Opinions

Media Coverage of Women’s Health: Cancer awareness month

Media Coverage of Women’s Health: Cancer awareness month

Yemisi Akinbobola As we reflect on Breast Cancer Awareness Month , I am reminded of the crucial role we as key media actors play in shaping the conversations around women's health, especially breast cancer. For too long, discussions about breast cancer and other women's health issues have been clouded by cultural taboos, and it is time we use our platforms to change that. The theme for this year, No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone, speaks volumes about the power of connection and community. We, as storytellers and information gatekeepers, can foster dialogue that encourages support for those navigating breast…
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Talking sports with Dimitri Bittler

Talking sports with Dimitri Bittler

Bridging the Gap In the realm of sports development in Namibia, the collaboration between the Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) and various sports federations is paramount. As schools serve as the foundational stage for nurturing young talent, it is essential to establish robust partnerships that bridge the gap between school leagues and national federations. This synergy will not only enhance the quality of sports education but also ensure a seamless transition for athletes from school to higher levels of competition. The NSSU plays a vital role in promoting sports at the grassroots level, organizing inter-school competitions, and identifying talent among…
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How can the government secure private land when it can’t even manage its own?

How can the government secure private land when it can’t even manage its own?

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Simply uncommitted, unwilling, incompetent, un- and non-ideological, if not totally anti-ideological and a-ideological. How else could one describe and define the inability of the current Swapo of Namibia government, which, despite being a government of the country, appears to be merely posturing, to facilitate and release land to the town of Usakos for necessary economic development? Land which is being held back wilfully and deliberately, with such withholding being an economic sabotage in effect. Not only that, but the town is essentially holding the much-needed development at ransom. Transnamib is retaining the land needed for a development park…
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Only a developmental state can bring happiness to Namibia

Only a developmental state can bring happiness to Namibia

Sem B.David Imbodi In my recent studies, I thoroughly uncovered that the economy of Namibia is under threats of inflation and downfall due to a lot of public debt, inland revenue circulation, and our dependency on other states. It is really disappointing that our headlines in newspapers and reports speak the opposite of the based reality. If you keep taping or fetching water from the neighbor's house, you will always do that on good terms. The day good terms are withdrawn, thirst and hunger will strike your house. We are so dependent, even on little things, and have no means…
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Pioneer African historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 2

Pioneer African historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 2

PAUL SHIPALE As I was looking for an answer to the question in the famous Ndilimani Cultural Troupe’s song ‘Hifikepunye Pohamba Ndhira Dhipi Wahenda’ and the titled of the autobiography “The footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Ondjila Eyi A Enda,” or what I would rather title ‘The Arduous Life Journey Pohamba Traversed’ or ‘The Pathways Pohamba Walked in’ or even ‘Retracing Pohamba’s Footsteps,’ I realised that the answer to the above question is none other than what the son of former President Pohamba, Tulongeni Tutungeni Tudanaukeni Tuhafeni Pohamba, aptly put it that ‘The book shows that the path of integrity…
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Pioneer african historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 1

Pioneer african historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 1

PAUL SHIPALE Speaking at the launch of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Autobiography titled ‘The footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Ondjila Eyi A Enda,’ Struggle Veteran Uncle Ben Amathila, a long-time friend and Comrade-in-Arms of former President Pohamba, said ‘through the book, Pohamba tells this story as he experienced it, and even more, as he was part of shaping it’. “To put the story in perspective, he starts with his family history as far as remembered in Oukwanyama and Oukwangali, and with his grandfather Hamukoto fighting together with King Mandume against Portuguese and British colonists. He tells us his story with…
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Green is not necessarily clean

GRAHAM HOPWOOD Green hydrogen projects in Namibia should apply the highest standards of good governance from the outset. That means complying with the Green Hydrogen Standard. Looking at the programme of the recent Green Hydrogen Summit held in Windhoek, there were plenty of discussions focussing on business models, marketing mechanisms, offtake support, and green industrialisation, but scant mention of governance and corruption challenges. This in a country that has experienced the Fishrot corruption scandal and the collapse of the SME Bank within the last few years. As with both those scandals, we live in denial until it’s too late. The…
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The Government Information Centre explained

The Government Information Centre explained

Windhoek Observer talked to Shoki Kandjimi, the Senior Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Information Communications Technology (MICT), on the role and operations of the Government Information Centre (GIC) as well as its mandate. WO: Kindly please explain what the purpose of the GIC is? Why was it created?SK: The Government Information Centre was established to communicate government information proactively to the public in line with the ethos of access to information. The centre allows government offices, ministries and agencies to communicate pertinent updates andinformation to the public ensuring the timely flow of reliable, accurate and relevant information. WO:…
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Genocide negotiations have never been about reparations!!!

Genocide negotiations have never been about reparations!!!

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro It is really not only disappointing but a betrayal as much of the highest order tantamount to high treason. Especially when perpetrated by fellow descendants of the survivors of the Genocide of the Ovaherero and Nama by colonial Germany. Yours Truly Ideologically has been careful not to through any broadside at fellow descendants. Believing other descendants other than him are no less and no more descendants then the next one. Thus what they have been and may have been busy with is as much legitimate and genuine like any other descendant. In Marxist-Leninist terms that their interests and…
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Ageism in Namibia: A barrier to youthful leadership?

Ageism in Namibia: A barrier to youthful leadership?

Johanna Hipangelwa Namibia has witnessed a significant debate surrounding ageism, particularly with the appointment of 22-year-old Fenny Tutjavi to the parliamentary list of the SWAPO party. This event has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning her capacity to serve effectively due to her age. This reaction highlights a broader issue of ageism in Namibian society, where both the young and the elderly face discrimination based on their age. Fenny Tutjavi’s appointment has been met with mixed reactions. While some celebrate the inclusion of young voices in politics, others express doubt about her ability to handle the responsibilities of a parliamentary…
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