Opinion Pieces

South Africa leads the continent in offering more paternal leave to fathers. How to make sure both parents benefit

By Wessel Van Den Berg, Stellenbosch University A South African high court has ushered in a new era of parental leave with a landmark ruling that new parents can share four months of parental leave, previously available only to mothers. The case against the Minister of Labour was initiated by Werner and Ika van Wyk as first respondents, and advocacy group Sonke Gender Justice as third respondent. My organisation Equimundo: […]

12 December, 2023 11

Africa

From trash to power: how to harness energy from Africa’s garbage dumps – and save billions in future damage

By Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor, Sophia University New research on garbage dumps in 44 sub-Saharan African countries shows that 95% are unregulated. The landfill sites still take in new garbage even when they are filled to capacity. As the waste decomposes, these sites release harmful greenhouse gases. However, using the methane gas to generate energy instead could save the continent billions of dollars. We talk to sustainability scientist and author of […]

12 December, 2023 29

Environment

Is prenatal ultrasound causing fetal damage? researcher documents the link

In her compelling book, The Dark Side of Prenatal Ultrasound, researcher and birth advocate Jeanice Barcelo offers “a ground-breaking analysis of the documented facts concerning the dangers of prenatal ultrasound.” She states, “Despite the medical establishment repeating the mantra that ultrasound is ‘just sound waves’ and therefore ‘perfectly safe’ during pregnancy, in truth, ultrasound is based on non-ionizing radiation, and many thousands of studies have confirmed that this type of radiation […]

12 December, 2023 15

Namibia

Apartheid in Namibia: why human rights and women are celebrated on the same day

By Henning Melber, University of Pretoria, via the conversation 10 December is worldwide commemorated as Human Rights Day. It marks the anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on that day in 1948. Many countries and organisations acknowledge this as a significant marker. It created a lasting, normative framework defining fundamental human rights. UN Member States, while in constant violation, have all ratified the principles. They remain […]

8 December, 2023 22

Namibia

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield interview

Seasoned diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield has worked in various roles in business, academia, and the foreign service, with highlights including, among others, Ambassador to Liberia, Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, and her current role of United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield visited Namibia to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new US Embassy compound on Thursday 7 December 2023, taking time out […]

8 December, 2023 270

Opinion Pieces

Sixty-four percent of Bank Windhoek’s workforce are women

By Bank Windhoek’s Strategic Communication Manager, Samuel Linyondi The 2023 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report found that around 2.4 billion working-age women are not afforded equal economic opportunity worldwide. Published by the United Nations in 2015, the SDGs are a collection of seventeen interlinked objectives designed to serve as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. The Fifth […]

7 December, 2023 47

Business / Economics

SMEs are key to fighting unemployment and enhancing economic growth

By Josef Kefas Sheehama SMEs play a crucial role in Namibia’s economic growth and development, especially when it comes to the creation of jobs which remains a significant problem across the country. The significance of the SME sectors in Namibia cannot be ignored as they provide livelihoods and incomes for a large population of the country, most of whom are self-employed of which more than half are women. The SME sector […]

6 December, 2023 15

Opinion Pieces

Do not share your banking PINs or OTPs with anyone – banks included

By Bank Windhoek’s Forensic Services Manager, Johnny Truter In the past, bank robbers were brazen. They used weapons and physical intimidation to instil fear into staff, security guards and any customers who were in the branch. Their timing was considered. They would strike on the last day of the month, for instance, at a time of day when the branch cash levels were high and before too many people could […]

4 December, 2023 31

Environment

The importance of keeping rainfall records

By Hanks Saisai, Technical Advisor: Crops & Poultry Namibia’s Central, North Central, Eastern, Southern, and North-Eastern regions received some rain showers marking the beginning of the 2023/2024 rainy season. Oftentimes, farmers get excited and carried away by the occurrence of rainfall as it is an essential resource that enables farmers to cultivate cereal grains like maize, pearl millet (mahangu) and sorghum. Additionally, rainfall replenishes vegetation (grasses, shrubs, forbs, and bushes) […]

4 December, 2023 23