FACULTY OF COMMERCE,
MANAGEMENT & LAW
DISTANCE MODE ASSIGNMENT
LETTER
Old and New Curriculum
Academic Year 2024
Semester (2)
[L3512BA African Indigenous Law]
A MUST, TO READ THE ENTIRE
DOCUMENT
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
ACCOUNTING, ECONOMIC & MANAGEMENT
SCIENCES
ASSIGNMENT ADMINISTRATION
CORE CALENDAR FOR DISTANCE AND ONLINE COURSES – 2024
SEMESTER 2
MONTH DATES ACTIVITIES Schools
Creation of Moodle courses for Distance and Online mode
July
22 July Semester 2 Lectures Commences
September FIRST ASSESSMENT: 2nd SEMESTER MODULES
09 September Due date: 01st Assessment of 2nd Semester Modules Only School of Accounting, School of Business
10-12 September Grace Period for assessment submission/ completion Management, Governance & Economics
School of Law
MAKE-UP/ COMPENSATORY ASSESSMENT 1: 2nd SEMESTER MODULES
October
11 October 2024 Make-up assessment due date: 1st Assessment School of Accounting, School of Business
– Only applicable if you score 1-39% in Assignment 1. Management, Governance & Economics
Take note that a new assessment (test or assignment) is School of Law
to be submitted.
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
SECOND ASSESSMENT: 2nd SEMESTER MODULES
September/ 30 September 2024 Due date: 02nd Assessment of 2nd Semester Modules Only School of Accounting, School of Business
October 1 to 3 October Grace Period for assessment submission/ completion Management, Governance & Economics
School of Law
MAKE-UP/ COMPENSATORY ASSESSMENT 2: 1st SEMESTER MODULES
11 October 2024 Make-up assessment due date: 2nd Assessment School of Accounting, School of Business
– Only applicable if you score 1-39% in Assignment 2. Management, Governance & Economics
Take note that a new assessment (test or assignment) is School of Law
to be submitted.
18 October 2024 Lectures end for First Semester
17 October 2024 Release of CA Marks All Schools
23 October 2024 Semester 2 First opportunity Examinations commence
For modules that will have online tests, all information shall be communicated well in advance. Kindly take note that some modules might
have 3 to 4 assessments. E.g.
2 assignments and 1 to 2 online tests. All necessary information will be shared timely.
Good luck!
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
2024 Distance Mode Assignments
[ L3512BA African Indigenous Law]
Dear Student,
Welcome to the University of Namibia. We are confident that your studies and hard work will be
rewarded with success. We kindly advise that you obtain all the relevant information and booklets
available for distance students from your Moodle platform (including the 2023 Student Information
Letter, Online Assignment Submission Guide and other documents). These documents will
provide guidance on how to approach your studies and will guide you through your study materials as
well as providing useful administrative information in submitting assignments.
1. Study materials
Your study guide is essentially your “teacher/lecturer”. However, in addition, you are required to visit
the library to consult prescribed books and recommended readings that are indicated in the study guide
as well as browse the Internet in general. You are also responsible to purchase any prescribed
textbooks required for your respective courses/modules. Furthermore, you are strongly advised to
follow the guidelines in the Online Assignment Submission Guide available on Moodle.
2. Collaborative Learning
Unam avails all your modules through Moodle, enabling you to interact with your fellow students online
through forum discussions and chats. You can use the same platform to engage with your lecturers and
tutors regarding academic support. Please take advantage of Moodle to avoid isolation and strengthen
your interaction with colleagues, ask for help, and share/receive resources to aid your learning process.
See below how to access forum discussions on Moodle:
Figure 1: Forums in courses
3. Submission of assignments
It is very important to complete and submit a clean, clear and well-argued assignment for marking. Make
sure that you have understood the questions in order to answer them correctly. It is your responsibility
to make sure that every page of the completed assignment is correctly numbered before submitting
your assignment.
As from 2017, ALL assignments are submitted through the Moodle Learning Management
System. This is an online platform where you will access all your modules and related information such
as course outlines, course notes and other learning materials that your lecturer/tutor may choose to
share with you. Moodle is accessible here: http://elearning.unam.edu.na. You should complete and
submit all assignments on or before the given due date in the assignment letter if you wish to obtain
your CA marks and qualify for examinations. UNAM always updates its assignment covers on an annual
and semester basis. Please ensure that you have used the latest assignment cover. The latest
assignment cover is availed on each course on Moodle.
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
A user guide is available on how to submit your assignment in each module on the Distance Education
Common Space and you can access it on the Online Support system. Pay close attention to the
following key points listed at the beginning of the guide on:
3.1 How you would know when you have successfully submitted your
assignment: that is when the submission status shows “Submitted for grading”
Figure 2: Assignment submission status
MAKE SURE THE SYSTEM GIVES YOU A CONFIRMATION OF SUBMISSION by the
submission status shown as "Submitted for grading" when done. If that status is NOT
displayed when done, IT DOES NOT COUNT AS A SUBMISSION.
3.2 Errors to avoid when submitting your assignment (committing these errors may
result in you failing to submit your assignments and therefore potentially failing your
course)
a. You are submitting on the correct Module/Course
b. You have selected and uploaded the correct Assignment document from your
computer
c. You are submitting the correct Assignment number for the respective activity (i.e.
Assignment 1, 2, etc.)
3.3 How to check the assessment feedback when your assignment has been graded.
4. Due Dates
All assignment due dates for 2022 are published on second page of this assignment letter. With the
shift from manual to online assignment submission since 2017, due dates are automated and non-
negotiable. This means that you would be required to submit your assignments ON or BEFORE the
due date set on your assignment (before 11h55 PM). After the date has passed (i.e. 12h00AM of the
next day) the assignment submission will be disabled, and you would no longer be able to submit
your assignment. Please note that assignment submissions will be open long before the due dates.
Please note that your assignment due dates are on page 2 of this Tutorial Letter. Use this assignment
due dates to set up your calendar tool on your mobile phone or computer to set reminders for yourself
and manage your time. Another way to keep pace with due dates, is by regularly visiting your Timeline
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
of each of your courses on Moodle on the Course Overview. Also download the Moodle mobile app to
access Moodle on your mobile phone or tablet and have access to notifications about due dates at your
fingertips from Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for IOS.
5. Submission of Assignments
Due to challenges with Internet connectivity and speed, large files may take too long to upload, which
is a big risk if you wait until the last minute to submit your assignments. You are therefore strongly
advised NOT to wait until the final hours of the due dates to submit your assignments to avoid
disappointments. You are also advised to ensure that you are in an area with good Internet connectivity
when submitting your assignments. Timely submission of all assignments on or before the given due
date is crucial for the timely grading and processing of your CA marks and determining admission to
exams.
Take note that assignments should never be submitted directly by email or hard copy to
individual tutors or any other staff members of the University of Namibia.
6. Medical and death are the only reasons accepted for the late submission of assignments.
Late submission of assignments will only be approved 7 days (including public holidays and
weekends) after the due date of an assignment. Valid documentary proof must be attached as part of
the assignment before any late submission will be considered. Late submission without valid
documentary proof attached to the assignment will be returned unmarked and may not be resubmitted
for marking. Travelling and attendance of workshops, job related activities and conferences may
not be used as an excuse for the late submission of assignments. All late submission request must be
forwarded to the Student support coordinator for approval.
7. Academic Support
One every Moodle course there is an embedded Academic Support section with materials to assist you
with your writing process (see Figure 3 below). Go through the videos in order to enhance your writing
process and submit better quality assignments.
Figure 3: Academic Support tutorials
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
8. Grace Period
A grace period refers to three (3) additional days added after your assignment due
date. The purpose of this grace period is to provide each student with time to verify
and or to make amendments to assignments already submitted. These changes may
include correcting errors like submitting a file to a wrong module or on a wrong
assignment; submitting a wrong file; losing internet connectivity, etc. An example
would be that a student attempting to submit an assignment and they lose internet
connection would still be able to try again the day after at a different place or when the
connection has been restored.
9. Plagiarism Control
It has been observed that some students copy information from the Internet and paste
into their assignments without acknowledging the sources of the information. This is
called plagiarism. A copy of the Policy on Academic Integrity has been provided to you
on every course on Moodle. Please note that plagiarism which includes copying and
pasting information from the Internet would not be tolerated, shall result in your
assignments declared null and void and graded as a “0”. All assignments submitted
through Moodle would be checked for plagiarism using plagiarism detection software.
You are therefore strongly urged to acknowledge EVERY source that you use for your
assignment by using the appropriate citations and references following the referencing
style prescribed by your lecturers (APA Referencing guides are available freely
online). Find one here: http://www.uofa.edu/docs/apa-documentation.pdf
Any assignment found with high similarity scores or with evidence of clear attempts to
cheat such as submitting an assignment that is not your own would result in a zero (0)
grade.
10. Vacation schools
Attending vacation school is COMPULSORY and the vacation school timetable will be made
available through the UNAM Moodle
11. My UNAM Portal and Moodle
We recommend that you regularly (at least twice a week) access your “My UNAM
Portal” (http://my.unam.edu.na) for your registration status and information, and
Moodle (https://elearning.unam.edu.na ) for your learning and assessment
information.
Also visit the Distance Education Common Space on Moodle where you can find all
necessary information and user manuals related to your distance mode studies and
also engage with other students studying on distance mode. See additional
information under Section 11 below.
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
12. Online Support (Ticketing) System
An online support system is provided where you can report some of the issues that you may experience
regarding your studies. This system is easily accessible from the Moodle LMS system.
Figure 4: Online ticketing system
You can also make use of the Online Support (Ticketing System) for queries to be responded to by
the responsible person within 48 hours. We recommend you use this system for Help Topics or issues
listed on the system rather than email or telephone calls.
13. Online information, Tutorials and Distance Education Common Space
Information and Tutorials are provided in each course on the Moodle Learning
Management System which you should first familiarise yourself once you first access
your courses.
Figure 5: Info-Tutorials on Moodle
Indicated in Figure 4 above, the Distance Student Orientation provides video tutorials on various
activities you would perform such as submitting your assignments, converting your documents into pdf
format, changing your email address, how to check your results when assignments have been graded
and so on.
Updates and information with regard to your studies and related events would be shared in the Distance
Education Common Space which you can access from any course as shown in screenshot below. All
students studying on distance mode are linked this the space where you can collaborate or discuss
general issues.
You will also find the Student Information Letter, your Vacation School Timetable and User Guides in
the Distance Education Common Space.
Figure 6: Distance Education Common Space
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
14. Staff Contact Information
If you study conscientiously, your efforts will be rewarded. Should you need any assistance or
clarification on the module contents, you can reach the relevant staff members at the contact details as
given below:
Tutor:
For Module/Subject content related matters, Mr Libebe 0612064600 elibebe@unam.na
Assignments marks and CA marks queries
Student Support Coordinator:
Assignment due dates, Availability of assignments, Ms. Anna-Marie Murere 0612063729 amurere@unam.na
Unmarked assignments, Vacation schools
Mr Sampson 0612063998 dsampson@unam.na
Faculty officers: Ms Althea Husselmann 0612063775 ahusselmann@unam.na
Admissions Ms Nelago 0612063987 onelago@unam.na
Registration Ms T Nuuyoma 0612063609 tnuuyoma@unam.na
Appeals Ms G Van Wyk 0612063084 gvanwyk@unam.na
Addition of Modules Mr. H Hishongwa (SP) 063 220 2039 hhishongwa@unam.na
Cancellations of Modules Ms. S Shapumba (HP) 064 502 6508 sshapumba@unam.na
Graduation Mr. I Mundumbu (RP) 066 268 6078 imundumbu@unam.na
Ms. R Chata (KP) 066 262 6071 nchata@unam.na
Ms A Felix (PO) 065- 2323042 afelix@unam.na
Ms Josefina Muhama WHK 0612063232 jmuhama@unam.na
Examination Officers:
061-2064881 dgoses@unam.na
Ms Desley Goses (WHK)
For Exam marks and exam timetable, exam
061-2063715 snehoja@unam.na
related matters Ms Stephanie Nehoja (WHK)
All exam officers at respective
campuses assist students of those
campuses
eLearning Administrator: Mr Owen Lisulo 0612063381 olisulo@unam.na
Moodle related queries (technical problems), 0612063000
linking of Modules, etc.
https://elearning.unam.edu.na/sup
Please create an online ticket for any assistance port/open.php
Computer Centre/ IT Helpdesk 061 2063014
Log In/Passwords To reset passwords & for itsupport@unam.na
Team 061 2063041
Logging onto Moodle and Portal
NOTE: For additional information consult the Prospectus and UNAM General Information and
Regulations Prospectus.
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
Serious offence not tolerated at all
Note well: Plagiarism
Plagiarism is “the wrongful appropriation or purloining, and publication as one’s own, of the ideas, or the
expression of the ideas of another” (OED). All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed
or electronic form, is covered under this description.
The Proctors’ Disciplinary Regulations concerning conduct in examinations (see Part 19.4. and 19.5, p. 52) state
that ‘No candidate shall present for an examination as his or her own work any part of the substance of another
person’s work. In any written work (whether thesis, dissertation, essay, coursework, or written examination, or
assignment) passages quoted or closely paraphrased from another person’s work must be identified as quotations
or paraphrases, and the source of the quoted or paraphrased material must be clearly acknowledged.’ In all written
work students must be vigilant in citing the work they have referred to or quoted from (please see further Appendix
D). Examples of plagiarism and detailed advice as to how to avoid it are given on
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/edc/goodpractice/: you are strongly advised to consult this website.
It has been observed that some students merely download information from the Internet, copy verbatim from other
printed sources (including the Study Guide, employ other people to do their assignments for them, or plagiarise
each other’s assignments (either directly, that is, word-to-word, or through a re-arrangement of words or
paragraphs in order to deceive the tutor or marker).
These practices constitute very serious academic offences of academic dishonesty, alternatively, intellectual fraud,
which attract very serious and heavy penalties. Students must desist from such practices. Such students may score
very high marks but invariably perform very poorly in examinations. It is in the interest of such students to
endeavour to exercise their own intellectual faculties, do their own research, and personally do the set assignments.
No hardcopies are allowed, all assignment are to be uploaded through Moodle.
✓ Assignments should be submitted in PDF – only. Kindly save your assignments in PDF format
✓ Make sure that you submit one assignment as one file/document. Do not create and upload
several folders; do not zip the documents. Have 1 one document/file for 1 (ONE) entire
assignment.
✓ Assignments for modules with formulas can be handwritten, scanned in one document and
uploaded on Moodle accordingly.
✓ Make sure you submit a document that is readable and virus free.
✓ Make sure you upload the right file with the relevant assignment content.
✓ After submitting your assignment on Moodle do verify on the file you uploaded. Always try
to submit your assignment few days before the due date, this allows you to double-check
all the nitty-gritties.
NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE TOLERATED. NO LATE submission due to not adhering to the
above advises or guidance WILL BE ACCEPTED nor ENTERTAINED.
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
UNAM
SCHOOL OF LAW
AFRICAN INDIGENOUS LAW
Research Projects
Due date:
To be communicated by Student Support Officer
Guidelines:
• Refer to the relevant laws and cite credible sources.
• Be critical, objective, concise, clear and advance logical legal arguments.
• Do not exceed 10 pages for each project, excluding cover page, table of contents and
references page.
Marking guide and grade allocation:
Structure 10
Content 20
Criticality 10
Referencing 10
Total grade: 50%
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
ASSIGNMENT 1 [50 marks]
Kubu village is located along the Sikunga river in the Zambezi region of Namibia. The area is rich
in wildlife and the local people rely much on the river resources and wildlife for their livelihoods.
Fishing, hunting and livestock farming practices is a common tradition and significant to the
culture and heritage of the people. A few years ago, Kubu village residents approved the
establishment of three River Lodges and a Community Conservancy with the objective of
protecting or conserving wildlife and creating jobs from tourism for the locals.
As the lodges and the conservancy cannot employ everyone, most of the villagers still rely more
on harvesting various foods from the flood plains, river and fishing for their livelihoods. Recently,
the conservancy and lodges have somewhat introduced new rules, regulations and restrictions
especially to fishing in the river. For example, the common fishermen have been prohibited to
fish nearby the lodges and certain parts of the river which are however their traditional fishing
spaces or grounds. Apparently, these spaces must now accommodate tourist activities only. The
local fisherman uses sustainable traditional fishing methods of nets and hooks with lines. They
have indigenous knowledge about appropriate fishing methods, seasons and types of catch.
They often fish for household consumption and to generate a small income by selling a few. The
lodge owners and conservancy fish guards have been constantly chasing the fishers away and
seize their canoes/boats. This state of affairs has many villagers of Kubu unhappy and
complaining. Last week, Mr. Chunga Libebe and Mr. Simataa Libebe, residents of Kubu village,
were arrested for fishing near a certain lodge after a white man operating the lodge called the
authorities for supposedly illegal fishing. Chunga and Simataa are arrested and charged for
illegal fishing or fishing without a licence by the Namibian Police and Fisheries Department for
contravening provisions of the Inland Fisheries Resources Act.
You are a customary law lawyer or expert. In context of the above scenario, research and draft a
legal opinion advising Mr. Chunga Libebe and Mr. Simataa Libebe on the prospects of their case.
Critically examine whether they can successfully raise the exercise of a customary right as a
defence in criminal proceedings against them, more specifically, whether the exercise of a
customary right of access to and use of the river resources rendered their conduct in attempting
to fish in the Sikunga river (which is also part of the conservancy), without a permit, lawful. In
addition, evaluate whether the inland fisheries legislation have extinguished their customary
rights to fishing.
ASSIGNMENT 2
Identify any African indigenous or customary law related issue in your community or any African
country, and do the following:
1. Craft a descriptive title for your research paper.
2. Provide an introduction and background to the issue(s).
3. Identify the main problem giving rise to the issues identified.
4. Propose research objectives or questions you would investigate to address the problem.
5. Identify and justify the methodology you would use to achieve those objectives.
6. Advice or recommend solutions to address the problem identified.
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FACULTY OF COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
OLD AND NEW CURRICULUM MODULES
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