The domestic microlending sector loan book value has shown a notable increase, reflecting a shift in borrowing trends and preferences among consumers. As of the end of 2023, the value of the domestic loan book grew by 6.1% year-on-year, reaching an impressive N$7.2 billion. This growth is primarily attributed to term lenders, whose loan value amounted to N$6.9...
In the last few weeks, Namibians witnessed a feast of election manifestos that were launched by ambitious political parties like rockets into orbit in a short space of time and sequence. Following the various manifesto launches and their key messages across the board, I took a keen interest in the IPC suggestion through its presidential...
Namibia’s mining sector, a cornerstone of the country’s economy, is undergoing a significant resurgence, particularly around uranium and gold mining. However, while the potential for growth is significant, the sector faces several challenges that must be addressed to ensure sustained progress and stability. The price of key minerals such as uranium, iron ore, cobalt and...
In an essay titled ‘Has Democracy a Future?’, historian Arthur Schlesinger wrote that “people of goodwill in 1900 believe in the inevitability of democracy, the invincibility of progress, the decency of human nature, and the coming reign of reason and peace”. The then-president of Stanford University, David Starr Jordan, echoed Schlesinger’s positive outlook by adding...
Recent media revelations have brought to the fore the persistent and egregious discrimination faced by persons with disabilities in the Republic of Namibia. It is essential to confront the harsh reality that no individual elects to live with a disability; rather, disabilities typically result from unpredictable events such as accidents, diseases, or congenital conditions that...
The fact that the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was this week again caught in a controversy of its own making should make Namibians sit up and notice. During meetings with the political liaison committee this week, the ECN provided an update on the procurement process for the ballot papers for the 2024 Presidential and...
Lahja Nashuuta Ngeve Shangombe is a distinguished civil servant and language educator currently serving as the Senior Education Officer for Khoekhoegowab and Curriculum Developer in the education ministry’s National Institute for Educational Development (NIED). In her role, she is tasked with the development of syllabuses and educational materials for Khoekhoegowab, catering to students in grades...
In a vibrant splash of youthful energy, teachers in the Etoto West cluster hosted a colourful tournament for learners in grades 4 to 7 and are now appealing to companies and individuals to assist them by supporting rural sports development. The tournament, involving four schools, brought excitement to the dusty football fields last Saturday and...
In the heart of Windhoek, where creativity meets craftsmanship, two self-taught carpenters Linus Samuel and Tangeni Nghiyepa are turning discarded pallets into household furniture. Nestled in their modest corrugated zinc workshop located next to the Havana Three-Way, the duo works tirelessly to create pieces that not only serve practical purposes, but also inspire others in...
Rudolf Gaiseb The Namibian Association of Community-Based Natural Resources Management of Support Organisations officially launched the National Communal Conservancies and Community Forest Alliance on 1 October 2024 in Windhoek under the theme ‘Sustainable Natural Resources Management’. The alliance’s chairperson, Thomas Muronga, said it is formed to be the umbrella organisation for the regional communal conservancies...