Past research has shown that one of the most traumatic emotional experiences parents face is the diagnosis of having a child with barriers to learning. For various reasons they do not always receive the necessary follow-up professional support after diagnosis. This study was undertaken with the specific aims of identifying various coping skills that enable these parents to raise their children to their full potential, to determine the value of these coping skills for parents, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in such households and to make recommendations on appropriate approaches and strategies. The study revealed that parents are able to make changes in their approach and behaviour to adapt to the new stressful environment. Restraining factors having a negative impact on the functioning of parents or families have been identified, together with identification of various opportunities and driving forces that serve as the foundation for mitigating, accepting and dealing with the problem. Based on these findings, recommendations are made to provide guidelines to advise and support parents in raising children with barriers to learning. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Past research has shown that one of the most traumatic emotional experiences parents face is the diagnosis of having a child with barriers to learning. For various reasons they do not always receive the necessary follow-up professional support after diagnosis. This study was undertaken with the specific aims of identifying various coping skills that enable these parents to raise their children to their full potential, to determine the value of these coping skills for parents, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in such households and to make recommendations on appropriate approaches and strategies. The study revealed that parents are able to make changes in their approach and behaviour to adapt to the new stressful environment. Restraining factors having a negative impact on the functioning of parents or families have been identified, together with identification of various opportunities and driving forces that serve as the foundation for mitigating, accepting and dealing with the problem. Based on these findings, recommendations are made to provide guidelines to advise and support parents in raising children with barriers to learning. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Text in English / The study, which considers that the construction industry is a high risk one due to the physical work demand and nature of the working environment, was conducted to develop practical guidelines for workers and employers that promote occupational health and safety (OHS) in the construction industry in Namibia. The study, conducted at 13 study sites in Windhoek, Namibia, used a quantitative descriptive study method to gather data regarding the OHS status of the construction industry. Data was collected from the 13 study sites using a site interviewer-led questionnaire for 549 construction workers. In addition, both a site inspection checklist and document review checklist were used to collect the data from ten construction sites. A review of documents concerning occupational accidents, diseases and injuries encountered at construction sites that were held by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial relations and Employment creation for the five-year period from April 2011 to March 2016 was carried out. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23. The study findings show that most of the workers at the study sites were young and male, with most participants lacking awareness of OHS issues, which may hinder accidents and injuries prevention. It also emerged that occupational hazards are prevalent at the study sites and yet there were poor mechanisms for hazard prevention or mitigation measures. The study notes that there was a high rate of occupational accidents and injuries, as well as a few incidences of health hazards, as indicated by few participants, although there was no documented occupational disease. It is also noted that most study sites do not comply with OHS legislations, such as having OHS policies that indicate the employer’s commitment towards OHS, which placed workers at risk of hazard exposure, occupational accidents, injuries and diseases. Practical guidelines to promote OHS in the construction industry of Windhoek, Namibia are developed as the primary output of this project. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Thesis (PhD) --Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The rapidly growing presence of old and new media in postcolonial Namibia, particularly from the decade after the turn of the Millennium, has significance for cultural and identity transformations in the country. Formerly entrenched social identities, shaped by restrictive colonialism and indigenous traditions, appear to be under pressure as shifts become apparent in the face of globalisation. This thesis examines the characteristics of change from the perspective of young adults’ mediated experiences in the city of Windhoek. The research constitutes a cultural study that addresses the current knowledge gap regarding how growing local and global media presences are increasingly situated in youth identity and cultural lifestyle spaces. Degrees of reflexive response to mediated information and entertainment are examined in an attempt to understand awareness of and reaction to local and global power narratives situated in actors’ relationships with media. It was found that participants responded positively to the novelty and opportunities that global media offered for identity and lifestyle negotiations, while also revealing ontological anxieties about erosion of ‘traditional’ culture, and concern about absence of recognition and representation of the ‘local’ in global media productions. This led to the research conceptually establishing three participant orientations to media: cultural expropriationist, cultural traditionalist and cultural representationalist. The study concluded that while media seemed to be instrumental in identity and cultural change, social tension over matters of culture appeared to be emerging. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die snelgroeiende teeenwoordigheid van ou en nuwe media in postkoloniale Namibië, veral sedert die dekade ná die millenniumwending, is beduidend vir kulturele en identiteitsverskuiwings in dié land. Voorheen verskanste sosiale identiteite, gevorm deur die beperkinge van kolonialisme en inheemse tradisies, skyn onder druk te wees soos verskuiwings duidelik begin te word in die lig van globalisering. Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die eienskappe van hierdie veranderinge vanuit die perspektief van jong volwassenes se gemedieerde ondervindinge in die stad Windhoek. Hierdie navorsing behels ’n kulturele studie wat bydra tot die begrip van plaaslike en globale media-teenwoordigheid as toenemend gesitueer op die terrein van jeugidentiteit en kulturele lewenstyle. Daar word ondersoek ingestel na verskillende grade van refleksiewe reaksies op gemedieerde inligting en vermaak, in ’n poging om te verstaan hoe bewustheid van en reaksie op plaaslike en globale magsnarratiewe gesitueer is in rolspelers se verhoudings met media. Daar is bevind dat respondente positief gereageer het op die nuwighede en geleenthede wat globale media bied vir identiteits- en leefstylonderhandelinge, terwyl ontologiese onsekerhede oor die ondermyning van ‘tradisionele’ kultuur, en kommer oor die afwesigheid van erkenning en representasie van die ‘plaaslike’ in globale mediaproduksies, ook aan die lig gekom het. Hierdie bevinding het gelei daartoe dat die navorsing drie oriëntasies onder deelnemers vasgestel het: kultureel-onteienend, kultureel-tradisioneel, en kultureel-verteenwoordigend. Die studie het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat, terwyl die media instrumenteel in identiteits- en kultuurverandering blyk te wees, dit tegelykertyd sosiale spanning oor kulturele aangeleenthede aanwakker.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Group B Streptococci (GBS) can asymptomatically colonise the vagina and rectum of women. Studies have shown that this bacterium is the leading cause of septicemia, meningitis and pneumonia in neonates. In Namibia no known studies have investigated GBS colonisation and the antibiotic resistance profile of GBS isolates in pregnant women. This study accessed the GBS colonisation rate amongst the pregnant women who attended the Windhoek Central Hospital Antenatal Clinic (Khomas region), in Namibia for a period of 13 months. Furthermore, using the VITEK 2 system, the GBS isolates were tested against the following antimicrobial substances; benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, linezolid and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Penicillin G is the drug of choice in the majority of studies, and seems to be the most effective drug for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). All the GBS isolates found in this study were also analysed for the presence of selected genes known to be associated with resistance to key antibiotics using specific primers within a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest challenges faced by many countries in this century. The rate of infection is rapidly increasing and more and more people are getting ill and dying from AIDS. Of all the people living with AIDS in the world, seven out of ten live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Namibia is one of the top five most HIV/AIDS affected countries in the world. There is therefore no question about the urgent need to accelerate actions to reduce prevalence, expand care and support and extend access to treatment. AIDS is eroding decades of progress made in extending life expectancy; thus hundreds of adults are dying young or in early middle age. The national strategic plan (2004) on HIV/AIDS indicated that the average life expectancy in Namibia is now 42 years, when it could have been 60 without AIDS. A 2003 study on the impact of HIV/AIDS on Windhoek indicated that the antenatal HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Windhoek for 2002 was 27%, while the national prevalence rate was estimated at 22.3%. The prevalence rate for Windhoek is expected to reach its peak at 38% during 2005. Even though HIV/AIDS will have a diminishing effect on population growth, Windhoek's population is expected to continue growing, particular as a result of inward migration, but at a slower pace. Similarly, HIV/AIDS will have an abating effect on GDP growth as the virus will mainly affect the economic active and available labour force of the population and result in increased labour costs and skilled labour shortages. The impact on the informal sector is potentially more damaging than on the formal economic sector, as the majority of micro- enterprises and informal businesses are build around one individual. As the breadwinner dies, household income and expenditures levels deteriorate and increase poverty levels, because households within the city are very dependent on family structures to support their income levels. Informal settlements are also more volatile to HIV transmission and the majority of HIV infected individuals are likely to be found within these areas as the populations is poorer, crowded, has fewer social services facilities and is more likely migratory compared to those in affluent formal settlements. Considering that the incubation period of HIV/AIDS from infection to death takes about ten years, the real impact of current HIV infections in Windhoek will only be experienced during 2010. Health services will have to attend to a greater demand for curative services as well as to social care and support programs. Social welfare programmes will need to find ways of caring for a large population of HIV/AIDS orphans. Municipalities can playa critically important role in addressing HIV/AIDS at a local level as they are at the interface of community and government. They are ideally placed to playa coordinating and facilitating role that is needed to make sure that partnerships are built to bring prevention and care programmes to every community affected by AIDS. Therefore, in order to succeed in confronting HIV/AIDS, it is important to work closely with all levels of government as well as working with local partners in civil society that are fighting HIV/AIDS at the community level. By taking action against HIV/AIDS, municipalities are securing the future of their towns and communities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: MIV/VIGS is een van die grootste uitdagings wat baie lande hierdie eeu in die gesig staar. Die koers van infeksie is vinnig aan die toeneem en al hoe meer mense word siek en sterf as gevolg van VIGS. Van al die mense wat met VIGS lewe in die wêreld, bly sewe uit tien in sub-Sahara Afrika. Namibië is een van die vyf mees MIV/VIGS geaffekteerde lande in die wêreld. Derhalwe is daar geen twyfel rakende die noodsaaklikheid om daadwerklike aksies te bewerkstellig om die voorkoms te verminder, sorg en ondersteuning te verhoog en toegang na behandeling uit te brei. VIGS vernietig dekades van groei behaal in die verlenging van lewensverwagting; dus sterf honderde volwassenes vroeg of gedurende hul middeljare. Die nasionale strategiese plan (2004) rakende MIV/VIGS toon dat die gemiddelde lewensverwagting in Namibië huidiglik 42 jaar is instede van 60 sonder VIGS. 'n Studie onderneem gedurende 2003, rakende die effek van MIV/VIGS in Windhoek, dui aan dat die voorgeboorte MIV/VIGS voorkoms koers 27% vir 2002 was, terwyl die nasionale voorkoms koers slegs 22.3% was. Daar word verwag dat die voorkoms koers vir Windhoek sy maksimum van 38% sal bereik gedurende 2005. Alhoewel MIV/VIGS 'n negatiewe effek op bevolkingsgroei groei gaan het, sal Windhoek se inwoners getalle steeds groei, alhoewel teen 'n stadiger koers, as gevolg van inwaartse migrasie. Terselfdertyd, gaan MIV/VIGS 'n verminderde effek het op die groei van die Bruto Binnelandse Produk (BBP), omdat die virus hoofsaaklik die ekonomiese aktiewe en beskikbare arbeidsmag van die bevolking affekteer wat as gevolg hiervan 'n verhoging in arbeidskoste en tekort aan geskoolde arbeid het. Die effek op die informele sektore is potensieel meer skadelik as op die formele ekonomiese faktore, aangesien die meeste klein en informele besighede rondom een persoon gebou is. lndien die broodwinner sterf, versleg die vlakke van huishoudelike inkomste en uitgawes wat lei tot verhoogde armoede, omdat huishoudings in die stad baie afhanklik is op familie strukture om hulle inkomste te ondersteun. Informele vestigings is meer kwesbaar in die oordrag van MIV en die meerderheid van die MIV geïnfekteerde individue word gewoonlik in hierdie areas aangetref omdat die bevolking armer is, meer persone huisves, minder welsyn dienste fasiliteite het en meer swerwend is in vergelyking met die meer welgestelde formele vestigings. As in ag geneem word dat die ontkiemings periode van MIV/VIGS vanaf infeksie tot en met sterfte omtrent tien jaar neem, sal die werklike effek van die huidige VIGS besmettings in Windhoek slegs ervaar word gedurende 2010. Gesondheidsdienste sal moet aandag skenk aan 'n groter aanvraag vir geneeslike dienste sowel as sosiale sorg en ondersteunings programme. Gemeenskaplike welsyn programme sal maniere moet vind om vir 'n groot populasie van MIV/VIGS weeskinders te sorg. Munisipaliteite kan 'n belangrike rol speel in die aanspreek van die MIV/VIGS epidemie op 'n plaaslike vlak omdat hulle die skakel is tussen die gemeenskap en die regering. Hulle is ideaal geplaas om 'n koordineerende en fasiliterende rol te speel wat nodig is om seker te maak dat vennootskappe gebou word om voorkomings en versorgings programme te lewer aan elke gemeenskap wat deur MIV/VIGS geraak word. Dus, om sukses te behaal in die bekamping van MIV/VIGS , is dit belangrik om nou saam te werk met alle vlakke van die regering sowel as met plaaslike vennote in die gemeenskap wat MIV/VIGS bekamp op gemeenskapsvlak. Deur aksie te neem teen MIV/VIGS , kan munisipaliteite die toekoms van hulle dorpe en gemeenskappe verseker.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need for economic development is a pressing reality for many developing countries. Developing cities with a high urbanisation rate in water-scarce regions face tougher conditions in meeting their development targets according to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Creating a balance between water scarcity and the need for economic development is of the utmost importance if such regions are to grow. The City of Windhoek experienced this firsthand when Ramatex Textile was introduced. The Government of Namibia did everything in its power to secure Ramatex’s operation in Windhoek. Windhoek, however, is known for being a water-scarce area. This created competition amongst the different water users, and future establishments of such water-intensive factories became questionable. This research report studies the extreme case of Ramatex’s establishment and gives guidelines on future handling of such water-intensive establishments. The study also gives an example of how to make decisions using Multicriteria Decision Making tools, specifically the Analytical Hierarchy Process method using Ramatex’s information. The judgement values given in the MCDM process are fictitious and do not represent the true views of any of the stakeholders. The process was only conducted to demonstrate that such tools can be used to aid decision making. Surveys and workshops need to be conducted to solicit the true reflections of the stakeholders involved in any envisaged development projects. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die behoefte aan ekonomiese ontwikkeling is vir baie ontwikkelende lande ’n neerdrukkende realiteit. Ontwikkelende stede met ’n hoë verstedelikingskoers wat in waterskaars landstreke geleë is, kom voor groot uitdagings te staan om hul ekonomiese ontwikkelingsdoelwitte volgens die Millennium-ontwikkelingsdoelstellings te bereik. Die daarstelling van ’n balans tussen waterskaarste en die behoefte aan ekonomiese groei is van kardinale belang indien sulke stede wil groei. Windhoek, die hoofstad van Namibië het eerstehandse ondervinding hierin opgedoen met die opening van die Ramatex-tekstielfabriek. Die regering van Namibië het alles binne sy vermoë gedoen om die tekstielfabriek se bedrywighede in Windhoek te beskerm. Windhoek is egter bekend vir sy waterskaarste, wat tot mededinging tussen die verskillende waterverbruikers gelei het, en ook daartoe aanleiding gegee het dat toekomstige waterintensiewe ondernemings bevraagteken is. Hierdie navorsingsverslag ondersoek die besluit vir die oprigting van die Ramatex-tekstielfabriek en gee riglyne vir die toekomstige hantering van soortgelyke waterintensiewe ondernemings. Die studie gee ook ’n voorbeeld van die gebruik van multikriteria-besluitnemingsinstrumente om besluite te neem, met spesifieke verwysing na die analitiese hiërargieproses deur die gebruik van inligting aangaande Ramatex. Die beoordelende waardes in die multikriteriabesluitnemingsproses is denkbeeldig en verteenwoordig nie die ware standpunte van enige van die belanghebbendes nie. Die proses is bloot uitgevoer om aan te toon dat soortgelyke instrumente in toekomstige besluitneming gebruik kan word. Opnames en werksessies moet gehou word ten einde te verseker dat alle belanghebbendes se insette en menings aangaande toekomstige ontwikkelingsprojekte in ag geneem word.

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study evaluates community participation in the Huidare Informal Settlement (HDIS) as a case study. The hypothesis is that the breach of trust between the previous community leaders of the HDIS and the current community members has an effect on community participation in issues affecting them and their community today. The research methodology employed is explained as well as the policy context for community participation both on an international level and in Namibia, is reviewed. The legislation on community participation that has been enforced by the City of Windhoek contradicts what happened in the HDIS. The possibility will be investigated as to whether these policy documents of the City of Windhoek are only another form of tokenism.

M.A. (Psychology) / The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the effect that Human Modelling in a group therapeutic setting, has on the mental health or personal integration of prisoners. The General Systems Theory, principles of Cybernetics and Botes' (1987) integrated model of mental health are used as a meta theoretic point of departure. From the literature study it transpires that it is important to explain and treat the prisoner in totality in order to make treatment more effective. An attempt is thus made to formulate an integrated model for the explanation of the crime phenomenon by virtue of already existing models. Furthermore the personal functioning (intra- and interpersonal) - as index of mental health of the criminal is surveyed. A short comparison is done between the traits of a mentally healthy person (Botes, 1987) and the personal functioning of the criminal or prisoner. From this it appears that the criminal has certain deficiencies in this regard and hence cannot be described as an integrated person once the traits are unbalanced. He thus requires guidance towards a higher degree of personal integration, which should lead to a change in traits and accordingly balance is restored. From the literature study it is evident that treatment of prisoners is to a large extent unsuccessful. The reasons for this are pointed out. Human Modelling in a group therapeutic setting however, has the potential to lead the prisoner towards a higher degree of personal integration, due to it's metaphoric and synthetic nature, and to make treatment more successful. The potential that Human Modelling as a metaphor holds for the therapist and mental health of the prisoner, is pointed out and described...

It was the objective of this research to determine how physical surveillance can be utilised in combating robberies, to find out whether city police utilise physical surveillance as an investigation tool in combating robberies, as well as to assess the value of such surveillance in criminal investigations. To achieve such aims and objectives, the researcher has collected data from interviews with participants, published books, internet sources, journals, newspapers, previous researches and crime statistics. The researcher interviewed the crime suppression officers from WCPS who are dealing with investigations and physical surveillance operations, by using a semi-structured-interviews. The researcher has also employed a qualitative approach and collected a sample by using a simple random sampling method. The study has indeed determined that crime suppression members and investigators are ignoring the use of physical surveillance when robberies have been committed. The research has also revealed that the officers also lack the necessary training and expertise on how to employ surveillance during their investigation and recommendation are made at the end of the research, for such training to be offered to them regularly. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminal Justice)