insert_link Interview Transcripts Interview: Stunting in Children Rises to 30% – Nutrition Experts Call for Urgent Action The Ministry of Health, together with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization, presented the results of the 2024 SMART survey last Friday, shedding light on the state of child nutrition across the country. The survey, conducted at the end of 2024, aimed to assess nutritional practices and measure the impact of malnutrition, particularly among children. Director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia, Ben […] today4 December, 2025
insert_link Health / Medical Child Stunting Rises to 30% The Ministry of Health, together with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization, has released the 2024 SMART survey on child nutrition. Director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance, Ben Schernick, revealed that stunting rates, a measure of chronic malnutrition, have increased from 24% in 2012 to almost 30% in 2024, highlighting growing concerns over children’s health and development. today4 December, 2025
insert_link Health / Medical Study finds paternal alcohol use impacts growth and IQ Stellenbosch University A Stellenbosch University study shows that fathers’ heavy drinking can harm children’s development. Researchers found it can stunt growth, reduce head size, and lower verbal IQ scores. The findings were highlighted on International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day. Marlene de Vries, one of the study’s authors, warned of the serious risks associated with paternal alcohol use. today9 September, 2025
insert_link Interview Transcripts Interview: Nutrition and Food Security Alliance Launches Nationwide Breastfeeding Survey The Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) is once again spearheading efforts to improve child nutrition with the launch of its latest breastfeeding survey. Building on last year’s focus on breastfeeding in the workplace and general workplace wellness, this year’s survey takes a broader look at breastfeeding experiences across Namibian society. Ben Shernick, Director of NAFSAN, explained that the survey aims to capture perspectives from both women […] today21 July, 2025
insert_link Local Nedbank Employee Initiative Gives Back to Vulnerable Communities Through a Nedbank employee initiative called the Nedbank Team Challenge, a team of the bank’s employees contributed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Namibian children, through a partnership with Amos Meerkat—a project under the Namibia Life Change Centres Foundation (NLCCF). The Nedbank Team Challenge is a staff initiative that empowers Nedbank employees to make a tangible difference in their communities. Open to teams of 8 […] today3 February, 2025
insert_link Health / Medical Surgeon general demands warning label on social media apps The like button is making parents rethink what the ideal age is to introduce phones and social media access to their children. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told CNN that the threat social media poses to children requires urgent action, and he demanded Congress, in the US to put a label on the apps as it does with cigarettes and alcohol. "The mental health crisis among young people is urgent, […] today18 June, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Early childhood education was largely missing from the budget, undermining other education spending By Marek Tesar, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Despite a NZ$1 billion increase in spending on education in the 2024 budget, there was a noticeable absence of any substantial investment in early childhood education (ECE). This contrasts starkly with the money put aside for primary and secondary education, particularly in areas such as literacy. The budget allocates $191 million over four years for […] today5 June, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Read, sing, dance and funny faces: expert tips on how you can help your baby’s development through play By Alessandra Prioreschi, University of the Witwatersrand Play is how children learn about the world, explore their environments, and engage in physical activity. It’s also essential in nurturing children’s social, emotional and cognitive capabilities and is an important component of bonding with caregivers. Playtime for children is as important for their development as exercise is for adult health. Guidelines have been developed in South Africa, which closely […] today16 April, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Parents who believe their children can have a better future are more likely to read and play with them – South African study Both children and parents benefit from daily play and reading activities. iThemba Projects, Author provided By Kendra Thomas, Hope College Every day, a small group of women make their way through the community of Sweetwaters, near the South African city of Pietermaritzburg, with bags of toys and books. They work as home mentors supporting families who signed up for an early childhood development intervention. They swap puzzles and […] today25 March, 2024
