MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL

Beneficiaries' perceptions of student loan repayment: insights from the Zambian context

Alex Mugala, Harrison Daka — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:33:04 +0000

This study explored the perceptions of beneficiaries towards student loan repayment in Zambia. The study was guided by the Ability to Pay Theory. The researcher employed pragmatism researcher paradigm and an embedded design. The respondents were sampled using simple random sampling (students), non-discriminative snowball sampling (graduates) and expert purposive sampling (key informants). This study encompassed a sample of 1400 students, 18 graduates, 1 Ministry of Education Official as well as 6 members of staff at Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board (HELSB). Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The quantitative data collected was analysed using a software commonly known as SPSS and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the interest rate is relatively high. Despite indicating that the interest rate is too high, some beneficiaries stressed that they will pay their student loans in order for the government to continue supporting other needy students. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were made: HELSB must consider reducing the interest rate and ensure that the loan deductions are reduced to a fair amount, preferably, the deductions should be proportional to a person’s basic salary. HELSB needs to insure the loans because loan insurance considerably reduces the educational debt's financial risk. In order to guarantee that these requirements are laid out explicitly in the agreement deed, HELSB must make sure that borrowers are well-informed about their obligations to repay their loans at the time of application. To aid in the tracing down of beneficiaries whose loans have matured, HELSB needs to establish closer relationships with higher educational institutions, student organisations/unions, and alumni networks. They should also work more closely with employing agencies and employers to ensure timely repayment and recovery of loans. In an effort to increase the employers' compliance levels, HELSB management ought to think about devoting additional resources to leading compliance visits.

Home away from home: a traditional pedagogy of morality at Matero boys’ secondary school in Matero township of Lusaka province, Zambia

Audrey Phiri Muyuni, Ireen Moonga, Victor Chikampa — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:39:33 +0000

The article examines Zambia's journey towards educational development after gaining independence on 24 October 1964, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the government and missionary groups. Specifically, the researcher investigates the pedagogical practices utilized by the Marianist Brothers at Matero Boys' Secondary School to enhance learning activities. James Cox's (2010) theory of Phenomenology is employed to interpret the religious phenomenon through the lived experiences of participants at Matero Boys Secondary School. This qualitative study uses a follow-up case study design, to engage with participants who had relocated to other areas. Data was analysed using themes derived from the findings. The study's findings indicate that the Marianist Brothers provided education to boys from diverse social and religious backgrounds. Further, results reveal that the Brothers' pedagogical approach emphasized flexibility and instilled Christian values to foster standard behaviour, cultivating useful citizens of Zambia. After completing their education, these individuals served Zambia and the world, leading productive lives.

Optimized chromatographic production of high-purity 177Lu radionuclide at IRT-T research reactor for nuclear medicine applications

Davies Mubita, Edward Mubanga, Ivan Ushakov — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:48:38 +0000

Indirect method produces Beta Particles (50%) and Gamma (6.7%) of energies 0.497 MeV and 0.11 MeV respectively which makes the produced 177Lu suitable for bone pain palliation studies, targeted therapy of cancer and metastasis, medium and small joint synovectomy. Chromatographic method completely separates Ytterbium and Lutetium with the degree of separation of 1.34, indicating 99 % yield of 177Lu and 177Yb, implying minimal radiation safety and waste disposal concerns. Furthermore, this method produces 177Lu with a longer lifespan, approximately 2 weeks which makes it successful in endoradiotherapy, brachytherapy and treatment of malignancies. In this method Neutron flow has no effect on specific activity and 177Lu integral yield depends on numbers of irradiation cycles and on the amount of Lutetium present in the target material. Therefore, the method yields the greatest specific activity of 177Lu (1181.9 GBq) which has the ability to deliver 177Lu with the greatest radionuclide purity (99%) conceivable and suitable for treatment of radionuclide therapy such as thyroid cancer, bone metastases and lymphomas. Indirect method provides acceptable radiolabeling results with insignificant amount of impurities, making it best method for production of Radiolabelled Nuclides for treatment of cancer.

The power of the veto versus the rule of law a United Nations (UN) dilemma

Fidelis BM Ngosa, Dumisani Ngoma — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:13:47 +0000

This paper examines the use of veto power by the five Permanent Members (P5) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), focusing on the United States’ use of this power in the Israel-Palestine conflict. It argues that the US veto has not only undermined the rule of law but also rendered the original intent of the veto irrelevant, particularly in the eyes of developing nations, thereby calling into question the effectiveness of the Security Council and jeopardizing global peace and security. The paper critiques the US veto during instances of severe human rights violations, ethnic cleansing or potential genocide committed by Israel a US ally, against Palestinians. It posits that the US’s obstruction of motions for humanitarian cease fires exacerbates violence, effectively enabling Israel to continue its actions with impunity. The exercise of veto in these circumstances, the paper argues, not only violates human rights and the rule of law but also breaches international humanitarian law to which the US is a party.

Challenges of youth participation in governance amid Commercialised politics: insights from Lukashya constituency, Zambia

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:30:04 +0000

The study sought to investgatethe challenges of youth participation in governance amid commercialised politics in Lukashya Constituency of Northern Province in Zambia. The specific objective was to determine the challenges faced by the youths involved in governance amid Commercialised Politics. To conduct this research, the researchers employed a qualitative approach under phenomenological design. Maximum variation sampling was used to sample 42participants drawn from the three selected wards of Lukashya Constituency. Individual and focus group interview guides containing open-ended questions were used to collect qualitative data from the participants who were individually interviewed on face-to-face basis, and focus group discussions. Data was analysed thematically, based on themes that emerged from the huge amount of data collected. The study captured expensive nomination and adoption fees, expensive campaigns, exclusive organisational structure and candidate selection and inadequate civic education as key challenges faced by most young people to fully participate in governance. Findings of this study may inform policy and practice. The study recommends the need for the government through the Electoral Commission of Zambia to enhance civic education programs and political literacy in communities, beyond the classroom teaching, reduce adoption and nomination fees to allow more youths to participate in governance issues, for them to have a voice in matters such as; the amendment of the constitution to pave way for a proportional representation system, a measure to increase youth participation in national governance.

An assessment of the impacts of land use change on water quality and discharge – a case study of Chongwe catchment

Goodson Masheka, Chewe Mwila, Mweene Himwiinga– Mufiti, Muumbe Lweendo — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:53:19 +0000

The impact of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes on water quality and discharge is critical for regional water security. In this study, the effects of LULC changes on water quality and discharge in Zambia’s Chongwe River were evaluated. Spatio-temporal changes in LULC from 1980 to 2021 were analyzed at 10-year intervals, correlating LULC changes with river water quality. To determine trends in water quality, the study employed the Mann-Kendall (MK) test for statistical assessment. Time-series Landsat images were analyzed through supervised classification, allowing quantification of LULC changes over time. Five main LULC classes were identified based on spectral reflectance signatures, focusing on Agriculture, Forest, Built-up, and Grasslands. Significant shifts in land use patterns were observed between 1980 and 2021. Built-up and agricultural lands expanded, while forest and grassland areas declined. From 1980 to 1990, agricultural land increased from 0.91% to 1.08%, built-up land from 0.87% to 1.10%, and grasslands from 64.93% to 68.62%. In contrast, forest lands decreased from 32.96% to 29.03% and water bodies from 0.34% to 0.19%. Between 2000 and 2021, agricultural land rose from 5.63% to 11.01%, and built-up land from 1.32% to 4.65%, while forest land decreased from 31.01% to 24.12%, grasslands from 61.90% to 60.17%, and water bodies from 0.14% to 0.05%. The MK test results for water quality parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Na, Cl, and Mg showed an increasing trend, while temperature, Fe, K, and SO4²⁻ decreased over the catchment at the four sampling stations. These trends are primarily attributed to expanded built-up areas and agricultural land, leading to increased impervious surfaces and enhanced surface runoff from cultivated lands, which transports chemical fertilizers to the river. Furthermore, dry season discharge levels were found to be significantly affected by water abstraction for irrigation and domestic use.

The study concluded that LULC changes significantly correlate with water quality. Specifically, agricultural land showed a negative correlation with discharge in the dry season, while built-up areas exhibited a positive correlation.

Exploring absenteeism in university meetings: lessons from School B at a public university in Zambia

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:10:56 +0000

This study explored the implications of growing trends of absenteeism in meetings with reference to a selected School (School B) at one of the public university in Zambia. The objectives of the study were to examine the attendance levels of meetings in the selected School of the public university, describe the possible reasons for members not attending meetings in the School, analyse the implications of absenteeism to meetings and to examine strategies of handling virtual and physical meetings in order to reduce absenteeism in the selected School and the university. This qualitative study used phenomenological research design in order for the researchers to interact with different participants and explore their common experiences on the issue at hand. Data were gathered from documents and unstructured interviews held with 22 participants drawn from the Dean’s office, Departments, lecturers and Professors. Guided by ‘Five theoretical lenses for conceptualizing the role of meetings in organizational life’ theory which focused on how organisations could make meetings effective and achieve their objectives, the study revealed that there was no policy at the univeristy regarding measures to be taken against those who missed meetings without apology and that after the meeting, minutes were rarely shared with members until the next meeting. The study has provided valuable insights and recommendations for the institution’s leaders, and other leaders in Zambia and beyond, to come up with policies and guidelines that might foster the culture of punctuality and efficiency at meeting attendance.

Illuminating insecurity: effects of load-shedding on personal security in Chimwemwe ward, Kitwe, Zambia

Kondwani Chirwa, Rosemary Chilufya — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:22:01 +0000

This paper evaluates the impact of load shedding on personal security in Chimwemwe Ward, Kitwe, Zambia, using Cohen and Felson’s 1979 Routine Activities Theory (RAT). The research explored how frequent load shedding leads to higher levels of criminal activities and affects personal security among the residents. Systematic random sampling led to a sample size of 389 respondents, with data collected through questionnaires, and analysed using SPSS for descriptive statistics. The results indicate that load shedding has a significant effect on personal security; 48.2 % of the respondents indicated that they felt very insecure to walk alone in the dark during load shedding. Again, 58.5 % of the population surveyed felt highly concerned for their safety when staying alone at home during load shedding. The study further found that 10.8% of the victims of crime during load shedding changed their attitude towards life, while a similar percentage engaged in abnormal behaviours due to the crimes perpetrated against them. Despite these concerns, few residents did something to enhance their security, revealing a gap between perceived risk and proactive safety measures. These results highlight the need for expedited development and improvement of the security infrastructure, safety programmes rooted in communities, and more effective mechanisms for the reporting of crime, to mitigate the undesirable effects that load shedding could have as immediate consequences for personal security. Finally, the study makes recommendations for further research on the vulnerabilities of specific populations and considers alternative energy solutions that will contribute to community resilience.

Anthropology in Northern Rhodesia: Zacharia Johan Mawere and Godfrey Wilson at Broken Hill, 1938-1940

Mary Mbewe, Dingase E. Mtonga, Mwaka Siluonde — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:34:39 +0000

In 1993, the anthropologist Roger Sanjek provocatively asserted that there was a “hidden colonialism” in the histories of social anthropology. By this he meant that in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, anthropology historically relied on local assistants, often from colonised or marginalised communities, to gather data and facilitate research in the field. However, he suggested that these assistants were frequently undervalued, exploited, and excluded from the academic recognition and benefits associated with the research they contributed to. Sanjek argued that these dynamics mirrored colonial relationships, where indigenous peoples were often instrumentalised for the benefit of colonial powers without receiving proper acknowledgement or compensation. In the context of anthropology, this dynamic perpetuated power imbalances and reinforced colonialist structures within the discipline itself. Several scholars have shown how anthropologists wrote out indigenous research assistants and informants in their published work. They did this to boost their ethnographic authority. And yet, the field materials such as diaries and field notes of many such anthropologists are breaming with the presence of these indigenous workers, showing their centrality to these knowledge production processes. This is certainly the case with the British anthropologist Godfrey Wilson who conducted pioneering urban anthropological research in Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia between 1938 and 1941. Wilson’s research assistant Zacharia Mawere and a range of African informants did not feature in his published work. Based on in-depth archival research on Godfrey Wilson’s archival materials housed at the African Studies Library of the University of Cape Town, this article examines Zacharia Mawere’s work as Godfrey Wilson’s research assistant at Broken Hill. Mawere not only collected biographic sketches of fellow Africans at Broken Hill, but he also wrote about his siblings and their life histories. These family histories are incomplete not least because the narrations end in 1941 when Wilson left. Nevertheless, they allow us to recover the identity of Mawere and allow us to share his life history as one that needs to be told. In doing this, the article contributes to the growing literature on African research assistants in histories of scientific and anthropological knowledge production in colonial disciplines.

Decolonisation and the Postcolonial Urban Woman in Luangala’s (Luangala, 1991) The Chosen Bud

Mwaka Siluonde, Mary Mbewe — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:43:18 +0000

In this paper, we deconstruct decolonisation discourse set on the idea of returning to pre-colonial culture, particularly the image of women. We contend that such a move inadvertently restricts the image of the urban woman and its decolonisation to a dichotomised rural-urban narrative together with fixed Western universalised feminist notions of the urban woman. We unpack the discussion using postcolonial and Afro-feminist scholars (Adichie, 2017, Tamale, 2020; Mbembe, 2021) who argue that the liberation of African women should be based on context rather than Western feminism or any other fixed narratives. Luangala’s (1991) fictional women in The Chosen Bud assist in deconstructing the rural-urban dichotomy as a way of establishing whether decolonizing the postcolonial urban woman is simply a linear reversal of colonial rural-urban migration. In addition, the chapter explores how urban immigrants such as Esineya and others in the novel identify both with the rural and urban areas. This assists in establishing whether the making of the postcolonial urban woman slavishly mirrors universal Western feminist rural-urban narratives in the context of decolonisation. Analysis of the female characters in The Chosen Bud reveals that there are more complex and contextual ethnic, personal, and socio-economic aspects that have to do with how urban women identify. Furthermore, the choices urban women make about identity have nothing to do with prescribed fixed rural-urban dichotomies or universal feminist entities but with diverse contexts and circumstances. Hence, this paper calls for a decolonisation agenda that engages the case of postcolonial urban women, within the contextual and fluid dialogue on African terms.

Assessing socio-economic factors and use of forest products: profiling land tenure dynamics in the Lunga Luswishi game management area in Mushindamo district, north-western province of Zambia

Nixon Chisonga, Mwape Mwelwa Malunga, Bridget Ngambo Chinyemba — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:58:41 +0000

This study aimed to explore opportunities available to communities in improving their land tenure rights and expand their value from natural resources through agri-culture and forest management. Conceptually, the study framed three key factors: a) understanding the key role of traditional leadership or chiefs in the allocation of re-sources; b) understanding the socio-economic situation, traditions and customs in the face of land reforms; and, c) “immigrant” communities as new owners of land in rural areas, e.g. mine and farm owners. In many respects, this study is a conversation with Karl Marx on global capitalism, commoditization of land and labour, and the associated local struggles over the social consequences of movement from use value to exchange value. The research findings confirmed the contribution of a wider body of knowledge on the role of land tenure and the socio-economic dynamics given the importance of forests in rural household income provision from sale of products and livelihood support through subsistence use of land and forest products. The results show that the use of forest products is associated with individual household socio-economic characteristics and underscores the need to critically understand attributes for better land tenure, forest management, policy and deci-sion-making processes. The policy implication is that Game Management Area (GMA) woodland is an important resource in supporting household needs of rural communities and that practices such as bee keeping and charcoal production cannot be stopped or excluded. Land tenure and forest policies should promote the integra-tion of agricultural utilization practices in land and forest management. The study also reveal that local ecological knowledge systems (cultural and religious belief systems) can significantly contribute to ecological recovery of forest ecosystems.

Facial Recognition-Based Attendance Management System

Nzila Kasamu, Brian Halubanza — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:06:28 +0000

This study focused on the development and implementation of a facial recognition system for automating student attendance tracking. The system is built using Python, Flask, OpenCV, and face recognition libraries, designed to integrate with the university database. Testing revealed high accuracy and efficiency, allowing real-time recognition and attendance recording. The system presents a scalable and reliable solution for educational institutions looking to automate attendance processes.

Effects of biochar and Cosmoroot on growth characteristics and yield of soybeans

Paul Simfukwe, Alinani Singoyi — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:22:52 +0000

In crop production, chemical fertilizers address nutrient deficiencies but excessive use reduces soil fertility by lowering pH and inhibiting root elongation. Biochar and Cosmoroot can be used to improve soil health, plant growth, and yield. Soybeans, vital in Zambia for food, feed, and sustainable farming, were used as a test crop due to their role in boosting the economy and enhancing soil health. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of biochar and Cosmoroot on soybean growth characteristics. The experiment was conducted at Mulungushi University as a pot experiment in a greenhouse using the randomized complete block design layout. The treatments were the control, fertilizer alone, fertilizer + Cosmoroot, fertilizer + biochar and fertilizer + biochar + Cosmoroot. The parameters measured on soybeans were: the shoot height, shoot weight, shoot diameter at the base, taproot length, number of pods, number of flowers, root weight. Analysis of variance was used to compare the means while the least significant difference test at P=0.05 was applied to identify significant differences between pairs of groups. This experiment showed that both Cosmoroot and biochar, when applied alone, were effective in enhancing the growth parameters and yield of soybean. The combination of Cosmoroot and biochar showed a negative interaction, resulting in reduced plant growth and yield. Thus, both biochar and Cosmoroot may be recommended to be applied alone in the production of soybeans.

The unitarism-decentralisation paradox: successes and challenges of decentralisation in Zambia from 1964 to date

Peter Rabson Nguluwe, Musole Siachisa, Sibeso Mulima, Mitulo Silengo — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:36:40 +0000

This paper critically examines how the unitarism-decentralisation paradox has influenced the implementation of decentralisation in Zambia from 1964 to the present. The study is based on secondary research, drawing insights from scholarly literature, including journal articles, books, and research reports. Findings indicate that Zambia’s legal framework creates a contradiction on one hand, it defines the country as a unitary state, while on the other, it promotes a devolved governance system. This duality has led to persistent challenges in implementing decentralisation over the years.The 2016 Constitutional Amendment Act reinforces Zambia’s status as a sovereign, multi-party, and democratic state, maintaining a centralised governance structure. However, Article 147 of the same constitution outlines provisions for a devolved system, enabling local governments to manage political, social, legal, and economic affairs. This contradiction has hindered the effectiveness of decentralisation efforts, preventing local authorities from fully exercising their intended powers. To address this issue, the study recommends transitioning towards a quasi-federal system, where sub-national governments are granted greater autonomy to effectively carry out devolved functions.

Environmental and social risks associated with small scale mining in Kabwe and mitigation measures

Kennedy Chikontwe — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:03:24 +0000

Studies on environmental and social risks associated with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities around Sable Zinc mine, Kabwe, Zambia in 2023 were investigated and mitigation measures suggested. ASM operations were noticed to pose significant threats to land degradation as evidenced by the presence of dungeons and valleys which later became sources of air and water pollution. Increased dust-fallout up to 5000 mg/m³ per day from May-November and a decrease to 2500 mg/m³ per day in December was observed against 500 mg/m³ Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) set limit. The increase and decrease in aforementioned periods could have been due to increase and decrease of mining operations in the period underreview. Though detected Pb and Zn concentrations at pH 7 in almost all areas were below the set limit of 0.5 mg/L and 1 mg/L by ZEMA, respectively, soil contamination was inevitable and this was due to complexation of Pb and Zn nuclear hydroxylate species and quicklime used as a pH modifier resulting from molecular electrostatic potential variations. To mitigate this challenge, interactions of metal species complexes with eco-friendly polysaccharides such as xanthan and guar gums would aid to further cushion this contamination before discharging water into the environment. Further, though the noise pollution was also below 85 dB from various sections, further decrease in noise pollution could be achieved by setting the speed limit for the earth moving machinery and promoting the usage of ear plugs among mining actors. In general, in order to fully mitigate these challenges, strong policies need to be implemented by the government that would while allowing legit operations by these miners, deter anything that would facilitate the aforementioned challenges.