Higher Education Institutions (HEI) play a significant role to unite diverse stakeholders and carry out planned learning activities that can promote change on both a personal and social level. Transformational research is dependent on the presence of an engaging and valuable problem that participants can make significant contributions in a collaborative manner across disciplines. Transformative learning process facilitates the integration of knowledge across several perspectives. This article explores the dynamic intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability through the lens of a transformative action research approach in one's teaching practice. A qualitative action research approach is adopted. This research aims to enhance Sustainable Entrepreneurship (SE) as a facilitator at the University and also synthesize insights from lived experiences in Finland, Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa. This article advocates for a transformative paradigm shift, to drive meaningful impact, foster resilience, and catalyse positive change in the pursuit of navigating entrepreneurial sustainable business practices as a facilitator.

In Southern Africa, historic mining and mineral processing of base metal deposits have almost exclusively focussed on the extraction of major metals, leading to the loss of remaining valuable raw materials into tailings dumps and waste rock piles. At the Namib Pb-Zn mine (Erongo Region, Namibia), historic base metal tailings deposits are present as unreclaimed exposed waste piles. The tailings comprise silt- (fraction A: d50 = 25 to 48 μm) to sand-sized (fraction B: d50 = 86 to 185 μm; fraction C: d5o = 210 to 230 μm) material and contain major concentrations of base metals (Pb av. 1.15 mass%, Zn av. 3.20 mass%), S (av. 9.95 mass%), as well as lower values of other metals (Cu av. 490 μg/g, Cd av. 133 μg/g, Ag av. 22 μg/g), and critical elements like Sb (av. 14.7 μg/g) and In (14.3 μg/g). Former mineral processing only targeted the extraction of galena and sphalerite. As a consequence, qualitative mineralogical composition of the tailings is similar to that of the primary ore. Ca-Fe-Mg(-Mn) carbonates, quartz, micas, chlorite, minor graphite, magnetite, and rare parisite relate to the former host rock and gangue matrix, whereas Fe-rich sphalerite, galena, magnetite, pyrite with minor pyrrhotite, rare arsenopyrite, marcasite, cassiterite, and accessory scheelite are original constituents of the primary ore. Reprocessing of such a material would be challenging, but a mixed Pb-Zn concentrate enriched in Cd and Ag might be obtained. In future, possible reprocessing of Namib tailings and associated disposal of wastes into an appropriately designed repository would not only generate valuable metal commodities, but such activities would also eliminate a major metal pollution source from the local environment.

Reprocessing of historic gold tailings is a common activity in South Africa, while base metal tailings offer similar reprocessing potential. The historic base metal tailings of the Namib Pb-Zn mine (Erongo Region, Namibia) still contain valuable resources of Pb and Zn in carbonate-rich matter. Micro-analysis of primary ore minerals identifies some galena as argentiferous and sphalerite as the principal host of Cd. This study demonstrates that knowledge of primary ore mineralogy helps to reveal the hosts of valuable commodities (Ag, Cd) and that field-portable X-ray fluorescence tools allow precise and accurate determinations of major and minor elements like Zn and Cd in such carbonate-rich material. Although there are limitations to directly determine the contents of certain element (i.e., As, Sb, In), linear correlations allow prediction of the likely abundance of these elements. Providing that the inter-mineral and inter-element relations are understood and there is consistency in sampling and analytical methodology, portable X-ray fluorescence analysis is an effective method to evaluate the chemical characteristics of base metal tailings for a range of major and trace elements.

The aim of this study was to determine the orthodontic treatment needs of a population of 12-15 year old school children and to express it as percentages of those subjective and objective orthodontic treatment need over the whole sample population. There has been a disagreement between normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment. This is especially true in an African setting. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the orthodontic treatment needs of a population of 12-15-year-old children attending a school in Khomas, Namibia. The Modified Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), using the Dental Health Component (DHC) and the Aesthetic Component (AC), was used to determine the normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment respectively. One hundred and two participants were examined, of which 36.2% were males and 63.7 % were female. The normative need as measured by the DHC was 59.8%. The subjective need was 17.7% and 31.4% as measured by the Child-rated AC (CRAC) and Examiner-rated AC (ERAC) respectively. There were no significant associations between Orthodontic treatment need and gender or age. Although there was a minimal subjective need for orthodontic treatment, there was a relatively high normative need for orthodontic treatment recorded by the researcher. The association between DHC and CRAC revealed that 88.8% of the children shown to have normative need also perceived need according to the CRAC. Of the 70 children with no need for treatment according to Examiner, 91.4% of the children agreed. In assessing orthodontic treatment need, the normative need was higher than the perceived need. This discrepancy could be due to the IOTN tool not being Afrocentric and thus overestimating the treatment needs of children. The expert's objective assessment may not always agree with the child's perception of the problem, especially in an African setting.

The Groot Aub (GA) settlement depends entirely on groundwater for domestic purposes and other development activities. Development activities are mainly agriculture, such as animal husbandry, chicken farming and crop farming using irrigation. However, these activities have the potential to contaminate the groundwater system. A total of 87 groundwater samples were collected from the boreholes in the study area during the dry and wet season. Water quality parameters (pH, salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and hydrochemistry (Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+, and HCO3- > SO4(2-) > Cl-) of 5 boreholes and 1 reservoir tank were analysed. The dominant cations were attributed to cation exchange processes as a coupled exchange of Na+ + K+ replacing Ca2+; and Na+ replacing Mg²+ ions in the rock-water interactions. The HCO3- anion is attributed to underlying rich carbonate rocks in the study area and chemical reactions between groundwater and silicate minerals. TDS ranged from 639.01 to 1 998.96 mg/L. The microbial levels as indicated by heterotrophic plate count (HPC) values exceed the limits imposed by the local Namibian and WHO drinking water regulations. The Piper diagrams showed a mixed water type of mainly HCO3- and SO4(2-)anions and Na+ and Ca2+ > Mg2+ cations. The study shows that the elemental composition of the groundwater is impacted significantly by primarily anthropogenic activities and secondarily geogenic processes. Based on the results of this study it is recommended that a buffer zone be created between human activities and production boreholes to avoid further groundwater contamination.

Overloading of heavy vehicles reduces pavement life and increases pavement life cycle costs. As part of Namibia's strategy to control heavy vehicle overloading on the road network, weighbridge facilities have been constructed at strategic locations on primary routes (trunk roads). The study analysed the extent of heavy vehicle overloading on Namibian trunk roads, as well as the effectiveness of existing overloading mitigation measures. The dataset comprised heavy vehicle loading information from the year 2015 to 2019, from ten static weighbridge facilities. The parameters investigated include overloading magnitude, the effect of overloading on road pavement life, and the effectiveness of current overload mitigation measures. The results showed that 13.3% of the vehicles weighed were overloaded, with a compounded decrease in overloading of approximately 0.5% per annum. Despite the overloading decrease, the study found that the estimated road service life was reduced by as much as nine years over the study period. High levels of weighbridge avoidance and poor stakeholder coordination in mitigating overloading were identified. The study recommends deploying high-speed weigh-in-motion systems, an increase in fines charged for overloading offenses, and developing a demerit point-based system for habitual offenders to strengthen mitigation measures.

Namibia has adopted several policies, pieces of legislation and programmes aimed at improving the well-being of children. However, the Namibian National Policy on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) of 2004 no longer adequately reflects the contemporary problems faced by vulnerable children. Policy makers require a comprehensive and integrated set of indicators to inform policy revision to make informed choices. This article reviewed national and international child protection reports, evaluation studies and indices to identify contemporary indicators for tracking child well-being in Namibia. It found that while the available indicators reflect objective well-being measures, there is a gap in tracking the subjective experiences of children, child safety and the promotion of children's rights. The article offers an alternative integrated indicator framework that captures multiple dimensions of child well-being. Adoption of this framework can enable policy makers to make more informed decisions to support vulnerable children.

In the historical and current transformation discourses in South Africa and Namibia, the concept of decolonisation is no longer a mere abstract concept. Decolonisation is now a fundamental policy and regulatory imperative that is heavily centred on, among other things, the land question and debates around the historical as well as present-day use of indigenous cheap and unskilled labour in underpaid sectors of industry -particularly the mining sector. During the colonial era, as the mining industries in South Africa and Namibia expanded, a substantial number of migrant labourers and local workers entered the mines. To safeguard these mineworkers' legal rights, labour laws were passed. Despite the implementation of such labour laws, regular strikes were a feature of the mining industries in South Africa and Namibia at the time. In the post-colonial dispensation, the South African mining industry has been characterised by numerous strike actions, while in Namibia, widespread dissatisfaction with working conditions has been noted. This raises the question of whether or not South Africa and Namibia have made progress in defending mineworkers' labour rights. This question is critical when viewed through the lens of a post-colonial society governed by a constitutionalised labour law framework. While there has arguably been a noticeable improvement in mineworkers' employment conditions, labour-related inequities continue to characterise the mining industries in South Africa and Namibia in the post-colonial era. Profiteering, capitalism, safeguarding the security of tenure of foreign mining corporations, and the persistent need to ensure the ease of doing business in the mining sector appear to take precedence over defending mineworkers' rights. Thus, this article explores the labour rights discourse developed by South African and Namibian mineworkers, as well as the applicable labour legislation. A strong case is made for reconsidering the extent to which South African and Namibian labour laws have been decolonised. This is done in a manner that is attentive to investment security and sustainable growth of the mining sector in the two countries as well as the realisation of African mineworkers' fundamental labour rights.

In the Namibian context, the Legal Practitioners' Fidelity Fund is created by statute, and is administered by a board of control known as the Legal Practitioners' Fidelity Fund Board of Control.¹ In terms of the law, the Board of Control (the Board) has the mandate to invest moneys of the fund from time to time if, in the opinion of the Board, such funds are not immediately required for other purposes.² Market failures are continuously experienced globally, and may lead to failed investments. This reality requires investors to take proper steps to ensure that their investments are sound. The soundness of an investment rests in the possibility of increasing investment returns and reducing possible risk of investment failure. The Legal Practitioners Act does not provide any steps to follow to guard against the failure of fidelity fund investments. The Act also fails to indicate the extent to which the Board or any other person may be held accountable for failed investments. The Rules of the Law Society of Namibia are equally silent on this matter. This article seeks to investigate the extent to which the Board may be held liable for any failed investments. The article also attempts to establish various steps that should be followed by the Board to prevent or avoid the failure of fidelity fund investments.

Because of its air superiority during the counter-insurgency conflict against the South West Africa People's Organisation the South African Air Force had neglected to build up modern air and counter-air defences. When Soviet air defence systems were deployed in Angola in the 1980s, South Africa was forced to reconsider their tactics and responses to the war. The Soviet systems included early warning networks, surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns to cover troops advancing in the field, and fighter aircraft. The South Africans watched the build-up in the region with concern, viewing it as the precursor to offensive action, given Soviet air defence doctrine. While this build-up was also observed in the neighbouring Southern African countries and had the appearance of a purely defensive stance, given Soviet air defence doctrine, South Africa viewed this as the first steps to offensive actions in Angola and possibly Namibia (then South West Africa) and the start of a dangerous escalation in the military situation. In response, the SADF adopted a strong defensive stance and improved its own air defence capabilities to ensure that it was not outclassed. The South African Air Force also introduced new tactics. These included the introduction of toss-bombing, making greater use of precision-guided missiles and bombs, and investing more in research in terms of missiles and new technology for their aircraft.

Die volhoubaarheid van klein- en mediumgrootte kontrakteurs (SMC's) is noodsaaklik met inagneming van die kritieke rol wat hulle in sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling wêreldwyd speel. SMC's in Namibië worstel deur die jare deurlopend omdat hulle misluk, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan robuuste beleidsraamwerke om SMC-ontwikkeling en volhoubaarheid in die land te rig. Hierdie studie ondersoek die kritieke suksesfaktore (GSF's) vir SMC's se volhoubaarheid in Namibië. Deur 'n kwalitatiewe benadering te gebruik, is data ingesamel van 60 doelbewus geselekteerde konstruksiebedryfdeelnemers, bestaande uit eienaar-bestuurders van kontrakterende firmas, beleidmakers en konstruksie professionele konsultante. Onderhoude is met die deelnemers gevoer deur gebruik te maak van 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudsinstrument. Data is ontleed met behulp van refleksiewe tematiese analise. Die bevindinge het ses GSF's aan die lig gebring wat insluit die openbare en private instellings se samewerkende ondersteuning, vaardigheidsopleiding, 'n bemagtigende konstruksie-besigheidsomgewing, toegang tot voldoende en bekostigbare finansiering, konsekwente werksgeleenthede en firma eienaar se entrepreneuriese vaardighede. Die geïdentifiseerde CSF's is gebruik vir die ontwikkeling van 'n raamwerk vir die rigtinggewing van die ontwikkeling van SMC's in Namibië. Deur die ses CSF-faktore in die raamwerk in te sluit, kan SMC's effektief ontwikkel en volgehou word. Die raamwerk kan beleidmakers help om fundamentele beleidshervormings te maak en toepaslike en konteksspesifieke intervensies te ontwikkel om SMC's in Namibië en soortgelyke kontekste in stand te hou.

The sustainability of small and medium-sized contractors (SMCs) is vital, considering the critical role they play in socio-economic development globally. SMCs in Namibia have been consistently grappling with high failure rates over the years, largely due to a dearth of robust policy frameworks to guide SMC development and sustainability in the country. This study investigates the critical success factors (CSFs) for SMCs' sustainability in Namibia. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from 60 purposively selected construction industry participants, comprising owner-managers of contracting firms, policymakers, and construction professional consultants. Interviews were conducted with the participants, using a semi-structured interview tool. Data were then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed six CSFs, including public and private institutions' collaborative support, skills training, an enabling construction business environment, access to adequate and affordable finance, consistent work opportunities, and firm owner's entrepreneurial skills. The identified CSFs culminated in the development of a framework for guiding the development of SMCs in Namibia. By incorporating the six CSFs in the framework, SMCs could be effectively developed and sustained. The framework may assist policymakers in making fundamental policy reforms and developing appropriate and context-specific interventions to sustain SMCs in Namibia and similar contexts.

The master narrative of Apartheid South Africa created a specific identity for white boys and men and, together with this identity, a very particular role and place within the South African context. This identity was exemplified in the men who were conscripted into the military from 1967 until 1994, and who participated in operations on the border regions of Namibia and Angola as well as within local townships in the war of liberation against apartheid and minority rule. Many veterans have been left grappling not only with the traumas associated with combat but also with the loss of their identities as war heroes in a country under changed political control. As a result, many of their personal stories and experiences of combat have been silenced by society at large and also, to varying degrees, within their own families, the Church, and among the younger generation who have grown up under a different dispensation. The conflict between vacillating narratives of villains who fought on the wrong side of history and victims of a closed socialisation system has supported the identity struggle faced by many veterans today. Against this backstory, this article explores the effects of storytelling as a trauma release using a narrative approach. CONTRIBUTION: This article offers a contribution to the use of storytelling in pastoral conversations as a trauma release for untold stories. This insight links to the focus and scope of the journal as a pastoral narrative approach has been used under the umbrella of Practical Theology.

An effective institutional coordination and communication are essential determinants of community disaster resilience capacities and successful execution of disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. Several international agreements endorse adopting consolidated, decentralised, participatory approaches to manage hydrometeorological hazards. Yet, the capacity of local governments to develop and implement effective disaster risk reduction strategies remains inconsistent and relatively unknown. In its quest to achieve sustainable economic development, Namibia has developed a DRR legislative framework and enlisted a central body to execute the strategic policy for disaster disruption mitigation and national resilience building. This study adopts a qualitative case study approach to assess the role of the central disaster risk management institution in establishing effective institutional coordination and communication structures for successful flood early warning system operations. Based on its legislative mandate, the study presents a hierarchically contextualised account of the institutions' empirical progress in DRR streamlining. CONTRIBUTION: The study identifies bureaucracy, limited institutional capacities, inadequate funding and response and relief prioritisation as major challenges to system efficacy. It provides directives for better institutional coordination and communication to reduce future harm.

BACKGROUND: Robust results-based monitoring and evaluation (M) systems allow government to track the progress and impact of development programmes. This article focused on the current M system as adopted for the Child Support Grant (CSG) programme of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) in Namibia. OBJECTIVES: The article examined whether the adopted M processes and arrangements for the MGEPESW sufficiently track the outcomes for beneficiaries of the CSG programme to enable strategic decisions by the MGEPESW. METHOD: A desktop review of available literature on M systems was complemented by a review of strategic reports and programme documentation of the MGEPESW that sets out the current M arrangements. Further interviews with senior, middle and programme managers responsible for the implementation of the CSG programme assessed the suitability and gaps of these arrangements as well as the proposed recommendations to strengthen the existing M arrangements. RESULTS: The research found several gaps in current practice that hinders the MGEPESW and decision-makers in assessing the outcomes for child beneficiaries. CONCLUSION: Recommendations were offered to improve the current M system to better track the outcomes of the CSG programme. This included a refined theory of change, revised indicators and strengthened institutional arrangements. CONTRIBUTION: The improved results-based M system for the MGEPESW offers a comparative base for the implementation of results-based M systems for child-focused cash transfer programmes in similar contexts.

BACKGROUND: In today's interconnected global economy, logistics and supply chain management are pivotal in facilitating the movement of goods and services across regions. Supply chains have become increasingly complex, involving multiple stakeholders, diverse transportation modes, and intricate global networks. The efficient management of these supply chains has emerged as a critical determinant of competitiveness and economic growth for businesses and nations. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to analyse the level of intermodal connectivity and how it enhances the functionality of a regional logistics hub using Namibia as a case study. METHOD: The research study adopted a mixed-method design, collecting data through interviews, questionnaires, and documentary analysis to examine intermodal connectivity and its impact on the functionality of the Namibian regional logistics hub RESULTS: The study's key findings reveal a fragmented railway system and a significant reliance on road transportation within the Namibian transport system. The level of intermodality is found to be low, indicating limited connectivity and integration between different modes of transport in Namibia. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the need to address the fragmentation within the railway system, reduce the heavy reliance on road transportation, and improve intermodal connectivity to enhance the functionality and efficiency of the Namibian transport system CONTRIBUTION: This research contributes to the existing knowledge of transportation and logistics hubs within the Namibian context. By exploring the role of intermodal connectivity, the study builds upon the theoretical frameworks of transport geography, logistics management, and infrastructure planning.