Constructing China’s identity in Zambian politics : a tale of expediency and resignation

Abstract: The paper argues that Zambian political parties have ascribed convenient identities to China in order to justify their quest for political office. Ruling parties realise the ideological and economic importance of China and hence support Sino-Zambian ties. Opposition parties denounce China with the aim of inflaming the sensibilities of ordinary Zambians who feel threatened especially by the recent increase of Chinese migrants who are perceived as threats to Zambian small scale entrepreneurship. The paper draws the conclusion that it is convenient for opposition parties in Zambia to construct and promote a negative identity of China to win the support of ordinary Zambians. The Patriotic Front has shown that, once in power, parties are more likely to change their stance on China because of pragmatic ambitions and a sense of resignation as China will increasingly be involved in, and have influence on, Zambia’s political and economic future

Antibiotic prescribing in treatment of non-severe paediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia at Limbe Health Centre, Blantyre.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Introduction Pneumonia is one of the diseases with high child mortality worldwide. Appropriate antibiotic treatment is vital for treatment success and minimising emergence of antibiotic resistance. Adherence of prescribers to guidelines in the treatment of non-severe Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is one aspect that can optimise treatment outcome and help mitigate emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to investigate antibiotic prescribing patterns of clinical officers and medical assistants in the treatment of non-severe paediatric CAP at Limbe Health Centre (LHC). Materials and methods The study was conducted at LHC. Prescriptions of 53 children aged 2-59 months diagnosed and treated for non-severe CAP were reviewed for analysis of demographic and treatment data. Data collection was conducted from March to May 2017. Prescribed antibiotics by medical assistants and clinical officers were compared using Fischer’s exact test. Correctly and incorrectly prescribed antibiotic daily doses in the two groups of prescribers were compared using Chi-square test. In addition, we also analysed demographic and academic qualification data for prescribers. Results The 53 prescriptions included were either for cotrimoxazole (n=29), amoxicillin (n=19) or erythromycin (n=5). There was no significant difference in choice of antibiotic for the treatment of non-severe paediatric CAP between medical assistants and clinical officers (p=0.2). Based on age or weight of the participant, distribution of correctly and incorrectly prescribed daily doses was not significantly different in the two groups of prescribers (p>0.5). Of the 53 participants, 30 (57%) were under-dosed. Ten participants were under-dosed by 33%, while 20 participants were under-dosed by 34-50% of the recommended antibiotic daily dose. Participants were either prescribed a 5-day (n=51) or a 3-day (n=2) antibiotic treatment. Conclusion Amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole and erythromycin were prescribed for the treatment of non-severe paediatric CAP at LHC. More than half of the included patients were under-dosed. Antibiotic treatment for paediatric CAP at LHC was either for 3 or 5 days. Understanding antibiotic prescribing patterns is necessary in designing interventions aimied at improving antibiotic treatment and curbing the emergence of antibiotic resistance.Spelling of the word "aimed" in the abstract is incorrect

Aeroacoustics of a porous plug supersonic jet noise suppressor

The aeroacoustics of a porous plug supersonic jet noise suppressor was investigated. The needed modifications of the existing multistream coaxial jet rig; the compressed air facility and pressure controls; the design, the fabrication, and the installation of the plenum chamber for the plug nozzle, and the design and the machining of the first contoured plug nozzle were completed. The optical and the aeroacoustic data of the contoured plug nozzles and of the conical convergent nozzle alone were discussed

The threat of expropriation in commercial contracts entered into with states : lessons from the case of Lap Green Networks of Libya and the Zambian government

Includes bibliographical references.Foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to be made into Africa, as an important means of strengthening the national economies of the various countries in which it is undertaken. However, while FDI inflows continue into these economies, there has been a relative decline in FDI attractiveness into Africa as shown by Africa’s share of global FDI inflows which stood at only 4.4 per cent in 2010. One of the factors that deter FDI is political instability caused by government actions. It is noted that in some instances following a regime change, there is a repudiation of former contracts with foreign firms, increasing the risk of expropriation and thereby reducing the volume of FDI. An example of a regime change that resulted in the cancellation of contracts with foreign firms and the expropriation of property rights that had been acquired as a result of those contracts, is that which occurred in Zambia in 2012 with the [repossession] by the government of Zamtel Limited, a telecommunications company, and the termination of a concession agreement entered into by the government with Zambia Railways Limited. While the right to expropriate property of citizens is the sovereign preserve of every state (provided that such expropriation is in the public interest and is accompanied by adequate compensation for the person from whom the property is expropriated) there remain instances where states abuse this sovereign right and carry out unlawful expropriations. Although most states have legislation which regulates expropriations, there remain some gaps in domestic legislation that do not adequately safeguard the rights of persons whose property is expropriated. Unlawful and arbitrary expropriations carried out by states without impunity, are a major deterrent to FDI. It is therefore necessary to consider whether the current international law framework relating to expropriations, provides an effective means for safeguarding the interests of property owners whose property is expropriated, where domestic legislation falls short of the required standard. These considerations will in this paper be examined in the context of international commercial contracts entered into by foreign entities with governments. These considerations are further necessary in order to offer solutions to foreign investors who may find their property unlawfully expropriated as a result of political action, and who may be unable to seek proper or meaningful redress under the domestic laws of the expropriating states. Establishing the extent of the remedies that are provided by international law may seek to encourage FDI inflows into developing economies, even in the face of the real risk of political instability resulting in arbitrary or unlawful expropriations

The ‘Good’ University Teacher As Perceived By The Students

A ZJER article.A sample of 176 second year University of Zimbabwe students was asked to select the three most important characteristics of a ‘good’ teacher from fifteen characteristics presented to them. It was shown that students attached great importance to the teacher’s ability to stimulate intellectual curiosity and transmit knowledge, rather than according to the university criteria of research and publication. Results were also analyzed according to faculty and no significant differences were found among the four groups of students in terms of their choices of the three characteristics. The concepts ‘good’ teacher, lecturer, instructor and professor are used interchangeably in this paper

The evolution of China-South Africa relations : a constructivist interpretation.

M. Soc. Sc. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2013.The rise of China in the international system and its involvement in Africa has attracted a lot of attention and speculation. Western perceptions of China’s involvement in Africa are fraught with concerns that a more powerful, undemocratic China will not compel odious African governments to heed Western calls for better governance. China’s foreign policy of “non-interference” in domestic affairs has been criticised as China’s ploy to perpetuate its poor record of human rights; and provide alternatives to countries that are under Western sanctions. Another concern is that China is challenging Western economic dominance in Africa. Thus, the West regards China’s incursions into Africa with suspicion and paranoia. The wide use of realism to explain international relations is hugely responsible for the pessimistic attitude towards the rise of China. In realist perspectives, the rise of China will unavoidably disrupt the current international order and portend possible disaster for other international actors. This research uses constructivism, a relatively underutilized theory of international relations, to analyse relations between China and South Africa. The reasons for this undertaking are manifold. First, by looking at relations between the two countries, the research shows that nations relate according to specific social contexts, from which stem shared identities and interests. Second, the research seeks to illustrate, by dividing Sino-South African relations into three epochs, that China and South Africa have visibly changed their identities and interests since the mid-twentieth century. This shows that, contrary to realism, national identities and interests are subject to change. Third, the fact that China and South Africa perceive each other as allies in the current international system reinforces the constructivist claim that when identities and interests between actors in the international system correlate, the formation of genuine cooperation, community and international interests becomes possible. This is a further departure from realism which claims that cooperation among “self-interested” actors is difficult if not impossible to achieve. Furthermore, much literature about China looks at China as a country with an enduring and unchangeable identity. It is hoped that through the use of constructivism, this notion will be put to credible scrutiny. The research emphasizes the fact that South Africa should not be fanatic in its embrace of China as a kindred spirit of the global South and a better alternative to Western countries. The paranoia of the West is as misplaced as African naiveté in dealing with China. This caveat will also prove that constructivism is not an idealistic approach to international relations. It concedes the fact that cooperation and mutual development among nations can be hard to attain when social relations provide no conducive environment for their nurturance

The solo piano music of Einojuhani Rautavaara

Einojuhani Rautavaara's oeuvre is characterised by four distinctive creative periods, each demonstrating a remarkable variety of compositional idioms and styles. His application of multifaceted elements, often within a single work leading to notions of postmodernism, is derived from multifarious sources, such as (Finnish) folklore, Orthodox mysticism and a wide variety of standard twentieth century compositional techniques. Furthermore, Rautavaara regularly quotes from his own material, thus creating elements of auto-allusions within his oeuvre; a predisposition which forms an essential part of his compositional aesthetic. Analyses of eight piano works (1952-2007) provide a cross-section of Rautavaara's output which, together with a consideration of biographical factors and analytical focus on the intertextual elements of his writing, offers a rationale for determining the development of his musical identity. The analyses conclude that intertextual elements, which appear through a diverse array of expressive modes (such as mysticism, nationalism and constructivism) are an essential part of Rautavaara's eclectic compositional style and contribute to an understanding of the on-going development of his musical identity

The effects of acute administration of Chinese aphrodisiacs sold in Blantyre City on sperm characteristics and fertility profile in guinea pigs

Background: Chinese aphrodisiacs have become popular remedy for sexual dysfunction and improvement of libido in men in Malawi. However, selling of these drugs seems not to be well regulated. Probably the aphrodisiacs that are currently on the market have unknown efficacy, potency and safety profiles. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of imported Chinese aphrodisiacs using guinea pigs as a model.Materials and Methods: Two types of drugs were purchased from vendors in Blantyre City. Tonic tea, which was purported to improve erectile function and libido, and sperm multiplier tablets which were claimed to increase the sperm count. The tonic tea was prepared by soaking one tea bag in 100ml boiling water. The tea was cooled and administered to eight male experimental animals in varying doses. Each animal was introduced into a separate cage with a female guinea pig. Sexual behaviour such as mounting, sniffing behind the female were observed and recorded.Each sperm multiplier tablet was dissolved in distilled water and administered to the experimental animals in the morning and evening for seven days. At the end of the treatment, the experimental and control animals were sacrificed, their semen collected and analysed sperm motility, concentration and morphology.Results: For the tonic tea, there were no statistical differences between the experimental and the control animals in terms of the number of mountings and sniffing behind the female. The sperm multiplier drug showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control animals in terms of the sperm motility (78.24 ± 1.35 vs. 86.54 ± 1.88, p< 0.05), and concentration (54.28 ± 1.24 vs. 67.59 ± 2.12, p<0.05).Conclusion: The tonic tea did not show any efficacy in improving erection and libido. The sperm multiplier tablets, purported to increase sperm production, significantly increased the sperm motility, sperm concentration in the treated animals

The effects of antenatal health education on postnatal care among HIV positive women in Francistown City, Botswana

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of antenatal health education on postnatal care (PNC) among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive women in Francistown city, Botswana. This study followed a quantitative research paradigm. Data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire from eligible women who consented in writing to participate in the study. Forty-five percent (45%) (n=45) HIV positive women came with babies for 6 weeks PNC and 55% (n=55) brought 8 weeks old babies either for weighing or for the two months immunisation from 28 April to 10 June 2014. The responses regarding the source of health education received were as follows: 40% lay counselors, 31% midwives, 15% doctors, 5% nurses without midwifery, 5% cadre unknown, 2% both lay counselors and midwives, 1% by a health education assistant and 1% was not health educated at all. Conclusion: The study revealed that HIV positive pregnant women received health education from different cadres of health and mostly by lay counselors. Literature indicates that lay counselors may give health information but at a very superficial level.Health StudiesM. A. (Health Studies

Factors impeding the operationalisation of Zimbabwe's commodity-based sovereign wealth fund

Abstract: Over the past decade, many natural resource-rich developing economies have deployed commodity-based Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) to manage their natural resource revenues. However, many of these efforts were premature. Establishing a commodity-based SWF only makes sense in a country that possesses robust mechanisms for capturing and accounting for resource rents and a budgetary framework that channels those rents to broad-based and inclusive social and economic development. In 2009, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) encouraged the government of Zimbabwe to establish an SWF to ameliorate challenges associated with the natural resource curse. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised the government of Zimbabwe to re-examine the fiscal regime of its extractive industries before launching its SWF. Zimbabwe’s extractive industries are captured by a comprador securocrat bourgeoisie that feels entitled to rule and loot the country in perpetuity. Consequently, very little natural resource revenue is deposited in government coffers. Contrary to the advice of the IMF, the government of Zimbabwe rushed to establish an SWF before it had re-examined the fiscal regime of its extractive industries. Resultantly, Zimbabwe’s SWF is a premature fund. Existing literature defines what premature funds are. However, it does not go onto explain why some governments rush to establish SWFs before acquiring the prerequisite conditions required to successfully operationalise one. Using Zimbabwe as a case study example, this qualitative study explains why some governments prematurely establish SWFs. Data were collected using elite interviews and unobstructive methods. Moreover, data were presented using thematic and qualitative content analysis. Research findings reveal that the government of Zimbabwe rushed to establish an SWF because of the fear of being the odd one out among its structural equivalents, it felt obliged to implement the recommendations of its biggest development partner the UNDP, it needed to look modern and sophisticated through finance and it also needed to widen its patronage turf. Moreover, research findings also reveal that the design of Zimbabwe’s SWF as a financial institution is not designed in such a way to make it an effective investment fund, as compared with global standards of investment management. The study recommends that the government of Zimbabwe needs to re-examine the fiscal regime of its extractive industry and the governance architecture of its SWF before it can successfully operationalise its SWF.Ph.D. (Public Management and Governance