Opinions – Page 4 – News Stand

17 Jan

Capitalism be warned it is “business unusual!” For Meme Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is here?

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Since the official announcement of the presidential and national elections by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on the 30th of November last year, the local media, both the traditional mainstream media, printed and broadcast, as well as the social media, has seen a mixed bag of congratulations and exasperation. Punctuated by celebrations with praise-singing for President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, popularly and gloriously dubbed NNN by the media, dubbing that seems indeed to have received the popular approval at large of her Swapo Party of Namibia, of which she was the presidential candidate. As for the party diehards, membership, supporters, sympathisers,…

17 Jan

Namibia’s national sanitation and hygiene strategy 2022-2027, could be a beacon of hope to address the country’s sanitation predicament

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Wayambekange N. Hamufenhu Each evening, “Kelao,” a 16-year-old girl, and her peers undertake a dangerous journey to the mountains of the “One Nation” informal settlement of Windhoek. The young Kelao, like many residents of the informal settlements, daily navigate risks such as snake bites and potential assaults in their search for basic hygiene. The urgency of their situation is heightened by the unintended consequence of trampling upon the waste they carry back to their shacks amid hurried retreats prompted by any hint of danger. The Government of Namibia has boldly decided to address the challenges faced by residents like Kelao,…

15 Jan

Namibia’s sanitation sustainability could be through circular economy

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Wayambekange N. Hamufenhu Financial resources many not always be sufficient to address all sanitation challenges; however, sanitation systems can be designed to be self-sustaining. In an era where environmental challenges loom large, the concept of a circular economy offers a promising solution to many of our most pressing issues, including waste management and sanitation. Traditionally, waste has been seen as a byproduct, something to discard and forget. However, in a world increasingly defined by resource scarcity and environmental degradation, waste can no longer be viewed as a mere nuisance. Instead, it should be seen as a resource, a resource that…

09 Jan

On contradictions of propagandists vs praise-singers

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PAUL T. SHIPALE I read an opinion piece by Bob Kandetu written on 14 December 2024 and that appeared in the Confidénte of 20 December 2024-10 January 2025 titled; “Propagandists and disinformation, Thank you dearly Comrade Ellen Musialela”. In that article Kandetu advises the nation of the need to stay the course and be concerted and vigilant… betting that Mukwanangombe will do the best to appoint people of quality to her government. Kandetu said “the Netumbo regime must not be perked on vengefulness, examining closets in bedrooms and what not. But the regime must see to it that not again…

08 Jan

Sustainable use of Namibia’s natural resources is key in ensuring future generations prosperity”

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Wayambekange N Hamufenhu It is our resources, Our Ocean, Our wildlife, Our Minerals, Our Forests – yes, they belong to us as Namibians. However, while using them, we should think about the generations to come As Namibia enters 2025, the nation stands at a pivotal moment in shaping the future of its natural resources and environment. Our beautiful country is rich in biodiversity and endowed with abundant resources, from vibrant oceans teeming with marine life to vast mineral wealth, lush forests, and diverse wildlife that thrive in our ecosystem. Namibia’s natural resources are not only the backbone of its economy…

08 Jan

Fueling Growth Through Namibia’s Creative Industry

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Mirjam Shihepo By the title, I encourage you not to yawn just yet. I stand in the gap of those who have explored this topic before me. Their perspectives paved the way, and it is my intention to contribute to the evolving dialogue. Not long ago, the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology (MICT) hosted a summit under the theme: "Building Resilience to Adapt or Die in the Era of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence." This was not just a summit—it served as a wake-up call to businesses and professionals across Namibian industries. Adapting to change means stepping outside comfort…

07 Jan

What it really takes to choose the right career in Namibia: A crucial decision before tertiary registration in 2025

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Junias Erasmus As parents and grade 12 graduates in Namibia eagerly await the release of the 2024 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) and Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) results, many find themselves at a crossroads. The outcomes of these exams will serve as a pivotal moment, determining not only the academic paths ahead but also shaping their future opportunities and career prospects. Universities are about to open their doors for the 2025 academic year, and thousands of Grade 12 graduates will soon face the important decision of which career path to pursue. Yet, despite the excitement and anticipation, too many students…

05 Jan

Gender imbalance in terms of Swapo’s zebra style policy will open a can of worms at the party’s extraordinary congress

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Paul T. Shipale Once again, the death of president Geingob has now brought to the fore the debate about the possible gender imbalance in terms of SWAPO’s zebra style policy. The policy commits SWAPO to fill its top four positions and parliamentary list with a 50:50 gender balance, whereby if for example the party president is a man, the vice president should be a woman and vice versa. This policy is set to face its sternest test at the extraordinary congress slated to take place from 28 February to 02 March 2025 as SWAPO’s leadership currently consists of two women…

19 Dec

Businessperson, community activist awaken to the reality of capitalism

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Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro A local businessperson in the conservation and tourism sector, in an opinion article in The Namibian newspaper of December 6, 2024, headlined, “Breaking the Silence on Conservancies and Tourism Versus Mining,” took issue with threats posed by mining activities to the environment. Not long after the said article, who sounded like a community activist, a native and resident of the Kunene region, in the ancient and/or pre-colonial Ohopoho, today’s Opuwo, featuring on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)’s Omurari FM daily current affairs programme, Keetute. Who last Thursday, 12 December, 2024, also raised concern, albeit of a different nature,…

17 Dec

Telecom Namibia hack: Namibia’s Cybersecurity wake-up call

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Setson Tangeni Haidula The recent hacking of Telecom Namibia has exposed serious flaws in the nation’s approach to cybersecurity. Sensitive data was reportedly compromised, exposing vulnerabilities in critical systems—an event that underscores how unprepared we are for modern digital threats. This breach isn’t just Telecom’s problem; it reflects the vulnerability of Namibia’s digital infrastructure, including public institutions and government ministries. It’s a wake-up call to take cybersecurity as seriously as other countries have done. Namibia’s approach to cybersecurity is outdated and reactive. For instance, the United States established the National Security Agency (NSA) as a central pillar of its cyber…