Conferences

Mrs Mchombu Co-presented a paper on the 10th March 2011 at ProLISSA Conference in Pretoria. The conference was organised by UNISA

TiTLE

Information seeking behaviour of orphans and vulnerable children, caregivers, and the role of service providers in Ohangwena and Khomas regions in Namibia. A preliminary report.

Chiku Mnubi-Mchombu (University of Namibia)

and

Dennis N. Ocholla

Department of Information Studies, University of Zululand

                 Chiku Mchombu, is a PhD student in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Zululand and a senior documentalist at the Human Rights and Documentation centre, University of Namibia.

                 Dennis N. Ocholla is Professor and Head of the Department of Information Studies as well as Vice Dean Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand

Abstract

One of the main problems in Namibia is how to deal with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), many of whom are left destitute as their parents succumb to HIV/AIDS. This study addresses this issue by examining the information needs of OVC and caregivers and the information seeking strategies of key stakeholders in managing the OVC situation in Namibia. Both qualitative and quantitative- survey research methods were employed in this study. Questionnaires were posted to various service providers who responded to the questions in their own time, while the interview schedule was used for OVC and caregivers and was adjusted to meet their diverse situations. Focus group discussions were also used for caregivers and informants in order to explore and capture data on the respondents’ general attitudes, feelings, beliefs, experiences and reactions, which would not be possible using individual interviews. A total sample of 566 OVC, 70 caregivers, and 19 service providers from both regions took part. Preliminary findings identify largely information access, poverty and resource related problems. The study provides concrete recommendations on how to improve information access and use by the stakeholders that includes, among others, include networking and coordination of activities among the stakeholders involved, provision of information in local languages, registration of organization dealing with OVC, enabling capacity building forums, providing leadership, creating awareness forums and enabling resource support from both government and philanthropists.

COMING SOON

Information Seeking Behaviour of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children's Caregivers in Namibia In Library Review Vol..60 No. 5. 2011 By Ms Chiku Mnubi-Mchombu and Dr. Janneke Mostert

PUBLICATIONS

HRDC Brochure 2009 (WORD File)

THE SADC TRIBUNAL: A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF ITS MANDATE AND ROLE IN REGIONAL INTEGRATION

By Oliver C. Ruppel and Francois-X. Bangamwabo
Monitoring Regional Integration in Southern Africa
Yearbook Volume 8 - 2008

It can be downloaded at:
http://www.kas.de/proj/home/pub/8/1/index.html

Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Namibia

Edited by Nico Horn and Anton Bösl

The independence of Namibia in 1990 was an important landmark on the changing political landscape of Africa. The process towards this independence in itself was a unique and irreversible transformation, resulting in a sovereign democratic nation state. The United Nations played a significant role in the transition period, while the negotiations that led to the final settlement were a really international process, involving the colonial power South Africa, but also Cuba, the Soviet Union and the so-called Eminent Persons Group from Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States.

The Constitution of the new nation is also unique, and is considered to be one of the most modern worldwide. It includes a Bill of Rights, which is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and protects all the basic civil and political rights. A democratic constitution was, and is not, a totally new invention in Africa. However, what makes the Namibian case exceptional is that, for the past 18 years, Namibia has maintained a working democracy, based on the rule of law and human rights principles.

This publication focuses on major aspects and the current condition of the management of the rule of law and the observance of basic human rights in Namibia, and attempts to critically analyse the successes and failures.

Download Per Chapter:

• Frontpage
• Table of Content
• Contributers
• Foreword
• List of abbreviations
• Introduction: Nico Horn and Anton Bösl
• The rule of law in Namibia: Sam K Amoo and Isabella Skeffers
• The constitutional jurisprudential development in Namibia since 1985: Sam K Amoo
• Traditional governance and African customary law: Comparative observations from a Namibian perspective: Manfred O Hinz
• The justiciability of social, economic and cultural rights in Namibia and the role of the non-governmental organisations: John Nakuta
• Third-generation human rights and the protection of the environment in Namibia: Oliver C Ruppel
• The protection and promotion of human rights in Namibia: The constitutional mandate of the Ombudsman: John Walters
• The Human Rights and Documentation Centre at UNAM: Oliver C Ruppel
• International human rights norms and standards: The development of Namibian case and statutory law: Nico Horn
• The implementation of international and regional human rights instruments in the Namibian legal framework: Francois-Xavier Bangamwabo
• The universality of human rights: Challenges for Namibia: Salome M Chomba
• The rule of law in sub-Saharan Africa – An overview: Peter Shivute
• Appendix
• The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia

Click here download above chapters in pdf format

CONDITIONS OF POLICE CELLS IN NAMIBIA

by Oliver C Ruppel & Angelique L Groenewaldt,
Human Rights and Documentation Centre (HRDC), Faculty of Law
University of Namibia

BIODIVERSITY AND THE ANCESTORS: CHALLENGES TO CUSTOMARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW - CASE STUDIES FROM NAMIBIA

EDITED BY MANFRED O. HINZ AND OLIVER C. RUPPEL

Biodiversity and the Ancestors intends to span an arc between legislative efforts on global, regional, national and local levels and traditional ways of maintaining the environment and its biodiversity. On the one hand, the book serves as a guide to the broad range of provisions directly and indirectly relating to the protection of biological diversity. On the other hand, the case studies provide a unique insight into the practices, customs and customary laws of people living in traditional settings and from various communities throughout Namibia. The publication is a source of information and provides guidance for lawyers, anthropologists, students, policymakers and all those members of the public interested in environmental concerns, biodiversity conservation and traditional customs in Namibia. It covers a broad variety of topics that include the protection of land, grass, medicinal plants, fish, and trees.

The editors
Manfred O. Hinz is a Professor at the University of Bremen and the University of Namibia, specialising in public law, jurisprudence and political and legal anthropology. He is holder of the UNESCO Chair: Human Rights and Democracy at the Human Rights and Documentation Centre (HRDC) of the Faculty of Law at the University of Namibia.

Oliver C. Ruppel is the Director of the Human Rights and Documentation Centre (HRDC) and lectures at the University of Namibia’s Faculty of Law. His legal specialisation lies particularly in the field of public international law with a special emphasis on the interrelationship between international trade, human rights and the protection of the environment.

The Independence of the Judiciary in Namibia

Edited by Nico Horn and Anton Bösl

(2008) Independence of the judiciary is an important paradigm and a loaded phrase. It stems from the doctrine of the separation of state powers into three branches, namely the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

Having state power divided into three distinct branches implies a meaningful division of labour and, more importantly, a mechanism of power control through checks and balances is in place to prevent absolutist and totalitarian regimes. Legal theorists and practitioners are in agreement that an independent judiciary is the foundation of the rule of law, and an important and indispensable building block - or even cornerstone - of a justice and democratic state.

This book takes the importance of an independent judiciary as a given, and does not intend to defend or debate the issue. Rather, cognisance is taken of the constitutional and other relevant statuary provisions to ensure an independent judiciary in Namibia. The commendable pioneering work of the Namibian judiciary in protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Namibian people is also recognised. Experiences in other countries in all parts of the world have shown that a good legal framework and an honourable bench are a necessary but not sufficient condition for an independent judiciary.

There are heterogeneous factors that can have an effect on such independence, including historically or culturally inherited practices, the socio-economic and ethnic contexts of judicial officers, as well as the procedure of appointment and tenure of office of those that are tasked with upholding the law. It is important to be critical of the status quo at all times in order to guard against potential dangers that threaten the judiciary's independence in the long term. Too many respected judiciaries have sunk into mediocrity because their independence was eroded over time. Thus, respect for the Namibian judiciary - as amply illustrated in this volume - demands that we take a strong stand against anything that might compromise its independence. This book is meant to challenge our thinking, expand our understanding, and consolidate our commitment to the independence of the judiciary in Namibia.

Women and Custom in Namibia: Cultural Practice versus Gender Equality?

By Oliver C. Ruppel (Ed)

This publication brings together various articles that shed light from different angles on the relationship between customary law and practice, and the concept of human rights and gender equality.

The insights into customs that are of specific relevance for the role and status accorded to women – such as polygyny, lobola, and rules of inheritance – and which are still a living reality in many traditional communities in Namibia, provide the basis for legal and socio-economic considerations. These legal considerations address the gap between customary and statutory law in Namibia, recent relevant developments in the process of law reform, and judicial reflections on women and custom in Namibia. The presentation of various research findings reflects that education and the promotion of women’s rights still has to be put very high on the agenda in order to actually achieve the constitutionally guaranteed equality between women and men. For this purpose, the publication gives a short introduction into the existing legal framework in terms of women and custom in Namibia.

The publication of these articles intends to promote a discourse and offer inspiration to the various stakeholders in the legal fraternity, academia, government, traditional authorities, civil society, and the ‘enlightened’ citizen (male and female) at large, to promote and secure the protection of women’s rights and gender equality, and – wherever possible – preserve valuable cultural practices at the same time.

Human Rights in Africa

STUDENTS’ REPORT ON THE 17TH ALL AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT COURT COMPETITION

Held by the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa30 June – 5 July 2008

Mrs Chiku Mnubi Mchombu

Mrs Chiku Mnubi Mchombu has a Masters in Library and Information studies from University of Botswana. In addition, she has a Degree in Social Sciences majoring in Accounting and Public Administration from the University of Botswana. Furthermore, she has a Diploma and Certificate in Library studies. Other certificates includes: Certificates on Human Rights program; and Gender in Development.

She is teaching on part-time basis courses on Special Libraries and Documentation Centre, Collection Development and Basic Information Science in the Information Studies Department, University of Namibia.

Some of her achievements are setting up documentation Centers like Botswana Ministry of Finance, Central Statistics Office in Gaborone, UNICEF- Gaborone, Botswana and Human Rights and Documentation Centre.

Areas of interest includes:1) information provision on HIV/AIDS; 2) Orphans and Vulnerable Children and 3) Information and Human Rights.

Publications include:

• Mchombu, Chiku (2009) Access to Information by Orphans and other Vulnerable Children. In Children’s rights in Namibia. Edited by Oliver  C.Ruppel. Windhoek: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung ,p363- 374

• Mchombu, C. M, Mostert Janneke and Ocholla Dennis (2009) Information Needs and Information-seeking Behavior of Orphans and Vulnerable Children and their Caregivers in Okahandja, Namibia. In African Journal of Libraries, Archives & Information Science. Vol.19 No. 1 p39-52

• Mchombu, C M and Mchombu K J (2008) “Overview and Information Issues Concerning the HIV/AIDS Situation in Africa”. In Global Scenerio on HIV and AIDS: is there a way out? Edited by V.V Ramani and Naveen Kumar, Hyderabad: The Icfai University Press,  p12-34

  Mchombu, C M and Mchombu K J (2007) Overview and Information Issues Concerning the HIV/AIDS Situation in Africa. Paper was Co presented at the World Library Congress and Information Congress which took place in Durban, South Africa on 21st August 2007

• Mchombu, C M (2006) The Role of Traditional/Community Leaders in Assisting Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Namibia In Librarianship as a Bridge to an Information and Knowledge Society in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. By Tanzania Library Association, p.533-546

• Mchombu, C M (2006) A Comparison of Customary Law Programs in Southern African Universities In The Shade of New Leaves Governance in Traditional Authority: a southern African perspective. By M. Hinz and H.Patemann. Berlin: Lit Verlag p.429-438

• Mchombu, C. M  (2005) Traditional Leaders Urged to Care for OVC  In the New Era, 28th April 2005  Vol. 10 N0 177 p.5

• Mchombu, C. M (2004) Library Unit Operations  In  Sharing Knowledge for community Development and Transformation: a handbook. By K. Mchombu. Ottawa: Oxfam, 2nd.ed November 2004 p.153-162

• Mchombu, C.M (2004) HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in Namibia. Pretoria: Centre for the Study of AIDS and the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria.

• Mchombu, C.M (2004) Traditional Leaders Urged to Fight  HIV/AIDS. InThe Caprivi Vision : Watching the Nation Vol. 2 No 8  10 May – 10 June 2004 p.2

• Mchombu, C.M’, Hinz M.O and Horn, N (2003)  The Human Face in the Globalizing World 1993 –2003 : Human Rights and Documentation Centre. Windhoek ; University of Namibia

• Mchombu, C.M  et al.  (2002) Different forms of Discrimination Suffered by People with HIV/AIDS; Women Living with HIV/AIDS; and The Rights of People living with HIV/AIDS In Impact of HIV/AIDS In Communities  (Unpublished)

• Mchombu, C. M. (2000) Information Needs of Women in Small Businesses in Botswana. In International Information & Library Review Vo.32, p39-67

• Mchombu, C. M. (1996) Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Women in Small Businesses in Botswana. MA Dissertation (Unpublished)

Reports from the United Nations

The following are reports taken from United Nations web site which touch on human rights issues.

• International covenant on civil and political rights, CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 40 OF THE COVENANT,Initial report, NAMIBIA*

• Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee : Namibia. 30/07/2004, from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights