ix, 48 p. : maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / This thesis examines the roots of deforestation in Malawi and how it has been problematized and turned into an accepted discourse of an impending crisis. I argue that deforestation in Malawi has been prioritized in order to suit the needs of Malawi's powerful elite and does not reflect the real and urgent problems of Malawi's small farmers. Deforestation has been explained by narratives which suggest that the farmers are to blame either because they have over-consumed fuelwood without replanting or have cut too many trees for expanding agriculture. These narratives not only mask the ultimate cause of deforestation, which is unequal access to land, but also deflect attention from more immediate problems. In recent surveys, however, Malawi's farmers have been clear about their priorities. Deforestation is a concern, but poverty and lack of food security are their chief problems. / Committee in charge: Peter Walker, Chairperson; Dennis Galvan, Member

A research report submitted to the Faculties of Health Sciences and Humanities, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the field of Demography and Population Studies / Nowhere has the family’s important role in ensuring optimal development of people been seriously put into disrepute. Since time immemorial, the family has endured the impact of socioeconomic and political challenges and it is still regarded as pivotal in the development of cultures and nations (Emran, 2009). Apart from reproduction, socialization, production, consumption, accumulation and social networking, and care for vulnerable groups, families are important in intergenerational transfers such as material, cultural values and social capital. In spite of these notable values, modernization and industrialization continue to alter the traditional systems leading to emergence of new family forms. Malawi has one of the highest rates of single families, within the Sub-Saharan Africa region, especially among women, with a rate as high as 61% by the time a woman reaches 45 years of age. Further, about 56% of children under the age of 15 were not co-resident with both parents. Unstable families are associated with several wider negative outcomes such as poor economic and health outcomes to individual, communities and nations at large. Despite such challenges, it is surprising that little attention has been paid to fully analyse factors that are causing such changes in the family. Thus, the aim of this paper was to identify the levels and trends and assesses the demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors associated with family structure in Malawi between 2000 and 2010. The study was motivated by inadequate literature and scientific knowledge on the scope of the impacts of different factors which have caused changes to family arrangements over time. Study Method: Two data sets were employed in this study. These data sets were extracted from the Malawi Demographic Heath Survey for the year 2000 and 2010. The unit of analysis was women aged 15-49 years of age from different households. In order to identify trends, the Chi2 square test was used. As for measuring the association between the various demographic and socioeconomic factors and family structure, the Multinomial Logistic Regression model was used. Results: The study reveals that there was a 2.5% increase in the rate of single families between 2000 and 2010. Further, the inferential results shows that age of household head is statistically associated with changing family structure in Malawi in the year(s) 2000 and 2010 for both the nuclear and extended family categories (p-value 0.000). In addition, being in the age bracket (25-39) has a higher statistical assocition with changing family structure in both 2000 and 2010 (p-value 0.000). Further, belonging to households headed by a female is statistcially associted with family structure in 2000 and 2010 for both nuclear and extended family (p-value 0.000). The results also show that being a Muslim woman is statistically associated with family structure in 2010 (p-value 0.039) but not in 2000. In terms of education, having primary and secondary education is statiscally asocited with family strcuture [primary: 2000 and 2010 (p-value 0.000 for both) secondary: 2000 and 2010 (p-value 0.001 for both). As for residence, residing in rural area is statistically associated with family structure in Malawi (2000 (nuclear: p-value 0.000; extended: p-value 0.028) and 2010 (nuclear: p-value 0.006; extended: 0.013). As for wealth, the results show that having middle and richer wealth quintile is statistically associated with family structure in 2010 for both nuclear and extended families (p-value 0.000) but not in 2000. Similarly, women in employment is statistcially associated with family strcuture for nuclear and extended family categories (p-value 0.000 for both 2000 and 2010). Lastly, the results also show that having few children (1-2), average number of children (3-4) and many children (5 and above) is statistically associated with family structure in the extended family category only (p-value 0.000). Conclusions: The study reveals that single families are on the increase while nuclear and extended families are decreasing. Policy and programmes to the wider sectors such as; HIV/AIDS, gender, reproductive health and education should be directed to the family if Malawi is to achieve health, and socioeconomic grown which are some of the key areas of interest in achieving the sustainable development goals / MT2017

Masters in Management: Finance and Investment, Wits Business School / Since the early 1990s an increasing number of countries are adopting inflation targeting and although it has been lauded as a successful monetary policy regime this paper seeks to determine whether or not inflation targeting is sufficient to bring about financial market stability. We compare 10 emerging market economies, 6 that have adopted inflation targeting and 4 that have not in order to ascertain whether or not there is a significant difference between these groups of countries based on 2 financial market stability indicators, the first being the volatility of equity markets and the second being currency volatility. From these results, there is no evidence that inflation targeting has had any impact on the stability of financial markets and in some instances, non-targeters have outperformed targeters in terms of the improvements in stability

Background: Unintended pregnancy is a major problem among sexually active women and occurs due to a number of reasons, such as inconsistent use of short term contraceptive methods or non-use of modern contraception. Recent scientific findings indicate that long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) methods, which are cost effective and highly effective in pregnancy prevention, are a possible solution to the problem of unintended pregnancies. Therefore, the aim of the study is to identify the demographic, socio-economic and reproductive health factors associated with the use of long acting reversible contraceptive methods among sexually active women aged 15-49 in Malawi. Methods: The study used the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2010 data. The sample comprised of 17 744 sexually active women aged 15-49 years. LARC methods were defined as Norplant, Intra-uterine device (IUD) and Depo-Provera. Descriptive analysis was done to describe the study sample, while binomial logistic regression modeling was done to identify demographic, socio-economic and reproductive health factors that influence LARC method use. Data analysis was done using Stata 12. Results: The results suggest that prevalence of LARC methods is 26%. At multivariate level, the results indicate that younger women (15-24) are more likely to use LARC methods than older women (35+). There is distinct regional variation of LARC use, with women in the Southern region being more likely to use the methods. Additionally, being married, with a secondary education or higher, having been visited by a family planning worker, staying in urban areas and wanting children after 2 years, increased the odds of using the LARC methods among the women. Conclusion: Increasing the prevalence of LARC methods is very crucial as a solution to the challenge of unintended pregnancy. Measures need to be put in place to ensure that there is no distinct variation in LARC use in women found in the three regions of the country. Formal education and mobile family planning workers are crucial in increasing LARC methods use.

No description available.

Groundwater resources is the major source of potable water in Mchinji District of Central Malawi and globally. Although the total amount of water on and under the earth‟s surface is generally assumed to have remained constant, the rapid population boom coupled with extension of agricultural farmland and industrial development are putting pressure and stress on the quality and quantity of water resources. In principal therefore, „use and discard‟ philosophy in water resources cannot be subscribed (Lloyd, 1999). The situation ultimately calls for rational management of water resources to ensure its sustainability. Water intended for human consumption must be free from organisms that are the causative agents of diseases and must not contain chemical substances at concentrations that may be hazardous to human health. In addition drinking water should be aesthetically acceptable, free from unpleasant taste, color, odor and turbidity. Drinking water should also be free from bacteria and viruses whose presence would indicate fecal contamination. Some are known to be toxic and their concentrations must be below acceptable value, taking into account that drinking water is but one of the several pathways by which substances enters the body. ix Due to perceived concerns of over extraction and rapid water resources depletion, optimal management of groundwater resources are now receiving much attention. Their associated literatures have taken quite different approaches both philosophically and operationally to the analysis of how groundwater should be managed, allocated and cared for spatially and temporally. This study investigated the spatial and temporal fluctuations of concentrations of chemical and biological substances in groundwater such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, iron, fluoride, manganese, chloride, sulfates, sodium and fecal coliform in Mchinji District of Central Malawi. Through examination and analysis of static water levels as an indicator of water table fluctuations, groundwater availability was also measured. It was found that anthropogenic activities on the landscape can impact the quality and quantity of the water resources in this area and this impact on the various sectors of the inhabitant‟s livelihoods. Groundwater in Mchinji is composed of a number of chemical and biological elements whose origin is either from the material in which it percolates through, or stored before exploitation. Anthropogenic activities in this area plays a role in the quality and quantity of groundwater through land use and land cover change as evidenced by comparisons of Landsat Thematic x Mapper™ satellite images over different time scales. In Mchinji no regular groundwater monitoring is being done indicating a deficiency in sustainability interventions of the resource. This study calls for integrated and sustainable water resources management and coordinated efforts amongst water users, local councils, regulatory authorities and environmental policy makers. Of far greater importance in groundwater sustainability analysis is the issue of groundwater monitoring. It is imperative therefore to preserve the resource while preservation is still possible. Groundwater is now turning into „blue gold‟ and becoming a highly sought-after commodity. It should, however, be utilized sustainably to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

This dissertation is submitted to the Faculty of Humanities in partial fulfilment of the Master of Arts in Labour Policy and Globalisation at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg , 2019 / NG (2020)

This case study investigated the impact of irrigation on household food security at Ibu and Kalizinje villages in Chingale, Malawi. The aim of the study was to investigate whether irrigation improved household food security. The study was qualitative in nature. Fifty-eight farmers and three World Vision field staff participated in the study. Group discussions with participatory techniques and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed qualitatively using matrix/logical analysis. Irrigation improved irrigating farmers’ household food security through an increase in production and income levels. Irrigating farmers were better off in terms of crop production and income levels than non-irrigating farmers. Irrigating farmers planted irrigated maize two to three times a year, while non-irrigating farmers planted rain-fed maize only once a year. In terms of income levels, irrigating farmers produced more food than households required, and sold surpluses. Most irrigating farmers began cash cropping after the introduction of irrigation and also earned higher incomes, as irrigation enabled production of crops during lean periods and enabled them to sell surpluses at higher prices. Irrigation did not improve crop diversification. Non-irrigating farmers diversified crops more than irrigating farmers by planting groundnuts and sweet potatoes. Income from irrigating farmers did not increase dietary diversity and the acquisition of assets for irrigating farmers. Few farmers consumed a variety of foods and few acquired assets with the income derived from irrigation. Nevertheless, irrigation has the potential to smooth production cycles and provide food and income during seasons when food and income would be low. In addition, the study revealed the following as problems faced by farmers: constraining size of small diesel pumps, pump breakdown at Kalizinje, floods, pests and diseases, storage problems, lack of market places and poor roads, small land sizes, and expensive farm inputs. / Thesis (M.Sc..)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Competition in many market-driven media systems in advanced industrial countries can sometimes compromise traditional public service broadcast values such as programming for diversity, citizenship, minority interests and national identity. This study investigates the presence and effects of commercial-logic in a state-owned broadcaster in a developing country: the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. Using indepth interviews and analysis of records on finance and programme schedules, the study finds overwhelming indicators of the presence of commercial logic, not driven by competition, but a commitment to provide a public service under deteriorating financial conditions. Distinguishing between the impacts of advertising and sponsorship markets on media output, the study finds contradictory effects of commercialisation. Some effects confirm some of the adverse effects of commercialisation such as heavy sponsorinfluence on programme content, self-censorship among programme producers who avoid injuring sponsors and producers paying more attention to sponsored programmes at the expense ofthe quality of some non-sponsored public service programmes. However, effects are not always contrary to public service broadcasting but may Indeed reinforce such broadcasting. Commercialisation in some instances has led to the sustenance of a range of non-sponsored public service programmes including programmes to promote culture and civic rights. In general, this study highlights the need to focus on what is realistically possible within the dynamics of the Malawi Society as a precondition for a proactive and elaborate strategy for commercialisation ofthe country's public broadcaster.

<p>This research study seeks to investigate how institutional arrangements impact on intra-party democracy in Malawi. Intra-party democracy is essential as it promotes party unity through reduced fragmentation and factionalism, encourages a culture of democratic debate and deliberation of critical issues within the party and therefore collective ownership of decisions. Further, it creates legitimate internal conflict management systems and finally, reduces opportunistic and arbitrary use of delegated authority. These are fundamental tenets of any functioning democratic entity. These elements of intra-party democracy are attainable if they are formerly stipulated and governed by the party&rsquo / s constitutional rules. Where such rules either do not exist or are not effectively enforced, major operational problems arise. These may include: non-inclusive candidate selection procedures, centralised coalition negotiation processes, unprocedural conflict management mechanisms and unconstitutional or illegitimate party conventions. Consequently, the resulting outcomes include party instability and factionalism stimulated by resignations and expulsions, declining electoral support and weak coalitions. These factors undermine the party&rsquo / s contribution to democracy. The next section gives the context and historical evolution of parties in Malawi.</p>