On Diplomacy in Lesotho: Comparison and Contrast Between Lesotho's Pre-Colonial and Post-Colonial Diplomatic Agents

The purpose of this article, which is based on Mothibe’s (1997) paper on diplomatic agentsin pre-colonial Lesotho, is to compare and contrast Lesotho’s diplomats of today andthose of King Moshoeshoe’s time. Following the brief historical background of Lesotho,the author compares and contrasts the two diplomatic eras on the following points: eligibilitycriteria of diplomatic agents, functions and responsibilities of diplomats in pre-colonial and\ud post-colonial times, privileges, immunities and inviolability of diplomatic agents. The paperconcludes by indicating that diplomacy in Lesotho is as old as the state itself and that thediplomacy of Moshoeshoe’s era basically followed the same principles and executed thesame diplomatic functions as in post-colonial era. However, what is drastically different isthat today the functions and principles are codified as part of the international law whereas inthe pre-colonial epoch they were not. The codification and formalization of diplomatic lawsand functions, it is argued, does affect execution of diplomatic business for the bette

A sociolinguistic study of communication processes in a court of law in Gaborone, Botswana

The overarching discipline of the study is the sociolinguistics of law in which the analytical methods of discourse, genre and narrative analysis are brought together in the enterprise of describing language in its social context. The issues addressed in this study relate to communication processes in a court of law in Gaborone, Botswana. These have been identified as issues relating to the various stages of the trial process that some writers have labelled sub-genres of the courtroom genre and some have simply labelled discourses. The process typical to the Botswana courtroom are the administrative processes of Mentions Reading of Charge Sheets and Readings of Facts and the substantive processes of Direct and Cross Examinations, Submissions and Judgements. The study also includes the description of the bilingual nature of the Botswana courtroom including code switching and courtroom interpreting. The views and awareness of the legal practitioners - police prosecutors and lawyers - on and of the uses of language in the courtroom were sought and tested by a short questionnaire. These are cross-referred with observations and recordings of the court's proceedings with the aim of revealing the nature of bilingualism in this court. Many studies have described and critique different aspects of the trial such as courtroom questioning and jury summations, but few have attempted to describe the trial as a whole as this study has done. This broad focus has enabled the perception of the trial as a site for interlocking discourses, which together bring about the outcomes of trials. It has found out, for example, that while some processes are, ordinarily, unacceptably coercive of witness, like cross examinations, some are empowering, for instance, direct examinations. In which witnesses are allowed longer turns at talk where they give narrative accounts. The data comprises forty hour of recordings transcribed into texts comprising several examples of each of the stages of the trial

Perceptions of household measuring utensils amongst Mmopane community in Botswana

In assessing adults’ dietary intakes, nutritionists and dietitians often rely on clients’ reported food consumption, estimated in units of households measuring utensils (cups, tablespoons and teaspoons). However, it is yet to be established whether the public can accurately estimate the capacity of household utensils and the amount of food consumed in units of household measuring utensils. The purpose of the study was to examine conceptions of household measuring utensils and establish how well participants estimate the sizes of household measuring utensils comparing with metric sizes of 250 ml for a cup, 15 ml and 5 ml for a tablespoon and a teaspoon, respectively. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with a random sample of 253 participants aged between 18-60 years. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires by identifying a sample that best approximated their perception of a standard (metric) cup, tablespoon and teaspoon. The results revealed that most adults’ perceptions of the utensils differed from the correct measurements (metric sizes) of household utensils. Fifty eight percent of participants identified a sample of 375 ml sample as the one that they thought bestapproximated a standard / metric cup while 19% identified a 330 ml sample as the one that best approximated a metric cup. Only 13% of participants correctly identified a standard cup. Pertaining to tablespoon and teaspoon sizes, only about 7% and 38% participants correctly identified a tablespoon and teaspoon, respectively. The weighted mean size of a cup as perceived by participants was estimated at 332 ml. The mean difference between what participant perceived best explained their understanding of a cup (332ml) from the metric size of 250 ml was statistically significant (significant one sample t-test; T = 20. 234, p< .001; df = 252). Similarly, the average size of a teaspoon as perceived by participants differed from standard/ metric size of a teaspoon (T = -4. 326, p< .001; n= 251). Similarly, observations were made with regard to the difference between perceived size of tablespoon (T = -51.20, p< .001; n = 252) and metric size of a tablespoon. Lastly, participants’ perception of sizes of household utensils was influenced by age, education and gender. The findings underscore the importance of establishing local notions of household measures before assessment methods that rely on their use are administered. Further, the findings suggest the need for clients’ education on household measures prior to use of the same in dietary assessments.Keywords: Botswana, Dietary recall, Dietary assessment, Household measuringutensil

The relationship between oral candidiasis and micronutrient deficiency in an adult TB cohort in Alexandra, Johannesburg

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide, and particularly in South Africa. Micronutrient deficiency (malnutrition) is caused by insufficient supply of vitamins and minerals for normal cell function in the body. Nutritional deficiencies in minerals, vitamins and diets rich in carbohydrates have been implicated in the pathogenesis of oral candidal infections. Malnutrition and wasting are associated with TB, and HIV/TB co-infection may potentially worsen the wasting that occurs in TB or HIV infection alone. Aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency and Oral Candidiasis (OC) in adult TB patients. The prevalence of OC and its association with malnutrition in terms of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Albumin, Selenium (Se),Vitamin A (Vit A) and Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiencies were evaluated in a cross sectional study among eighty eight (n=88) TB adult patients. Patients underwent a complete oral examination for presence and type of OC and blood collection was done for serum nutritional assessment for levels of the micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Albumin, Se, Vit A and Vit D). Results: The mean age was 36 years of age, with the majority being females (60%) and HIV positive (69.3%). The prevalence of OC was 60% with pseudomembranous OC (48%) being the most common. Serum concentrations for Zn deficiency ( 0.05). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that OC in TB adult patients is not associated with micronutrient malnutrition. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency and OC in adult TB patients further

Do Stakeholders Matter? Nexus of Public Private Partnership Projects for City Street Parking in Uganda

This study examines the involvement of stakeholders in the use of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects for effective urban parking in Kampala City, Uganda. Guiding objectives of the study include (a) to examine the relevance of stakeholder theory to the execution of the management contract PPP project by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Multiplex Uganda limited in Kampala (b) to assess stakeholders’ participation in the execution of management contract PPP project by KCCA and Multiplex limited in Kampala. The study adopted cross-sectional and exploratory study designs. Data was collected using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study covered a population of 1335 stakeholders of Kampala City Council and Multiplex limited. A sample size of 297 respondents for quantitative part of the study and 35 respondents for qualitative part of the study. The sample random sampling and purposive sampling technique were applied. Target group included, operational and administrative Staff of KCCA and Multiplex Uganda Limited, Drivers under Uganda Transport Development Agency (UTRADA) as well as Private Car Users.  Study findings revealed that the stakeholder theory is relevant to the execution of management contract PPP projects. Further to this, participation of key stakeholders in implementing such PPP Projects leads to effective street parking of urban areas and there is a significant relationship between stakeholder participation in the execution of management contract PPP project and ensuring effective street parking in urban areas. The study recommends that KCC must always ensure that Multiplex limited involves all key stakeholders in the execution of the management contract PPP project such as drivers in meetings when discussing about changes being done.  The changes need to be made for the betterment of work, as stakeholders of Multiplex need to regularly get feedback after meeting. In addition, stakeholders should always be engaged in identifying priority parking spaces

The role of the school governing bodies in creating an educative climate in schools : a case study of a school in Soweto South Africa

This study is about the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) which currently run schools in the country and it was done in a school in Soweto as a case study. The participants were the vice-chairperson, principal, deputy, secretary and treasurer because these are the core of the executive membership of the SGBs. The role of each is fully described in the policy documents of the Department of Basic Education. The focus of the study was to find out whether the SGBs do indeed create an educative atmosphere in schools as laid down in the government policies or have the discretion and leeway to deviate from such without incurring the wrought of the Department. The research was conducted through the qualitative approach because it involved a series of in-depth interviews. The study used a purposive sampling method to identify a few participants who are actually involved in the management of the selected school. Hence, the research findings are such that the interviewees claim that they knew very little of their new responsibilities, duties and functions when they took office but gradually they acquired the necessary information, knowledge and skills to discharge their exacting mandate. They point out that the South Africa School’s Act 84 of 1996 is the most informative policy document that guided and also assisted them in carrying out their responsibilities with confidence. In the final analysis, the study revealed that workshops on skills development are very much important because they are empowering. From the research findings various themes emerged which formed the basis upon which the following proposal was made, i.e. that: a methodological theoretical framework that has at its core the SGB with other important stakeholders in the periphery contributing towards creating an educative climate in the school be established.Educational Leadership and ManagementD. Ed. (Education Management and Leadership

How Public Private Partnerships Support Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Agenda in Cities

Climate change has become a major issue in cities that champion the path to the sustainable development of cities. Recent effort by COP 26 has buoyed the emphasis for improving neighborliness of climate and humankind. Since cities anchor national prosperity and act as and centre for policy making and actions for the country, they act as an important administrative structure for championing climate agenda. Although the literature on adaptation to climate change is rapidly expanding, little is known about how the adoption of new public management tool, public private partnerships(PPPs) contribute to climate sustainability, yet the adoption of PPPs is on the rise in traditional and emerging smart cities. Based on a review of literature, this study provides insights on how PPPs can enable city administrations to play a key role for supporting climate sustainable agenda of nations especially in Sub Saharan Africa that is considered a victim of climate change and yet this part of the world is deemed to have been insignificantly responsible for the climate change by largely affected negative effects of today’s climate change

Dental and Orofacial Trauma Impacts on Oral-Health-Related—Quality of Life in Children: Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Orofacial trauma including traumatic dental injuries is a public health problem and has the potential to adversely affect the quality of life in children. These injuries include hard and soft tissue. Quality of life is impacted when the health and oral health of the children and their parents and family are affected. Oral health includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, chew, swallow, and convey emotions through facial expressions with confidence. Poor oral health conditions include dental injuries from trauma, result in pain, soreness, discomfort, and embarrassment during routine daily activities. Traumatic dental injuries contribute to the aesthetic, functional, psychological, social, and economic distress lowering self-image and negatively impacting the quality of life among children, and their families in both developed and low- and middle-income countries. It is important to appreciate the impacts of dental trauma on children and their families more so in areas of low income as these areas have a higher propensity of above average oral-related quality of life impacts. Necessary dental management and treatment should be performed as soon as possible consequent to injury to relieve pain and discomfort, restore function, uplift appearance, and self-esteem, and enhance social well-being. This holistic management approach will improve treatment outcomes and ultimately enhance the quality-of-life post-dental injury

Copayments for prescription medicines on a public health insurance scheme in Ireland

Purpose: We assessed the impact of the introduction of a €0.50 prescription copayment, and its increase to €1.50, on adherence to essential and less-essential medicines in a publicly insured population in Ireland. Methods: We used a pre-post longitudinal repeated measures design. We included new users of essential medicines: blood pressure lowering, lipid lowering and oral diabetic agents, thyroid hormone, anti-depressants, and less-essential medicines: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Proton Pump Inhibitors/H2 antagonists (PPIs/H2), and anxiolytics/hypnotics. The outcome was change in adherence, measured using Proportion of Days Covered. We used segmented regression with generalised estimating equations to allow for repeated measurements. Results: Sample sizes ranged from 7145 (thyroid hormone users) to 136111 (NSAID users). The €0.50 copayment was associated with reductions in adherence ranging from -2.1%[95% CI, -2.8 to -1.5] (thyroid hormone) to -8.3%[95% CI, -8.7 to -7.9] (anti-depressants) for essential medicines and reductions in adherence of -2%[95% CI, -2.3 to -1.7] (anxiolytics/hypnotics) to -9.5%[95% CI, -9.8 to -9.1] (PPIs/H2) for less-essential medicines. The €1.50 copayment generally resulted in smaller reductions in adherence to essential medicines. Anti-depressant medications were the exception with a decrease of -10.0% [95% CI, -10.4 to -9.6] after the copayment increase. Larger decreases in adherence were seen for most less-essential medicines; the largest was for PPIs/H2 at -13.5% [95% CI, -13.9 to -13.2] after the €1.50 copayment. Conclusion: Both copayments had a greater impact on adherence to less-essential medicines than essential medicines. The major exception was for anti-depressant medicines. Further research is required to explore heterogeneity across different socio-economic strata and to elicit the impact on clinical outcomes