Research articles (Dept of Social Work)http://hdl.handle.net/10311/912024-03-28T11:09:17Z2024-03-28T11:09:17ZBasarwa: genuine targets of empowerment or pawns in a political power game?Lucas, Taolo Boipusohttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/19132019-03-03T00:01:46Z2008-01-01T00:00:00ZBasarwa: genuine targets of empowerment or pawns in a political power game?
Lucas, Taolo Boipuso
Different stakeholders work with Basarwa. Ideally these different stakeholders in the empowerment of the
Basarwa should work together in a mutually symbiotic relationship where each may benefit from one another to meaningfully address the situation of the Basarwa. However, in practice the stakeholders have formed what is referred to in this paper as power blocs that compete with one another for self aggrandizement. The power blocs include government (Politico-Business power bloc), donor agencies, bureaucracies, the judiciary, intellectuals (members of academia), the citizenry and the Basarwa themselves. Instead of empowering the Basarwa, these power blocs are involved in a relentless conflict to achieve greater power for themselves. Manipulation, intrigue, bickering, posturing, tokenism and mere symbolism often characterize the relationship of the various stakeholders. The ultimate result has been failure to empower the Basarwa.
2008-01-01T00:00:00ZJuvenile justice system and Social Work in Botswana: an appraisalLucas, Taolo Boipusohttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/19012019-02-16T00:01:50Z2010-01-01T00:00:00ZJuvenile justice system and Social Work in Botswana: an appraisal
Lucas, Taolo Boipuso
The paper discusses Botswana's juvenile justice system and locates the role of social work within the same
system. The provisions of the Children's Acts of 198land 2009 that established special legal provisions and structures for dealing with juvenile offenders are scrutinized with a view to show how the juvenile justice system seeks to secure the best interest of young offenders. The paper in particular discusses sentencing options for children and young persons who have committed crimes. Particular attention is paid to probation as a sentencing option in Botswana. It shows how the practice of probation interacts with social work practice.
The school of industry which has been established to provide technical and vocational skills to juvenile offenders is also discussed and the role of social work in that institution is explored. The treatment of juveniles committed to prison sentences and their interface with social work is also interrogated. It is the argument of this paper that Botswana's juvenile justice system is profoundly underdeveloped. Structures, infrastructure and services associated with juvenile justice are either inadequate or non-existent. Probation services are provided by untrained personnel; probation mies and regulations are outdated; infrastructure such as attendance centres are not available and juveniles committed to prison sentences are not given specialised care and treatment consistent with their age and level of maturity. It is imperative that Botswana's juvenile justice system is aligned to international juvenile justice instruments that seek to promote the best interest of young persons who are in trouble with the law. As it turns out the 2009 Children's Act falls far short of filling the yawning gap in Botswana's laws relating to children in conflict with the law.
2010-01-01T00:00:00ZHIV/AIDS and home based care in Botswana: panacea or perfidy?Jacques, GloriaStegling, Christinehttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/18982019-02-16T00:02:21Z2004-01-01T00:00:00ZHIV/AIDS and home based care in Botswana: panacea or perfidy?
Jacques, Gloria; Stegling, Christine
The extent of the AIDS pandemic in Africa (and specifically in Botswana), and the lack of institutional frameworks to address concomitant issues, have necessitated the adoption of home based care for sufferers as
national policy. The practice is beset by problems, given the severe symptomatic nature of the disease and the general lack of human and material resources to address the needs of patients and care-givers.
A study of one such programme in the Kweneng District of Botswana highlighted gender imbalances, poverty, lack of appropriate skills, over-involvement of the elderly, deficient specialised facilities, need for
volunteer capacity building, inadequate income generating activities, insufficient counseling services, and culturally determined cognitive processes as areas requiring urgent attention. It is apparent that the
programme needs strengthening through appropriate support mechanisms and that alternative strategies should be devised for those whose circumstances demand them.
2004-01-01T00:00:00ZDrought in Botswana: intervention as fact and paradigmJacques, Gloriahttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/18972019-02-16T00:02:19Z1995-01-01T00:00:00ZDrought in Botswana: intervention as fact and paradigm
Jacques, Gloria
This paper provides an account of the recent history of Botswana in relation to recurrent drought conditions and changing economic circumstances. The effects of drought in Botswana are examined with reference to vulnerable groups and the nature of their susceptibility to this fOrm of natural disaster. An in-depth analysis of Botswana's Drought Relief and Recovery Programmes considers concepts such as income support and investment protection. A review of preventive and palliative measures, which have been introduced in Botswana
attempts to identify effective patterns of response and residual areas of need. The concept of development related drought strategies is considered from the perspective of actual and possible modalities for implementation. Analytical focus is directed to the integration of drought relief and development planning.
The paper's conclusion highlights the benefit of sustainable development for all as opposed to income support for vulnerable groups during typically extended periods of drought in Botswana.
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