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This document is about a plan to develop physical education curriculum in Malawi. Despite its official recognition, the subject is often regarded as a low entity on the school curriculum. Several factors contribute to this status, chief among them is: lack of well-prepared teachers; equipment and materials; negative attitude by certain key individuals in the society. This document is the first attempt to develop a broad and balanced physical education curriculum in Malawi. In this document, two curriculum frameworks have been provided. One such curriculum frameworks is for the primary school (elementary) grades 1-8 and the other, the secondary (high) school 1-4. These frameworks are detailed with teaching and learning topics in physical education in such a way that every school child will have an opportunity to participate for enjoyment, knowledge and skill acquisition for personal and national benefit. This study is drawn upon the US and UK models where programs such as Saber-Tooth, Catch, Spark and Sport-England have been very successful. The assumption of this plan, comprehensive as it may be, is the essence of collective effort of the people of Malawi to implement the ideas it contains. / Ph. D.

the Ashes and the Portal is an immersive stereoscopic animated short capturing the burned library after a fire disaster at Mzuzu University, Malawi, Africa, and it also witnesses the new design of the library from Virginia Tech architecture students. This animated short recreates the burned library and presents the new library design with photo-real image sequences which can immersively bring the audiences onto the site. The Ashes and the Portal utilizes the Cyclorama system, which is a 32 feet diameter and 16 feet tall cylindrical screen with four projectors that can display visual content. The surrounding panels with rendered footage could provide an immersive experience within this semi-public space. This is a collaboration project between the School of Visual Arts and the School of Architecture + Design, also with technical support from the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. This project explores the potential use of Cyclorama system as a platform for CG works, especially for stereoscopic animation. / Master of Fine Arts / The Ashes and The Portal is a computer generated animation tells a story about burned library at Mzuzu University, Malawi, Africa and a new library design from Virginia Tech architecture students. Audience is required to wear a pair of 3D goggles to view the animation inside a giant curved screen which is surrounding the viewer. The photo-real footage of burned library and new library design can visually bring audiences onto the site and provide an immersive experience. This project is a collaboration project between the School of Visual Arts and the School of Architecture + Design, also with technical support from the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. This is an educational project that explores the potential use of the Cyclorama system as a platform for computer generated media works, especially for stereoscopic animation.

The quality of healthcare in low-resource countries is often limited by the environment, lack of funds, staff availability, electricity availability, and more. In the words of a Malawian physician, medicine can feel like improvisation, wherein one must make due with available resources rather than desired resources. One prevalent problem among low-resource hospitals is the functionality and longevity of medical equipment. A large percentage of all medical equipment in Malawian hospitals is donated, resulting in a wide spectrum of models, necessary spare parts, and functionality. These machines can break quickly due to heavy use prior to donation, missing user and maintenance manuals, and a lack of replacement parts. Thus, finding necessary life-saving equipment in Malawian hospital wards can be a challenge. One such piece of equipment is the oxygen concentrator, necessary for treatment of respiratory disease, use with CPAP machines, and in the administration of surgical anesthesia. This device fills many roles in low-resource hospitals, but in many Malawian hospitals it is the most frequently malfunctioning piece of equipment. A survey administered to medical personnel and maintenance personnel in hospitals in Malawi’s Central and Southern Regions isolated some common causes of oxygen concentrator malfunction. Prominent among these were poor oxygen concentrator ventilation and the lack of consumable replacement parts such as the intake bacterial filter. A stand made from locally-sourced materials was developed to encourage better oxygen concentrator exhaust and raise the device out of dust and cleaning fluids on ward floors. Intake bacterial filter alternatives were researched, designed, constructed, and tested, manufactured from housing materials and filter media available in Malawi or continental Africa. A primary source of difficulty for low-resource hospitals is lack of autonomy, requiring aid from affluent nations to supply equipment and consumable materials. This work suggests that sustainable innovations, such as allowing consumables to be produced in-country, can replace aid with development and create more accessible materials to hospital maintenance personnel. Collaboration with material suppliers and engineers in Malawi can provide sustainable designs and systems to help hospitals access the supplies they need to service oxygen concentrators and other equipment. / Master of Science / The quality of healthcare in low-resource countries is often limited by the environment, lack of funds, staff availability, electricity availability, and more. In the words of a Malawian physician, medicine can feel like improvisation, wherein one must make due with available resources rather than desired resources. One prevalent problem among low-resource hospitals is the functionality and longevity of medical equipment. A large percentage of all medical equipment in Malawian hospitals is donated, resulting in a wide spectrum of models, necessary spare parts, and functionality. These machines can break quickly due to heavy use prior to donation, missing user and maintenance manuals, and a lack of replacement parts. Thus, finding necessary life-saving equipment in Malawian hospital wards can be a challenge. One such piece of equipment is the oxygen concentrator. This device fills many roles in low-resource hospitals, but in many Malawian hospitals it is the most frequently malfunctioning piece of equipment. A survey was used in hospitals in Malawi’s Central and Southern Regions to collect information on why oxygen concentrators malfunction. Common reported causes of malfunction were oxygen concentrators overheating due to clogged exhaust vents, and the unavailability of necessary disposable filters. A stand made from locally-available materials was developed to improve oxygen concentrator ventilation. Replaceable filter alternatives were researched, designed, constructed, and tested, made from housing materials and filter materials available in Malawi or continental Africa. A primary source of difficulty for low-resource hospitals is dependence on more developed nations for supplies and aid. This work suggests that designing materials from locally-available materials can lessen this dependency and make necessary medical materials more accessible. Collaboration with material suppliers and engineers in Malawi can provide sustainable designs and systems to help hospitals access the supplies they need to service oxygen concentrators and other equipment.

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of professional practice by the registered nurses midwives as reflected in clinical nursing care records for postlaparotomy patients in public central hospitals in Malawi. The set process standards by Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM) were addressed in relation to clinical care of post-laparotomy patients. The hypothesis for this study was that the quality of professional practice by the registered nurse midwives as reflected in clinical nursing care of post-laparotomy patients in public central hospitals in Malawi is inadequate and non-compliant with the process standards set by the NMCM. The researcher used quantitative, evaluative, descriptive, contextual survey and participatory observations to collect data. A three-point rating scale consisting of compliance (C) = 1, partial compliance (PC) = 0.5 and non-compliance (NC) = 0.0 was used to evaluate the state registered nurse midwives’ compliance with process standards. The results showed partial compliance with the set NMCM process standards by the state registered nurse midwives in public central hospitals in Malawi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

Assignment (Dipl. Theol.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The basic premise of this study is to help provide a shift in the way that we think about traditional missionary work in southern Africa. Through the medium of sports ministry or sports evangelism there has been a proven track record of success around the world. Africa is especially a fertile ground for sports ministry because of a number of factors that will be shown in this research. The popularity of sports in Africa is something that not only should the missionary embrace, but the church itself should embrace rather than condemn. As the church moves forward into this next millennium we need to be looking for alternative methods to “doing” ministry in culturally strategic ways. The research study from the pastor’s training workshops in Malawi proved invaluable in the sense that it provided feedback as to what has been done in the churches in the field of sports evangelism; reports of hundreds of people receiving Christ through sports events and also some of the obstacles that the church in Malawi faces as it attempts to endeavor in this relatively new way of doing ministry. This study gives the reader a chance to see the biblical reliability of beginning such a ministry as well as addressing the current social climate in southern Africa. Obstacles and successes have been given equal attention in an effort to paint a realistic picture of doing ministry in southern Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die basiese rede vir hierdie studie is om ‘n skuif te help bewerkstellig in die manier waarop ons oor tradisonele sendingwerk in suidelike Afrika dink. Daar is reeds regoor die wereld bewys dat die medium van sportbediening of sportevangelisasie suksesvol is. Die kontinent van Afrika is veral vrugbare grond vir sport evangelisasie, as gevolg van ‘n hele aantal faktore, wat in hierdie studie bespreek sal word. Die gewildheid van sport in Afrika is ‘n faktor wat nie slegs deur sendelinge omarm behoort te word nie, maar die kerk moet dit ook ondersteun, in plaas daarvan om dit te veroordeel. Soos die kerk voortbeweeg in die nuwe millennium, moet na nuwe maniere gesoek word om die mense te bedien en te evangeliseer in kultureel strategiese maniere. Die navorsingstudie wat gedoen is na verskeie opleidingsessies vir evangeliste in Malawi gehou is, was van onskatbare waarde, omrede dit terugvoering verskaf het oor wat in die kerke gedoen word in terme van sportevangelisasie. Verslae van honderde mense wat Christus aangeneem het by sport byeenkomste, asook sommige van die hindernisse wat die kerk in Malawi trotseer terwyl hulle hierdie relatiewe nuwe manier van evangelisasie aanpak, is ook uitgelig. Hierdie studie gee die leser die kans om die Bybelse betroubaarheid van so ‘n bediening te sien, en spreek ook die huidige sosiale klimaat in suidelike Afrika aan. Daar word gelyke hoeveelheid aandag gegee aan hindernisse en suksesverhale om sodoende ‘n realistiese beeld te verskaf van hierdie soort evangelisasie in Afrika

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents the conscientization of the people in the rural areas, on how the church in Malawi as a community-based organisation can be an effective vehicle in bringing change in their livelihoods. It is an endeavour to answer the question: How can the Church as a community-based organization respond to community challenges in order to be an effective vehicle for community development and sustainable rural living in the light of the problem of urbanization? The researcher argues that, if the Church can take a deliberate part, in helping people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives in responding to community challenges, livelihoods can be positively changed. Chapter one: The first chapter is an introduction of this dissertation and it presents the goals of undertaking this study. It emphasises the fact that urbanization has become a big challenge in developing countries such as Malawi, leading people to flock to the cities, hoping to find an easy life, where they instead find life very difficult. Many people, who have migrated to the cities, find it difficult to meet their daily basic needs, due to lack of access to income. The church as a community-based organisation has a role to play in helping to bring a positive impact, on the people for the betterment of their own life. If the church can play an active role in unlocking awareness in people in the rural areas to not migrate to squalid urban settings, the desire to move to the cities can be minimized. Chapter two: The second chapter briefly describes the context of this research. It presents a brief discussion of the historical background of the church of Nkhoma Synod CCAP. It also gives a brief explanation of the country of Malawi and its geographical location. Along with this general historical background, the chapter draws an exclusive attention to the major contributions of the church to the community, and the unique role that it played in bringing change in the developing countries like Malawi. Through its holistic approach the church reached many people in the communities, and also its emphasis on community development made a major contribution to civic life in the rural as well as urban areas. Chapter three: The third chapter discusses the poverty situation and the Malawian church existence in this context. It further presents the problems that are caused by poverty in the communities, including the challenges posed by the prevalence of HIV/AIDS which Malawi as one of the developing countries is facing due to urbanisation. The church has a huge role to play to the community in regards to community development. Chapter four: Chapter four deals with the specific role of the Church in sustainable development, and it explores the importance of rural sustainability in sustainable development. The church by nature is missional and has been called to serve the triune God, and it needs to participate in sustainable development which reflects God‟s reign in the world, for it has the nature of serving God. It has been given the task to take care of the community, and its role is to place itself with the poor in taking the responsibility of identifying and dealing with the forces that are destroying the communities, in order to bring change. The chapter also deals with how the church can sensitize people living in rural areas, and the importance of staying in the rural areas rather than migrating to urban areas. The terms like "Sustainable development", "Community development" have been defined in order to appreciate on how the church as a community-based organization can indeed be an effective vehicle in community development, and help to create a sustainable rural living. The church has a unique role to play in community development. Chapter five: This chapter gives a careful contextual analysis of rural-urban areas, the challenges that the people in those communities are facing and what should be done in a sustainable rural living. It also discusses and explores on how the church as a community-based organization can be an effective vehicle to Community Development and sustainable rural living. In order to help raise the level of awareness of rural sustainability in human beings, especially those living in rural areas, this chapter has also carefully investigated the factors which attract people to migrate to urban areas and find out the solutions to these challenges. Lastly in order to understand how the church in Malawi as a community-based organization can be an effective vehicle in community development, the chapter has developed a theory of the four steps. These four steps are: Conscientization, Empowerment, Participation and Sustainability. In this chapter it has been emphasized as to how the church could/should engage with the people in order to be an effective vehicle to a sustainable rural living and help people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives. Chapter six: The final chapter summarizes the whole discussion on this study. The study emphasizes the fact that, if the Church can take a deliberate part, in helping people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives, livelihoods can be positively changed. If the church in Malawi, Nkhoma Synod, can take part in conscientizing the people in the rural areas to the importance and advantages of living in the rural, the number of the people migrating to cities can be reduced. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie skripsie handel oor die bewusmaking van Malawiërs in die landelike gebiede en oor hoe die kerk in Malawi, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe voertuig van verandering in hulle lewensbestaan kan wees. Dit is 'n poging om die vraag te beantwoord: Hoe kan die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, reageer op die gemeenskapuitdagings om 'n effektiewe voertuig vir die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap te word en volhoubare landelike voortbestaan bevorder? Die navorser betoog dat indien die kerk doelbewus kan meewerk om mense te help met self-ontwikkeling wat 'n positiewe impak op hul lewens in landelike gebiede sal hê, dan sal lewensbestaan ten goede verander. Hoofstuk een: Die eerste hoofstuk is 'n inleiding tot hierdie betoog en bespreek die doelwitte van hierdie studie. Dit beklemtoon die feit dat verstedeliking 'n groot uitdaging is in die ontwikkelende lande soos Malawi. Mense stroom na die stede met die hoop op 'n makliker lewe, maar vind dan dat hulle nie in hul basiese behoeftes kan voorsien nie by gebrek aan toegang tot inkomste. Die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, kan 'n rol speel om te help om 'n positiewe impak te maak en verandering te bring in hierdie mense se bestaan. As die kerk 'n aktiewe rol kan speel in die bewusmaking en ontwikkeling van mense in die landelike gebiede kan die hunkering van mense om te migreer na die stede beperk word. Hoofstuk Twee: Die tweede hoofstuk beskryf die konteks van hierdie navorsing. Dit behels 'n kort bespreking van die historiese agtergrond van die kerk van Nkhoma Sinode CCAP, ook inligting oor Malawi en sy geografiese ligging. Klem word gelê op die groot invloed van die kerk op die gemeenskap en die unieke rol wat dit in die verlede gespeel het om verandering in die ontwikkelende lande soos Malawi te bring. Deur sy holistiese benadering en klem op ontwikkeling het die kerk baie mense bereik en 'n belangrike bydrae tot die burgerlike lewe in landelike sowel as stedelike gemeenskappe gemaak. Hoofstuk Drie: Die derde hoofstuk bespreek die armoede-situasie waarbinne die Malawiese kerk himself bevind, insluitende die voorkoms van MIV / Vigs wat Malawi in die gesig staar as gevolg van verstedeliking. Die kerk het 'n groot taak met betrekking tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Hoofstuk vier: Hoofstuk vier handel oor die spesifieke rol van die Kerk in volhoubare ontwikkeling en ondersoek die belangrikheid van landelike volhoubaarheid in volhoubare ontwikkeling. Die kerk behoort van nature missionêr op te tree, aangesien die kerk geroep is om die Drie-enige God te dien. Volhoubare ontwikkeling moet deel wees hiervan. Dit behoort die versorging van die gemeenskap en identifisering van die probleme van armoede in die gemeenskap in te sluit, ten einde die vernietiging van die gemeenskap teen te werk. Hierdie hoofstuk handel ook oor hoe die kerk mense wat in landelike gebiede woon kan sensitiseer en bewus maak van die belangrikheid daarvan om nie na stedelike gebiede te trek nie. Die terme "volhoubare ontwikkeling" en "gemeenskapsontwikkeling" is omskryf om te bevestig hoe die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe instrument in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap kan wees om volhoubare landelike bestaan te bevorder. Die kerk het 'n unieke rol te speel in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap. Hoofstuk vyf: Hierdie hoofstuk gee 'n versigtige kontekstuele analise van landelik-stedelike gebiede, die uitdagings wat die mense in daardie gemeenskappe in die gesig staar en wat gedoen moet word met die oog op volhoubare landelike lewe. Dit bespreek en ondersoek ook hoe die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe voertuig kan wees tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling en volhoubare landelike bestaan. Ten einde te help om die vlak van bewustheid van landelike volhoubaarheid in mense te verhoog, veral dié in landelike gebiede, is in hierdie hoofstuk noukeurig ondersoek gedoen na die faktore wat mense lok om te migreer na stedelike gebiede. So kan die oplossings vir hierdie uitdagings gevind word. Ten slotte, om te verstaan hoe die kerk in Malawi, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, kan 'n effektiewe voertuig in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap kan wees, word in hierdie hoofstuk 'n teorie van vier stappe ontwikkel, nl. Bewusmaking, Bemagtiging, Deelname en Volhoubaarheid. In hierdie hoofstuk word beklemtoon hoe die kerk kan / moet betrokke raak ten einde 'n effektiewe instrument van volhoubare landelike lewe te wees en mense te help in self-ontwikkeling. Hoofstuk ses: Die laaste hoofstuk bevat 'n opsomming van hierdie studie. Die studie beklemtoon die feit dat, indien die kerk doelbewus kan deelneem om mense te help in selfontwikkeling en 'n positiewe impak op hul lewens bring, lewens positief kan verander. As die kerk in Malawi, Nkhoma Sinode, kan deelneem aan die bewusmaking van mense in die landelike gebiede van die belangrikheid en voordele van die lewe daar, kan die getal mense wat na die stede migreer verminder word.

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is informed by both the deficit/positivist and contextual/critical models for doing public understanding of science (PUS) research and seeks to investigate factors that influence the perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards climate change in Malawi. Previous research on the public understanding of climate change conducted in the United States of America (USA) and Europe suggest that people‘s beliefs, perceptions and attitudes do influence support for both voluntary and policy initiatives to address climate change and adaption to it. However, it is equally important to understand the factors that influence public perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards climate change. An investigation into these factors provides an understanding and appreciation of the contextual issues related to the public assimilation and renegotiation of climate change information, as well as the support or rejection of initiatives aimed at addressing climate change. Sub-Saharan African countries are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change because their national economies and populations depend on rain-fed agriculture. Malawi is no exception. The majority of the Malawian population (at least 85%) live in rural areas and depend on subsistence, rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood, and are therefore more vulnerable to climate change. Furthermore, Malawi‘s economy is agro-based (agriculture comprises about 36% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 85% of exports earnings and 84% of total employment). On the basis of these facts, I hypothesised that the perceptions, beliefs and attitudes of Malawians towards climate change are influenced by a wide range of factors, including the impact of climate change on livelihoods. More specifically, I proposed that more rural inhabitants than urban residents were likely to agree that their livelihood has been negatively affected by climate change, and would also be more willing to take voluntary action to address climate change. Upon performing chi-square analyses of the responses, the results indicate that: (i) significantly more rural (91%) than urban inhabitants (51%) agree that their livelihood has been negatively affected by climate change, and (ii) significant higher proportions of the rural population have at some point taken voluntary action to address climate change Multinomial logistic regression models predicted the perceptions, beliefs and attitudes of Malawians towards climate change. The results show that location is the only predictor of whether an individual would agree that his/her livelihood has been negatively affected by climate change or not. Rural inhabitants are 6.5 times more likely than urban residents to agree that their livelihood has been negatively affected by climate change. Location is also a predictor of the belief that climate change and its impact is the will of God; the belief that the solution to climate change rests with God; and how certain or uncertain a person is regarding the effects of climate change. Binary logistic regression results show that location is also the strongest predictor of whether an individual would take a voluntary action to address climate change or not. Rural inhabitants are 2.3 times more likely than urban residents to take voluntary action to address climate change. Besides place of residence, other predictors of perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards climate change are: level of education (predictor of three outcome variables, namely: how certain or uncertain a person is about the causes of climate change; whether an individual believes that climate change and its impact is the will of God or not; and whether an individual believes that the solution to the problem of climate change rests with God or not); environmental groups and institutions of learning as sources of information about climate change (predictors of how certain or uncertain a person is about the causes of climate change, and whether a person believes that climate change and its impact is the will of God or not, respectively); and the trustworthiness of village headmen as a source of information about climate change (predictor of whether an individual will believe that climate change and its impact is the will of God or not; and whether an individual will take personal initiative to address climate change). These findings affirm the hypothesis that the impact of climate change on livelihoods of Malawians living in rural locations influences their perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards climate change. Additionally, the findings suggest that public education about climate change remains key to promoting understanding of climate change. The Government of Malawi and non-governmental organisations have to take up this challenge of educating the Malawian public about climate change, particularly those living in rural locations. However, public education of climate change in Malawi demands that we also take into account the contextual factors that influence Malawians‘ perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards climate change. For future research, the study suggests that more research in Sub-Saharan Africa is warranted to unearth the contextual factors that influence the public understanding of climate change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie inkorporeer insigte uit onderskeidelik die tekortskietende/positiwistiese en kontekstuele/kritiese modelle rakende die openbare verstaan van wetenskapsnavorsing, in ‘n poging om die faktore wat die persepsies, oortuigings en houdings teenoor klimaatsverandering in Malawi beïnvloed te ondersoek. Vorige navorsing oor die openbare begrip van klimaatsverandering – wat in die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA) en Europa uitgevoer is – dui daarop dat individuele persepsies, oortuigings en houdings ‘n invloed uitoefen op die ondersteuning vir beide vrywillige sowel as beleidsinisiatiewe in klimaatsverandering. Dit is egter van groot belang om die faktore wat openbare persepsies, oortuigings en houdings teenoor klimaatsverandering beïnvloed te verstaan. ʼn Ondersoek na hierdie faktore verskaf begrip sowel as waardering vir die kontekstuele kwessies wat verband hou met die openbare assimilasie en ―heronderhandeling‖ van inligting oor klimaatsverandering. So ‘n ondersoek dra ook by tot ‘n verduideliking waarom voorgestelde klimaatsveranderingsinisiatiewe òf verwerp òf ondersteun word. Lande in sub-Sahara Afrika, waaronder Malawi, is baie kwesbaar vir die gevolge van klimaatsverandering as gevolg van die aard van hul ekonomieë en die samelewing se afhanklikheid van nie-besproeiingslandbou. Die Malawiese bevolking is grotendeels landelik (ten minste 85%) en maak staat op nie-besproeiingsbestaansboerdery, wat hulle dus meer kwesbaar maak vir die gevolge van klimaatsverandering. Malawi se ekonomie is boonop landbou-gedrewe: landbou dra by tot ongeveer 36% van die BBP, tot 85% van inkomste uit uitvoere en tot 84% van totale indiensnemingsgetalle. Gegewe hierdie feite is my hipotese dat die persepsies, oortuigings en houdings van Malawiërs teenoor klimaatsverandering deur talle uiteenlopende faktore beïnvloed word, waaronder die impak van klimaatsverandering op hul daaglikse bestaan. Die hipotese suggereer verder dat meer landelike inwoners, in teenstelling tot stedelike inwoners, geneig sal wees om saam te stem dat hul bestaan negatief deur klimaatsverandering beïnvloed word, en derhalwe ook ‘n groter gewilligheid sal openbaar tot vrywillige optrede wat klimaatsverandering aanspreek. Chi-kwadraat analises wat op die opnameresponse uitgevoer is, dui daarop dat (i) meer landelike (91%) as stedelike (51%) inwoners saamstem dat hul bestaan negatief deur klimaatsverandering beïnvloed word en dat (ii) ʼn beduidende hoër persentasie landelike inwoners op een of ander stadium vrywillig teen klimaatsverandering opgetree het. Multinomiale logistiese-regressiemodelle is gebruik om die persepsies, oortuigings en houdings van Malawiërs teenoor klimaatsverandering te voorspel. Die resultate toon dat ligging die enigste betekenisvolle voorspeller is in die uitkoms of ʼn individu saamstem dat sy/haar bestaan negatief deur klimaatsverandering beïnvloed word of nie – dit is 6.5 keer meer waarskynlik dat landelike as stedelike inwoners sal saamstem dat hul bestaan negatief deur klimaatsverandering beïnvloed word. Ligging dien ook as ʼn betekenisvolle voorspeller in drie verdere uitkomste, naamlik die oortuiging dat klimaatsverandering en die impak daarvan die wil van God is, die oortuiging dat die oplossing vir klimaatsverandering by God berus en hoe seker of onseker ʼn individu van sy/haar oortuiging is met betrekking tot die gevolge van klimaatsverandering. Volgens ‘n binêre logistiese-regressieanalise is ligging ook die sterkste voorspeller of ʼn individu vrywillig sal optree om klimaatsverandering aan te spreek, al dan nie. Dit is 2.3 keer meer waarskynlik dat landelike inwoners, in teenstelling met stedelike inwoners, vrywillig sal optree om klimaatsverandering aan te spreek. Agesien van ligging het die volgende ook na vore getree as bykomende voorspellers van individue se persepsies, oortuigings en houdings teenoor klimaatsverandering: (i) vlak van opvoeding (voorspeller van drie uitkomste-veranderlikes: hoe seker of onseker ʼn persoon is oor die oorsake van klimaatsverandering; of ʼn persoon glo dat klimaatsverandering en die gevolglike impak die wil van God is al dan nie; en of ʼn individu glo dat die oplossing vir klimaatsverandering by God berus al dan nie), (ii) die twee bronne van inligting rondom klimaatsverandering, naamlik omgewingsgroepe en opvoedingsinstellings, wat dien as voorspellers van hoe seker of onseker ʼn individu is oor die oorsake van klimaatsverandering, en of ʼn persoon glo dat klimaatsverandering en die gevolglike impak die wil van God is of nie; en (iii) die geloofwaardigheid van stamhoofde as ʼn bron van inligting oor klimaatsverandering (voorspeller van of ʼn persoon sal glo dat klimaatsverandering en die gevolglike impak die wil van God is of nie en of ʼn individu persoonlike inisiatief aan die dag sal lê om klimaatsverandering aan te spreek). Die bevindinge van die studie bevestig die voorgestelde hipotese dat die impak van klimaatsverandering op die bestaan van Malawiërs wat in landelike gebiede woon, ook hul persepsies, oortuigings en houdings teenoor klimaatsverandering beïnvloed. ʼn Verdere bevinding is dat openbare opvoeding oor klimaatsverandering ʼn sleutelrol in die bevordering van die begrip oor klimaatsverandering speel. Die uitdaging rus op die skouers van die Malawiese regering en nie-regeringsorganisasies om die Malawiese publiek, en veral diegene wat in landelike gebiede woon, oor klimaatsverandering op te voed. Die voorgestelde organisasies sal hulself egter nie van hul taak kan kwyt indien daar nie ʼn begrip is van die faktore wat Malawiërs se persepsies, oortuigings en houdings teenoor klimaatsverandering beïnvloed nie. Die studie beveel aan dat meer navorsing in sub-Sahara Afrika onderneem behoort te word om kontekstuele faktore wat die openbare begrip van klimaatsverandering beïnvloed, te identifiseer.