pupils in their classrooms with a variety of special needs. SHEEP is an acronym for five areas under which pupils are assessed; Student, History, Environment, Education, and Performance. A detailed analysis of the work of 75 students, combined with feedback from the teaching practice schools, would seem to indicate that the model presents a methodology for a broad based assessment of pupil needs that is contextually valid for pupils and teachers in Botswana. It directly reflects a goal of special education articulated in the Botswana Revised National Policy on Education that each child should receive individual assessment leading to individual instruction. The majority of pupils identified come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds which would seem to indicate that if the goal of inclusion is to be achieved then educational initiatives need to be an ...

This report focuses on the intersection of the right to freedom of expression online and the protection of personal information in four African countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. The report is divided into five major... more

This report focuses on the intersection of the right to freedom of expression online and the protection of personal information in four African countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. The report is divided into five major parts, including the introduction and conclusion. The first introduces the report, while the second part focuses on the normative standards concerning the right to freedom of expression online and protection of personal information under the United Nations and the African human rights systems. Under both systems, it focused on the applicable provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter). It noted that both rights are not only protected as stand-alone rights under both systems; their intersections, namely media freedoms, the ‘right to be forgotten’ and encryption and anonymity, are also protected. Therefore, States party to both the ICCPR and the African Charter, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria, have an obligation to protect both rights separately and jointly. The third part examines the state of both rights and their intersections in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria. In doing this, each country report is divided into four major sections save for Kenya, which includes a section on major highlights of the report.

Commercial growth media were evaluated for their effect on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedling emergence, growth and development in 80% net shade house at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources from March-April... more

Commercial growth media were evaluated for their effect on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedling emergence, growth and development in 80% net shade house at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources from March-April 2015. Three locally available commercial growth media (germination mix, cocopeat and hygromix) were used. A completely randomized design (CRD) with four repetitions was used. Tomato seeds were sown on 200 cells styrofoam seedling trays to evaluate seedling emergence. Thereafter, the following growth and development parameter were measured; leaf number and area, plant height, fresh and dry masses. Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) in seedling emergence among the three growing media for the entire study period. However, hygromix gave superior absolute numbers compared to other two growth media. Hygromix also gave significantly (p<0.01) larger leaves and taller seedlings than germination mix and cocopeat whereas, no significant difference was observed on shoot fresh and dry masses. Growing media had no significant influence on seedling emergence rate although hygromix sown seeds still emerged relatively faster than the other media. Growers must pay attention to details when selecting the medium to use. Therefore, hygromix and to some extent germination mix are recommended as the most desirable growing media for raising tomato seedlings. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/ijaar/effect-of-commercial-growing-media-on-emergence-growth-and-development-of-tomato-seedlings/

w: W. Kluj, J. Różański (red.), Misje ad gentes Zgromadzenia Misjonarzy Oblatów Maryi Niepokalanej, Warszawa: Instytut Dialogu Kultury i Religii, Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego 2016, s. 75-97.

This is an overview capture of the Botswana Court of Appeal judgments for the year ended 2019. It acts as a brief for the reader, speaking to the influence of various Court of Appeal decisions on the civil law of Botswana. It targets... more

This is an overview capture of the Botswana Court of Appeal judgments for the year ended 2019. It acts as a brief for the reader, speaking to the influence of various Court of Appeal decisions on the civil law of Botswana. It targets readership of junior attorneys, students and non-lawyers, who are keen on current affairs within the legal field, at the highest court in the land. This does not mean it would serve no purpose to a leading attorney or judicial officer as a quick reference point during daily engagements.[Incomplete manuscript]

This paper summarizes the activities of the short-lived but influential Medu Art Ensemble in Gaborone, Botswana. Established as a front by the ANC and its armed wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe, the group was active in theatre, cinema, literature,... more

This paper summarizes the activities of the short-lived but influential Medu Art Ensemble in Gaborone, Botswana. Established as a front by the ANC and its armed wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe, the group was active in theatre, cinema, literature, music, and the visual arts. Through its activities, its major impact was shaping the visual arts used in South Africa during the mass unrest of the 1980s.

Safari hunters’ acute awareness of the widely held negative perceptions of their practice has led to their development of strong justifications and defensive assertions in favour of hunting. Far from being a primarily destructive... more

Safari hunters’ acute awareness of the widely held negative perceptions of their practice has led to their development of strong justifications and defensive assertions in favour of hunting. Far from being a primarily destructive practice, they claim that safari hunting in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, can be seen as an exemplary form of ecotourism, which benefits local communities, facilitates environmental conservation and provides the ultimate nature experience for participants. While research
supports their claims to an extent, the ethical quandaries evinced by hunters themselves, the complex dialectic between local and global controls, and the elite, racialised
and gendered nature of hunting speaks to a more complex and conflicted situation.

The influence of the postmodernist school of thought has touched archival science. This chapter looks into how one of the notions of postmodernism in archival science which advocates for the challenging of the dominant narrative discourse... more

The influence of the postmodernist school of thought has touched archival science. This chapter looks into how one of the notions of postmodernism in archival science which advocates for the challenging of the dominant narrative discourse by equally including into the archives the voices of the minority, the marginalized, the ordinary, and the underrepresented people is faring both at National Archives of Zimbabwe

Ethnologist Dr Paul-Lenert Breutz (Department of Native Affairs, 1948-1960) authored eight volumes on South Africa's Tswana-speaking communities as well as many other lesser known publications. The oral traditions and histories embedded... more

Ethnologist Dr Paul-Lenert Breutz (Department of Native Affairs, 1948-1960) authored eight volumes on South Africa's Tswana-speaking communities as well as many other lesser known publications. The oral traditions and histories embedded in Breutz's 'tribes series', as well as in his self-published compendium, have provided a major source for scholars of the eighteenth-and nineteenth-century Tswana. His methods in compiling this ethnohistorical record have not been understood, and his background, thinking, and professional training have gone unexamined. This study explores Breutz's views of the world, and of Africans in particular, which were shaped and influenced by a set of racial theories, including anti-Semitism. It also closely examines Breutz's oral historical accounts, which stand up to close scrutiny and remain essential to the exploration of the early Tswana past. Though Breutz's mind was skewed by racism, his craft of recording the past was systematic, based on knowledgeable informants he interviewed and guided by the ethnological and language tradition of his doctoral studies at the Hamburg School. Breutz was foremost an antiquarian collector of information. Scholars will find some of his interpretations wanting, but they can place confidence in the historical record he carefully recorded.

This paper explores a vital, if little known, chapter in the life of the iconic Tswana author, LD Raditladi. From 1946-51 he gained control over the Batawana Tribal Administration, and then began an ambitious modernization program in... more

This paper explores a vital, if little known, chapter in the life of the iconic Tswana author, LD Raditladi. From 1946-51 he gained control over the Batawana Tribal Administration, and then began an ambitious modernization program in Ngamiland, This program met with serious resistance, and he was eventually ejected from the Reserve by disaffected inhabitants. Raditladi's love affair with the Batawana Chieftainess, EP Moremi, is also discussed.

Moshana village, 9 km west of Kanye in the southern district, is an impoverished location that happens to be located near an extensive archaeological stonewall site, known as Makolontwane, which recently has been placed on the National... more

Moshana village, 9 km west of Kanye in the southern district, is an impoverished location that happens to be located near an extensive archaeological stonewall site, known as Makolontwane, which recently has been placed on the National Monument register as a national heritage site.

Technology has provided new mechanisms and solutions to improve the service delivery provided by government agencies. One of these potential tools is an electronic records management systems (ERMS) new support tools. The high incidence of... more

Technology has provided new mechanisms and solutions to improve the service delivery provided by government agencies. One of these potential tools is an electronic records management systems (ERMS) new support tools. The high incidence of poor service delivery in government agencies is a key factor that has put pressure on the government to implement ERMS. Despite the potential benefits of implementing ERMS, the adoption and utilization of these programs has been slow and some systems have failed. Therefore, this study sought to assess how Tlokweng Land Board (TLB) implemented its electronic records management program by using Kotter's model and ADKAR change model. The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and employed a case study research design to collect data at TLB. The research used a mixed methods approach to collect data using questionnaires, interviews and document reviews. Purposeful sampling was used to solicit data from 53 participants in the land board. The findings of the study revealed that communication has been used as the most effective tool for managing change at TLB. However, TLB has not yet managed to reinforce the change implemented due to lack of adequate training and motivation of change champions. Moreover, the change management team has little training on the change management framework produced by the Ministry of Lands and Housing (MLH). This study therefore, recommends adoption of the change management lens by records professional when implementing electronic records management systems.