Botswana, Africa's Haven of Ethnic Peace and Harmony: Status and

This paper has the dual objectives to highlight some of the factors that account for the absence of ethnic tensions and conflict in Botswana since independence and to reflect on the future of ethnic relations in the country. It identfles factors such as the nature of ethnic relations during the colonial period, the nature of British indfrect rule, the relatively even development across regions occupied by different ethnic groups, deliberate government efforts to create national as opposed to tribal consciousness and the institutions of chieftaincy as having contributed to harmonious ethnic relations. An examinatn of the current situation, however, points to emerging disintegrative ethnic consciousness. This is evident from three factors: I) The political debates centred on ethnic representation in the House of Chiefs and the fairness of sections 77, 78, and 79 of the Constitution that are sweeping across the country; 2) the appointment of a Presidential Commission to review sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution, and 3) the focus the subject of ethnicity has received in the print ,?ledia. It is concluded that Botswana is no longer safe from the ethnic strjfe, tensions and conflicts that have engulfed most other Africa countries, unless deliberate corrective measures are adopted by the state, drawing from other African countries to ident5.' what works and what does not work

Botswana, Africa's Haven of Ethnic Peace and Harmony: Status and Future Prospects

This paper has the dual objectives to highlight some of the factors that account for the absence of ethnic tensions and conflict in Botswana since independence and to reflect on the future of ethnic relations in the country. It identfles factors such as the nature of ethnic relations during the colonial period, the nature of British indfrect rule, the relatively even development across regions occupied by different ethnic groups, deliberate government efforts to create national as opposed to tribal consciousness and the institutions of chieftaincy as having contributed to harmonious ethnic relations. An examinatn of the current situation, however, points to emerging disintegrative ethnic consciousness. This is evident from three factors: I) The political debates centred on ethnic representation in the House of Chiefs and the fairness of sections 77, 78, and 79 of the Constitution that are sweeping across the country; 2) the appointment of a Presidential Commission to review sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution, and 3) the focus the subject of ethnicity has received in the print ,?ledia. It is concluded that Botswana is no longer safe from the ethnic strjfe, tensions and conflicts that have engulfed most other Africa countries, unless deliberate corrective measures are adopted by the state, drawing from other African countries to ident5.' what works and what does not work

The Centrality of a Historical Perspective to the Analysis of Modern Social Problems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Tale From Two Case Studies

A Journal article by Prof. Munyae Mulinge and Dr. Margaret Mulinge, Lecturers at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in USIU- AfricaThis paper advances the view that the analyses of the origins and persistent growth of the social problems affecting most sub-Saharan African countries today must proceed from a historical perspective. It is argued that for sociologists, social workers, political scientists, policy makers, administrators and social scientists in general to provide well-rounded accounts of thebirth and spread of social problems and develop well-informed policies for the alleviation of the same, they must not overlook the role played by history. The authors utilise the cases of ethnicity and corruption to demonstrate that historical forces, particularly those associated with the process of colonisation, are pertinent to the understanding of social problems in the African continent. The outcomes of the social, economic and political restructuring accompanying colonisation such as the policy of divide and rule, the creation of a new economic order, the discriminatory allocation of resources and the emergence of a new political culture are considered to be central to the comprehensive explanation of ethnic tensions and conflicts and/or corruption. Because such outcomes have a legacy that has been extended to the neo-colonial period, it is concluded that these and/or other related factors are essential components in the explanation of today's social problems

Demystifying HIV/ AIDS Research: A Call for More community-Based Research in Botswana

A Journal article by Prof. Munyae Mulinge, a Lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in USIU- AfricaWe critically examine current HIV/AIDS research practices to argue for a reorientation toward participatory action research (PAR) for a more effective prevention of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana. This position is based on the fact that, there being no known cure for AIDS, prevention remains the most viable approach to the disease. Unlike traditional (academic) research which mainly aims to generate knowledge, often for knowledge sake, PAR integrates policy formulation and change as part of its agenda. Also, through its ability to draw community members to the total research process, the approach is capable of creating a sense of ownership of and responsibility over research knowledge and programmes of action emanating from it on the part of community members. These, in our view, are essential for the successful prevention of HIV/AIDS through changes in attitudes toward and in the practice of sex

Managing Organizational Change in Higher Education: Lessons From the University of Botswana

A Journal article by Prof. Munyae Mulinge, a Lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in USIU- AfricaUtilizing data collected from a randomly selected sample of 360 academic and managerial staff, regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of acceptance of change among employees at the University of Botswana. The results showed moderate levels of employee acceptance of innovations and revealed that, of the four categories of substantive factors analyzed, managerial features were the most important determinants of acceptance of organizational change. It was concluded that management action is needed to boost the levels of acceptance of change and that a more participative approach to the management of the change process is necessary to guarantee the involvement of all stakeholders from the decision-making to the implementation and administration stages of the process

The Ethnicization of the State and the Crises of African Development: The Kenyan Experience

(The Journal of Cultural Studies, 2000 2(1): 141-159

Managing Organizational Change in Higher Education : Lessons from the University of Botswana

A Journal article by Dr. Margaret M. Munyae, a Lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in USIU- AfricaUtilizing data collected from a randomly selected sample of 360 academic and managerial staff, regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of acceptance of change among employees at the University of Botswana. The results showed moderate levels of employee acceptance of innovations and revealed that, of the four categories of substantive factors analyzed, managerial features were the most important determinants of acceptance of organizational change. It was concluded that management action is needed to boost the levels of acceptance of change and that a more participative approach to the management of the change process is necessary to guarantee the involvement of all stakeholders from the decision-making to the implementation and administration stages of the process

The Gendered Workplace in Kenya: A Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Technicians in Public and Parastatal Sector Work Settings

A Journal article by Prof. Munyae Mulinge, a Lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in USIU- AfricaWorkplace conditions for male and female agricultural technicians in public and parastatal sector work settings in Kenya are analyzed to test the hypothesis that, relative to the public sector, the potential for differential treatment based on gender is likely to be higher in the parastatal sector. Compared to those in the public sector, female technicians in the parastatal sector perceived greater workplace disadvantages relative to their male counterparts. These can be explained in terms of fewer formal rules and regulations in the sector to check differential treatment of employees. The results demonstrate the importance of the social organization of the workplace in understanding gender inequalities in employment settings