Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this community

http://41.63.25.24:4000/handle/123456789/18

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 5430

Language in Zambia
(International Africa Institute, 1978) Kashoki, Mubanga; Ohannessian, Sirarpi
Language in Zambia is part of a series of five country Studies that have been produced over the past few years. This effort at linguistic documentation has been perhaps the most important activity of the Survey of Language Use and Language Teaching in Eastern Africa. The Survey, supported by the Ford Foundation and assisted by universities, research institutes, government ministries and public offices in five countries in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya.Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) sponsored research teams from 1967 to 1971, each team spending twelve to fifteen months in Africa gathering data, then a similar period of time analysing the data and writinga report
Worker's Participation in Management: evolution,Essential Features,Constraints and Potential
(University of Zambia, 1979) Mwiya, Maata
This study provides first, a descriptive analysis, of participation through works councils. Secondly the study provides a survey of the level of, constraints on, and potential for, workers' participation in practice.The study was conducted in eleven enter¬prises in Lusaka from May to October, 1978 plus a six weeks' study tour of the Central and Co-pperbelt Provinces. The methodology framework of the study includes literature review, use of official documents, questionnaires and interviews.The study reveals that workers' participa¬tion was introduced in Zambia for both ideological and pragmatic reasons. Because of the ideologieal commitments to the philosophy of humanism, the ruling party (UNIP) and the Government initially wanted a radical type of workers' participation somewhat modelled after the Yugoslav system of self-management. However, the employers and the socio-economic conditions prevailing in Zambia during the 1969-71 period (when the legislative process was underway), suggested caution and put pressure on the Government to finally adopt a moderate model of workers' participation similar to the West German Scheme of Works Councils. The evaluation of workers' participation in practice demonstrates that workers are rarely informed, consulted and involved in co-decision to the extent envisioned by Part VII of the Industrial Relations Act. The main constraints on participation according to the study are; unfavourable management attitudes, inadequate support from Government and other institutions for participation^ legal complexities and contra-dictions, and irrelevance of the type of issues discussed in Council meetings to workers' imme¬diate interests.Unfavourable management attitudes are caused by the managers' ideas about participationo Most managers think that participation negated corporate autonomy, has no immediate value, and is an unwanted bother. Such negative attitudes frustrate the rank and file and curtail the level of workers' participation in management. The problem of legal complexities involves the existence of a veritable maze of work rules, regulations, articles of labour, and company legislation beyond the workers' control. The problem of inadequate government support stems from lack of resources. This pro¬blem has affected the seriousness with which workers participation has been taken by both employees and employers and has delayed the consolidation of participation.
To the Bottom of the Heap: Educational Deprivation and its Social Implications in the Northwestern Province of Zambia, 1906-1945
(Syracuse University, 1983-05-01) Wilkin, Paul; David
The urban housing problem for low income groups with special reference to the city of Lusaka: A social legal perspective
(The University of Zambia, 1989) Matibini, Patrick
This study is intended to contribute to the debate on the urban housing problem for low-income groups in Zambia. Low-cost housing has always been considered a difficult problem, even an insoluble one. The numbers of persons to be housed increase annually while the cost of housing construction is increasing faster than incomes. During the last two decades, it has been realized that the Conventional solution; viz, rental housing is not appropriate. It is however now generally accepted that the nation's scarce resources cannot match the housing demand. Consequently, aided self-help housing is viewed as the viable alternative. This strategy aims at increasing the supply of building plots with basic supporting services. However, site and service schemes have not been able to accommodate all home seekers. To this end, the President Dr. K.D. Kaunda in his 1975 "Watershed Speech" remarked as follows: "...townships have sprung up virtually from nowhere in many cities and towns as well as in the country side. In the future, these will create immense social problems of which we already have enough. Therefore, from now onward, local authorities must see to it that no unauthorized buildings are erected within their areas of jurisdiction. You have the powers use them...". However, notwithstanding policy pronouncements, and the enactment of Laws to prescribe the continued growth of unplanned settlements, the same continue to proliferate seemingly unabated* The basic theme of this dissertation is that the urban poor have in the main been left out of the Main Stream of legal housing. In the process, they are building houses, and establishing settlements where they can, largely illegally. This house building by the poor over-whelms the efforts of city administrators, planners, health and building authorities. The term low-income group is not easy to define. The Third National Development Plan (TNDP 1979-1983) suggested the following monthly income categories: (a) very low-income group; K0 - 60 for rural areas and traditional huts outside the rural areas. (b) Low-income group K61 - K100 for house built on fully serviced site and serviced plots using permanent building materials; (c) Lower-Middle-Income group K101 - 160 for houses built on fully serviced site, and serviced plots using permanent building materials; (d) Middle-Income group; Kl6l - 250 for Council- owned Conventional rental housing; and (e) Upper Middle-Income group K251 - 500 for Conventional Medium cost housing. Affordability levels was based on the proposals of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements (UNCHS) which suggested monthly cost recoveries not exceeding 20 - 25 per cent of monthly incomes. At that time, (1981) K15.00 for the Low-income target to K25.00. These were considered side by side with the cost of constructing a one room house whose building materials were estimated at K800.00. The effect of the Kwacha/USD relationship has also increased the incomes. The all-items low-income group consumer price index rose from 231.3 in 1981 to 738.9 in April, 1986, indicating an increase of 507.6 per cent. Using this increase, the following corresponding income groups were determined: (a) very low-income group: K100 - 220. (b) Lower-income group: K221 - 330. (c) Low-income group: K331 - 440. (d) Lower Middle-Income group 441 - 650. (e) Middle-Income group K650 + The term low-income groups in the context of this dissertation is compatible with the first two categories, the average monthly incomes are also not only low but unreliable. It is further submitted that illiteracy is mostly prevalent amongest the very low-income groups. This factor may account to some extent for their lack of access to legal housing and housing finance. It is hoped that this dissertation will highlight some of the salient factors that contribute to or cause the shortage of housing particularly for the low-income groups. Most of the information and views on which this dissertation is based was collected in Lusaka between September, 1985 and January 1988. During that period, the author was employed by the Lusaka Urban District Council as a Council Advocate cum Council Registrar of the Council's Deeds Registry on the Staff of the Legal Secretary. Some of the information contained in this dissertation was therefore, obtained by the method which is popularly referred to as participant observation. However, the opinions expressed are the author's own and should not in any way be considered or construed as reflections of official council thinking. This dissertation is organized as follows: Chapter One introduces the urban housing problem. It discusses the problem generally in the context of the regional, continental and global housing problem. Chapter Two offers a general historical back-ground of the housing problem. The Chapter briefly traces the establishment and growth of some of the present major urban centres. The \apter also discusses the housing policies pursued by the colonial government and the measures taken and laws enacted to ensure compliance with the policies. Further, the origins and nature of the unauthorized settlements are discussed. In addition, there is a discussion of the housing strategies adopted by the Independent government. In this regard the chapter notes the shift of policy from rental housing to aided self-help housing. In this connection, emphasis was placed on development of site and service scheme and squatter upgrading programmes. Chapter Three is an examination of the Legal Aspects of Aided Self-help housing. Although the site and service schemes were initiated in the immediate post-independence era, it was not until 1974 that a legal framework was provided in the form of the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Act, Chapter 441 of the Laws of Zambia. The chapter discusses some of the salient provisions and the general administration of the Act. Chapter four is on housing and planning. It is the basic theme of the Chapter that housing and planning are inseparable. It is argued, that one of the major contributing factors to the proliferation of unauthorized settlements is that the authorities are not planning for the absorption of the rapidly growing urban population. It is submitted that one of the major element in this absorption process, is the allocation of land for housing development for especially the low-income groups. Chapter five, addresses itself to the question of management of aided self-help housing. The chapter explores the management implications of the site and service schemes and squatter upgrading approaches. The Chapter notes the fact that institutional involvement has by and large become an integral part of housing for the low-income groups. The chapter underscores the importance of identifying the structural organization of modifications which are necessary to design, implement and manage low-income housing. Chapter six, is on housing finance for the low-income groups. The chapter notes the fact that, although provision of adequate shelter for all has since the First National Development Plan (FNDP) 1964-1968) been included in the National Development Plans, financial resources remains one of the crucial constraints in attaining that goal. The financial constraint results not only from insufficient resource mobilization but also from uneven allocation of resources. Presently, only high-income and middle-income households have access to conventional housing finance on affordable terms. This failure to provide finance for housing to low-income groups even extends to government agencies and financial institutions which have been set up for that very purpose. The chapter examines the major housing and financial institutions which have the potential of contributing to the provision of finance for low-income groups. Finally, chapter seven consists of conclusions and makes specific recommendations regarding national housing policy, the future of aided self-help housing, cost recovery, land delivery, and the proposed Zambia Housing Development Limited.
Environmental impacts of coal mining at Maamba at collieries limited in , Zambia
(The University of Zambia, 2001-06-18) Bunda, Besa
Environmental impacts of coal mining and processing operations on land, water and air are identified, measured, evaluated, interpreted and discussed. The impacts of these operations are scarring most of the areas, land surface degradation, pollution of surface water bodies as well as air pollution. This study is aimed at quantifying how much damage has been done to the environment as a result of open pit coal mining and processing operations. Estimates of rehabilitating and revegetating Kanzinze and Izuma pits have been established by the study. To achieve these objectives, assessment was done to quantify the total area disturbed by mining and waste dumping operations. This was done by detailed surveying of the pits and waste dumps using a GTS 701 Total Station. Results showed that 321 hectares of land and forest have been destroyed by the operations. Total volume of excavations in Kanzinze and Izuma pits amounts to 13.9 million m3 occupying an area of 268 hectares. Waste dumping have also affected the environment quite extensively and to date, 6.61 million m3 of overburden and discard material have been dumped and have occupied an area of 53 hectares. The types of costs estimated in the study include costs of backfilling excavations in mined out areas, dozing and grading of backfill material to required slope and revegetation in Kanzinze and Izuma pits. The costs of rehabilitating and revegetating past and present damages in Kanzinze and Izuma basins have been estimated at US$68,641,784. vii Water samples were collected at various points along the Kanzinze River and along its tributary (Izuma River). Results showed that the pH of water in the Kanzinze River dropped drastically from 7.7 at Kanzinze upstream to 2.5 downstream. The decrease in the pH was due to oxidation of pyrite (after exposure to oxygen and water) resulting in the formation of acidic effluent, acid water that is eventually discharged into the Kanzinze River. Effects of mining operations on air have also been assessed and discussed and results of the dust sampling indicate that the open pit and the Coal Preparation Plant (CPP) are the most affected in terms of coal and silica dust concentrations. Environmental regulations (i.e. current environmental policies and the Environmental and Protection and Pollution Control Act No. 12 of 1990) and their impacts on the operations of the mine have been reviewed and discussed. Factors that contribute to non-compliance by Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) have also been established and suggestions made on how best the existing regulations can be modified to allow Maamba Collieries Limited conform to or embark on redressing past environmental impacts as well as modifications to current mining practices for the betterment of the environment.
Religion and education in Zambia, 1890 – 2000 and beyond
(University of South Africa, 2005) Simuchimba, Melvin
The relationship between religion (church) and education (state) through religious education (RE) in Zambia has passed through different stages of development. During the missionary period (1883/1890- 1924), RE was, naturally, offered in the form of Religious Instruction (RI) and was thus fully denominational and confessional. Despite some general improvements in the provision of education, the subject remained largely confessional at the end of the colonial period (1925 – 1964). After Independence, the confessional model of the subject was inherited and continued throughout the First Republic (1964 – 72) and part of the Second Republic (1973 – 90). However, as a result of educational reforms started in the mid 1970s, RE became more educational by adopting an approach that was partly confessional and partly phenomenological from the mid 1980s. Despite new educational reforms in 1991/92 and after 1996, progressive development of RE as a curriculum subject seems to have been negatively affected by the state’s self-contradictory declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation in 1991. Thus the subject continued to be partly confessional and partly phenomenological during the Third Republic (1991 to date). While the state or Ministry of Education sees RE as a curriculum subject with educational aims like any other, research results show that many Zambians, especially members of different religious traditions, still see the subject as having confessional aims as well. However, since the country is pluralistic and democratic, RE in Zambia should continue developing in line with the constitutional values of religious and cultural freedom and the liberal national education policy provisions for spiritual and moral education. Thus the subject should go beyond its current unclear state of being largely confessional and partially phenomenological and become more educational; it should take the religious literacy and critical understanding model which takes both religious truth-claims and educational skills and understanding of religion seriously. To ensure this, a specific national policy which broadly outlines the nature and form of RE in schools needs to be put in place as a guide to all interest groups. Key Terms Religion Education; Religious Education; School Religious Education; Zambian Religious Education; Teaching Religion in Zambia; History of RE in Zambia; RE Syllabuses in Zambia; School RE in Zambia; Education in Zambia; Religion in Zambia
A study to determine pregnant women's knowledge attitudes and practices towards prematurity in macha-choma
(The University of Zambia, 2005-03) Mbuzi, Maulao Stephen
Infant mortality continues to be a major concern in Zambia with most causes being preventable. One of the major causes of infant mortality is prematurity which could be prevented. Most interventions to combat infant mortality focus on treating or preventing childhood diseases rather than problems occurring in mothers before and during pregnancy. Infant mortality is an important social health indicator of the country's performance in the socio-economic and health system. This expresses the need for the government to prioritise maternal and child health in order to prevent prematurity.The main objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women towards prematurity in Macha catchment area of Choma District in Southern Province.The literature review was from different scholars and it looked at the global, regional and national perspectives. This was based on a number of factors for example service related factors, socio- cultural related factors, economy related factors and disease related factors and their influence on pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes and practices towards prematurity.The study used non-experimental, exploratory, qualitative and quantitative method. A pilot study was done at Macha Hospital Antenatal Clinic between August and September 2004. The research subjects were fifty (50) pregnant women selected randomly as they attended antenatal clinic. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule from the selected subjects and two (2) focus group discussions of five informants each. Data analysis was done manually with a pocket calculator. The findings were presented in form of frequency tables, and cross tabulations.The results from the study revealed that majority (78%) of the pregnant women had poor level of knowledge towards prematurity and this was attributed to inadequate information, education and communication (IEC) at the health centre. Many (76%) pregnant women did not understand the importance of booking and attending antenatal clinic as very few booked at 1 to 3 months and many attending less than four (4) times in their previous pregnancies. Many (32%) respondents neither knew the signs of a premature baby nor did they know how to care for the baby. Although many (96%) of respondents had heard about a baby born prematurely and all (100%) pregnant women indicated that they sought medical aid at the health centre if/when they experienced problems very few decided on their own to do so as this was because the decisions were made by their husbands and mothers' in-law. This shows that medical personnel and the health care system have a lot of challenge to give adequate IEC to pregnant women on prematurity.The District Health Management team and Macha Mission Hospital should ensure that more traditional birth attendants are trained and supervised. An emphasis on community participation in the District should be given and the referral system strengthened.
Evaluation of the Performance Management package (pmp) in the Zambian Civil Service
(The University of Zambia, 2006) Mate, Njekwa
This study was aimed at evaluating the Performance Management Package (PMP) in the Zambia civil service. More specifically, it examined the key elements of the PMP and its implementation and attempted to determine the extent to which work plans and targets have been established and were adhered to in the Zambian civil service. The linkages between performance appraisal and the application of rewards, sanctions, training and skills development were also explored. In order to do so, a stratified random sample of 236 civil servants drawn from three ministries (i.e. Agriculture and Co-operatives, Local Government and Housing and Finance and National Development) and two government institutions (i.e. Cabinet Office and the Public Service Management Division) were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. In addition to this were two members of the Performance Improvement Team (PIT) at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (where the team was found to be in existence). For these two PIT members at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing an unstructured questionnaire was administered so as to get more qualitative data. The results presented in this study show that although the PMP launch, briefing meetings and installation workshops had been carried out in the sampled organisations, no further work had been done to ensure that every employee had a work plan to follow and targets to achieve against which their performance could be evaluated. This was mainly due to inadequate financial and physical resources, on the one hand, and lack of visionary and committed leadership to continue with the PMP implementation, on the other. In addition, the government has never conducted a review of the PMP implementation in the ministries and institutions. Similarly, although 78 percent of the respondents had work plans created for their jobs only slightly over half of them (i.e. 55.5 percent) claimed that their work plans were completely followed or adhered to. The main reasons cited for the failure to adhere to work plans were poor funding, increased workloads due to manpower shortages and the absence of strict follow-ups by managers to ensure that work plans were being followed. As regards performance appraisal, slightly over half of the respondents (i.e. 53.8 percent) had the view that the PMP had introduced or helped put in place a more objective annual performance appraisal system (APAS). Furthermore, the study also found weak linkages between APAS and the application of rewards, sanctions, and training and skills development in the civil service today. As a result of this, the majority of the civil servants interviewed (i.e. 58.5 percent) argued that the administration of the performance appraisal system in the civil service today was just a matter of routine and served very little purpose. The study noted the absence of any reward or incentive schemes and sanctioning mechanisms in the organisations visited that are required to effectively manage performance. Therefore, as a way forward, the government can, among others, adopt the following measures to improve the implementation of the PMP: reduction of the five-step implementation strategy to make it more cost effective and easy to apply; provision of financial and physical resources at all levels of the PMP implementation process; introduction of a PMP implementation monitoring and evaluation mechanism; development and implementation of a clear rewards or incentives policy; resolution of the current dilution of authority over human resources and its management in the civil service; educating all civil servants on performance management and its importance.
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of female Engineering students at selected Universities in Zambia
(University of Zambia, 2010) Munachonga, Heather
ABSTRACT Although female representation still remains low in the male dominated engineering programmes at university level in Zambia, no study had been undertaken to examine the experiences of female engineering before this study. The study therefore sought to examine the experiences of female engineering students and explore possible ways of providing support to the female engineering students at University of Zambia and Copperbelt University. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems theory was used as the framework for the study. The framework provided the basis on, and perspective from, which to understand how ecological systems in the environment that the female engineering students live in influence them. Qualitative research was used and the study was situated in the interpretivist philosophical framework. This study took an ontological stance that reality is subjective and not fixed but varies from person to person. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used because this method focuses on understanding lived experiences of participants from the participants themselves. A sample of 14 fifth year female engineering students was selected using homogenous purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The study found that female engineering students’ school and home experiences such as encouragement from significant others in form of parents and teachers shaped the mathematics and science positive self-concept which ultimately influenced them to study engineering as well as shape their positive engineering self-concept. At university, some female engineering students experienced intimidation in the male dominated environment both at student and faculty levels while others experienced social isolation and limited peer network. The female engineering students experienced positive discrimination in form of affirmative action of lowering cut off points for female engineering students to qualify to their majors in engineering which allowed them to major in engineering sub disciplines of their choice. The female engineering students had experiences of strong peer support from the study groups they belonged to, in addition to intrinsic motivation which was critical to remaining positive and persistent in engineering courses. The female engineering students suggested that availing female lecturers to teach in the various sub disciplines of engineering and holding seminars for female engineering students would largely motivate some female engineering students and possibly attract more females into engineering programmes. The implication of the findings is that the decisions to design interventions to support female engineering students should use the ecological prism and engage the female engineering students themselves because realities of their experiences are unique to them. The environment in which the female students live has a lot of influence in their choice to study engineering, their persistence and can provide the required support that female engineering students require to be attracted and retained in engineering. Further research in the area can be conducted to examine factors that prevent many female students from majoring in engineering.
Evaluation of monorail haulage systems in metalliferous underground mining.
(2010-11-05) Besa, Bunda
The decline is a major excavation in metalliferous mining since it provides the main means of access to the underground and serves as a haulage route for underground trucks. However, conventional mining of the decline to access the ore body poses economic and technical challenges that require innovative responses. The average cross-sectional area of mine declines in Australia is 5m wide x 5m high. The large excavations associated with current underground mining practices are economically and geotechnically inappropriate, especially for narrow vein mining conditions. The decline gradient of 1 in 7 (8[superscript]o) designed to accommodate truck haulage results in a significantly longer decline compared to a decline mined at a steeper gradient. Further, the current drill-blast-load-haul cycle does not allow rapid development of the decline to access the ore body since the cycle is made up of discontinuous segments. The use of diesel equipment poses health risks and increases ventilation requirements. The heat load and air borne exhaust contaminants emitted by large diesel engines create heavy demand on mine ventilation, sometimes resulting in substandard working conditions. As mines get deeper, there is a tendency to increase the truck and loader fleet – which results in traffic congestion in the decline. Metal prices in the recent boom may have helped to offset some of the shortcomings of current practices, and although the good times may continue, a down-turn could find many operations exposed. Federal government emissions trading scheme encourage mining companies to reduce carbon emissions in their operations. This study was prompted by the need to investigate the potential of the monorail haulage system in metalliferous mining, particularly in decline development and main haulage in view of shortcomings of the current practices. Monorail systems are being used in mines around the world for material transport and man-riding but their utility in rock transport has not been fully investigated. Hence, it is proposed to replace non-shaft component of the mine haulage system with roof/back mounted monorail technology using continuous conductor technology to provide competitive haulage rates in substantially smaller excavations at steeper gradient than is currently achievable. It is proposed that a suite of equipment can be adapted or modified to enable development of the decline supported by the monorail system. To this end, a drill system mounted on the monorail accompanied by a pneumatic system for loading rock into monorail containers is proposed. The proposed decline gradient for the monorail decline is 1 in 3 (or 20[superscript]0) with a cross-sectional area of 4m wide x 4m high. Decline dimensions of size 4.0m x 4.0m (minimum opening for monorail system is 3m x 3m) are used in this design in order to leave enough working space (underneath and on the sidewalls) and to accommodate other mine services, such as, ventilation tubing, air and water pipes and cables. Systems analysis, engineering economics and computer simulation are used to evaluate the feasibility of the monorail mining system for decline development. Technical data relating to the operation of monorail systems in underground mining was obtained from Solutions for Mining Transport (SMT) – Scharf, of Germany, a company that manufactures monorail systems. Monorail haulage has definite advantages over conventional haulage; these include the use of electrical power instead of diesel, steeper gradients (up to 36[superscript]0), smaller excavations, tighter horizontal and vertical turning radii and potential for automation. The concepts are applied to a narrow vein ore deposit with results indicating that the monorail system delivers significant savings in terms of time and cost of decline development in this specific application. Stability of the monorail drilling system is critical in ensuring high performance of the drilling system. Stabilisation of the system requires determination of the horizontal, vertical and lateral forces of the system. According to the findings, these forces depend on the vector position of the two drilling booms that will be mounted onto the monorail train. Therefore, the research provides minimum and maximum monorail system reaction forces in horizontal and vertical stabilisers that will stabilise the system during drilling operations. Because of the configuration and positioning of the monorail drilling system, the research has also shown that with appropriate swing angles and lifting angles that will enable the system to reach the whole drill face during drilling operations. Since pneumatic or suction system is used during loading process, the research has revealed that the density of rock fragments, rock fragmentation, conveying air velocity and the negative pressure of the system would greatly influence the loading time and power consumption of the system. Therefore, the study has determined optimum fragmentation of the pneumatic system for various conveying air velocities. Additionally, for the efficient operations of the system, a range of conveying air velocities that give optimal mass flow rate (mass flow rate that give shorter loading time) and optimal power consumption have been determined at maximum negative pressure of 60kPa (0.6 bars). Since the monorail drilling and loading systems move on the rail/monorail installed in the roof of the decline and supported by roof bolts, suspension chains and steel supports, the strength of the support system is critical. To avoid system failure, it is imperative that the force in each roof bolt, suspension chain and steel support capable of suspending the weight of the heaviest component of the system is determined. Through the models developed, this study has determined the minimum required strength of roof bolts, suspension chains and steel supports that can suspend and support the components of the drilling and loading systems. To increase the efficiency and improve the safety of the two systems, the automation design for monorail drilling and loading systems’ processes have been developed. The proposed automation system would increase productivity by improving operator performance through control of the two systems’ processes. It is hoped that automation of the monorail drilling and loading systems will reduce the total drill-load-haul cycle time hence improving the efficiency of the systems. The application of simulation techniques was deemed useful to determine the performance of the monorail system in mining operations. During modelling, a simulation programme was written using General Purpose Simulation System (GPSS/H) software and results of the simulation study were viewed and examined in PROOF animation software. According to simulation results, the monorail system will have the same advance rate as conventional method since both systems have one blast per shift. However, the total drill-blast-load-haul cycle time for the monorail system is lower than for conventional method. Since the monorail system poses health and safety challenges during operations, through risk analysis, this study has identified root factors that have the potential to cause monorail system risk and hazard failure. The research has revealed that lack of maintenance of the monorail system and the monorail installations, production pressure and insufficient training of personnel on monorail system use are the major root factors that have the potential to cause risk and hazard failure. In order to improve the health and safety of the system, the study has suggested risk and hazard control strategies which are aimed at reducing the level of risk by directing corrective measures at potential root causes as opposed to addressing the immediate obvious symptoms such as monorail falling from support system, monorail running out of control, and others. A mine design case study using a monorail technology was conducted using one of ‘South Deeps’ gold deposits of Jundee mine operations (owned by Newmont Mining Corporations). Nexus deposit, one of ‘South Deeps’ deposits, was selected as case study area. The case study indicates that development of decline access to Nexus deposits using monorail technology is feasible. Compared with conventional decline development, results have shown that the monorail system has the potential of reducing the decline length to Nexus deposits by over 62.6% and decline costs by 63% (i.e., spiral decline and straight incline from the portal only). Furthermore, the study indicates that with the monorail system, there is a potential of reducing the total capital development costs to Nexus deposit by 22% (i.e., cost of developing the spiral decline, straight incline from the portal, crosscuts, ventilation network and installation and purchase of monorail train). Also, due to shorter decline length coupled with smaller decline openings, the duration of decline development reduces by 71.8%.
An evaluation of National information policy proposals of selected African countries-Botswana,Ethiopia,Malawi,Tanzania,Uganda,and Zambia
(2010-12-01) Yumba, Dickson
The role that information plays sa an essential ingredient in the socio-economic development process of any society is now accepted in the developed as well as developing countries.For information to be useful in this context it has to be systematically captured,recorded,processed and organised to ensure timely access to relevant and reliable information by decision makers,planners,managers,executives,researchers and people at the grassroots involved in diverse ways in development related activities in various sectors of the national economy.The information personnel in Africa while recognising the role of information in national development,are also aware of the deficiency and ineffectiveness of existing information systems and services on the continent.The lack of an overall national policy on information systems and services in most of the countries that could coordinate existing resources andsystems,and support the development of an appropriate and strong infrastracture,is seen to be one of the causes of the defeiciencies.Therefore,to correct the situation,national information policy proposals have been drafted in several countries during the past decade.This study is an attempt to review,analyse and assess the national information policy proposals of six countries-Botswana,Ethiopia,Tanzania,Uganda,and Zambia.A Series of analytical frameworks to compare the policy elements have been formulated.The common elements,differential elements and omissions thereof in relation to the checklist of the elements in the frameworks are highlighted.The study indicates deficiencies in preliminary preparations as well as omissions of some elements in the policy proposals,and comments on the likely consequences in implementing the policies.The thesis concludes with recommendations that may contribute to strengthening the current efforts toward formulation and implementation of national information policies in Africa.
Designing a computer-based circulation control system:with reference to the needs of the University of Zambia Library
(2010-12-01) Zulu, Chadzanso Floyd Saul
In this study a case for the automation of circulation control is made.The philosophy of circulation control is presented.A circulation control model upon which various manual-based and computer-based systems are compared for effectiveness, is developed.A general review of the environment of the automation of circulation control is presented.Design issues pertaining to the planning for the automation of circulation control are considered.The study also presents a case study of the manual-based cirulation control system of the University of Zambia library where a case for automation of its circulation function ic made.It ends with an outline of the hardware configuration of the proposed UNZA CIRC System
Information , Women's health and development: Strategies for information provision in Africa
(2010-12-01) Kanyengo, W.Christine
Problems of acquisition of library materials in the third world with reference to the University of Zambia library
(2010-12-01) Phiri, Chibinga Nchimunya Patricia
In this work,an attempt is made to focus attention on some of the complicated problems which affect acquisitons of monographs and periodicals for use in libraries in the third world country,specific problems that are faced by the University of Zambia library by virtue of it being an academic library are also discussed.In addition,since publishers in industrialised countries are producing or are in the process of producing their products in machine readable format,the implications of electronic publishing for third world countries are discussed
Development of a model plan for the application of information communication technologies in distance education at the University of Zambia
(2010-12-01) Chifwepa, Vitalicy
Although the University of Zambia had a strategic plan that advocated for the use of ICT in distance education and had acquired computers for this purpose, no effort had been made to develop a model for the application of the ICT in the development an delivery of distance education materials.Introducing an ICT model in distance education demanded examining the conditions and factors that may hamper or facilitate application of ICT.This study,therefore,examined the conditions that could contribute to a feasible application of ICT in the development and distribution of course materials for distance education students of the University of Zambia.The aim of this study was to design and recommend a feasible and appropriate ICT conceptual model plan for the development and delivery of course materials for the distance education students at the University of Zambia.A Survey methodology was utilised to collect the data on thye status of infrastracture,availability of the access to technologies,and attitudes of staff and students towards the usage of ICT.Questionnares and Interviews were used.The students taking distance education were 1,155 as of the 2004/2005 academic year.There were 54 lecturers involved in the delivery of courses offered in the programme.The simple random sampling technique was used to get a sample of 393 students.In addition to the students,all the 54 lecturers offering tuition by distance education and all the 9 Resident Tutors in the nine provinces were included in the sample.From the DDE, 5 administration staff and 4 academic staff were part of the sample.The total number of respondents,therefore, was 465.The quantitative data was subjected to statistical analysis using both SPSS and excel whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically.The findings were:(a)The most accessible ICTs were radio cassette recorders,television,video cassette recorders(VCRs),computers and internet.(b)it was odserved that 66% of the the students did not have access to inetrnet due to distance to possible access points and the cost of using the internet.Unless the University of Zambia working through and with its regional offices or other agencies such as Teachers' Resource Centres provided access to inetrnet,it would not be feasible to provide course materials to all the students using internet(c)Generally students had positive attitudes towards the ICT and the ICT based formats of materials.However,students attitudes towards the Radio as a means disseminating course contents were negative.The lecturers'perceptions were that ICT could improve learning and,therefore,should be employed in the delivery of distance education.They indicated that their courses could be offered in the various formats and that the formats could complement each other.(e)Both Students and Lecturers needed training to use the ICT.Skills,however,did not influence the attitudes towards the ICTs as far as students were concerned.Since skill can be developed it would not be a major and hindering constraints towards the application of the model.The Conclusions were:(a)It was concluded,therefore,that the most feasible formats of course materials were print,audio recordings,CD-ROMs and Internet in that order(a)The order in which the lecturers' perceptions were positive were:internet.audiovisual,audio(but not to be delivered using the Radio)and lastly was the radio.The motivating factor was that ICT could improve learning.(c)Constraints against the use of the ICT were availability of the computers,some students did not have access to electricity and telephones in their homes,service provider coverage,inadquate infrastructure and skill to use the ICTs(d)The conceptual model that was developed has been found to be appropriate and capable of being applied at the University of Zambia.The integrated model that employs computers,audo recorders,audovisual equipment, video cameras and recorders,CD-ROM burners and internet has been recommended.The formats of course materials that have been recommended are print,audio,audiovisual,multimedia CD-ROMs and web.
The response of Green Beans(Phaseoulus Vulgari)to varying application rates of Boron
(2010-12-02) Manda, Jastine Peter
Green Beans(Phaseoulus Vulgari) is a very important crop,feeding a large number of people in in the world.However,bean yields are low,hence many methods resulting in increased green bean yield maybe of great importance.Boron(B)is one of the most important micronutrients neccessary for bean growth and yield.A widespread deficiency of boron has been reported in Zambian soils.This is a limitation to the potential yields of green beans,therefore,additions of B to the crop could contribute to higher yields.Currently, the University of Zambia recommends the addition of up to 2kg/ha B as a way of addressing boron deficiency in most crops grown.It is not well known,however,whether increasing supply rates of B applied would make a difference in yield.A study was carried out to correlate two methods of boron analysis with plant B uptake,and to determine whether B fertilizer application would improve crop performance.The hypothesis of this research was that since B is often deficient in soil,soil and foliar application of B ought to increase green bean yield.In the laboratory,16 soils that included pairs from cropped and fallow land were extracted for B using hot-water extraction and acid extraction. Aparallel study was carried out in green houseA green bean crop was grown in each of the soils for a six week period.In the field,five rates of B were applied at 0,2,4,6 and 8 kg/ha,to two green bean crops.One foliar application at 0.45g/1 was also used as one of the treatments giving a total of six treatments.The field experiments were conducted at York Farn in Lusaka Province in Zambia while the pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse at the University of Zambia.Extractable B values were obtained in the laboratory, and B uptake in the green house.In the field,plant height,pod length,packout rate and yield were obtained.Results indicated that there was no good correlation between each of the two extraction methods with plant uptake.Foliar application of B at 0.45g/1 also did not significantly increase bean yield.The results also showed that in both field and green house experiments increasing rates of B did not influence(p<0.05)plant height,pod length,yield and quality of green beans.The early crop which was grown perely on drip irrigation did slighly better than the second crop which received some rainfall.During the first crop,the pods were 6% longer than the control compared to only 1% in the second crop.The length of pod was found to be strongly related to yield increase of green beansThe yields were 28% more than the control in the first crop and 15.6% more in the second crop.The fruit quality was not affected by increasing rates of B.However,higher packout rates were obtained in the first crop compared to the second.These preliminary results suggest that green bean yields and quality may be better when grown in winter season.Soil application was more effective than foliar application in the greenhouse while the opposite was true in the field trial.
Rural Library Services in Zambia:their development and prospects
(2010-12-02) Walusiku, Likukela
Libraries have a potential to contribute to rural development in developing countries.Their role as providers and facilitators for the use of information is an important element in rural development.This potential has not been fully utilised.Using the above assumptions as a starting point,this study will discuss the growth,contribution and the potential of rural libraries in Zambia.An outline of the aims of the study,the methods used in data gathering and description of the study area serve to introduce the study.The concepts and issues which are fundamental to any library in society are eaxmined.The concepts of development and that of information as a national resource are discussed.The role of rural libraries as providers of development information is sketched.These concepts provide the theoretical basis for an assessment of the role of rural libraries in Society.The provision of information in rural Zambia with particular reference to the role of Zambia library Service is discussedThis includes an analysis of the historical foundations of rural libraries in Zambia with a view of putting perspective the current rural library scene.Furthermore,other providers of information in rural Zambia are described.Problems associated with the provision of rural library service in developing countries,with particular reference to Zambia are discussed.Problems include illiteracy,lack of financial support,non existence of a legal framework,retrogressive social and cultural norms,underdeveloped publishing industry,lack of cooperation between rural information providers,marginalisation of library services and the conflicts inherent in Zambian librarianship.A Strategy for running a viable rural library service in a predominantly illiterate society is proposed.The role of a library in a rural setting in terms of combating illiteracy,preservation of indegenous knowledge and provision of information technology provide in light of the Zambian experience and the role of community information centres are discussed.A Concluding section summarises the issues which have been raised by the study and briefly discuss the future of rural libraries in Zambia.Furthermore,possible themes for further study is given.
Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University Libraries,India;and University of Zambia and Copperbelt University Libraries,Zambia:a Ccomparative study
(2010-12-06) Zulu, Paul
This study examines the status in terms of general activities,facilities and services of four University of Libraries namely Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University libraries in India,and University of Zambia and Copperbelt University Libraries in Zambia.The study was conducted with a view to assessing the effectiveness with which these libraries are able to carry out their activities and meet their responsiblities through library administration and the staff,budgets,collections,facilities,services,automation and other new technologies;to identify the problems thse libraries face as they carry out their activities;and make recommendations for possible measures for improvement.Books,dissertations,periodical artcles,seminar papers,dictionaries and handbooks were consulted.In addition,the study required raw data on the current status and conditions in the libraries being studied.The descriptive survey method was used for the systematic collection,analysis and interpretation of the data.To use this method effectively a structured questionnaire,covering the various aspects of the study,was developed.A set of ten questionnaires were distributed to each of the four libraries being studied.Although there are differences in the choices of forms and kinds of catalogues used,classification schemes and subjects heading lists used,the findings of this study portray that standard procedures,practices,operations and applications are followed by all the four Universities.The problems of understanding,non recognition of librarians as academic counterparts of the University of faculties,poor space,shelves and seating arrangements were found to affect these libraries differently and recommendations have been made respectively.The study also revealed that the issue of inadquate funding is predominant in all the four libraries being studied giving rise to and exacerbating more other problems.
The Impact of Digital Divide on University Academic Staff and Students:A Comparative study between the University of Zambia and the University of Strathclyde
(2010-12-07) Njobvu, Benson
Access to electronic information is becoming more important in the modern information economy and yet developing countries like Zambia are far from putting policies in place to ensure that there is rapid information commuinication technologies(ICTs)development in the country.This as ctreated anequal balance between countries and sectors of the population which is generally reffered to as digital divide.This research outlines the digital divide that exists between the University of Zambia and the University of Strathclyde.This was established by comparing the twa Universities.The research provides an overview of the state of ICT development in Zambian libraries a swell as strategies that have been put in place in UK to ensure that citizens have access to electronic information.The research has revealed huge discrepancies between the two worlds in the availability of Hardware in libraries,laboratories and lecture theatres as well as technology literacy between the students in Zambia and those in UK.It has also revealed that there are huge problems in accessing the inetrnet and electronic resources in Zambia than are in Britain.Finally,recommendations have been made on how the University of Zambia and other libraries in developing countries in geral can narrow the divide by participating in some of the initiatives that are being developed globally to ensure that the divide is narrowed.
The Agroecology of Faidherbia Albida on the Tonga Plateau of Southern Zambia
(2010-12-07) Wahl, Trent Carl
Faidherbia Albida is a tree species indigeous to semi-arid regions of Africa that substantially increases maize(Zea mays)yields in its immediate vicinity.In southern province of Zambia,F.albida is widely used in indigeous maize farming systems and this has apparently increased over the past two decades.Using a combination of interviews,group meetings,and observations,this study developed a holon agroecological analysis of the contexts that have shaped past and current uses of F.abida by farmers on the Tonga Plateau:cattle,land tenure,maize,soil,and government agricultural policy.We observed a bimodal age distribution of the trees in agricultural fields and posit that the missing cohorts were removed as weeds as a result of evolving notions of what constituted modern farming practices in the merging maize economy.With subsequent research and social promotion of the beneficial effects of F.albida,farmers are now being encouraged to allow the trees to grow in thier fields.This advice took root in farmer knowledge contexts because of positive regard for F.albida and timeless injunctions against cutting mature specimens.This case study illustrates the use of holon agroecology to develop a rich appreciation of how evolving contexts have shaped farmers' behaviour in Southern Zambia.

Browse

Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options