By Elezo Libanda

Katima Mulilo, 5 August – In defiance of Namibian laws, prostitution continues to thrive in the Zambezi region, with many young women engaging in the trade to earn a living. NDN reporters observed a significant number of young women at various hotspots around the town of Katima Mulilo, particularly at the Fuel Service Station, where long-haul truck drivers form a substantial clientele base.

Upon closer investigation, it became evident that even foreigners who have illegally entered Namibia are involved in soliciting clients for this illicit trade, putting their lives and health at risk for a moment that could potentially change their lives forever.

One young woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared her experience. She mentioned that health workers, especially from the Walvis Bay corridor group, occasionally visit them and provide health kits, including condoms. However, they have to be cautious, as the police often intervene and remove them from their operating places, such as the area between Zambezi Shell and Engine Service Station at Katima Mulilo.

Regarding clients who refuse to use protection, the young woman acknowledged that there are times when she insists on it. However, she also highlighted the dilemma of potentially losing a high-paying client, emphasizing that some clients are willing to pay a significant sum, ranging from 500 to 800 Namibian dollars, depending on their needs and preferences. She admitted that she had never been tested for HIV but was monitoring her health closely.

Another middle-aged woman shared her perspective, expressing a preference for “Quickies” over longer encounters due to her responsibilities as a mother. She lamented the difficult circumstances that led them to engage in such activities, often being approached by much younger men whom they felt compelled to please. Some unfortunate incidents involve clients refusing to pay after services are rendered, leading to risky situations for the women involved.

The issue of prostitution becomes even more alarming when considering the HIV prevalence rates in the region. Earlier this year, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, reported that certain regions in Namibia are experiencing higher rates of HIV prevalence compared to others. Zambezi Region takes the lead with a prevalence rate of 21.6%, followed by Oshkoto at 17.1%, Omusati at 15%, Kavango East and West both at 14.7%, Oshana at 14.5%, and Ohangwena at 14.3%. ~Namibia Daily News

By Kaleb Nghishidivali

Otjiwarongo, August 04 – The National Deposit Guarantee Authority (NDGA) has launched a public engagement and information dissemination campaign in the IIKaras Region, aligning with its newly unveiled Strategic Plan for 2023-2025.

Leading the campaign are Florette Nakusera, Head of NDGA, Petrus Shifotoka, Operations Manager, and Rakotoka Zaire, Senior Financial Analyst.

The NDGA team covered several locations in the region, including Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Rosh Pinah, Karasburg, and Oranjemund. At each site, the team interacted with the public, providing essential details about the institution’s role and the safeguards in place for depositors.

The campaign began with a courtesy visit to Aletha Frederick, the Governor of the region. Following this, the team held meetings with commercial bank branches and conducted public forums at selected sites, distributing informative materials to the community.

Petrus Shifotoka, Operations Manager, emphasized that the campaign underscores NDGA’s commitment to transparency and public engagement. He stressed the significance of public comprehension and support for their initiatives, vital to the successful execution of strategic objectives.

Shifotoka explained, “The Strategic Plan 2023-2025 serves as NDGA’s roadmap, and the recent public engagement campaign is a crucial stride towards its realization. By connecting with the public at the grassroots level, NDGA aims to ensure communities comprehend and endorse their strategic goals.”

Furthermore, Shifotoka noted the campaign’s positive reception, citing enhanced understanding and trust in NDGA. “The institution intends to sustain its public engagement and information dissemination efforts throughout the Strategic Plan, ensuring depositors nationwide are well-informed and confident in NDGA’s safeguards,” he added.

Florette Nakusera, Head of NDGA, highlighted that the campaign exemplifies the organization’s mission to offer robust depositor guarantees, bolster public confidence in the financial system, and contribute to national financial stability.- Namibia Daily News

By Kaleb Nghishidivali

OTJIWARONGO, August 05 – In a proactive bid to elevate telecommunication services’ quality, Telecom Namibia has launched an extensive base station upgrade project in the heart of Otjiwarongo. The initiative, situated opposite the Orwetoveni municipality and adjacent to the Lutheran church, is a testament to Telecom’s dedicated commitment to fulfilling the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)’s mandate of sim card registration for all mobile users.

George Kalunga, the Northern Regional Commercial Manager for Telecom Namibia, elaborated on the significance of this initiative, shedding light on its implications for the Otjiwarongo community and the amplification of network infrastructure.

“Our endeavor involved the replacement of the existing ZTE equipment with advanced Huawei devices, thereby bolstering network performance and expanding coverage,” remarked Kalunga.

Beyond the equipment upgrade, the outreach event also facilitated sim card registration for locals, aligning with CRAN’s prevailing directive. The looming registration deadline is set for the 31st of December this year.

Kalunga revealed that Telecom successfully upgraded three pivotal towers within Otjiwarongo, encompassing Otjiberg, DRC ext 4, and Orwetoveni. Additionally, new towers were erected in Karundu, Extension 1, and Otjiwarongo TN.

“Our motivation for this upgrade is centered on enhancing service performance, with a primary focus on augmenting digital performance for residents, including improved download speeds and extended coverage,” Kalunga elucidated. “Users can anticipate a notably accelerated experience compared to previous services.”

The telecom behemoth’s initiatives transcend Otjiwarongo’s confines. Kalunga disclosed a comprehensive roadmap encompassing outreach and upgrades across all Namibian towns, further involving the installation of base network stations in regions with limited or non-existent access to Telecom services.

“We are actively running several programs,” affirmed Kalunga.

Telecom has garnered substantial support from power-crane services, pivotal in positioning towers within designated areas within and beyond towns.

“Our comprehensive list of tower locations has been furnished to power-crane, and their team is currently in full swing with the rollout,” Kalunga added.

He underscored the existence of a roster of priority areas earmarked for network tower deployment.

In conclusion, Kalunga highlighted the forthcoming event slated for Rundu, wherein another tower base network upgrade is set to be executed before August draws to a close. This strategic move underscores Telecom Namibia’s steadfast commitment to propelling telecommunications services in the nation to unprecedented heights. Namibia Daily News

Charmaine Boois

Mariental, Hardap Region, August 4 – Diverse stakeholders, councilors from various constituencies, and local authorities gathered in a big gathering at the Regional Council Chambers in Mariental to learn more about the Data Protection Bill and the Brand Namibia idea. During the ceremony, Emma Theofelus, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, took the podium and gave a thorough outline of the proposed Data Protection Bill, stressing how crucial it is for protecting citizens’ personal information.

Despite being approved in 2013, the Data Protection Bill still needs to be given top priority, according to the presentation by Deputy Minister Theofelus. In a world where consent is frequently violated in data sharing and gathering methods, she emphasized how crucial data protection measures were to prevent the exploitation and misuse of personal information.

According to Deputy Minister Theofelus, “The Data Protection Bill will ensure that personal information is not exploited or misused, without the individual consent.” She invited attendees in the program to have in-depth conversations about the legislation’s importance and applicability

The Data Protection Bill’s main goal is to control and secure how people’s information is processed, thereby defending their basic rights and liberties. Individual rights with relation to the processing of their personal data are given particular importance.

The minister described what The law will dictate how organizations should handle your data, keeping it private and preventing its use for purposes for which you have not given your explicit approval. This legislation is intended to secure people’s private life and privacy, as well as organizations and the business sector.

The event also served as a platform for stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns about the proposed bill, allowing for a constructive exchange of ideas.

The Data Protection Act aims to provide people control over their personal data and assist enterprises in processing it lawfully.

The event emphasized the government dedication to protecting citizen data and fostering a safer online environment in the nation. Namibia’s road toward a strong data protection system appears to be well under way. ~Namibia Daily News

Charmaine Boois

Mariental, August 4, 2023, In a bid to fortify the existing bonds between China and the Hardap Region, Governor Salomon April recently paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Namibia, Zhao Weiping.

The visit aimed to bolster the cooperative efforts between China and the Hardap Region as the Asian nation continues to support the region’s development initiatives. China has been actively assisting the Hardap Region in its pursuit of a better future, alongside various programs facilitated through the National Planning Commission.

One significant aspect of this collaboration is the educational support provided by China to the young minds of the Hardap Region. Currently, numerous students from the region are pursuing higher education at different prestigious universities in China. Additionally, many graduates from Chinese universities have returned to Namibia, where they have found gainful employment, benefiting both the nation and its citizens.

Expressing gratitude for the longstanding friendship between the two regions, Governor Salomon April emphasized the importance of fostering a relationship that is mutually advantageous for both China and the inhabitants of the Hardap Region. The governor believes that “caring for each other’s welfare transcends borders and is an immeasurable value of true humanity.”

The Governor’s visit served as a reaffirmation of the commitment to building on the successes achieved through cooperation and ensuring continued growth and development. ~Namibia Daily News