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The battle for Cuito Cuanavale: Annual commemoration of Southern Africa liberation day, 23 March 2025, in honour of the late founding president and father of the Namibian nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.

The battle for Cuito Cuanavale: Annual commemoration of Southern Africa liberation day, 23 March 2025, in honour of the late founding president and father of the Namibian nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.

P T SHIPALE I. PROLOGUE For the seventh time this year, SADC will commemorate the Southern Africa Liberation Day which marked the end to one of the fiercest battles at Cuito Cuanavale in Southern Angola, on 23rd March 1988.  The historic and decisive battle of Cuito Cuanavale, where the combined FAPLA Forces of Angola together with the Cuban Internationalist Forces and the Combatants of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), SWAPO’s Military Wing, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy forces and forced the apartheid regime to the negotiation table on 19th March 1989.  This led to the signing of…
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GRN invest N$145 million to expand communications infrastructure

GRN invest N$145 million to expand communications infrastructure

Niël Terblanché The government has reaffirmed its commitment to nationwide connectivity with an investment of N$145 million into the Universal Service Fund (USF). The minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, announced the funding at the launch of the USF by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) on Wednesday. She said the fund is aimed at bridging the digital divide by supporting the expansion of network infrastructure in underserved areas, ensuring that the nation has access to reliable communication services. Theofelus said the investment would be used to construct network towers and deploy digital infrastructure to achieve full…
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Mboma finished second in the 100m Heat at ASA Grand Prix in RSA

Mboma finished second in the 100m Heat at ASA Grand Prix in RSA

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Sprinter and Olympic medalist Christine Mboma secured second place in the 100-meter heat at the ongoing Athletic South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix in South Africa on Wednesday.  Competing in her first international event of 2025, Mboma clocked 12.07 seconds, finishing behind fellow Namibian Jade Nangula, who won the race with a time of 11.81 seconds. South Africa’s Reaobaka Matshitse came in third with 12.08 seconds.   The meet, held at the University of Johannesburg, has attracted top athletes from across the continent, including African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, who is set to compete against South Africa’s…
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Uranium mine drilled 70 boreholes without permits in Omaheke

Uranium mine drilled 70 boreholes without permits in Omaheke

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A parliamentary investigation has found that Uranium One Group, a mining company exploring uranium in the area of Leonardville in the Omaheke region, drilled 70 exploration boreholes without the required permits. The company also drilled seven boreholes for hydrogeological studies without authorisation, violating the Water Resources Act 11, 2013. A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Economics, and Public Administration revealed that the company failed to follow permit conditions. According to the report, the boreholes were not properly cased off and grouted, raising concerns about groundwater contamination. “The two committees managed to hear the presentation…
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African women leaders  urges AU States to ratify convention to end violence against women and girls

African women leaders  urges AU States to ratify convention to end violence against women and girls

Moses Magadza  A Zimbabwean youth leader representing the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) has called on African Union (AU) Member States to urgently ratify the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) to achieve lasting change and ensure the safety and empowerment of women and girls across Africa. Speaking at a side event during the ongoing 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York on Monday, councillor Chioniso Michelle Murinda acknowledged the role of AWLN in nurturing young female leaders across the continent. “Since 2017, AWLN has been a transformative platform…
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New MPs urged to uphold constitutional ideals

New MPs urged to uphold constitutional ideals

Allexer Namundjembo President Nangolo Mbumba has urged new parliamentarians to uphold the principles of unity, liberty, equality, and justice. In his final address to Parliament on Tuesday, he called on MPs to use the chamber to combat racism, tribalism, division, and corruption, ensuring progress in the country’s "Second Struggle for Economic Freedom." “Since I am now ending my political career to join my fellow citizens, I encourage current and future generations of members of parliament to continue using this chamber to advance these ideals,” Mbumba stated. The country’s fourth president reflected on how parliament is where the sovereignty of the…
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Parliament Committee calls for increased seal harvesting to protect fisheries

Parliament Committee calls for increased seal harvesting to protect fisheries

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources chairperson Tjekero Tweya called on the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to increase the seal harvesting quota from 50 000 to 200 000 to protect the fishing industry.  The committee’s report, released on Tuesday, revealed that the seal population has grown to 1.6 million, up from 680,000 in 1970. Seals consume large amounts of fish, which make up 70% of their diet, posing a threat to the fishing industry.   The report found that seal rights holders have not fully used their quotas. Harvesters have focused mainly on bull seals for…
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SA MP Calls for Implementation of Nama Language Agreement

SA MP Calls for Implementation of Nama Language Agreement

Sakeus Iikela A South African Member of Parliament has called for urgent action to implement a bilateral agreement on preserving the Nama language between Namibia and South Africa. Speaking in Windhoek on Monday, Newrene Klaaste, Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, warned that without concrete efforts between the two countries, the language – a vital part of the region’s cultural heritage – could disappear. “Our bilateral agreements with Namibia include education and the preservation of the Nama language. It is crucial that we assess the progress of this agreement. The fear we have is that if we do not…
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O&L revives Model to replace Pick n Pay

O&L revives Model to replace Pick n Pay

Niël Terblanché In a move set to reshape Namibia's retail landscape, the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group has announced the reintroduction of its wholly Namibian-owned retail brand, Model, which will replace Pick n Pay Namibia on 1 July. During the announcement on Monday Sven Thieme, the executive chairman of the O&L Group said the strategic transition marks a return to the company's roots and a renewed commitment to delivering a uniquely Namibian shopping experience. The O&L Group’s retail journey with Model began in 1965 with a few grocery shops that grew into a chain of supermarkets in all major towns…
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African Artificial Intelligence (AAI): A catalyst for African development

African Artificial Intelligence (AAI): A catalyst for African development

 Kehad Snydewe  "Don't judge a fish by how it rides a bicycle" is a favorite saying of mine, as I believe it sums up the experience of some organizations giving advice. It's my position that 'one size does not fit all.' Teaching a fish to ride a bicycle doesn't work. Thinking we can implement general solutions for individuals and specific challenges simply doesn't work. This got me thinking about Artificial Intelligence.   AI holds immense potential for Africa to drive development, innovation, and economic growth. If harnessed and leveraged within an African context, it’s a tremendous strategic asset that can catalyze…
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