This study aims to identify the quality of knowledge management practices and success factors of non-governmental organisations in Malawi, and their influence on the knowledge management process. A questionnaire-based survey is used to establish the knowledge management practices being implemented and the extent to which they are being followed through on. A statistical-based analysis enabled the researcher to determine the influence of these practices on knowledge management processes. Results suggest an unbalanced pursuit of knowledge management practices in Malawian non-governmental organisations, which are oriented towards the knowledge generation process but fall short in knowledge application activities. This study contributes to strategy formulation and decision making in respect of adopting and investing in knowledge management initiatives in the non-profit sector. More importantly, it joins the debate on identification of appropriate practices which effectively address organisational needs. Data is limited to non-governmental organisations in Malawi; therefore, findings may be tied to a specific geographical location / School of Computing / M.Sc. (Computing)

The distinctive features of inflation targeting include the publishing of the formal (official) target band or point target for the rate of inflation at one or more time horizons and the explicit confirmation that low and steady inflation is the long-run objective of monetary policy. There are four main preconditions of inflation targeting: 1) an independent central bank that is free from fiscal and political pressures; 2) a central bank that has both the ability to forecast inflation and the capability to model inflation data; 3) the presence of fully deregulated prices and an economy that is affected by changes of commodity prices, as well as exchange rates; and 4) the presence of sound banking system and well developed capital markets. In most developing countries, the use of seigniorage revenues as a source of financing government debts, the lack of commitment by monetary authorities to low inflation as a primary goal, the absence of the central bank’s functional independence, and of powerful models to make domestic inflation forecasts, prevent the satisfaction of these preconditions. This dissertation investigates the extent to which Malawi meets the preconditions for inflation targeting by comparing the situation in that country to other developing countries, which have already adopted the framework. Malawi is committed to the central bank’s functional independence as well as the pursuit of prudent fiscal policy measures for the attainment of low inflation. Despite the failure to meet all the preconditions, this study recommends that Malawi should adopt an inflation targeting framework due to the strength of commitment of the monetary authorities in satisfying these preconditions.

Community-based organizations are considered as one of the major institutions involved in community development apart from the state and non-governmental organizations. The idea of local participation is the one that has resulted into their emergence as participation is considered to be an essential part of human growth. With the advent of democracy in 1994, and the coming in of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Malawi, there has been a mushrooming of community-based organizations in the country. Now that its over fourteen years since their emergence in Malawi, its high time a study was conducted to establish contributions the community-based organizations are making in the development if the country, identify the challenges they are facing and find possible solutions that can help improve their effectiveness. This thesis presents findings of such a study done in Kasungu district in Malawi. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Floor crossing was an unknown phenomenon in Malawi until the re-emergence of multiparty politics in 1994. Since then the number of MPs crossing the floor in the Malawi National Assembly has steadily increased from around twelve in 1994 to more than sixty in 2005. This practice has continued even today. However, the biggest incident of floor crossing took place in 2005 when the State President, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, under the United Democratic Front (UDF) decided to abandon the party that sponsored him into office to form his own, the Democratic Progressive Party in February, 2005. Following him were several opposition MPs, a move which sparked a lot of tension in the National Assembly. The purpose of this study was to investigate political factors contributing to this phenomenon, and it was established that, among other factors, institutional weaknesses of political parties and gaps in the Constitution contributed significantly to floor crossing. / Political Science / M.A. (African Politics)

Thesis (doctorate)--University of South Africa, 2001.

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that influenced safer sex practices in Malawi. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive study was conducted to determine why the prevalence of new HIV infections was still high in Malawi despite. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Sexually active men, women, boys and girls that participated in the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation community awareness activities participated in this study. The study found that demographic, socio-economic and knowledge-related factors influence safer sex practices in Malawi. Various modifying factors played a role in influencing the individuals’ perception of susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits of practising safer sex. The findings indicated that individuals generally had a broad knowledge of the spread and prevention of HIV. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework for the study / Health Studies

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Central African country of Malawi has a population of over 15 million people and more than 500 Protestant missionaries. In spite of an overall sense of partnership and community among missionaries in Malawi, a significant tension exists between the approaches that various Protestant missionaries have taken in their attempt fulfil The Great Commission of Matthew 28. This tension is not limited to Malawi. Missiologists worldwide have identified several different models of mission work. Some of these models emphasize the verbal proclamation of the gospel message while other models emphasize social action and acts of mercy as an equal or primary focus. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine what the dominant models of mission work in Malawi are in practice. Is the emphasis more on gospel proclamation or social action and how does that relate to the commission in Matthew 28? In order to determine this, the researcher 1) investigates the growing tension between various models of missionary work, 2) analyzes various Protestant missionary models as they relate to key passages of Scripture, 3) examines qualitative theological perspectives surrounding the issue of evangelism, social action, Matthew 25, and Matthew 28, 4) conducts empirical quantitative research among missionaries currently serving in Malawi, 5) conducts empirical qualitative research among Christians in the West that have an interest in Malawi’s missionary work, 6) explores normative perceptions of the traditional prioritism model of missionary work, 7) develops a revised praxis for churches in the West that send missionaries to help them become more effective in developing their models of mission. Traditionally, missionaries have focused on gospel proclamation and social action has been a secondary, but important, emphasis. Today, some missionaries elevate social action as a co-priority with proclamation while others practice social action almost exclusively. Many missionaries in Malawi are so focused on social action activities like medicine, general education, and orphan care that they have little time to devote to Bible teaching, baptism, and church strengthening. Christians in the West who have an interest in missionary work in Malawi are naturally concerned about both gospel proclamation and social action. They desire that the physical needs of Malawians would not be neglected, but they also desire that the gospel message would be proclaimed in Malawi and that missionaries would make disciples by teaching all that Christ has commanded. This is why a research project that involves a theological study in relation to an analysis of the praxis of religious workers in Malawi will be useful. It should help both Christians in the West and missionaries in Malawi to maintain priorities that will sustain both gospel proclamation as well as social action in a needy country like Malawi. One of the desired outcomes of this study is to determine the factors that contribute to missionary activity which neglects neither gospel proclamation, nor the physical needs of others. In order to determine these factors, it will be beneficial to ascertain a more thorough understanding of different missionary models and evaluate their potential deficiencies and strengths. The main research question this study addresses is: What are the current models of missionary practice among missionaries in Malawi today and how do those models relate to key passages for missionaries, such as Matthew 28:18-20 and Matthew 25:31-46? / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Malawi, 'n land in sentraal Afrika, het 'n bevolking van meer as 15 miljoen mense en meer as 500 Protestantse sendelinge. Alhoewel daar goeie samewerking tussen Sending-organisasies is, ervaar hulle wel spanning rakende hulle onderskeie benaderings tot die Evangelisasie opdrag van Mattheus 28. Hierdie spanning is nie beperk tot Malawi nie. Wereldwyd het Sendingkundiges verskillende modelle vir sendingwerk geïdentifiseer. Van hierdie modelle beklemtoon die verkondiging van die Evangelie, terwyl ander die sosiale uitleef van die Evangelie verkondig deur middel van barmhartigheid. Die doel van hierdie proefskrif is om te bepaal wat die dominante modelle van sendingwerk in Malawi in die praktyk is. Is die klem meer op Evangelie verkondiging of op sosiale aksie, en hoe hou hierdie verband met die opdrag in Mattheus 28? Om hierdie vas te stel, gaan die navorser, 1) die toenemende spanning tussen verskillende modelle van sendingwerk ondersoek, 2) die verskillende Protestantse sending-modelle ontleed volgens hulle verwantskap aan kern gedeeltes van die Skrif, 3) empiriese kwantitatiewe navorsing doen onder huidige sendelinge in Malawi, 4) empiriese kwalitatiewe navorsing doen onder Christene in die Westerse wereld wat belangstel in sendingswerk in Malawi, 5) normatiewe begrip van die tradisionele voorkeur model van sendingwerk verken, 6) verbeterde praktyke ontwikkel wat kerke in die Weste, wat sendelinge wil uitstuur, kan navolg om hulle te help met die ontwikkeling van hulle sending-modelle. Tradisioneel het sendelinge op Evangelie-verkondiging gefokus en enige sosiale aksies was wel belangrik, maar van sekondêre belang. Vandag het sommige sendelinge sosiale aksies verhef tot 'n mede prioriteit gelyk aan Evangelieverkondiging, terwyl ander amper eksklusief sosiale aksies bedryf. Vele sendelinge in Malawi is so gefokus op sosiale aksie soos mediese hulp, algemene onderwys, en die versorging vir weeskinders, dat hulle min tyd het om hulself toe te wy aan Bybelse onderrig, doop en die versterking van kerke. Christene in die Weste, wat belangstel in sendingwerk in Malawi, is van nature besorg oor beide Evangelie verkondiging sowel as sosiale aksies. Hulle wil graag hê dat die fisiese behoeftes van Malawiers nie verwaarloos word nie, maar hulle begeer ook dat die Evangelie boodskap in Malawi verkondig word en dat sendelinge dissipels sal maak deur hulle alles wat Christus beveel het, te leer. Dit is die rede waarom dit nuttig sal wees om 'n navorsingsprojek te hê wat 'n teologiese studie insluit rakende 'n ontleding van die gebruike van godsdienstige werkers in Malawi. Dit behoort Christene in die Weste sowel as sendelinge in Malawi te help om prioriteite te handhaaf wat beide Evangelie verkondiging sowel as sosiale aksies ondersteun in 'n behoeftige land soos Malawi. Een van die verlangde resultate van hierdie studie is om die faktore te bepaal wat bydra tot sendingwerk wat nie Evangelie verkondiging verwaarloos nie en ook nie die fisiese behoeftes van ander verontagsaam nie. Om hierdie faktore te bepaal sal dit waardevol wees om 'n deegliker begrip van verskillende sending-modelle vas te stel en hulle potensiele tekortkominge en sterkpunte te evalueer. Die hoof navorsings-vra wat hierdie studie aanspreek is: Wat is die huidige modelle van sendingpraktyk onder sendelinge in Malawi en hoe hou dit verband met kern Skrifgedeeltes vir sendelinge soos Mattheus 28:18-20 en Mattheus 25:31-46?

Thesis (MPA (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Soon after independence in 1964 the Malawi government made an attempt to decentralise some of its activities through the creation of district development committees. However, in practice local-level institutions were not fully operational as the one-party system of government (led by the Malawi Congress Party) tended to manipulate the autonomy and operations of these institutions. Accordingly, there was no manifestation of local participation and representation. The period of one-party rule in Malawi came to an end in 1994 with the introduction of multi-party democracy. The new government revitalised the idea of decentralised governance by passing the Local Government Act of 1998, which saw the establishment of local assemblies. Thus officially Malawi has a very supportive system in relation to citizen participation and representation through decentralised local institutions. However, in practice, there is no clear evidence that this is actually being realised. Consequently, this study was undertaken to examine the role of party politics on local participation and representation. The study was conducted in three district local assemblies of Malawi ...

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Lack of collaboration amongst resource user groups in protected areas undermines effective community participation in protected area management. Currently, collaborative approaches are recognised as a planning tool and less of a management tool. However practice reveals that utmost, participatory approaches are recognised in management plans, but fail in the actual implementation. With this study an attempt was made to identify a possible means of enhancing community participation in protected area management by evaluating the extent to which the community of stakeholders in Lake Malawi National Park effectively engage in the management of the protected area. To achieve this aim, the research identified the stakeholders; their relationships with the park; and their relationships with each other. It further evaluated the present level of collaboration on whether it was adequate to enhance community participation in the sustainable management of the park. This research followed a descriptive-qualitative approach because the researcher was interested in exploring wider perceptions of people. It took the form of a case study to allow for an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon through understanding the participants‟ point of view in their natural setting. A critical review of related literature and a field research were conducted where data was collected from park documents and seven representatives from three stakeholder groups through the use of semi-structured interviews in English and Chichewa (official and national languages respectively); supported by note taking. The study has four findings. Firstly, that the primary stakeholders were the park authority management, lodge operators and indigenous people (villagers). Secondly, that stakeholders were found to have a special relationship with the park as it provided business opportunities, a source of livelihood, a sense of empowerment, relaxation space and employment. Thirdly, that stakeholders were not satisfied with the level of relationships in the park especially towards park authority management. This is a deviation from the expected in that for a long time relations in the park were seen to be faulted by the indigenous people and especially towards lodge operators, yet in this research, the relationship between these two stakeholder groups were found to be satisfactory. Fourthly, the research found that whilst there were reduced levels of conflict and that stakeholders related as and when need arose, the general level of collaboration was below the community‟s expectation. On a positive note, the findings showed the willingness of the stakeholders to form a representative body which they all felt would be better placed to negotiate decision-making and would improve the level of collaboration and management in the park. Five recommendations followed on how collaboration and stakeholder skills could be improved in the park and some of which include: the speedy facilitation of the registration of an already existing umbrella association; and the formal recognition of tour guides by Government. These issues if critically looked at, will create an environment in which stakeholders are able to collaborate and work as a community in the management of the protected area which is necessary for conservation and sustainability of livelihoods, the park‟s objectives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ʼn Gebrek aan samewerking tussen die gebruikersgroepe van hulpbronne in beskermde gebiede ondermyn doeltreffende gemeenskapsdeelname in die bestuur van hierdie areas. Samewerkingsbenaderings word tans gesien as ʼn beplanningsinstrument eerder as ʼn bestuursinstrument. Die praktyk wys egter dat terwyl deelnemende benaderings herken word in bestuursplanne, dit nie geïmplementeer word nie. In hierdie studie is daar gepoog om moontlike maniere te identifiseer om gemeenskapsdeelname te verbeter in die bestuur van beskermde gebiede deur middel van ʼn evaluering van die mate waartoe die gemeenskap van belanghebbendes in die Malawi Meer Nasionale Park doeltreffend betrokke is in die bestuur van dié beskermde gebied. Om dit te bereik, het die navorsing die belanghebbendes geïdentifiseer, sowel as hulle verhouding tot die park en hulle verhouding met mekaar. Verder is die huidige vlak van samewerking geëvalueer om vas te stel of dit voldoende is om gemeenskapsdeelname te verbeter in die volhoubare bestuur van die park. Die navorsing volg ʼn beskrywende-kwalitatiewe benadering omdat die navorser belanggestel het daarin om die breër persepsies van mense te ondersoek. Dit het die vorm aangeneem van ʼn gevallestudie om sodoende ʼn dieper begrip van die fenomeen te kry deur die deelnemers se oogpunt in hulle natuurlike omgewing te verstaan. ʼn Kritiese oorsig van verwante literatuur en veldwerk is uitgevoer waar data ingesamel is uit parkdokumente en van sewe verteenwoordigers van drie belangegroepe deur die gebruik van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude in Engels en Chichewa (onderskeidelik amptelike en nasionale tale); asook deur die neem van notas. Die studie het vier bevindings opgelewer. Eerstens, die primêre belanghebbendes is die bestuursowerheid van die park, verblyfoperateurs en die inheemse bevolking (dorpsbewoners). Tweedens is daar gevind dat rolspelers ʼn spesiale verhouding het met die park aangesien dit die bron was van sakegeleenthede, inkomste, ʼn gevoel van bemagtiging, ontspanning en werk. Derdens, die rolspelers was nie tevrede met die vlak van verhoudings in die park nie, veral ten opsigte van die bestuursowerheid van die park. Dit is ʼn afwyking van wat verwag word in soverre daar vir ʼn lang ruk gedink is dat verhoudings in die park deur die inheemse bevolking bederf is, veral ten opsigte van verblyfoperateurs. In hierdie studie is daar egter gevind dat verhoudings tussen hierdie twee groepe rolspelers bevredigend is. Vierdens het die navorsing bevind dat hoewel konflik afgeneem het en dat rolspelers met mekaar skakel indien nodig, die algemene vlak van samewerking nie voldoen aan die gemeenskap se verwagtings nie. ʼn Positiewe punt is dat die bevindings wys dat die rolspelers gewillig is om ʼn verteenwoordigende liggaam te stig wat in ʼn beter posisie is om oor besluitneming te onderhandel en wat die vlak van samewerking en bestuur in die park kan verbeter. Vyf aanbevelings het gevolg oor hoe samewerking en die vaardighede van die belanghebbendes in die park verbeter kan word. Waarvan sommige sluit: die spoedige fasilitering van die registrasie van ʼn reeds bestaande oorkoepelende vereniging, en die formele herkenning van toergidse deur die regering. As hierdie kwessies krities beskou word, kan ʼn omgewing geskep word waarbinne belanghebbendes kan saamwerk as ʼn gemeenskap in die bestuur van die beskermde gebied, en dit is nodig vir die bewaring en volhoubaarheid van lewensonderhoud en die park se doelwitte.

Thesis (PhD(For))--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Widdringtonia whytei is a tropical endemic, fire-adapted pioneer coniferous tree species within natural fire-fragmented Afromontane forest patches in a confined area on Mulanje Mountain in Malawi. Natural and anthropogenic fires within the surrounding fire-prone landscape, insect attacks, and uncontrolled harvesting of mature trees for timber threaten the survival of W. whytei. This study investigated the effects of population fragmentation on the reproductive biology of W. whytei, through four specific studies: effects of population size, tree size and crown position on viable seed output; seed rain variation among population sizes; effects of temperature and light on viability and germination of W. whytei seeds; and the influence of population size on natural regeneration patterns. The study was conducted during 2008 and 2009 on three sites using three W. whytei population sizes: small (≤10 reproductively mature cone-bearing W. whytei trees), medium (11-20 cone-bearing trees) and large (>20 cone-bearing trees). Data were collected using field and laboratory experiments and a review of secondary information. The effect of fragment size and crown position on viable seed output and seed rain pattern was tested with a nested linear mixed model. The influence of stem diameter (dbh) on viable seed output was tested using a separate data set. The variation in seed rain was explored with a generalised linear model (GLM) with a negative binomial link function. Variations in seed germination was analysed with a Weibull regression model. The influence of fragment size on seedling regeneration was tested with a GLM (binary logistic regression). Viable seed output from W. whytei cones was very low (23%) and was not affected by population size, tree diameter or crown position. W. whytei population size influenced seed rain with large fragments having higher seed rain densities. Number of dispersed seeds was generally very low and poorly dispersed. W. whytei cones are semiserotinous and depends on moderate to severe fires for heavy seedfall and wider dispersal. Such fires did not occur during the study period. Temperature is a critical factor for seed germination. Seeds germinate between 15 and 25°C with the optimum at ~ 20°C either under light or dark conditions. Regeneration density followed the seed rain pattern indicating that seed availability is a critical factor for regeneration. Regular cool fires outside the forest patches and along the edges during the hot dry season, and the thick litter layer and shady conditions inside forest patches, caused most of the seedling mortality. This study highlighted the difficulties W. whytei experiences with low output of viable seed, limited seed dispersal and low seedling regeneration in and around forest patches, i.e. factors important for conservation management of this species. It is recommended that gaps with diameter equal to canopy height and occasional spot fires would promote seed dispersal onto exposed mineral soil for rapid seedling establishment and subsequent population growth. Such natural fire disturbance events may show the true seed rain and seedling establishment patterns in this species. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Widdringtonia whytei is ‘n tropiese endemiese, vuuraangepaste pionier naaldhoutagtige boomsoort binne die natuurlike vuurgefragmenteerde Afromontane woudkolle binne ‘n beperkte area op Mulanje berg in Malawi. Natuurlike en menslike vure binne die omringende vuurgeneigde landskap, insekaanvalle, en onbeheerde kap van volwasse bome vir hout bedreig die voortbestaan van W. whytei. Hierdie studie het die effek van populasiefragmentasie op die voortplantingsbiologie van W. whytei ondersoek, deur vier spesifieke studies: die effek van populasiegrootte, boomgrootte en kroonposisie op produksie van lewenskragtige saad; saadreënvariasie tussen populasiegroottes; die effek van temperatuur en lig op lewenskragtigheid en ontkieming van W. whytei saad; en die invloed van populasiegrootte op natuurlike verjongingspatrone. Die studie is gedurende 2008 en 2009 uitgevoer op drie groeiplekke met drie W. whytei populasiegroottes: klein (≤10 keëldraende (volwasse) W. whytei bome), medium (11-20 keëldraende bome) en groot (>20 keëldraende bome). Data is versamel in veld- en laboratorium eksperimente asook 'n oorsig van sekondêre inligting. Die invloed van populasie fragmentgrootte en kroonposisie van bome op saadproduksie en die saadreënpatroon is getoets met ‘n geneste liniêre gemengde model. Die invloed van boomstamdeursnee op die produksie van kiemkragtige saad is met ‘n aparte datastel getoets. Die variasie in saadreënpatroon is met 'n algemene liniêre model (GLM) met 'n negatiewe binomiese skakelfunksie getoets. Variasies in ontkiemingspersentasie van sade is met 'n Weibull regressiemodel ontleed. Die invloed van fragmentgrootte op saailingverjonging is met 'n algemene linêre model (binêre logistiese regressie) getoets. Produksie van lewenskragtige saad in W. whytei keëls was baie lag (23%) en was nie deur populasiegrootte, boomstamdeursnee of kroonposisie beïnvloed nie. W. whytei populasiegrootte het saadreën beïnvloed en groot fragmente het groter saadreëndigthede gehad. Die aantal verspreide sade was in die algemeen baie laag en swak versprei. W. whytei keëls is semi-saadhoudend (serotinous) en is afhanklik van matige tot intense vure vir massiewe saadvrystelling en wyer saadverspreiding. Sulke vure het nie gedurende die studieperiode voorgekom nie. Temperatuur is ‘n kritiese factor vir saadontkieming. Sade ontkiem goed tussen 15 en 25°C met die optimum rondom ~ 20°C onder beide lig en donker toestande. Fragmentgrootte het nie die saailingverjonging in W. whytei beïnvloed nie. Verjongingsdigtheid het die saadreënpatroon gevolg, wat daarop dui dat saadbeskikbaarheid ‘n kritiese factor is vir saailingverjonging. Gereelde koel vure buite die woudkolle en langs die woudrand gedurende die droë warm seisoen, en die dik lae blaarval (litter) en skadutoestande binne ‘n woud, het meeste van die saailingmortaliteit veroorsaak. Hierdie studie het die probleme beklemtoon wat W. whytei ondervind met die lae produksie van kiemkragtige saad, saadverspreiding en saailingverjonging binne en rondom die woudkolle, m.a.w. faktore wat belangrik is vir bewaringsbestuur van hierdie boomsoort. Die aanbeveling word gemaak dat kroonopeninge met ‘n deursnee gelyk aan minstens die kroonhoogte, en sporadiese kolbrande binne die woudkolle kan saadverspreiding op blootgestelde minerale grond vir vinnige saailingvestiging en gevolglike populasiegroei bevorder. Sodanige vuurversteuringsgeleenthede mag die werklike patrone in saadreën en saailingvestiging in hierdie species toon.