Opinions

This year, Human Rights Day resonates with profound significance for Namibia. The echoes of 1959, when the women of the Old Location rose against apartheid's dehumanising policies, find a modern parallel in the struggles faced by women in the digital realm. Just as the Namibian women of the past fought for dignity and justice, today’s battlefields include the online spaces where their rights are challenged by technology-facilitated gender-based violence and harmful innovations like deepfake technology. Yet, this Human Rights Day is also a time for celebration. On the cusp of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,…

Namibians are living in interesting times politically. The Electoral Commission of Namibia has announced official presidential and natipmnal assembly elections results that marked the start of a new era in the country’s body politics. NNN has won the presidential seat with 57.31 %, making her the first democratically elected female president for the Republic of Namibia. The ruling SWAPO Party of Namibia won 51 elective seats in the 96-member National Assembly. From the look of things, the recently concluded elections were undoubtedly the most hotly contested since the dawn of Namibia’s independence. Clearly the Namibian democratic and political environment is…

Lucia Sibanga Established under Namibia’s Electoral Act of 1992, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) holds the exclusive authority to direct, supervise, manage, and control elections and referenda fairly and impartially. Yet, as the dust settles on the 2024 National Assembly and Presidential elections, these very principles have been called into question. The chaos and logistical failures experienced during this year’s elections have shaken public confidence leaving many asking: who takes responsibility? The ECN’s core values accountability, professionalism and integrity were overshadowed by a series of irregularities that disrupted the electoral process. Ballot paper shortages, polling stations opening late, and…

JUNIAS ERASMUS Public speaking is often cited as one of the most common fears, even surpassing the fear of death for some people.The anxiety of standing in front of a crowd, with all eyes fixed on you, can be paralyzing. Yet, those who conquer this fear often find that it opens doors to new opportunities and elevates their careers in ways they never imagined. The journey from fear to fame in public speaking is not just about mastering a skill; it’s about transforming yourself and redefining your professional trajectory. At the heart of this transformation is the realization that public…

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…

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Many voters may think that next Wednesday, 27 November, which is voting day, is crucial. It cannot be because it is and can neither be the beginning nor the end of anything. As voting is not a matter of just casting one’s vote on any given day, month, and year, like on 27th November, 2024. For many voters, especially those who have not been blindly loyal to any political party and/or formation, particularly those who take their votes seriously, have already pledged them to any political party or formation, receiving nothing but empty promises in return. However, even…

Paul T. Shipale Namibia Media Trust director, Zoé Titus, says the increase of misinformation and disinformation during elections are tactics aimed at eroding trust, creating confusion and influencing voter behaviour. This should not be a surprise as we come closer to election day to hear different stories about contesting presidential candidates and political opponents fabricating lies, distributing fake news and artificial intelligence (AI) pictures to tarnish the integrity of their opponents instead of engaging in mature political campaigns and comply with the code of conduct signed with ECN rather than engaging in name-calling, especially during the last stretch to the…