Zambia Research Articles

Growth and Challenges of Two Basic School Teachers under the Practice of Lesson Development Based on Substantial Learning Environment (SLE) in the Republic of Zambia

Growth and Challenges of Two Basic School Teachers under the Practice of Lesson Development Based on Substantial Learning Environment (SLE) in the Republic of Zambia

A critical analysis of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act of Zambia

The objective of this article is to present a critique of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act of 2010 in Zambia. It is argued that although the government of the Republic of Zambia has been dragging its feet, it has shown some seriousness about fighting financial crimes, particularly money laundering and terrorism financing, in the recent past. This piece of legislation, which was recently enacted, is comprehensive enough and generally conforms to international standards. However, there are serious lapses in the law that will have negative implications in combating money laundering and terrorism financing in Zambia. For example, although the Financial Intelligence Centre will be an independent institution, the law has failed to clearly guarantee its operational autonomy and independence. Another major concern is the provision in the law for the Board of Directors to carry out functions of the Centre as opposed to providing the strategic direction of the institution. Critiquing this law provides insights that are valuable to financial experts, investigators, lawyers, academics, judicial officials and law makers not only in Zambia but in other countries as well. It is envisaged that this analysis will be considered when the law is reviewed in future.

The influence of host tree morphology and stem size on epiphyte biomass distribution in Lusenga Plains National Park, Zambia

The influence of host tree morphology and stem size on epiphyte biomass distribution in host trees was assessed in Lusenga Plains National Park, Zambia for the period 2004 to 2007. A total of 8 ha were sampled in bush land, woodland and riparian forest vegetation communities. Epiphytes were collected, dried and weighed to obtain biomass, which was apportioned between different host tree species, vertical and horizontal branches, crown and trunk, and small, medium, and large stems, as well as smooth and rough bole textured substrates. Horizontal branches had more epiphytes, 50% than vertical branches (17%). Tree canopies had more epiphyte biomass, 68% than trunks (32%). In riparian forestsUsnea articulata and Ramalina reticulata were not selective. In Miombo woodlands, epiphytes and certain tree species with larger stems and rough bore texture were selected. Larger substrates dbh > 100 cm had higher epiphyte biomass (94.46%) followed by medium dbh 51 to 100 cm (5.29%) and the least was on small girth dbh ≥ 20 to 50 cm (0.25%). Rough substrates had 89% biomass and only 11% occurred on smooth bole substrates. It was concluded that tree crowns, horizontal stems and branches, large and rough bole textured tree substrates provided suitable habitat for epiphyte seed settling, germination and moisture retention, while exposure to sunlight supported germination and growth of epiphytes. Maintenance of mature Miombo woodlands was therefore found to be critical in maintaining epiphytes, while protection of preferred tree species would ensure their long-term survival and sustenance of hydrologic functions. Key words: Epiphyte, host, pattern, biomass, crown, trunk, horizontal, vertical.

Strategies to retain and motivate employees in Africa: Examining the case of the ministry of education in Zambia

This research paper analyzes the employee’s perception on incentives and motivation for the employees of the ministry of education (MOE) in Zambia. Concerns about educator turnover and attrition are reported widely as a global phenomenon. The study mainly followed a qualitative and was supplemented with quantitative designs. A self administered questionnaire was distributed to a sample of (n = 436) employees in the ministry of education. The results showed that a large portion of the respondents 308 (70.6%) perceived their job as routine and less satisfying. Perception of recognition programs and rewards, in terms of pay checks, benefits and non-monetary rewards seemed to be high among the respondents, 336 (77.0%) agreed to the use of recognition programs as a form of retention. The paper highly recommends that policy makers during the policy making process should carry out consultations in form of dialogue among identifiable employee groups. Each category of workers should come up with proposals concerning the forms of recognition and rewards they would want to receive. By so doing, employees will feel motivated and own the decisions through the bottom up approach. Key words: Zambia, Ministry of education, retain, motivate, incentives.

The influence of grass biomass production on hippopotamus population density distribution along the Luangwa River in Zambia

Hippopotamus is a selective nocturnal grazer consuming 50 kg of grass. Due to its large body size, it requires large areas of grass often exceeding 5 hectares within 2-5 km of the water body to maintain good body condition. In this study, hippo population size and density, grass biomass and grazing capacity were assessed in March 2008 along a 165 km stretch of the Luangwa River. The study area was subdivided into study blocks, A, B, C, D, E and F. Methods used were: river bank total counts, quadrat sampling and identification of all grass species, clipping of grass in a quadrat, drying of clipped grass at constant temperature of 70oC and weighing to obtain dry weight. Grazing capacity of the hippo was estimated based on grass biomass values obtained during the study. Hippo population density was then matched with grass biomass distribution along the study blocks A-H. Total primary production was 62, 800 kg with mean biomass per study block of 7, 850 kg /ha-1 (in 2008). Grazing capacity was 1 hippo/6 ha-1. Grass biomass varied significantly between river segments being higher in study blocks A, B and E and lower in study blocks C, D, F and G. Mean hippo density was 33 individuals/km stretch of the river. Hippo density was found to be above 33/km in study blocks A, B and E which had higher biomass and lower than 33/km in study blocks C, D, F and G. Hippo population density distribution was found to be influenced by grass species diversity and amount of biomass produced which also determined grazing capacity. In light of global climate change and changing rainfall patterns, more studies are required to determine the influence of rainfall on primary production and how this would affect the increase or decrease in hippo density and grazing capacity in the long-term. Key words: Hippo, density, grazing capacity, grass biomass.

Methodological guidelines for tracking public agricultural expenditure with illustrations from Zambia

The signing of the Maputo Declaration in 2003 by African Union member states requiring them to allocate 10% of national budget to agriculture, necessitates a framework or system that tracks how much is being spent, where it is being spent, what it is being spent on and for whom, and how it has changed over time in relation to the set targets. This paper provides such a framework and illustrates its use using data from Zambia. It provides a concept and practical information to facilitate tracking of national public expenditure on agriculture. Data on public expenditure on agriculture are available from government budgetary records. Knowledge of the public agricultural system is argued to be an essential first step in tracking expenditures. The paper identified actors, functions of actors and relationships among actors within the public agricultural system. An additional proposed tool is a set of classifications of expenditures on agriculture enable grouping of different expenditures into policy-relevant dimensions. Documentation of all procedures and decisions made will help analysts employing similar measurements conduct comparisons over time and across boundaries and set the stage for sharing ideas and experiences, which eventually improve the standards of measuring public expenditure on agriculture. Key words: Methodological guidelines, public spending, tracking, Zambia.

Dialectics of Dance and Dress: The Performative Negotiation of Soli Girl Initiates (Moye) in Zambia

Dialectics of Dance and Dress: The Performative Negotiation of Soli Girl Initiates (Moye) in Zambia

The 2008 presidential by-election in Zambia

The 2008 presidential by-election in Zambia

A scriptural, theological and historical analysis of the concept of the Zambian Christian nationhood

The article contributes to an understanding of the notion of Zambian Christian nationhood, which was first officially expressed in a presidential decree. The declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation was made by Fredrick Chiluba, the second President of the Republic of Zambia, on 29 December 1991. In June 1996, an amendment to the Constitution of Zambia Act of 1991, which included the Zambian Christian nation declaration, was effected, from which moment Zambia officially became regarded as a ‘Christian nation’. The current article proposes that a country cannot attain its Christian nationhood by presidential decree, but only by means of cultural determination. However, an extensive evaluation of the culture concerned is needed in order for the task to be theologically feasible. To achieve a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, the article takes into consideration some of the historical paradigms and models of regions which were once Christian, but which have since failed to stand by such principles. The point of the present argument is that religion emanates from the culture of the people and not from a declaration that is made about them. The article also takes into consideration Niebuhr’s fivefold typology of models of the relationship of Christ with culture, to which this article refers as that existing between church and state. The ultimate conclusion is that the declaration of Zambia as a ‘Christian nation’, despite being a unique concept, must be both theologically and ethically sound if, indeed, it is to become more than just a slogan and a single-line entry in the preamble of the country’s constitution.

Millions of 'snips' will bolster our health system.

Scaling up male circumcision (MC) coverage to 80% of men and neonates in South Africa over the next 55 years would avert more than 11 million new HIV infections by 2025 -- but this is unlikely to happen. The startling prevention claim emerged from modellling data presented by Kelly Curran, Technical Director of the HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Department at Johns Hopkins University, who was in Cape Town this October to attend an AIDS/TB meeting of global researchers. She told Izindaba that MC trials in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa had shown a 60% reduction in HIV infection among heterosexual men, prompting aggressive World Health Organization (WHO), guidelines for high HIV, low male circumcision prevalence countries 2 years ago. The goal now was to increase the scale-up of MC coverage among young men to 80% over the next 5 years in 13 eligible countries in Africa’s eastern and southern regions, namely South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya (Nyanza Province only), Uganda and Rwanda. Nyanza Province in Kenya was identified because it had low male MC coverage and an HIV prevalence three times higher than the rest of the country. Curran said that in spite of the start-up difficulties, the payoff was huge. Modelling exercises suggested that the cost of averting an estimated 4 million new HIV infections in the 13-country region over 5 years would be around R7.5 billion – eventually saving R150 billion in treatment costs. ‘That’s a pretty small investment for such a big return,’ she said. Similar modelling predicts that a scale-up of such magnitude (over 5 years) would in South Africa alone avert 20% of new infections and avoid more than 1 million new HIV infections in 15 years’ time (when the incremental effect has kicked in). Reaching 80% coverage in all 13 countries would require approximately 28 million procedures over 5 years. To stress just how effective male circumcision was, Curran said a modelling exercise in Swaziland assessing the number of procedures that were required ‘per infection averted’ showed that as few as five circumcisions would avert one infection. This had ‘huge potential’ for countries with high HIV incidences such as South Africa.

Continuing Support in Uganda and Zambia

Continuing Support in Uganda and Zambia

The impact of manipulated re-elections on accountability and legitimacy of democratic regimes in Africa: Observations from Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya

This study analyzes causes and impact of pharisaic free and fair elections on African democracies. It is absurd when democratic governments in Africa perform poorly in office, yet they continue to renew their mandates in supposedly free and fair elections. This problem derives from regarding political offices by incumbent elites as sources of private wealth accumulation without suffering negative consequences. This engenders poor government performances, inveterate corruption and vitiated accountability. As political elites depend extensively on mobilization of ethnic solidarity and electoral frauds to retain power, the problem continues to recycle, with deleterious consequences for democracy in Africa. Key words: Accountability, consolidation, corruption, democracy, election, legitimacy, re-election, responsiveness.

:The Birds of Zambia

:The Birds of Zambia

Some Guidelines For Reduced Impact Timber Harvesting Practices In Miombo Woodlands

The Miombo woodlands are one of the largest dry forest types in Africa, covering over 2.7 million km-2 in eastern, central and southern Africa; including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over 20 percent of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on the Miombo woodlands for their livelihood in terms of food, direct revenues, employment, forage for animals, tourism, fuel, timber and non-timber forest products. Miombo woodlands which occupy over 60 million hectares of land in Zambia and Tanzania contribute to the economies of these countries in terms of direct revenues, tourism, employment, raw materials for building and mining industries, energy and non wood products. Unfortunately, indiscriminate exploitation for timber, charcoal and other products, frequent destructive woodland fires and expansion of agricultural activities have of recent contributed to eroding the environmental importance and ecological diversity of this type of forest. With fast growing populations around these forests, this is likely to increase pressure even further on these forests. Proper management and utilization of these forests are therefore important if they are to sustained future uses. This paper outlines the current harvesting principles and documents procedures to follow in order to improve the existing harvesting practices in Miombo woodlands in southern and eastern Africa using Tanzania and Zambia as case studies. The document recommends improved procedures and techniques, which if adopted will lead to improved productivity, improved environmental value, health status of the residual forest and improved socio-economic benefits at local and national levels. The paper is intended to be used by policy makers, forest departments logging managers, field supervisors, communities and other stakeholders involved in timber harvesting with an objective to promote harvesting practices that improve productivity sustainable and efficient resource utilization while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Keywords : Reduced impact logging miombo woodlands - pre-harvest planning – platform sawing - post harvest impact assessment Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation Vol. 77 2008: pp. 54-72

Abattoir survey of slaughtered pregnant goats in Zambia

No Abstract Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 55 (3) 2007: pp. 207-209

Comparative Policy Brief: Status of Intellectual Disabilities in the Republic of Zambia

Abstract In the Republic of Zambia, an estimated 256,000 persons have some form of disability, and of these, 5.4% have intellectual disabilities. Even now, traditional beliefs about the etiology of intellectual disabilities persist and considerable stigma is attached to the presence of persons with intellectual disabilities who are often excluded from community life. Recently, antidiscrimination legislation has been enacted and there is a policy related to pupils with special educational needs. Although a range of Zambian and international nongovernmental organizations and church groups have developed services for children and their families, their impact is impeded by widespread poverty. Adults remain vulnerable, with no entitlement to social welfare benefits and very limited access either to government‐led trust funds for persons with disabilities or to employment. The most striking issue is poverty (Zambia is one of the world's poorest nations) and an absence of even basic support for people with intellectual disabilities outside of families. Other key issues include a lack of useful data, no specific policy related to persons with intellectual disabilities, and limited progress in achieving education for all.

The changing landscape of home-based care services in the era of widely accessible ART in Zambia

Abstract Home-based care (HBC) has been one of the most effective community care strategies in developing countries for people living with HIV/AIDS in their AIDS stage. This is because the poorly equipped and highly understaffed public health systems are failing to cope with the extra demand of caring for the AIDS patients (in and out of hospital). The HBC programmes traditionally have been providing physical, emotional, spiritual and palliative care to the chronically and terminally ill patients. Up to 90% of care for patients in developing countries is done in homes. However, the increased and widespread accessibility of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Zambia through the public health system is changing the type of demands by the PLWHAs on the HBC services. Many formerly bedridden patients are now fit and what they need most is support to restart their livelihoods. They also need support and monitoring of their adherence to ART. Some HBC programmes have started changing to meet these new and evolving demands, albeit at a slow pace. The consequence of the delayed response to these changing needs is that PLWHA life status are likely to slide back to PLWHA care and support status due to low adherence and the absence of persistent support and improved nutrition. Key words: Home based care; antiretroviral therapy; people living with HIV/AIDS; palliative care Resume Les soins a domicile sont parmi les strategies de soins de sante communautaire les plus efficaces, dans les pays en developpement, pour les personnes infectees par le VIH qui en sont au stade du sida. En effet, les reseaux de sante publique, sous-equipes en materiel et surtout en personnel, n'arrivent pas a composer avec les soins supplementaires que necessitent les sideens (a l'interieur et a l'exterieur des hopitaux). Les programmes de soins a domicile offrent en general des soins physiques, un soutien affectif et spirituel et des soins palliatifs aux malades chroniques et en phase terminale. Jusqu'a 90 % des patients sont soignes a domicile dans les pays en developpement. En Zambie cependant, le reseau de sante publique offre un acces accru et generalise aux traitements antiretroviraux aux personnes vivant avec le VIH ou le sida (PVVIH/sida); ces patients ont donc des besoins differents en matiere de services a domicile. Beaucoup de patients autrefois cloues au lit sont aujourd'hui en assez bonne sante pour recommencer a travailler, et c'est dans ce domaine qu'ils ont surtout besoin d'aide. Ils ont aussi besoin que l'on soutienne et que l'on surveille leur assiduite aux traitements antiretroviraux. Certains programmes de soins a domicile commencent a s'adapter a ces nouveaux besoins, mais lentement. Cette lenteur a des consequences : les PVVIH/sida qui ne respectent pas leur regime medicamenteux, qui ne recoivent pas une aide soutenue et dont les besoins nutritionnels ne sont pas combles risquent de redescendre la pente et d'avoir de nouveau besoin de soins. Mots cles : soins a domicile; traitements antiretroviraux; personnes vivant avec le VIH ou le sida; soins palliatifs

Professor L.C.J. (Boet) van Rensburg

Lucas Carl Jansen van Rensburg (universally and affectionately known as Boet) was born in Parys, Free State, but for most of his youth home was on the Zambian copperbelt.

Setting the Stage for QA/QC Training in Zambia

Setting the Stage for QA/QC Training in Zambia

Wrongful Trading and Fraudulent Trading in Corporate Insolvency Law: The Case of Zambia

(2008). Wrongful Trading and Fraudulent Trading in Corporate Insolvency Law: The Case of Zambia. Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 93-116.