On a typical morning in Windhoek, a 16-year-old girl scrolls through Instagram before getting out of bed. She’s not looking for news or inspiration, but she’s already comparing her life to influencers she’s never met. In Namibia, where much of the population is young, social media is not just a tool, it’s a mirror, a mask, and at times, a...
Burundi votes but with opposition neutered
NAIROBI – Elections for a new parliament in Burundi got under way yesterday but with little risk of an upset after the main opposition was effectively barred from running. The impoverished landlocked country in east Africa has seen decades of ethnic violence, civil war and authoritarian rule.A former rebel group, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces...
Villagers step up to halt Sierra Leone deforestation
FREETOWN – Deep inside a Sierra Leone national park, a mother of seven was about to set dozens of tree trunks ablaze to make charcoal. Producing the cheap fuel in this way is illegal in the protected rainforest near the capital of a country highly vulnerable to the ravages of climate change. But Aminata Sankoh, a widow who said she...
Trump slaps new travel ban on 12 countries
WASHINGTON – United States (US) President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban that comes into effect on Monday targeting 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and Yemen, reviving one of the most controversial measures from his first term. Trump said on Wednesday the measure was spurred by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities...
US pressures NATO to seal deal on defence spending
BRUSSELS – United States (US) defence chief Pete Hegseth yesterday pushed the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to agree a deal on increasing military spending that could satisfy president Donald Trump at a summit this month. The volatile US leader has demanded that alliance members boost defence budgets to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) at the 24-25 June...
Tigers aim for respectable finish …as league concludes
While African Stars have already been crowned champions of the Debmarine Premiership and Cuca Tops, Blue Boys and Young Brazilians face the heartbreak of relegation. The top-flight league’s final round of fixtures this weekend still carries meaning as it takes centre stage. If not for silverware or survival, then it is for pride, bragging rights and a chance to finish...
Opinion – Invest in sport journalism
I recently had the privilege of attending the 2025 Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) in Zimbabwe as a nominee in the Sports Journalist of the Year category. Even though I did not win in my category, it was a moment of immense pride personally and professionally to represent Namibia on a regional platform. While the awards ceremony was well-organised, with...
Former coach Khaebes follows netball action from Afghanistan
Former coach of Otjozontjupa Nampol, Marvellous Quency Khaebes, who is now based in Afghanistan due to work commitments says she enjoyed watching some matches which were streamed by New Era last weekend. Khaebes said streaming is the way to go and that even though she is thousand of miles away, she remains incredibly proud of netball in Namibia and the...
Clubs gear-up for netball premier league showdown in Otjiwarongo
Action continues in the MTC Netball Premier League this weekend as round three and four fixtures unfold at the Mokati Stadium Netball Court in Otjiwarongo. With the league starting to take shape, all eyes will be on the teams aiming to maintain or improve their standings in what promises to be a weekend of high-intensity netball action. Heading into the...
Tales of the Legends – Ode to a pair of departed sport heroes Christo Alexander and Manfred Christiaan 1964 – 2025 / 1987 – 2025
Dear readers, please pardon me, my ageing fingers are trampling and shivering like a concertina player in a fired-up shuffling ‘Boere Orkes’ (Afrikaners live music band), as I’m brutally hammering the keyboards of my trusted blue laptop inking a fitting tribute to a great man of substance, Christo Alexander. Truthfully, the author got to know the cool as a cucumber...