In the Newsroom
In the Newsroom takes a deeper look at top stories, stories of interest and issues of the day... we speak to various experts and bring you a more three-dimensional take on the news.
Land use by wildlife and cattle compared....
The Biodiversity Research Centre of NUST looked at the effects of different land uses on biodiversity, and in particular plant diversity in the Kunene Region. Cattle areas were compared to wildlife-dominated areas. What has an impact on plant diversity and productivity the most, and what role do elephants play in…
Coastline is eroding, leave beach pebbles alone
Recently the municipality of Swakopmund has observed an increase in the number of people taking rocks/stones from the beach, to decorate their gardens. The municipality has however told residents and visitors that every small stone or rock has a significant role to play on the beach and removing these stones…
WiFi in schools is a good thing but, there will be challenges
The Director of the National Institute for Educational Development in the Namibian Ministry of Education, Dr. Patrick Simalumba, says the introduction of free WiFi in schools will open doors to multiple learning mediums for learners. Dr. David Namwandi, founder of the International University of Management says to In the Newsroom…
Riaan Eksteen publishes more than five decades of his life in diplomacy
The autobiography of Riaan Eksteen, South Africa's first ambassador to Namibia who currently lives in Swakopmund, will be available in bookstores in October - with details about previously undocumented moments in Eksteen's eventful career. The book, titled Beyond Diplomacy, covers decades of Eksteen's career, which began in Washington. Eksteen tells…
Rather prevent crime than give harsher sentences, that creates change
The Namibian Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, says the increasing incidents of sexual violence in the country are very worrying. She says the recent approval of the Amendment Act on Combating Rape should be seen as an attempt to reduce and/or eradicate incidents of sexual violence. Activist Zack Itodo says…
It is World Rhino Day!
Jessica Willemse of the Rhino Momma Project in Namibia chats about the plight of this species and why it is so critical to save them.
Drop in GBV stats does not reflect the reality
Gender-based Violence statistics recently released for the year 2020-2021 dropped by approximately 50% from 5 500 to 2 600. Rosa Namises, an activist is however of the view that these stats don't mean that we are making progress in combating GBV, making mention of the number of cases that are…
Andre Compion chats about his plans as MD of FlyNamibia
The well-known Andre Compion is the new managing director of FlyNamibia. Compion is a name synonymous with aviation and he some some great plans for Namibia's own, privately owned and brand-new FlyNamibia. He chats to In the Newsroom.
Economic recovery needs more demand, locally
The impact of Covid-19 on our economy will remain for the next five years. Economists are concerned about a decline in local demand which, if at healthy levels, will stimulate the local economy and businesses. The governor of the central bank Johannes !Gawaxab has also recently expressed concern about the…
CAN is out and about, spreading awareness
It is project season for the Cancer Association of Namibia and there is a roadshow planned for this weekend! Rolf Hansen, the chief executive of the association has an outreach in Otjiwarongo. There's also a great show at the crocodile farm with Sonja Herholdt. But, we are getting ahead of…
Vocational activities at Corrections doing extremely well
The Namibia Correction Service's vocational activities and industrial workshops nationwide are doing well. The service's Deputy Commissioner General Sam Shaalulange says inmates are hard at work at all workshops to the extent that they also repair vehicles in the southern workshop. Others are busy with crop prodcution in order to…
NAB is securing markets for mahangu and the record white maize harvest
A record white maize harvest is expected for Namibian farmers in the in this marketing season which is nearing its end. According to Gilbert Mulonda the Namibia Agronomic Board's General Manager for Agronomy and Horticulture, they have already put measures in place to ensure that the harvests, also of mahangu,…
Activist points finger at GRN's fishing interests for possible trafficking
Following the Namibian police confirming that 48 persons were evacuated from two locally registered ships in Walvis Bay's harbour in suspected cases of human trafficking, it raises more questions. Independent Activist, Knowledge Ipinge says to In the Newsroom the issue might be broader than it appears. Ipinge went to the…
Writers must create local content
There is a huge need for writers in Namibia, according to Doek’s editor-in-chief, Rémy Ngamije. Ngamije is encouraging Namibians to write more Namibian and African stories. He also says it is important that Namibian readers read local material and that will mean publishing houses will see the interest and invest…
Agronomic Board hard at work ensuring successful marketing of harvests
A record white maize harvest is expected for Namibian farmers in the in this marketing season which is nearing its end. According to Gilbert Mulonda the Namibia Agronomic Board's General Manager for Agronomy and Horticulture, they have already put measures in place to ensure that the harvests, also of mahangu,…
Illegal fishing in the Okavango and Zambezi rivers is 'heartbreaking'
Poaching is not only of rhino and elephant and neither is stock theft the only problem. Illegal fishing remains one of the biggest challenges in both the Okavango and Zambezi rivers. Mark Paxton, owner of Shamvura Camp on the Okavango, near Rundu says the situation is heartbreaking…
Local films: Demand was created by the pandemic
The Namibian Film Industry has been performing very well, both locally and on the international market despite in the impact of Covid. In the last two or so years, Namibian films have started receiving international accolades with some awards coming home. Local filmmaker and director Oshoveli Shipo says demand for…
Land reform goes regional...
The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform is busy with the appointment of the land resettlement committee members on a regional level. The appointed committee members are to undergo a series of induction programmes before they actively start with their mandates. The Otjozondjupa Regional Governor, James Uerikua, explained the process…
Agri-writers wanted before 30 October!
It's time again for the Farming Portal/Agricultural Writers South Africa's junior awards which aim to encourage accurate stories and the transmission of information within the agricultural sector. The competition also aims to create a platform where students of agriculture or journalism can publish their work. The competition closes on 30…
Addressing the challenges of agri in southern Africa
There is a need in the agricultural sector for the diversification of the export markets to non-traditional regions while retaining the key markets such as the European Union. Other issues are the need to improve logistics – roads, rail and ports; expansion of agricultural finance, particularly developmental finance for new…