Desert FM 95.3

PDM Youth League acting Secretary General Inajovandu says young people must move beyond being campaign volunteers and take up leadership positions to help shape Africa's future. Reflecting on the Young Democracy Union of Africa conference in Liberia, she called for greater youth participation in governance, stronger political education and ethical leadership inspired by former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Business Summit Namibia founder Martin Nankela says entrepreneurship is about discipline, consistency and long-term commitment rather than overnight success. Speaking ahead of the summit on 21 July, he urged aspiring entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses, understand their target markets and build brands capable of lasting beyond their founders.

Outgoing ǁKharas Regional Football Chairperson Henrico Blaauw says his decision to resign was driven by the need to comply with the Namibia Sports Act and Namibia Football Association statutes on dual leadership roles. In this interview, he reflects on the reforms introduced during his tenure, including stronger financial accountability, improved performances at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, and the challenges that continue to affect football development in the region, such as inadequate funding and limited sports infrastructure.

Namibia's High Court has dismissed an application seeking the legalisation of cannabis, ruling that the matter should be decided by Parliament and the Executive rather than the courts. In this interview, Ganja Users Namibia Secretary General Boro Ndungula reacts to the judgment, explains why the organisation believes cannabis reform remains necessary, and outlines its next steps, including lobbying government as it reviews the country's drug laws

Agriculture student leader Wilka Kayoko says the reported 47% unemployment rate among agriculture graduates highlights the need for better alignment between higher education and the labour market. She called for more graduate programmes, internships and support for young people entering the sector, while encouraging students not to lose hope and continue building their skills.

Farmers in the Ehirovipuka Conservancy are calling for improved protection and faster compensation after lions believed to have strayed from Etosha National Park killed one cow and injured several others. Community members say repeated attacks are threatening livelihoods and want authorities to strengthen the park fence to prevent future incidents.

Affirmative Repositioning Chief Whip Vaino Hangula says the opposition walked out of the National Assembly because members were not provided with sufficient documentation to scrutinise candidates for the Electoral Commission of Namibia properly. Hangula argued that transparency and due process are essential to maintaining public confidence in the ECN, adding that Parliament should only proceed once all relevant documents, including interview scores and evaluation records, have been made available. The walkout resulted in the loss of a quorum, forcing s

Legal practitioner Ketu Kaura says Windhoek residents who suspect they have been incorrectly billed by the City of Windhoek should first exhaust the municipality's internal dispute resolution process before pursuing legal action. He advised residents to continue paying their accounts while disputes are investigated, keep proof of payments and meter readings, and request all relevant billing records. Kaura added that residents who were overcharged could be entitled to refunds or compensation if billing errors are proven, but warned that legal claims may be subject to Namibia's three-year prescription period.

Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka says the government is working to strengthen maternal healthcare services following a visit to health facilities in the Oshana Region. While acknowledging growing demand for maternity services and shortages of medical staff, she says plans are underway to recruit more health workers and improve infrastructure, including staff accommodation. Ndjaleka also called on communities and stakeholders to support efforts to improve healthcare services across Namibia.

Zimbabwean lawyer and political scientist Tinashe Chiname says Constitutional Amendment No. 3 is likely to face legal scrutiny, with opponents arguing that some of its provisions should have been subjected to a public referendum. He says the amendments have opened a broader debate about presidential succession, parliamentary power and the future direction of Zimbabwe's political system. Chiname adds that the ultimate test for Zimbabwe's democracy will be the strength of its institutions, accountability mechanisms and the courts' handling of any constitutional challenges.