Thesis (Mcur)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The researcher has identified several problems in the North West Health Directorate community of Namibia regarding malaria and malaria related deaths. Against this background the study was undertaken to: • Identify the attitude(s) of the community towards malaria. • Determine the community's knowledge of malaria. • Determine the prevention strategies the community employed to guard against malaria. • Make recommendations. Methodological triangulation was used to obtain data and the findings reflected the following: • Lack of knowledge about malaria, its causes, management and prevention due to lack of adequate health information. • Socio-cultural factors have an influence on the community's knowledge of malaria, their attitudes towards malaria and on strategies employed by the community to prevent malaria. Recommendations included provision of proper and adequate health information to the community by health workers, increasing community participation in order to enhance attitude change and co-ordination and collaboration between traditional healers and the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Keywords: malaria I community I prevention I knowledge I attitudes / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorser het verskeie probleme rakende malaria en malaria verwante sterftes in die gemeenskap van die Noordwes Gesondheidsdirektoraat van Namibië geïdentifiseer. Teen hierdie agtergrond is die studie gedoen om: • Die houding van die gemeenskap teenoor malaria te identifiseer. • Die gemeenskap se kennis omtrent malaria te bepaal. • Die voorkomende strategieë wat die gemeenskap toepas om malaria te voorkom te bepaal. • Aanbevelings te maak. Metodologiese triangulasie is gebruik om data te verkry en die bevindinge het die volgende gereflekteer: • Gebrek aan kennis aangaande malaria, die oorsake, hantering en voorkoming van malaria as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan voldoende gesondheidsinligting. • Sosio-kulturele faktore beïnvloed die gemeenskap se kennis van malaria, hul houding teenoor malaria en die strategieë wat hul toepas om malaria te voorkom. Aanbevelings sluit in die voorsiening van korrekte en voldoende gesondheidsinligting aan die gemeenskap deur gesondheidswerkers, verhoging van gemeenskapsdeelname om houdingsveranderinge teweeg te bring asook om die koërdinasie en samewerking tussen tradisionele helers in die Ministerie van Gesondheid en Welsyn te verbeter. Sleutelwoorde: malaria I gemeenskap I voorkoming I kennis I houding.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study undertakes a scientific investigation into the social and environmental problems encountered by the Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement as a result of the lack of a proper sanitation system. This informal settlement is located on the periphery of the municipal boundaries of the town of Mariental in Southern Namibia, about 270 kilometres south of the capital, Windhoek. The unique problem faced by the settlement is the absence of sanitation facilities or sewage system as a method of solid waste management. Needless to say, the informal settlement is characterized by overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of housing, unemployment and poverty. From the literature review, it became clear that inadequate water supply and sanitation posed serious implications to the physical environment and human health. The literature also reveals that these core challenges are propagated by the continual influx of people to urban areas and the re-birth of irregular settlements. In light of the above, the problem statements to be addressed are the following, namely: what is the impact of the absence of a proper and sustainable sanitation system on the inhabitants of the Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement and what can be done by the Mariental Municipality to address the concerns raised? The key research methods applied for this study entails individual semi-structured questionnaires and key informant groups. The answers to the interviewed questions are highlighted in chapter four and the interpretation of the research findings are constituted in the latter chapter. The hypothesis was proven false and the new model of thinking generated is suggesting that the prevailing social and environmental problems are caused by the absence of toilet facilities. It is evident to note from the study results that the negative social impact, which is being attributed by inadequate sanitation in the informal settlement, is severe and lethal to human health. In order to prove the hypothesis, data has been collected at household levels from the informal settlers. Despite the survey results which support the conventional water borne sanitation as the most preferred sanitation system, vacuum system as an ecological sanitation technology is recommended for this informal settlement. This particular sanitation system works on the principle of enhancing water conservation, recycling, reduction of health, and promotes environmental integrity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie onderneem ʼn wetenskaplike ondersoek na die sosiale en omgewingsprobleme, wat ondervind word deur die Oshiwana Penduka informele nedersetting en die gebrek aan ʼn behoorlike sanitasie stelsel. Hierdie betrokke informele nedersetting is geleë aan die buitewyke van die munisipale grense van die dorp Mariental. Die dorp Mariental is geleë in die suidelike deel van Namibië, ongeveer 270 km suid van die hoofstad Windhoek. Die unieke problem wat hierdie nedersetting ondervind is die afwesigheid van sanitasie fasiliteite of ʼn rioolstelsel wat ʼn soliede metode van goeie rioolbeheer is. Hierdie nedersetting word gekenmerk deur oorbevolking, swak sanitasie, gebrek aan behuising, werkloosheid en armoede. Vanuit die literatuurstudie, het dit aan die lig gekom dat onvoldoende water toevoer en sanitasie ernstige implikasies vir die fisiese omgewing en die menslike gesondheid inhou. Die literatuur het ook aan die lig gebring dat hierdie basiese probleme vererger word deur die aanhoudende invloei van mense na die stedelike gebiede. In die lig van bogenoemde, is die probleemstelling wat aangespreek moet word, soos volg: wat is die gevolge van ʼn gebrek aan ʼn behoorlike en volhoubare sanitasiestelsel vir die inwoners van die informele nedersetting en wat kan die Mariental Munisipaliteit doen om hierdie problem aan te spreek? Die navorsingsmetode wat aangewend word bevat individuele semi- gestruktureerde vraelyste en sleutel fokusgroepe. Die antwoorde op die onderhoudsvraelyste word vervat in hoofstuk vier en die vertolking van die navorsingsbevinding word in die daaropvolgende hoofstuk aangebied. Die hipoteses was verkeerd bewys en die alternatief wat gegenereer is, stel voor dat die bestaande sosiale en omgewingsprobleme veroorsaak word deur die afwesigheid van toilet fasiliteite. Ten spyte van die navorsingsresultate, wat ʼn watersanitasiestelsel as die meeste verkose stelsel ondersteun, word ʼn suigstelsel as ekologiese volhoubare tegnologie vir hierdie informele nedersetting aanbeveel. Hierdie betrokke sanitasiestelsel toon verskeie voordele, onder andere bewaring van water, vermindering van gesondheidsprobleme en die bevordering van omgewingsvolhoubaarheid.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: NamPower is the current power utility in Namibia and needs to access the debt capital markets over the next few years, in order to be successful to finance its capital expenditure programme of NAD 13.9 billion. NamPower intends to raise the funding from its operations, shareholders equity injection and debt, in the form of bonds and development finance. In order to be successful in its bond issuance programme, NamPower must at least maintain an investment grade credit rating. Credit Rating Agencies play an important role to provide investors with their credit ratings and reports. Many investors base their investment decision making on certain levels of credit ratings. A credit rating is the probability that an issuer or instrument will default on its debt repayment obligation. Depending on the circumstances, investors usually require a minimum of an investment grade rating (AFP, 2009:20). Looking at the current financial crisis investors felt left down by the credit rating agencies, as investors relied on the credit rating reports and the underlying credit rating. Investors literally lost billions in financial crisis of 2007-8/9 as corporate and structured products defaulted on meeting financial obligations. As a result of the defaults and financial crisis the credit rating agencies have been criticised for inadequate disclosure and potential conflicts of interest. Many critics argue that credit rating agencies are not asking inquisitive questioning and probing into issues when doing credit reviews. Evidence was not that conclusive, but big corporate failures like Enron and WorldCom are examples of the credit rating agencies’ failures. Furthermore, credit rating agencies are not particular about creating predictions of future developments, but the last crisis has shown that credit rating agencies were fairly successful with corporate or issuer ratings as default has been fairly limited to the higher credit rating categories. Evidence provided in the research supports that investors still rely on credit ratings more so for corporate, institutions and fixed income products, but are very insure about structured products, due to recent market failures. Therefore it is still of critical importance for NamPower to maintain its investment grade credit rating. NamPower has maintained and even improved on its local national scale credit rating. Investors are still risk adverse since the financial crisis but as economic conditions improve investors should be coming back to emerging markets. To bring back the investors to invest in the emerging markets will require a certain appetite returning to the investor, but surely there will be a premium or funding will be more costly in future and not in demand as previously. As for NamPower, the opinion is therefore that although smaller in size, it poses as an attractive investment opportunity for investors as there is shortage in investment grade assets in Sub-Sahara Africa to fill the portfolio gaps and give diversification.

Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2007. / Today we face a reality where existing power relations concerning economical, political and cultural institutions and forces are changing. It is about more than just the right to use a technology in itself; it is a matter of having, or not having, access to infonnation and knowledge. The use of information and communications technology (lCT) is an important and powerful tool when it comes to distributing and sharing these resources (Bridges.arg, 2006). The unequal distribution of and the differences in the possibility to use rer effectively are often referred to by the term digital divide (DDN, 2006). Does this sound quite pessimistic? However, a change is taking place since all countries on earth from the richest to the poorest are actually increasing their Ier usage. The problem is that the developed countries are using convergence (three separate communication sectors: information technology, telecommunications and broadcasting merging to become a single communication service sector) to escalate their access to and use of ICf at a much higher speed, which in fact widens the digi tal divide instead of shrinking it (Bridges.org, 2006). Today no country can afford to neglect investments in ICf if it wishes to raise its living standards or to prevent it from being left behind as other countries exploits the possibilities of ICf. Why is ICf considered to be an effective tool for bridging the international digita1 divide? On the United Nations Development Programme's website one can read: " .. .ICf is an increasi ngly powerful tool for participating in global markets; promoting political accountability; improving the delivery of basic services; and enhancing local development opportunities" (UNOP, 2003). These aspects can be of great importance for developing countries in their effort to gain economic development and improvements. Furthermore, it is also a question about every human's right to have access to infonnation (Sida, 2004). According to Steve Case (AOL Time Warner, Chainnan of the Board) every decade has some word associated with it. In the 'SOs, it was the PC. In the '90s, it was the Internet. For the rest of this decade, the key word is going to be convergence (Thompson, 2003). In Namibia a digital divide exists between income groups as well as between the country's rural and urban population. Namibia is sti ll far from providing equal access to information, but Namibia is well positioned to deploy ICf to its advantage. Namibia has a functional telecommunication infrastructure, political stability and an attractive economic environment for investors. However. the geographic and social challenges of Namibia require innovative approaches and considerable effort. Competition and convergence will improve the situation. recommended to expand the set of potential drivers and specifically focus on the relation between convergence and economic growth.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study summarizes data for the consumptive wildlife industry in Namibia, both in terms of resource availability and current utilization and monetary value. Based on these data a spreadsheet-based cash-flow model is developed to simulate scenarios and to explore what constitutes the critical parameter. Based on this data synthesis and modelling, recommendations are made and conclusions drawn. Chapter one gives an overview of Namibia's economy, with special reference to the livestock and wildlife industry. The fact that the commercial livestock herd has been shrinking over the years is pointed out, as well as the stable output achieved through better management practices. The literature research has shown that wildlife ranching could be a viable alternative to livestock farming as practised in southern Africa, especially in the more arid areas with higher rainfall variability. Chapter two outlines the resource availability, based on the distribution and densities of the more common species. The occurrence of the rarer species is touched on. The point is made that it is very difficult to accurately count wildlife over large areas and that, as elsewhere, Namibia's wildlife at a regional scale is underestimated. Chapter three documents the consumptive use of wildlife. Trophy hunting, the most important segment in terms of national income, is discussed together with the live sale of game, live export of game, venison production and night culling. A comparison is made between the economic outputs of the wildlife industry versus that of the commercial cattle industry. Chapter four covers financial modelling and the economics of the wildlife industry in Namibia. A spread-sheet based deterministic model is developed to explore the cash-flow implications of various game ranching options, such as using different species mixes, owning land of different carrying capacities and offering different services. Chapter five addresses policy and legislative issues in relation to the wildlife industry. Topics such as property rights and exclusive utilization rights, industry representation and the forming of smart partnerships with primary resource users are covered. Broad recommendations are made to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Chapter six is used for a concluding synthesis of the previous four chapters. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie som die konsumptiewe wildlewe industrie in Namibie op in terme van van beide beskikbaarheid, huidige verbruik en monetere waarde van hierdie hulpbron. Gebaseer op hierdie data is 'n kontantvloei model opgestel om vooruitskouings te simuleer, met betrekking op aanbevelings en gevolgtrekkings. Hoofstuk een gee 'n oorsig van die Namibiese ekonomie met spesiale verwysing na die vee- en wildboerdery. Daar word uitgewys dat die gesamentlike kommersiele veekudde oor die afgelope aantal jare kleiner geword het, terwyl die opbrengs stabiel gebly het deurdat better bestuurspraktyke toegepas is. Die literatuurstudie het gewys dat in suider-Afrika, wildlewe-boerdery 'n lewensvatbare alternatief kan wees vir veeboerdery, veral in die droër streke wat 'n hoër reenval speling toon. Gebaseer op die verspreiding en digtheid van die meer algemene wild, gee hoofstuk drie 'n oorsig van die beskikbaarheid van hierdie hulpbronne. Trofeejag, wat die belangrikste inkomstesektor is, word bespreek, sowel as die lewende verkoop, uitvoer en nagoes (skiet van diere gedurende die nag vir vleisproduksie) van wild, asook die wildvleis produksie. Met betrekking tot die ekonomiese uitsette, word 'n vergelyking gemaak tussen die wildlewe en kommersiele veeboerdery industrie. Hoofstuk vier dek die finansiele modelering en ekonomiese aspekte van die wildlewe industrie in Namibie. 'n Rekenaar "spreadsheet" -gebaseerde, deterministiese model is ontwikkel om die kontantvloei van verskeie opsies van wildlewe boerdery te verken. Voorbeelde sluit in die gebruik van verskillende spesie samestellings, die besit van grond met verskillende drakrag vermoëns, asook die aanbiedinge van verskeie dienste. Hoofstuk vyf bespreek die beleid en wetgewing met betrekking tot die wildlewe industrie. Onderwerpe soos eiendomsreg en eksklusiewe benuttingsregte, industrie verteenwoordiging en die stigting van "smart" vennootskappe met primere hulpbron verbruikers, word aangespreek. Aanbevelings word aan die Ministerie van Omgewing en Toerisme gemaak. Hoofstuk ses behels 'n sintese van die voorafgaande vier hoofstukke.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Poverty reduction, employment creation and economic growth are priorities in the development of Namibia. Although Namibia has a relatively high domestic savings rate in the form of long-term insurance, unit trust and pension contributions, these savings do not translate into economic growth and job creation. Under Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act, Namibian pension funds are required to invest a minimum of 35% of pension fund assets in the domestic economy, with a minimum of 5% of assets to be invested in unlisted entities. Both measures are aimed at using domestic savings to stimulate economic growth. Regulation 28 also requires pension funds to diversify the investments of assets across different asset classes, both domestically and internationally, in order to reduce exposure to the risk posed by a specific asset class. Taking cognisance of the additional risks involved in investment in unlisted entities, Namibian legislators drafted Regulation 29 through which these pension fund investments in unlisted entities are to be made once Regulation 29 is promulgated. Such investments will take the form of private equity investments, although provision is made for debt financing of unlisted entities. This research paper investigates the potential risks and benefits associated with the requirement to invest in unlisted entities, and whether draft Regulation 29 will provide sufficient safeguards to mitigate the risks to pension funds of investing in this asset class. Regulation 29 has been drafted taking into consideration lessons learned from the experience of the Government Institutions Pension Fund in investing in unlisted entities. In order to invest in unlisted entities, draft Regulation 29 requires pension funds to invest in a special purpose vehicle through which investments are made in portfolio companies that have been identified by unlisted investment managers. Pension funds will not be allowed to make direct investments in unlisted entities. The draft regulation details the contractual relationship between the pension fund and the various parties to the unlisted investment. It imposes strict reporting requirements on the pension fund, the special purpose vehicle and the unlisted investment manager, and creates a heavy regulatory burden for the Namibian Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority as the regulator. In addition to access to sufficient funds for private equity investments, adequate investment opportunities, appropriate experience and skills of managers in the industry, and a supportive regulatory environment, private equity investors require ways to exit their investments, either through listing on a stock exchange or disposing of investments on a secondary market.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / This research investigates the volunteer tourism industry in Namibia, a niche market of the tourism industry. The tourism industry is the fastest growing sector in the economy (Travel News Namibia, 2012: 9), and it is also the second largest contributor to GDP (Ministry of Environment and Tourism Annual Report, 2010: 14). Although the volunteer tourism industry has been active for more than 20 years, it is currently having trouble with its status as a recognised sector of the tourism industry. Industry members mostly fear that investments to grow the industry are at risk due to uncertain entry visa requirements for international volunteers. There is also a concern that the industry is not regulated like other sectors of the tourism industry and that volunteer tourism is not recognised with equal status. Industry members feel ignored when it comes to national marketing campaigns and when representative bodies act in their interest. Industry members also expressed concern being left out when it comes to drafting new laws that affect the industry. To understand the industry, it is vital to analyse the industry from an internal and external perspective. This includes an analysis of the current status of the strategic architecture of the industry and an environmental analysis. The report also presents innovations to a typical strategic architecture model. Information and data for this research report was gathered from tourism industry stakeholders and experts, managers of five of the biggest industry players, and international volunteers. The findings of the investigation reveal that the business model of the industry is working well. Initiatives for continuous improvement, however, remain small due to uncertainties experienced in the macro-environment. The competitive environment of the industry is conducive to performance, as well as price and costing models. Demand for volunteering in Namibia is on the increase and the industry has realised that it needs to prepare itself to capture its full potential. The establishment of the Namibia VolunTourism Forum, which is represented through important stakeholders of the industry, is a first step to find solutions to the many challenges. This report serves as a working paper for the tourism industry and in particular for the volunteer tourism industry with the aim to increase stakeholder value.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research found and understood that the ability of the case study organisation (company X) to understand sustainability issues and stakeholder interests lies in the firm‟s core purpose and strategy (i.e. the notion of incorporating sustainability into business decisions). The research also understood that at company X the three strategy propositions (value, profit, people) are achieved through the process of implementing the company‟s change initiatives for sustainability and in turn support the company to evolve towards a sustainable enterprise. The ability to make sustainability a fundamental aspect of its business decisions is what distinguishes company X such that it can successfully design, introduce and diffuse strategies, practices and cultural traits aligned with sustainable models The researcher further believes that change interventions or initiatives carried out at company X such as value delivery, workforce plan alignment and cash generation are expected to enhance responsibility and accountability of employees. At company X, individuals are informed and allowed a great deal of autonomy when it comes to generating ideas to tackle strategic initiatives. The sense of inclusiveness allows individuals in company X to change their identity and behaviour in line with ideal models of the sustainable enterprise.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is general consensus that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) play a formidable role in contributing to employment creation, domestic and export earnings, and poverty reduction (OECD, 2004). They are therefore extremely important to the development of nations (particularly developing countries), as they constitute the bulk of economic contributors outside of agriculture (OECD, 2004). However, SMEs face a number of challenges as they work to realise these important contributions. Aside from the financial constraints that often mar the success rate of SMEs, several non-financial factors hinder their development and their ability to contribute to national development. Non-financial issues include access to markets, technology and training; sectoral support, business networking, and access to information and advice (Thomas, 2003). Based on the important role that SMEs play in developing economies, however, it is crucial that they receive the support needed to help them to succeed, through the provision of business development services. While the financial aspect of SME success is important, their non-financial needs should also be addressed to ensure the holistic survival of SMEs (European Commission, 2009). The role and development of adequate non-financial business development services to either complement financial resources, or to mitigate the lack thereof, is therefore imperative (International Finance Corporation, 2010). This research report explores the gap that currently exists between the financial and non-financial business development services that exist for SMEs in Namibia; and analyses how non-financial services can be enhanced and marketed, to complement financial services that currently exist, and of which SMEs are aware. The report assesses how SMEs can become better aware of, and best utilise business development services to promote their growth objectives. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of SMEs and Business Development Services (BDS) providers in Namibia is conducted, using a survey and questionnaire, and drawing on a literature review. Finally, the report provides a set of recommendations, based on international best practices, of business development instruments needed to transform the SME sector to promote long term sustainability. This research report finds that SMEs need to become better aware and make use of non-financial BDS support to realize the growth objectives of their businesses. The researcher recommends that government and NGOs streamline their support of BDS providers, to being more facilitative and less prescriptive. Additionally, it is recommended that incubation centres adopt best practices in terms of incubator creation, process and performance assessment; that sectoral support and industrial clusters for technical-know-how is promoted; and that BDS suppliers provide context-specific training in order to enhance the effects of training provided. Further recommendations include the promotion of BDS to the general public to increase awareness of the importance of these services; the harnessing of BDS in Namibia’s financial institutions for a more complementary approach; and the formation of a National SME Agency to oversee and facilitate the effective provision of business development services.

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study seeks to analyse the financial sector’s (commercial banks and the Bank of Namibia) policy interventions towards creating an inclusive financial system. To achieve this the objective of this study is in three folds, firstly to examine the level and extent of financial inclusiveness in Namibia, secondly to evaluate financial sector (commercial banks and the Bank of Namibia) policies to ascertain their effectiveness in promoting access to finance in Namibia, and thirdly to review international experiences to provide key learning lessons for Namibia’s financial system improvement. It is important that the problems associated with the high level of financial exclusion are understood. Through an analysis of the theoretical information and empirical results it is possible to establish how to improve financial inclusion which is critical for development and economic growth. Financial Inclusion (FI) has become a key pillar of development policy in a number of countries around the world on account of the fact that exclusive development is not sustainable. The paper explored the role of Mobile Money Services (MMS) in enhancing financial inclusion. The study was motivated by the proliferation of mobile phones amongst low income earners, the prepaid billing system sensitive to users’ incomes, adoption of ICT by government and the private sector that has enhanced e-commerce readiness of Uganda, as well as the launch of three Mobile Money Services in the country. A qualitative analysis of the web content of the three MMS providers was undertaken and focused on issues related to services provided; transaction charges; number of registered customers; number and volume of transactions; stakeholders; user interfaces and security; institutional relationships; policy and regulation; as well as appropriateness of the current business model(s). The findings indicate that while the MMS have enormous potential to enhance FI, it would require an open business model that involves all stakeholders to establish a truly national solution. Furthermore, the initial contribution of MMS to FI is in improving money transfer by lowering the transaction costs for small volumes. As a way forward, the regulatory authorities need to establish a legal framework that does not stifle innovation but ensures safety for customers’ savings. From the literature it becomes clear that there are various advantages associated with inclusive financial system. Various studies have demonstrated the positive correlation between financial inclusion and economic growth and poverty alleviation. Most of the data used in the study were collected by means of desk review for secondary data. Various articles and annual reports of commercial banks and regulators were analysed to provide an overview of the current state of financial inclusion in Namibia. However, primary data were also used to analyse the current initiatives of the commercial banks. The study finds that there are policy interventions that are in place and are being pursued by various players aimed at improving the public access to financial services. Results of the recently published FinMark2011 Survey report also indicate that 51 percent of adults are now included in the financial system compared to 31 percent recorded during the 2007 survey. Finally the study’s recommendations highlight various initiatives and activities which different stakeholders should undertake to improve the level of financial inclusion in the economy.