Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, once remarked “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters”. His message reverberates in Namibia today at a crucial juncture as we...
National
Letter – Gender diversity essential in political commentary
I have worked in most of the major newsrooms in Namibia, serving in roles as both an editor and a journalist. Editors and journalists are regularly involved in the ongoing debate – occasionally intense – concerning the dependence on a select group of commentators. News consumers have grown accustomed to political and social pundits, such...
PDM ‘signs’ ballot samples while picketing …. as ECN opens printing room
Lahja Nashuuta Rudolf Gaiseb The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) late yesterday provided an update on the observation, verification and commencement of final ballot production ahead of next month’s national elections. “On Monday, 21 October 2024, authorised representatives of the 18 political parties verified and signed off the designed sample ballot papers in Johannesburg. Three...
San graduate’s legal dream realised
Zebaldt Ngaruka EPUKIRO – Tjiveripo Mbahepa moved closer to his long-cherished dream of becoming a lawyer after recently graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Namibia. Hailing from Okavangua village in Omaheke’s Otjinene constituency, he could not say what exactly motivated him to succeed, but remembered that since the age of...
Namibia’s N$482m drought relief deficit
Namibia is grappling with a funding shortfall of about N$482 million to shield 1.26 million drought-stricken citizens from a looming hunger crisis. This was revealed by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa- Amadhila during the 9th Session of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Conference held in the capital this week. She said of the...
Namibia calls for ceasefires on UN Day
Loide Jason Kavetja Ngaizuvare President Nangolo Mbumba has called for an immediate ceasefire in conflict zones like Gaza and Lebanon, while urging global unity in addressing unrest. Speaking under the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace” on the occasion of United Nations (UN) Day yesterday, he highlighted the critical role of dialogue and diplomacy in...
City honours firefighter Khama
Lahja Nashuuta The Windhoek municipal council has approved a motion to rename Sheffield Street to FF. M.S. Khama Street, in honour of the late Methuselah Simataa Khama, who tragically lost his life while on duty. Windhoek mayor Queen Kamati made the announcement this week during a council meeting. The late Khama was a firefighter, known...
Ndakolo’s 18-day graveyard stay ends
OSHAKATI – Erick Ndakolo (56), who has been sleeping by his mother’s tombstone at a cemetery for 18 days, returned home yesterday. The cemetery is located at Uupindi location in Oshakati. Oshana police commander, Commissioner Naftal Sakaria, had a meeting with Ndakolo, and advised him to stop sleeping in the cemetery because it is not...
AR wants foreign land ownership banned
Namibian political party Affirmative Repositioning has taken a different view of the land reform agenda by focusing on appropriation, banning foreign land ownership, and the removal of the controversial Red Line. These positions are articulated in the AR manifesto, dubbed ‘Plans for Namibia’, launched at the weekend in Katima Mulilo. The party promises fundamental changes...
Election coverage favours Swapo – Report
The ruling party Swapo has received the most media coverage both on television and radio, between August and September 2024. This is according to the third Election Media Monitoring Report released on Tuesday by media ombudsman John Nakuta. The project aims to serve as a critical tool in assessing how both legacy and online media...