Opinion Pieces

What I Learned From the World’s Last Smallpox Patient

By Céline Gounder via kffhealthnews Rahima Banu, a toddler in rural Bangladesh, was the last person in the world known to contract variola major, the deadly form of smallpox, through natural infection. In October 1975, after World Health Organization epidemiologists learned of her infection, health workers vaccinated those around her, putting an end to variola major transmission around the world. The WHO officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, and it […]

November 9, 2023 24

Opinion Pieces

Financial Literacy for the Next Generation: Preparing Our Youth for Economic Success

By Joachim (Joggie) van Schalkwyk In an era of unparalleled financial complexity, where managing money has become a critical life skill, it is critical to ensure that the next generation is well-equipped to navigate the economic landscape. For good reason, the term "financial literacy" has gained popularity in recent years. It is the foundation upon which our youth will be able to construct a secure and prosperous future. Young people […]

November 7, 2023 10

Opinion Pieces

Social media content in times of war: an expert guide on how to keep violence off your feeds

There are some practical ways to filter the amount of violent and graphic content you see on social media. Megan Knight, University of Hertfordshire Social media platforms are a great source of information and entertainment. They also help us to maintain contact with friends and family. But social media can also – and has, often – become a toxic environment for spreading disinformation, hatred and conflict. Most people can’t or […]

November 3, 2023 14

Africa

Some African governments are spending millions to spy on their citizens – stifling debate and damaging democracy

Tony Roberts, Institute of Development Studies Governments around the world use surveillance technology to monitor external threats to national security. Some African governments are also spending vast sums on mass surveillance of their own citizens. They are using mobile phone spyware, internet interception devices, social media monitoring and biometric identity systems. Artificial intelligence for facial recognition and car number plate recognition is another digital surveillance technology in their growing toolkit. […]

November 2, 2023 13

Business / Economics

An Opportunity to Deepen Trade and Investment between the United States and Namibia

By US Ambassador, Randy Berry “The United States is all in on Africa.” President Biden affirmed during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit last December. The future is Africa. On example is its youthful population: The median age on the continent is nineteen. By 2050, one in four people in the world will be in Africa. The United States wants them to be healthy and wealthy. What happens in Africa will affect […]

November 1, 2023 13

Opinion Pieces

Mid-Term Budget Review: Never too late to reform

By Josef Kefas Sheehama Namibian Finance Minister, Mr Iipumbu Shiimi, delivered his 2023/2024 Mid-Term Budget speech on 31 October 2023, taking note of the achievements, challenges, and performances of State-Owned Enterprise (SOE). The Mid-Term Budget Review plays a critical role in the entire budgetary process because it sets the tone for the fiscal framework for the next main budget. The budget is the most important economic instrument of government, as […]

November 1, 2023 8

Business / Economics

The impact of collective contributions for Sustainable Development

By Bank Windhoek’s Sustainable Finance and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Analyst, Joachim Komeheke The concept of sustainable development has evolved over the past decades. These changes are rooted in the global community’s numerous environmental and social awareness achievements. Namibia is an excellent example of how far we have come in driving sustainable development, particularly in ensuring the protection and conservation of our natural environment, an aspect enshrined in the […]

October 30, 2023 16

Opinion Pieces

South Africa economy to slow down in 2023 before stabilizing in 2024, says GlobalData

The South African economy is grappling with several challenges, including severe power disruptions, unstable commodity prices, a high unemployment rate, and external issues. Against this backdrop, South Africa's economic growth is projected to decelerate from 1.9% in 2022 to 0.4% in 2023, before picking up to 1.3% in 2024, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. GlobalData’s recently published report, “Macroeconomic Outlook Report: South Africa,” underscores the ongoing concern of […]

October 30, 2023 49

Opinion Pieces

Being financially prepared and resilient when facing a health challenge

By Mauriza Fredericks, Group Brand Manager, Old Mutual Namibia A health crisis can strike unexpectedly, putting a significant strain on not just our physical well-being but also our finances. Whether it's a sudden illness, a medical emergency, or a global pandemic like the one we experienced in recent years, building financial immunity against an unforeseen health challenge, will go a long way. Building Blocks of Financial Immunity Financial immunity can […]

October 30, 2023 12