Desert FM 95.3

Namibian researcher Suzie Shefeni says young Namibians should view artificial intelligence (AI) as both an opportunity and a risk. She urges young people to understand AI’s capabilities and risks while staying informed about regulation and safeguards.

Repairs to the oxygen generation plant at Mariental District Hospital are expected to be completed soon, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

The plant, which can produce up to about 500 litres of oxygen per minute, was switched off on 30 July after developing faults. The ministry says the hospital has since been relying on oxygen cylinders to support patients, particularly those requiring continuous oxygen.

Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya says a meeting between the ministry, the health directorate and the company responsible for the repairs has identified a possible solution, with repairs expected to address the problem soon.

The third edition of the Ombu Heritage Festival will take place from 18 to 20 September at the Ombu Cultural Village. This is as Namibia marks Heritage Week under the theme of preserving heritage for future generations.

The festival will showcase Ovaherero and Ovahimba traditions through traditional music, storytelling, cultural games, traditional food, crafts, horse parades and historical artefacts. Organiser and Ombu Heritage Village founder Vetumbwavi Mungunda says the festival is intended to preserve cultural knowledge while creating opportunities for communities to share and sustain their heritage.

Political analyst Johanna Hipangelwa says young members of parliament must demonstrate that their presence in parliament translates into meaningful outcomes for young Namibians. She says representation should be measured through legislative impact, policy influence, community engagement and accountability.

Economist Omu Matundu says rising household debt is being driven partly by low incomes and the high cost of basic necessities. He warns that repeated borrowing can trap households in a cycle of debt and urges people to reduce consumption where possible.

The Mineworkers Union of Namibia is calling for stronger safety measures and consistent oversight across the mining sector following the death of employee Phillemon Mwashindange. Union secretary general George Ampweya says existing occupational health and safety measures must be properly implemented to prevent workplace fatalities.

Namibia is being urged to turn its nutrition commitments into stronger action as concerns over malnutrition, food insecurity and unhealthy diets persist. Elizabeth Homateni says the government must strengthen implementation and accountability while other sectors play their part in improving the country’s food environment.

Swapo Party Youth League secretary Efraim Nekongo is calling on municipalities to stop confiscating and destroying street vendors’ goods and to instead create designated trading spaces where vendors can operate legally. Nekongo says enforcement must be balanced with humanity, arguing that vendors need spaces where there are customers, as well as basic facilities such as water and ablution services. He says municipalities should engage vendors regularly and involve them in decisions on where and how they trade.

Affirmative Repositioning regional chairperson Sam David says Namibia’s informal settlement crisis is not primarily about housing affordability, but about exclusion and a system that does not provide residents with a clear path to land ownership. David argues that lease agreements and prolonged formalisation processes leave residents as perpetual tenants, despite the Constitution recognising the right to own property. He is calling for time-bound ownership and for housing subsidies, particularly for public servants, to be linked directly to serviced land and titles.

IPC MP and Shadow Minister of Works and Transport Nelson Kalangula has called on government to act on forensic investigation reports and account for the millions of taxpayers’ dollars spent on them. Kalangula says reports should not be shelved or ignored, arguing that investigations must result in meaningful action and accountability.