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Opinion – Envisioning the future of policing
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Opinion – Envisioning the future of policing

The landscape of modern policing is in constant flux, shaped by evolving societal demands, technological advancements, and the increasing need for transparency and accountability.  As a policing practitioner, it is essential to critically assess current trends and offer a predictive analysis of the future direction of policing organisations. The recruitment process in policing is transforming,...

Opinion – Decoding Itula’s vision for a new Namibia
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Opinion – Decoding Itula’s vision for a new Namibia

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...

Opinion – Navigating Namibia’s mining sector challenges
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Opinion – Navigating Namibia’s mining sector challenges

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...

Opinion – The expanding theatre of violence and foreboding
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Opinion – The expanding theatre of violence and foreboding

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...

OPINION – Our mental health ebbs, flows like the oceans
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OPINION – Our mental health ebbs, flows like the oceans

October is World Mental Health Month. The United Nations (UN) believes our mental health is important enough to dedicate a whole month to it.  The moment you mention mental health, people feel uneasy, or have preconceived misconceptions.  The UN wants to combat this, and sees it as an opportunity to have conversations about mental health. ...

Opinion – What elections mean to electorates 
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Opinion – What elections mean to electorates 

General elections are due to be held in Namibia on 27 November this year to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly.  For Namibian citizens, an election is more than just a civic exercise. It is a critical moment of participation in democracy.  Voting is a platform where every eligible individual has...

Opinion – Starlink’s local pros and cons 
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Opinion – Starlink’s local pros and cons 

Namibia continues to have historically low levels of development, but it can industrialise, pursue inclusive growth, and draw in investment by utilisingtechnological advancements.  Namibia intends to licence Starlink’s operations to become known as a country that has fully grasped the potential of technical advancement to improve its citizens’ lives and stimulate its economy. Starlink’s website...

OPINION – Iitula’s dual presidential, NA candidacy argument legally-flawed 
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OPINION – Iitula’s dual presidential, NA candidacy argument legally-flawed 

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Panduleni Itula have recently adopted an interpretation of dual presidential and National Assembly candidacy that is both legally (and politically) flawed, and cannot be sustained. They argue that a candidate who has been nominated for the presidency cannot simultaneously run for the National Assembly as well. They base...

OPINION – Confronting teacher training crisis
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OPINION – Confronting teacher training crisis

The teaching profession in Namibia is at a crossroads. The nation’s education system, once a beacon of hope and progress, is now grappling with an alarming surplus of unemployed teachers. This issue is compounded by the proliferation of higher education institutions offering teaching qualifications, often with alarmingly low entry requirements, as low as 16 points...

OPINION – Critical need for sustainable national data governance policy
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OPINION – Critical need for sustainable national data governance policy

Namibia is formulating her 6th National Development Plan (NDP) to cover the period 2025 – 2030. The NDPs in Namibia have been facilitated through the National Planning Commission (NPC) under the Office of the President. The NPC defines NDPs as large-scale investment programmes to develop both soft and hard infrastructure for the development of the country....