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Corruption is holding us hostage – NNN

Corruption is holding us hostage – NNN

Ester Mbathera Swapo’s presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said corruption is holding the country’s public health facilities hostage. She said this on Sunday in Windhoek at the party's final rally ahead of the 27 November elections where she also acknowledged that there is a challenge with the shortage of medicine in hospitals. “There has not been a problem of money. The problem is the process. A government tender is given to one person. Those who did not get the tender complain justifiably, maybe because we have some people who may administratively do things the wrong way, corruption and this is keeping…
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AU election observer mission arrives in Namibia

AU election observer mission arrives in Namibia

Niël Terblanché The African Union Commission (AUC) has deployed an Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to Namibia in anticipation of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Wednesday. This deployment follows an official invitation from the government and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). According to the AUC’s statement, the invitation and involvement of the continental body is a demonstration of Namibia’s dedication to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. The AUEOM is led by Dr Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira, the former Vice President of Uganda, and consists of 47 observers drawn from a diverse array of African nations,…
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Unemployed graduates urged to vote for Mukwiilongo

Unemployed graduates urged to vote for Mukwiilongo

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF)'s Elias Ndemuweda has urged unemployed graduates to vote for the party’s presidential candidate, Epaphras Mukwiilongo, and other aspiring legislative representatives. Ndemuweda reminded the unemployed graduates of their struggles in a statement over the weekend. ‘’This symbolised that, in an independent Namibia, there are young people who have completed their education but remain unemployed. On that day, we coined the words: ‘They say education is the key, but once you get that key—they change the locks.’ This fact remains true to date,” he said. He added that NEFF’s policy position is the reformation of…
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NDF produces leadership excellence at Command and Staff College

NDF produces leadership excellence at Command and Staff College

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Defence Force’s (NDF) Command and Staff College has reinforced its reputation as the country’s premier military training institution, contributing significantly to national security and fostering regional stability and cooperation. On Friday, 30 senior military officers graduated from the Senior Command and Staff Course 04/2024, which focused on military leadership and strategic preparedness. The event highlighted the institution's commitment to equipping security personnel with skills to address evolving security challenges. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Namibia's President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force, Dr Nangolo Mbumba, commended the graduates, describing their achievement as a milestone in national…
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Namibia’s choice: Stability vs radical change

Namibia’s choice: Stability vs radical change

Johnathan Beukes Given Namibia’s increasing international importance, considering its strategic location, its standing in the region, and its potential newfound oil wealth, the southern African nation’s Presidential and National Assembly elections this week will be watched keenly across the planet. Wednesday’s elections, amidst a rapidly changing political milieu internationally and in Southern Africa. While the focus in recent weeks has hinted at the possible strong-arm tactics or even interference by regional players, Namibians, especially the youth, have been at least urged to vote in their own interest. Currently, new political, ideological, economic, and military alliances are being formed. These are…
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Sieving through the positive effects of AI on media and public relations

Sieving through the positive effects of AI on media and public relations

Adolf Kaure The world has transitioned, and we now find ourselves in the fourth industrial revolution. With this has come a shift in many industries, especially with Artificial Intelligence (AI) coming to the fore. We cannot find out from the fact that these industries include journalism and public relations. With this shift there are several questions which need answers, especially if you happen to be a media practitioner or public relations officer (PRO). Questions like: what does this transition look like and how will the transition to artificial intelligence affect the work of journalists and PROs? More importantly, how does…
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Thousands risk darkness as prepaid electricity meters upgrade deadline looms

Thousands risk darkness as prepaid electricity meters upgrade deadline looms

Niël Terblanché Thousands of electricity consumers risk being left in the dark unless they update their prepaid meters in time for the 24 November deadline for the Token Identifier (TID) rollover. The TID rollover resets prepaid electricity meters to accept new credit tokens. Failure to update the meters before this Sunday will result in electricity distributors’ inability to process payments, leaving households and businesses without power. The looming challenge stems from the nature of the technology underpinning prepaid meters, which rely on a 20-digit token identifier to validate and process credit tokens. The identifier mechanism operates on a 31-year cycle…
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‘I don’t respond to lies’ – Itula

‘I don’t respond to lies’ – Itula

Stefanus Nashama Panduleni Itula, the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), said he has no time to waste responding to fabrications and unsubstantiated allegations. He shared this information with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. “I don't respond to lies, fabrications, and unsubstantiated allegations,” said Itula. This statement follows accusations made by former and founding IPC member Josua “Ketu 2000” Mwetupunga. Mwetupunga claimed that Itula threatened to block his phone number while he was attempting to advise the party leadership regarding the processes for the national conference where parliamentary representatives were elected. Mwetupunga, who resigned from IPC on Wednesday,…
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Huawei donation set to boost digital education in Namibia

Huawei donation set to boost digital education in Namibia

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s journey towards integrating technology into education received a major boost with Huawei Technologies Namibia donating classroom digital equipment to President Nangolo Mbumba at State House worth N$900 000 on Thursday. The equipment will benefit two high schools - Oshigambo High School in the Oshikoto region and Dr Alpho Mauno Mbamba School in the Kavango East region. The donation aims to address the acute need for IT teaching aids in these regions, which have long struggled with limited access to technological resources. President Nangolo Mbumba hailed the donation as a substantial step toward transforming Namibia’s education system. Drawing…
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U.S.A. delivers lifesaving emergency food aid to Namibia

U.S.A. delivers lifesaving emergency food aid to Namibia

Niël Terblanché In the face of the worst drought to hit Southern Africa in decades, the government of the United States of America, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided 14 tons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to Namibia. This vital nutritional aid, distributed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and UNICEF, aims to address the alarming malnutrition rates among children under five years old, exacerbated by the ongoing food insecurity crisis. According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Namibia, the country is currently in the grip of a…
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