Opinions

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…

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…

By: Jessica Uiras Introduction Namibia’s mandatory SIM card registration, established under the Communications Act of 2009[1],was passed to combat identity fraud, enhance national security, and align the country with global telecommunications practices. However, this law has extended into biometric data collection without comprehensive protections, raising significant privacy concerns. Mobile Telecommunication company (MTC), Namibia’s primary telecom provider, now requires citizens to submit fingerprints and facial scans to activate SIM cards, leaving Namibians vulnerable to state surveillance and potential misuse without the security of a dedicated data protection law. The rolling out of sim card registration is happening outside of a data…

Mbo Luvindao As the festive season approaches, many people are getting ready to take time off, go on holiday and spend quality time with loved ones. Yet, while the Christmas holidays are meant to bring peace, joy, and goodwill to all, they can also strain one’s finances, especially with added Christmas expenses and the start of a new year just around the corner. When I started my professional career, I had a colleague, whom for the sake of anonymity, we will call John. John was a young professional who, like me, was excited about the holiday season. One year he…