Lahja Nashuuta It is not every day that one gets to encounter a jack of all trades with enough intellectual fortitude to have mastered them all. And even when you do, the corridors of a government ministry are the last place that you will expect to run into such multi-talented individuals. Not because the government...
Namibia, a nation of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, is on the cusp of a digital revolution. At the heart of this transformation is the creative industry, a sector brimming with potential to drive economic growth and social change. To harness this potential, Namibian creatives must embrace the twin pillars of artificial intelligence (AI)...
Joseph Diescho is a Namibian political scientist. He is an emeritus professor at the University of Bonn in Germany. Today, the name Joseph Diescho resonates with wisdom, knowledge or a commitment to intellectual pursuit. On the other hand, the name brings out controversies such as a self-imposed exiled Namibian, someone at loggerheads with the...
Sustainability is a concept we encounter frequently, defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Namibia has demonstrated a strong commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental protection, notably being one of the first African countries to incorporate...
To date, hundreds of thousands of Namibian citizens are standing at the far end of the tunnel, focussing anxiously on the awaited Vision 2030 to emerge. As years pass by, every small amount of light detected prompts an adjustment of the lens the society is using to view through the tunnel. It is so because...
Dual-use research dilemma refers to the quandary of producing and publishing research in the life sciences that is directed towards or intended to improve public health, animal health or agricultural productivity, but that could be used to harm public health in the hands of a rogue state, terrorist group or individual. One of the technical...
In recent years, political parties worldwide have recognised the growing urgency for sustainable development, particularly in response to the climate crisis. In Namibia, as in other democratic nations, politicians have adapted their ideologies to align with sustainable practices, which promise tangible benefits to citizens. However, while the discourse on sustainability is a welcome change, another...
In April this year, I wrote an article bemoaning the speed at which we seem to be lowering standards and embracing mediocrity in public institutions. That article, titled ‘Developmental State, Meritocracy and Minimum Requirements’ had these important lines: “Our country has subordinated meritocracy in preference of irrational and irrelevant considerations. Ordinary Namibians are aware that...
The recent barbs exchanged by youth leaders regarding allegations that the ruling party, Swapo, generated parts of its election manifesto using ChatGPT has stirred debate. This commotion comes at the time Namibia celebrated the eighth National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Summit, centred on digital transformation and artificial intelligence. There, ICT minister Emma Theofelus said...
SWAKOPMUND – Erongo Red, Roads Authority (RA) and the Road Fund Administration (RFA) have teamed up to install streetlights at the Swakopmund bridge and key interchanges to enhance visibility along coastal roads. Coastal roads are fog-prone and a major safety risk at times. This initiative aims to improve visibility for motorists and residents, reducing the...