Humanities and Social Sciences

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A comparative analysis of the relationship between nature and humans in chinua achebe’s things fall apart and dominic mulaisho’s tongue of the dumb.
(The University of Zambia., 2020) Muyumba, Victor
This study was concerned with establishing and investigating the similarities and differences in the relationship between nature and humans in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Dominic Mulaisho’s The Tongue of the Dumb. Further, it was concerned with establishing the significance of such similarities and differences in light of African literature and ecological content. In pursuing this key aim of the study, the researcher adopted a qualitative research design with desk research as the main means of data collection. The main means of analysing the two selected texts were the ecocritical and social constructionist approaches, with the former being the overarching theoretical tool. The findings revealed that, first, the Igbo and Nsenga people as presented in Things Fall Apart and Tongue of the Dumb respectively are both associated with nature-cultures and nature-religions. In their interaction with nature they ensure that there is harmony with nature and their religions are means of establishing an equilibrium in the delicate act of interacting with nature and natural phenomena. In both cases the ancestral spirits and gods are a key bridge between nature and humans. Second, in both texts the people are so close to nature that they personify it. Nature possesses the capacity to express emotions and to speak through various natural phenomena. Third, both texts exhibit an ambivalence, on the part of the people, in their attitude to natural phenomena – sometimes they perceive nature as friendly and at other times as a bitter destructive foe. Fourth, in both texts land is a central aspect of the people’s interaction with nature. Both the Igbo and Nsenga practise a land-based culture. While there are major similarities in the findings from the two texts, the differences are few and minor. One difference is that there is a more explicit portrayal of witchcraft in Tongue of the Dumb than in Things Fall Apart. In the former, witches are believed to have the power to manipulate nature and natural phenomena while in the former such belief is only implied. Further, while in the former destructive floods are among the means by which nature expresses its anger or dissatisfaction with the people, in the latter there are no floods. The findings suggest that the greater number of similarities compared to differences is due mainly to the fact that both texts deal with traditional African societies with similar ecophilosophies. The findings, however, cannot and should be applied to all African traditional societies but specifically to the two texts that were studied.
A comparative study of bemba and mambwe at phonological, morphological and lexical levels.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Lumwanga, Chibwe Ronald.
The close proximity of the Bemba and the Mambwe speech communities was the prime motivation of this study. The study sought to compare Bemba and Mambwe at phonological, morphological and lexical levels. The study used qualitative research design because its focus was on words rather than on numbers. The methods were exploratory and descriptive: seeking to find out the opinions, thoughts and feelings of the respondents. In this study, respondents were freely able to disclose their experiences, thoughts and feelings without constraint. Semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions were the principal methods of collecting data. There was also some participant observation. Through focus-group discussions, the responses given earlier by the key informant were verified. All the informants are proficient in the languages under study. Collaboration of the participants has made this study a success. Two theoretical frameworks informed this study: Lexical phonology theoretical framework which was developed by Kiparsky and others in 1980s. It is an approach to phonology that shows the interaction of morphology and phonology in the word building processes. Comparative Bantu morphology and phonology theoretical framework developed by Malcom Guthrie during the period 1967-1971 was also applied. This theory is viewed from the perspective of historical definition and typological characteristics, but the focus was on the latter to contextualise this study. The typological characteristics are viewed in terms of phonology, morphology and syntax. Bantu languages are known to share these typological chaaracteristics. Anchored on these theories, the study has brought to the fore the differences and similarities between Bemba and Mambwe in phonology, morphology and the lexicon. The findings show that there are more differences than similarities in each of the three levels of linguistic analysis. By implication of the study, something should be indicated with regard to mutual intelligibility between Bemba and Mambwe. Seeing that differences and similarities have emerged, there is some degree of mutual comprehensibility between the languages under study, but this is much lower on the mutual intelligibility continuum than the 63% arrived at in a study done earlier.
A critical analysis of the independence of the independent broadcasting authority's (IBA) regulation of the private media.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Chungu, Kapembwa
This study was aimed at examining the ‘independence’ of the regulatory practices of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) towards the private media in Zambia. In order to achieve this, it specifically analyses the IBA practices in regulating the private media; the factors influenced the IBA’s capacity to regulate the private media in Zambia; the operations of the private media in relation to media regulation and the effects of IBA regulation practices on media freedom in the country. Therefore, the study employed qualitative methods and an explorative research design was used. Data was collected through document analysis and in-depth interviews from IBA, news editors and station managers from two television stations and media experts. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study found that the process of appointing members of the Board exposes the Authority to political interference because the Board is solely appointed by the Minister of Information and Media without names being scrutinised by Parliament. Due to this appointment procedure, media experts, news editors and station managers feel that the decisions made by these Boards are biased and do not hold the interests of the private media. It was also found that the IBA does not have technologically advanced equipment to monitor the activities of the media institutions that it regulates. The study also found that the practices of the IBA in the past five years also hindered press freedom as media institutions were being closed on political grounds. The study also found that the independence of the IBA was likely to be compromised because its funding mainly came from central government. In line with the findings the study recommended that firstly, in order to safeguard the independence of the practices of the IBA, the IBA Act should be repealed in order to put in place a new Act that will address the issues that compromise the independence of the Authority. Secondly, the Authority should procure technologically advanced equipment and lastly funding to the regulator should be increased so that the can be able to perform their duties.
A grammar of interrogatives in Tonga.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Haamilandu, Habeenzu
This study examined interrogatives in Tonga. In particular, the current study undertook to understand the phonological aspects of interrogative markers, morphological aspects, and their syntactic distributions as well as the role that semantics plays in interrogative constructions within the broader context of the Tonga grammar. The Basic Linguistic Theory is used as a theoretical framework. The Tonga language under scrutiny in this study is a language spoken by a Bantu group of people found mainly in Zambia and some parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The variety of Tonga considered in this study is the plateau Tonga as particularly spoken in Choma district of the southern province of Zambia. The researcher identified the key informants for the study who are teachers of the language in secondary schools and subjected them to word and sentence list which they provided data accordingly by transforming declarative sentences into interrogatives in Tonga. The data from the study show that there are three types of interrogatives that exist in Tonga, and these are: polar interrogative, alternative interrogative and constituent interrogatives. With regards to interrogative particles in Tonga, Polar interrogatives use hena, tee, na and tonal particles while Constituent interrogatives use Buti, (Ku)li, (Mu)li, (Aa)li, Cili, Lili, Nkaambo nzi/ kai/nzi, Ni, Nzi and the alternative interrogatives in Tonga engage the following disjunctive particles in their formation: Naanka, Na and Na pe. Interrogative particles in Tonga assume different forms; they are either free or bound morphemes. Syntactically, all the interrogative particles in Tonga occur in-situ except for kuli ‘where’, kai ‘why’ and nkaambo nzi ‘why’ that occupy the initial position only. The coordinating conjunction ‘naanka’ is positioned between two polar interrogatives reduced to one, by ellipsis to form the alternative interrogative. In answering polar interrogatives in Tonga, the data revealed that, an addressee may answer with inzya to mean yes or peepe to mean no when responding to positive polar interrogatives accompanied with culturally appropriate gestures of head nodding. In answering constituent interrogatives in Tonga, a full clause that contains the constituent that fill the information gap the interrogative words seek to link is used or a simple word made up of the constituent being questioned is used. Interrogatives can be studied from different perspectives. The study recommends further studies on constituent interrogatives in Tonga using other theories such as the minimalist program and also to conduct an exhaustive examination of the phonology of the interrogatives in Tonga.
A grammar of negation in Tonga.
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Nkolola, Sheila
The study examined A Grammar of Negation in Tonga. The research was explored in order to investigate the morphological, syntactic and the semantic structure of negation in Tonga. The objectives of the study were; to analyze the morphology of negation in Tonga, to examine the syntactic distribution and some semantic aspects of negation in Tonga. In particular, the study examined incorporation, productivity of negative markers across the noun class system, the necessity of the negative marker ‘ta’ within a statement and the negative concord. Secondary and Primary sources were employed in data collection. The study employed a qualitative approach and the findings were analyzed in line with the objectives. The major negative markers under discussion include: ‘ta’, ‘na’, ‘ni’, ‘ti’, ‘pe’, ‘tu’, ‘li’ and ‘he’ . From the morphological point of view, the study reveals that negation is manifested through prefixation and suffixation. Following the Jespersen’s cycle theory, the negative marker ‘ta’ is considered as an original negator or necessity in the sense that, when it is dropped in a negative expression, the statement loses its grammaticality. The example is illustrated as: Utakkali pe,’ direct translated as ‘you should not sit no’. When the negative marker ‘ta’ is dropped, the statement is presented as: *Ukkali pe ‘you sit not’. From the given illustrations, the second statement is considered ungrammatical because of the absence of the original negative marker ‘ta’. Hence, the negative marker ‘ta’ generates the theme called necessity. Nonetheless, the negative markers ‘li’ and ‘ta’ are considered to be the most productive elements in the noun class system. The marker ‘li’ can be applied in the noun class (1); these are nouns that begin with the morpheme ‘mu’. An example is illustrated as: Tali Muntu ‘it is not a person’, among others. Syntactically, the theory of negation that encompasses sentential and constituent negation played a very important role in this study. With regards to sentential negation, the negative marker scopes over the entire sentence whereas constituent negation focuses on a particular category. Semantically, the study reveals that Tonga is a negative concord language; this is because most of the negative expressions manifest more than one negative marker with a single interpretation. Having achieved the study’s objectives, the study recommends other studies to investigate a comparison of negation between English and Tonga and other Bantu languages.
A history of the church of christ in the southern province of Zambia, 1910-2015.
(The University of Zambia, 2020) Daka, Brian
This study is an attempt to reconstruct a history of the Church of Christ in the Southern province of Zambia from 1910 to 2015. In doing so, it examines key aspects of the church’s activities including its contribution to the development of education, health and orphan care provision in Southern province. The study argues that like many other missionary societies, the Church of Christ utilised education and medical outreach programmes to win converts. Unlike other missionary societies, the church continued using education as a major tool of winning converts even after independence. However, the church transformed its strategies, from focusing on the classroom to win converts to using outreach programmes after independence. The study further demonstrates that the church was involved in health care provision since colonial times. However, it did not do much in the colonial era, but after independence, it developed into one of the most important health care providers in Southern province. The church provided health care because it felt it was a responsibility given to it by Jesus. The church did not only provide health care through its clinics but it also conducted medical missions in most parts of Southern province. The study argues that medical missions were accompanied by massive evangelism and church planting. The study further concluded that the church was first involved in orphan care during the colonial period. It argues that orphan care in the colonial period was different from that of the post-colonial period. At inception the church kept orphans through institutionalised orphan care while after independence it transformed to home based care. The study further argues that the Church of Christ and the state collaborated well in education, health and orphan care. For instance, the state exempted the mission from paying taxes on imports.
A linguistic analysis of brand names: a case of radio station names in Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2020) Masule, Benson
Couched within the broader context of social semiotics and morphological theory, the current study is aimed at providing a linguistic analysis of radio station names in Zambia, as well as establishing the social semiotic forces that undergird the naming systems of radio stations. This was born out of the realisation that names are symbols that bring about a variety of feelings depending on the relationship between the name user and the named object or person. Through three specific objectives, the study sought to place radio station names into the possible morphological processes that gave rise to them and to determine the social cultural knowledge and histories that influence the choice of radio station names in Zambia. A descriptive research design, which was largely informed by a qualitative approach in both data collection and analysis, was adopted. Four research sites were used to draw samples in this study namely: Lusaka, Southern, Central and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia. Using purposive sampling, 50 radio stations in the four provinces mentioned were sampled. The study targeted station managers, chief executive officers and/or, proprietors of the radio stations as key respondents in order to gain insight into the naming practices. Data were collected using personal interviews, document study, as well as observations. Radio station names were analysed by grouping them according to their word number and later examined how they are formed. Symbols that accompanied some radio station names were also analysed according to their symbolic significance. Morphologically, the study revealed that most radio station names were single nominals (simplex forms) i.e. Hot, Sky, Joy, Byta, and Sun radio stations. Others were compounded names (complex forms) e.g. Radio Christian Voice, Mumbwa Bluesky. Most of the radio station names were found to be de-verbals, de-nominals and de-adjectivals. Compounding, acronymisation, initialisation, blending and reduplication were found to be the common morphological processes that were typical of radio station names. Religion, modernity, indigenisation, Anglicisation and geographical positioning formed part of the social semiotic forces that influenced the naming systems of radio stations in Zambia. The study concluded that, radio station owners used both linguistic signs and symbols to communicate to their target audience. The study recommends that any further study on ergonyms, should focus on the semantic aspects of radio station names so as to appreciate the semantic values attached to them.
A linguistic analysis of Mbunda.
(The University of Zambia, 2020) Kalyata, Kanyanga
This work provides a linguistic analysis of Mbunda language as spoken by native speakers in Kalabo District of Western Province, Zambia. It describes three levels of linguistic analysis namely Phonology, Morphology and Syntax. Mbunda ya Mathzi dialect is used for this study as it is considered the standard form. In conducting the research, the researcher completed a list of 200 basic vocabulary items (Swadesh list) after which he exposed it to four native speakers of Mbunda for verification and pronunciation. The pronunciations were recorded in order to assist with the sound system of the language (Phonology) and also for use in the other levels of linguistic analysis as some of the terms were eventually used in context of sentences (Syntax). The rest of the information was generated through introspection. Information generated as such was equally verified. With regard to phonology, the study reveals that Mbunda has a five vowel system with twenty one consonants. In order to identify the distinctiveness of consonants and vowels, a minimal pair test is conducted. Arising from the minimal pairs, the study has discovered that Mbunda is one of the few Bantu languages with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ as in the English word „thing‟. The study also reveals that tone and vowel length can mark distinction in terms of word meaning. The common syllable types in Mbunda are V, CV, CSV and SV. Morphologically, the study shows that Mbunda has eighteen noun classes achieved, mostly, through the addition of a prefix to a stem. The study navigates the semantic role(s) of each noun class. An account of Mbunda Verbal system is provided in which it is evident that the verbal system of the language is heavy with affixes that play different roles as can be observed from verbal extensions present in the language. Syntactically, the basic word order is SVO. It is noted, from the data collected, that Mbunda has a word order that is not restrictive in terms of the position of the main clause; it depends on what one wants to emphasize. Yes/no questions are expressed through intonation (sentence-final rising pitch) and change in word order and through a questioning particle. Data collected shows presence of interrogatives which are used in formation of content questions. The study has addressed some aspects of the three levels of linguistic analysis. It is, therefore, recommended that future linguistic studies on Mbunda address areas absent in this paper and possibly look at the other levels of linguistic analysis as they apply to the concerned language.
A morphological and social semiotic analysis of Bemba theonyms.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Matukuto, Susan
The study is embedded in onomastics, a study of proper names in all aspects from different typologies. The study aimed at establishing the morphological structure, social semiotic aspects and etymology of the Bemba Christian theonyms. Data were drawn from Kasama and Mungwi districts through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, a questionnaire, and document analysis. The study used descriptive research design informed by qualitative approach to data descriptive and lexical analysis of morphological structures. This was analysed using lexical morphology model by segmenting, identifying and describing morphemes that make up these theonyms. The meanings were interpreted by means of eclectic theories; the social semiotics, phenomenology and thematic analysis in order to establish their social semiotic aspects. The study established that the Bemba Christian theonyms have a noun prefix plus noun stem morphological structure. The theonyms showed a morphological patterning of the prefixes and extensions added to roots or stems with the potential to change the meanings of roots or stems to which they are attached. These theonyms are denominals, deverbals and deadjectivals. At configurational level, the theonyms exhibited short, long, phrasal (compound), sentential and proverbial structures. With regards to the processes which undergirded their formulation, the study noted affixation, compounding, reduplication, conversion, coinage or neologism, borrowing and clipping. Bemba Christian Theonyms are meaningful, as they try to express adoration and praise of the mighty and great powers of God who is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. It was established through interviews that due to God’s social interest in the interests of mankind, he has been given different names. Some names which were previously used before the coming of Christianity to praise their natural environment, phenomena, some extra ordinary chiefs and people have been adopted and transposed as praise names for God. Some Bemba Christian theonyms have been borrowed from other languages and others from the Bible. Etymologically, Bemba Christian Theonyms are derived from verbs and nouns motivated by social semiotic (social interest and religious beliefs) based on humankind, natural environment and phenomena. This study has added some body of knowledge of morphological structure, social semiotic and etymology of proper names as some of the ways of studying onomastics.
A rhetorical analysis of the 2016 presidential election campaign discourse in Zambia with reference to one opposition candidate.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Mwiinga, Clare
This study investigated the campaign discourse of the 2016 presidential elections in Zambia with a view to showing how rhetorical devices were employed by one Opposition candidate in order to achieve persuasion in his campaign discourse. Specifically, the study focused on the campaign speeches by Mr Hakainde Hichilema in the run up to the August 11, 2016 elections. The investigation was carried out through content analysis of the campaign speeches. The study was informed by the Rhetorical analytical framework. The corpus was obtained by the researcher collecting the recorded campaign speeches in video form from ZNBC and Muvi televisions and transcribed verbatim. By analysing the campaign messages by Mr Hichilema, the study shows that he employed rhetorical devices which include parellism, allusion, use of pronouns, code switching and presupposition in his discourse in order to win support of the electorate. The study reveals through rhetorical analytical framework that rhetoric is the ability of the rhetor to exploit language as an essential instrument to achieving the audience’s adherence to his or her standpoint. The study concludes that the candidate employed various rhetorical devices which include aesthetic expressions, syntactic elements and code switching to woo support of the electorate and that it matters how politicians present what they say when campaigning. Besides, the study has established that the rhetorical theory is specifically interested in the skill employed in communication in order for the rhetor to convince the audience of his or her own standpoint and spells out detailed resources of rhetoric which are ethos, pathos, logos and kairos. In order to achieve persuasion, these different appeals to effective communication, should be exploited in a certain way according to the context, the speaker, type of audience and subject matter as well as its timeliness. In addition, the study has revealed that, when campaigning, politicians make use of the rhetoric of blame and bluster through polarization as a strategy to winning support of the electorate. Further study has shown that the political candidate under examination, through the use of rhetorical devices, leant on the extremely polarized view of us versus them, where himself belonged to the positively represented in-group and the opposing group was firmly placed in the out-group, derisively whenever possible. This polarization gave the political candidate under study an advantage over his opponents.
A socio-pragmatic analysis of idiomatic expressions in icibemba.
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Chanda, Edward
This dissertation is a Socio-Pragmatic exploration of the research that was conducted in Mpika District of Zambia. It focuses on how social factors such as age, gender, wealth, education level, relationships as well as cultural norms affect the use of idiomatic expressions. The study goes further to probe those factors which are situational and may not be repeated at any other given moment but can momentarily affect the use of idiomatic expressions. Taking the aforementioned factors into consideration, the research explored discourse surrounding the use of idiomatic expressions. The research was qualitative in nature, and the researcher purposefully selected 12 informants. Among these were six (6) experienced secondary school teachers of Icibemba from different schools, three (3) ordinary people who are fluent speakers of Icibemba two (2) chief’s advisors and one (1) Licentiate Medical Officer. All these informants were interviewed on a one to one basis. The interviews were guided by a semi structured interview schedule which the researcher prepared. The rest of the information was collected through observation and introspection because the researcher is a native speaker of Icibemba. The data analysis was informed by Austin’s (1962) Speech Act Theory, Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Face and Politeness Theory and Grice’s (1975) Conversation Implicature. The study identified common idiomatic expressions used in the sampled area and established that they are not used haphazardly but are used in line with local conditions. These are conditions which are socially and culturally reflective. It was also established that the Bemba people use idioms to hide information, to show politeness, to express anger, love and many other attributes. It was also discovered that in the courts of law, there is limited use of idioms due to the ambiguity they (idioms) may bring about. Lastly the study makes the following recommendations to policy makers and people who may want to carry out a similar study: These being that the Ministry of Education should encourage publication of books about figurative language. This will equip learners with good command of Icibemba. On the other hand those who would want to research on idiomatic expressions can focus on those Idioms which are language specific and also investigate their origin or how they came about. To the best of the present researcher’s knowledge, no research has been carried out using such theories to analyze idioms in Icibemba. Thus, this study makes a positive theoretical and practical contribution to the body of knowledge in an area that is by and large unexploited.
A study of factors that determine micro and small enterprises (MSEs) adoption of mobile money for business transactions: a case of MSEs in Lusaka central business district.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Ngwira, Tasila Alice
The Study aimed to understand the factors that influence the adoption of mobile money services for business transaction purposes by small and medium enterprises (MSEs) in Lusaka. The aim was divided into three specific objectives. These objectives were to assess the factors that determine the use of mobile money by MSEs for business transaction purposes; to examine the relationship between these factors and the use of mobile money by MSEs for business transaction purposes, and to ascertain the effect of the factors on the use of mobile money by MSEs for business transaction purposes. The study used cross-sectional primary data. The study employed a pragmatism research philosophy and mixed research approach. The data was collected using a survey questionnaire administered by the researcher to respondents sampled using purposive sampling techniques. The study had a sample size of 102 respondents. The empirical results showed that most businesses who use Airtel money started using it less than a year ago, consider the cost to be fair, save on the platform, are affected by insufficient space borrow on the platform and are also affected by the unavailability of agents. The regression results showed that savings and insufficient float have a statistically significant impact on the adoption of mobile money. Saving using mobile money increases the likelihood of using it to conduct business transactions and issues of insufficient float among agents constrain the probability of using it to conduct business transactions. From the findings, it was recommended that mobile money providers create a mobile money product tailored for micro and small businesses.
Acceptance and determinants of HIV counselling and child testing among mothers on prevention of mother to child transmission in Kitwe urban district in Zambia
(2013-07-29) Chingezhi, Mavis
Research has shown that exclusively breastfed HFV exposed infants have lower mortality and morbidity. It is against this background that the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that infants born to HIV positive women should be exclusively breastfed until replacement feeding is Acceptable, Feasible, Affordable, Sustainable and Safe (AFASS). Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) is a critical issue that needs to be addressed with utmost attention if we are to ensure an HIV free generation. Appropriate interventions should be taken especially with regard to breastfeeding because UNAIDS estimates that in the absence of intervention to prevent transmission of HIV from mother- to - child, 25 to 45 percent of HIV infected mothers will pass the virus to their infants. The purpose of this study was to investigate awareness, attitudes, intentions and practices towards breastfeeding and infant feeding in the era of HIV and how expert recommendations on infant feeding have reached the target population and the extent to which they have been adhered to. The study was carried out in two urban districts of Zambia and a non- intervention exploratory study design was employed. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a total of 500 women aged 16-49 conveniently selected from 10 randomly selected clinics in Lusaka and Kitwe. Data were entered using Census and Survey Processing System (CsPro version 4.1) and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16). Bi-variate analysis was used to determine the existence of relationships between variables. Overall, breastfeeding prevalence among mothers was high and women were highly aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and mother- to -child transmission of HIV through breastfeeding. Most women were aware that HIV positive women can breastfeed their infants; however they, stated that they would not be comfortable breastfeeding their infants if they were found HIV positive. Forty three percent (43.2%) of the respondents knew of HIV positive women who were breastfeeding in their communities. Most women (69.7%) preferred commercial infant formula as the best alternative for feeding HFV exposed infants. Women (90.4%) considered wet nursing as taboo and alien. Expressed Heat Treated (EHT) breast milk was known only to few mothers (18.4%) and, very few mothers (9.6%) knew that wet nursing was an option for feeding infants born to HIV positive mothers. In conclusion, the dilemma between exclusive breastfeeding and replacement feeding continues to be a daunting task not only for mothers but also for the health workers, policy makers and the nation at large. The findings have shown that fear to transmit HIV to infants during breastfeeding and stigma are the major deterrents to exclusive breastfeeding resulting in most women resorting to formula feeding even when AFASS criteria were not met. Lack of proper information compounds this problem and lack of full community support, also as a result of the former, continues not only to put infants at high risk of mortality and morbidity but also negates the effort of virtual elimination of mother to child transmission by 2015.
Access to Commuinty Radio and its role in alleviating poverty in Zambia: A case study of Mazabuka Community Radio
(2015-02-17) Siakacha, Ceaser
This research was about access to community radio and the role of community radio in alleviating poverty in Zambia; a case study of radio Mazabuka Community Radio station. The general objective of this study was to investigate whether the people of Mazabuka have access to Mazabuka Community Radio and the role Mazabuka Community Radio station plays in alleviating poverty in Mazabuka district. The specific objectives of study were: To establish the extent to which Mazabuka radio is accessed by the community they are perceived to be serving; To find out whether there are gender biases in community participation to the radio station programs; To establish the extent of poverty among people living in the communities of Mazabuka district that are served by Mazabuka Community Radio; and To find out ways in which the radio station is relevant in alleviating poverty in Mazabuka district. The sample size of this study was 100 respondents for a semi-structured questionnaire and 5 respondents for the one-on-one interviews and two Focus Group Discussions. The 100 respondents were composed of 50% rural respondents and the other 50% were urban respondents. All the interviewees were members of staff at Mazabuka community Radio station. Cluster sampling was used to select samples from rural and urban areas. The target population was all members of Mazabuka community both urban and rural who were 18 years and above. The research discovered that there was great deal of community participation from the people of Mazabuka in the affairs and programs of the radio station in some aspects such as phoning in, although there was poor participation in other aspects such as participation in live community development programs as a discussant as well as participating in electing board members. The research further revealed that there is a great deal of gender bias against women towards their participation in the affairs and the programs of Mazabuka Community Radio station. The reseach further discovered that the majority listenership of Mazabuka Community Radio is classified as poor; however the poverty levels are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The reseach further discovered that Mazabuka Community Radio is very relevant in the fight against poverty as well as in its general existence and development of Mazabuka district. Although the reseach shows a great deal of participation of the local people in affairs of the radio station, there is need for the radio station to increase the participation of women.
Access to Fertilizer Support Programme in Nakonde, Zambia from 2002 t0 2006: A gender Perspective
(2011-08-03) Siame, Frank
The Zambian government through the fertilizer support programme (FSP) aimed at reducing poverty among small-scale farmers. The programme was introduced in 2002 with an initial 50% subsidy later increased to 60% by 2007 and during 2008-2009 farming season it was at 75%. The study aimed at determining the extent to which the government fertilizer support programme has benefited small-scale farmer in Nakonde District. The main objective was to determine factors affecting small-scale farmers' access to and control over inputs from FSP. The four specific objectives were: to assess the proportion of FSP beneficiaries by sex; to establish small-scale farmers income levels effect on access and control over inputs from FSP; to examine the extent to which policy guidelines on FSP contributed to small-scale farmer's access to and control over inputs from FSP; and to assess how knowledge about the programme affected women's access to inputs from FSP. Primary data were collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions whereas secondary data were obtained by reviewing registers from cooperatives and agricultural offices. The descriptive design was used for the purpose of understanding socio-cultural process such as social construct of femininity; the perception of the nature of women in the study area; and power relation in the family and in the public sphere and the underlying assumptions that explain them. The design helped in understanding factors that limit female small-scale farmers' access to and control over inputs from FSP. The findings showed that women's access to inputs from FSP was lower than that of men. Similarly women's control over Agricultural resources such as inputs from FSP and land was less. Traditional patriarchal values and cultural beliefs of the local people cited above favoured men than women. Traditional patriarchal values influenced married women's access to and control over inputs from FSP negatively but favoured unmarried women. In addition the WID approach the programme adopted to integrate women in patriarchal structures affected women access negatively because cooperatives accepted heads of households, traditionally expected to be men. The other aspect that effected women's access negatively was government failure to give guidelines to both agricultural and cooperatives officials on the implementation of the programme. Lack of guidelines resulted in Agricultural and Cooperative officials using methods that suited their situation, and cooperatives using different methods to implement the FSP. There were also disparities in the level of income control between women and men. Women's low levels of control especially married women, was caused by factors such as; long distances to the market; bureaucratic procedures during the sale of maize to FRA; and low levels of formal education. Women were preferred to keep the savings from the sale of agricultural produce. However, the majority of men allowed their spouses to keep revenue for buying inputs for the next season and not surplus returns. In order to improve women's access and control over inputs from FSP, the study recommends that: Firstly, bureaucratic procedures in the form of registration during sharing and distribution of inputs and the sale of maize and, payments for the maize sold to FRA should be removed. Secondly, the government of Zambia should give policy guidelines that will compel District Agriculture officers and Cooperatives to choose equal numbers of female and male beneficiaries to increase women participation. Gender and women issues should be incorporate in the programme as a way of promoting gender mainstreaming in cooperative by the government.
`Access to Media in Zambia: The Special case of Persons Living With Perception Disabilities(The Deaf and Blind) In Lusaka
(The University of Zambia, 2016) Gize, Charity
The objective of this study was to examine access to media in Zambia: the special case of Persons Living With Perception Disability (PWPD) - the blind and deaf in Lusaka. The specific objectives of the study included to establish the depth and extent of media access for PWPD in Lusaka, to document the media channels available, to examine the obstacles hindering quality media access, and to find ways of making media more beneficial and accessible to PWPD. The study was a descriptive design which adopted a triangulation principle in which both the quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. 60 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the deaf respondents with the help of sign language interpreters for the collection of quantitative data and 40 blind respondents were interviewed. 57 self- administered questionnaires were further distributed to Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Muvi Television Yatsani Radio, Radio Phoenix, Zambia Daily Mail, and Times of Zambia. The researcher further conducted two in-depth interviews with the Directors of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Zambia and, the Director and Publicity and Mobilisation Officer of Zambia Library, Cultural and Skills Centre for the Visually Impaired. The study revealed that PWPD used the media like any other citizen but they faced a lot of barriers because of inaccessible media channels due to their disability. For example, there was no Braille newspaper for the blind, very few programmes had sign language interpretation and there were no captions on television for the deaf. PWPD were rarely involved or featured in media programmes. The few times they were featured, the programmes were aired during less attractive times when most people were not listening to the radio or watching television. It was further discovered that media personnel were aware that media access for PWPD was unsatisfactory. They attributed this to lack of specialist and unclear national policies on media service to PWPD. Based on the findings, the study makes the following recommendations; firstly that public media institutions should make media more accessible to PWPD by introducing Braille newspapers and increasing the number of programmes with sign language interpretation. Secondly, that vii television media should introduce programmes with captions for the deaf. Thirdly, that the media should involve and feature PWPD in programmes and these programmes should be aired at conducive times. Fourthly, Government and organisations of PWPD should implement the disability policy with regards to information dissemination. Lastly, organisations dealing with PWPD should embark on Alternative Media like Braille newspapers, computers installed with assistive software like the Job Access With Speech (JAWS), televisions with in-built caption decoders and recorded texts. Further studies could be done on access to media for other minority groups like children or women living with disabilities in Zambia.
Access to safe Motherhood and reproductive health services by adolescents in selected Clinics in Lusaka
(2015-02-17) Simbyakula, Chuma
Background: There have been gaps in research on the level of access and use of Safe Motherhood (SM) and Reproductive Health Service (RHS) by adolescents in Lusaka. Purpose: To establish the factors that influence access and utilization of Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Services by adolescents in Zambia. Methodology: An exploratory cross sectional qualitative research design informed by the abductive research strategy incorporating quantitative research approach was chosen to ground this study. Data were collected from three health centres namely, Chelston, Chipata and Ngo’mbe clinics. Theoretical purposive sampling interleafed with maximum variation sampling was used to enlist respondents. In total there were forty (40) participants that participated in the study. In –depth interviews were conducted with thirty-six (36) were adolescents seeking a Safe Motherhood or Reproductive Health Service, three (3) Health Care Providers from the health centres and one (1) key informant from Ministry of Health and (MOH). Results: The study established that adolescents had unmet behavioural, psychological, emotional, developmental and gender-specific sexual and reproductive health needs and concerns. In addition health care providers faced considerable challenges that hampered their ability to adequately offer SM and RHS. Conclusions: The study concluded that there was a service gap in the provision of adolescent SM and RHS services. Existing health services emphasized post-exposure SM and RH as opposed to pre-exposure services. Research Policy Implications: The study recommends undertaking a qualitative survey with a larger number of adolescents to solicit for more usage of SM and RHS. There is need to develop advocacy programmes that could reach out to both the boys and girls on a larger scale throughout Zambia. Other recommendations would include strengthening of out-reach services, regular training and in-servicing of health providers, health care givers and counsellors to effectively serve adolescents. The study further recommends the need to strengthen public-private sector partnership and stake holder participation in adolescent health, continuous gathering of data on SM and RHS. All these have implications for immediate and future reproductive health of adolescents, and for bridging the SM and RHS services gap across the life span.
Access to, retention and experiences of girls in technical secondary schools
(2011-07-25) Sachingongu, Nkenda
The purpose of this study was to investigate the social, cultural and economic characteristics of the girls that have access to technical secondary schools. An attempt was also made to analyse the girls' access to these schools and their retention, dropout rates, and academic performance. In addition, the study investigated the experiences that the girls went through in the technical secondary schools.The sample comprised of ninety girls, sixty boys, twenty-four teachers and twenty parents. The sample sites comprised one rural technical secondary school and one urban technical secondary school. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and a survey of institutional records. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were used mutually and complementarily. The study established: that girls were not as accessible to technical secondary schools as boys; girls' access to, or participation in additional mathematics, pure science, industrial arts, and positions of responsibility such as class monitors and captains as well as their retention in the schools were lower than that for boys. The study also found that more girls in the urban technical secondary school not only came from higher socio-economic backgrounds, but also experienced and practised less of gender-stereotypic behaviour than the girls in the rural technical secondary school, both at home and at school.The study concludes with recommendations to the Ministry of education and other concerned authorities and agencies for the achievement of gender equality in technical secondary schools that include gender sensitisation programmes for teachers and school authorities.
Accessibility of Intermmittent Presumptive Treatment(IPT) for Malaria Prevention among Adolescent Mothers: Evidence from Selected Areas in Mazabuka District
(2012-01-18) Moono, Sakala Pamela
The purpose for this study was to find out factors that could be associated with Intermittent Presumptive Treatment (IPT) use among adolescent mothers of 12 to 19 years old in some selected parts of Mazabuka district. This would be of value to the MOH and other organizations that deal in health matters, because it addresses factors that are linked to knowledge and accessibility to IPT in malaria prevention during pregnancy and this serves a vital role in mapping out strategies to improve participation in accessing the recommended three doses of Fansidar during pregnancy. This will play a life serving role to both the mother and the baby (fetus). The general objective was to determine factors that may be associated with IPT use among adolescent mothers of 12 to 19 years old in some selected parts of Mazabuka District. Some specific objectives include: to describe social demographic factors associated with the use of IPT among adolescent mothers in Mazabuka district; to find out the source of existing knowledge and associated gaps on IPT among adolescent mothers; to determine when the adolescent mothers start antenatal care services in order to access the full three dosages of IPT and to find out the preferred source and the use of IPT (Fansidar) among the adolescent mothers and why. The study included adolescent mothers from the age of 12 -19 and those who were four months pregnant and above. 430 adolescent girls participated in this study. Data was collected both quantitatively and qualitatively. A standardized pre-tested questionnaire was used for each participant. In addition, record review was done using antenatal cards from participating adolescent mothers. This was a cross section analytical survey. The participants were purposively sampled as not every household had an adolescent girl who was four months pregnant or had at least one child. Vii The study revealed that there was low accessibility of three doses of IPT among the adolescent mothers. Of those who reside in urban areas 46.9% had access to three doses of IPT and 45.3% in rural areas. From antenatal cards, the overall percentage of those who had 3 doses in both rural and urban areas was 36.5%. The main determinants of low accessibility to three doses of IPT include: long walking distance to health centers of more than one hour (OR 0.19; 95%CI 0.19-0.41), Fear of Fansidar intake during pregnancy (OR 0.14; 95%CI 0.71-0.30) and threats from members of their community on Fansidar intake during pregnancy (OR 0.22; 95%CI 0.11-0.43). In conclusion, the main determinants to low accessibility of three (3) dose IPT intakes were long walking distance to health centers of more than one hour, fear and community threats that Fansidar may cause sickness or induce abortion. The Cox and Snell R Square and the Nagelkerke R Squared indicated that between 34.9 percent and 46.6 percent of the variability was explained by the variables in the model. In view of this, failure to prioritize and address the factors of low accessibility to three doses of IPT among adolescent mothers, would seriously limit the success of malaria control programs during pregnancy in Mazabuka hence failing to meet the MDG of reducing maternal mortality to 162 per 100,000 live births by 2015 if this is true in other districts in Zambia.
Accessing tertiary education and experiences of non-commissioned officers in the military : a gender perspective of selected Ndola army based units
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Akabondo, Nawa Ivy
The study was designed to explore and understand the lived experiences of the Non- Commissioned officers in the Army in relation to accessing tertiary education in Ndola Based Army Units from a Gender perspective. The motivation behind this study was that despite measures put in place to promote tertiary education in the army, it was not known how the levels of participation in tertiary education were by the Non Commissioned Officers. The objectives of the study were: (1). to assess the participation of the NCOs with regard to tertiary education in the Army, (2). to determine the causes of low participation in accessing tertiary education by the NCOs in the Army, and (3). to investigate the strategies put in place in accessing tertiary education by the NCOs in the Army. A mixed methods research design, which combined qualitative and quantitative techniques, where used in this study. The target sample comprised of non-commissioned officers, the command, chief clerks and education warrant officers. Purposive sampling, Simple random sampling was used to select 100 male and female, participants for the study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussion where used to collect primary data. Qualitative data where analyzed thematically through the identification of themes that emerged from the data. While descriptive statistics where used to analyse quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that access to tertiary education by the NCOs was low. Evidence shows that the number of NCOs who acquire tertiary education is less in numbers as compared to those who don‟t receive the training at all. For example, out of the strength of 645 men and women in uniform in one of the selected units in Ndola, only 135 have had access to tertiary education from 2000-2017. Access to tertiary education was also lower for the female soldiers as compared to their male counterparts. The lower access to tertiary education by some female soldiers attributed to lower levels of education, as they did not meet the entry requirements for tertiary education, coupled with the negative attitudes by commanders in preference to military courses especially at section level. Furthermore, the study found that there are regulatory measures put in place by the Army in order to curb the low accessibility to tertiary education such as self-sponsorship Consent Form. The same form was also discovered to be a hindrance in accessing tertiary education due to the stiff conditions attached to it. It learnt that the majority of NCOs are shunning away from signing the document. It was also discovered that the Army only grants 6 months paid leave. In the event that the course exceeding six (06) months, the applicant shall be deemed to be on unpaid study leave. This means that the candidate will go without pay for the remaining of the course of study. This in itself is a hindrance, as the majority of the NCOs cannot afford to pay the tuition fees for themselves. Especially considering that most of the programmes in higher education run for a period of more than one year. In the quest to allow soldiers to further their studies, the Army has also signed a MoU with the University of Zambia and Nkrumah University. These institutions do reserve some slots for soldiers and officers who meet the desired entry requirements every year. Key words: Accessing Tertiary Education, Non-Commissioned Officers, Army and Gender Perspective.

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