Desert FM 95.3

The conversation highlights Uis’ transition from a regional council settlement area to a full-fledged local authority – a key milestone for the historic mining settlement following its 2010 downgrading. The chief executive says the organisational transition process, including the choice given to existing regional council staff under the Public Service Act versus the Local Authorities Act, addresses practical operational details like why hard-copy job applications via traditional postal mail are still required to avoid counterfeiting.

With expanding economic opportunities from nearby tin and lithium mining projects, the new leadership shares an optimistic vision to proactively build foundational infrastructure in housing, sanitation and basic services to keep pace with growth.

Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mwashindange speaks to Desert FM following his election as the inaugural chairperson of Namibia's first-ever Young Parliamentarians Caucus. Mwashindange addresses the long-standing underrepresentation of youth in decision-making spaces over the last 36 years of Namibia's democracy.

With young voters now making up over 50% of the electorate, the newly formed cross-party caucus, spanning both the National Assembly and National Council, aims to champion youth-focused legislation, tackle high unemployment, and learn from international best practices.

Namibia’s first-ever Young Parliamentarians Caucus aims to unite young MPs across political parties to address youth unemployment, education and economic opportunities. IPC MP John Louw says collaboration and active youth participation will be essential to turning the initiative into meaningful change.

SWAPO Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa has paid tribute to the late Penehupifo Pohamba, remembering her as a humble leader who served Namibia with compassion and dedication. She says Pohamba’s contributions to the liberation struggle and her support for vulnerable communities will remain part of her lasting legacy.

African Stars remain hopeful of advancing in the CAF Champions League despite their narrow 1–0 first-leg defeat to Orlando Pirates. Chairperson Salomo Hei says the team believes it can turn things around in the return leg and make history for Namibian football.

Dr Richard Kamwi remembers Penehupifo Pohamba as a "nurse by calling", who voluntarily served at Robert Mugabe Clinic without a salary even after becoming the first lady of Namibia. Appointed as an official adviser to the Ministry of Health and Social Services on maternal, child, and HIV-AIDS care, she leveraged her role to raise private and international funding for maternity shelters at district hospitals across the country – dramatically reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Kamwi also shares the story behind the naming of Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, reflecting on the former first lady's legacy as a champion for the vulnerable and an inspiration to future healthcare professionals.

Sharing childhood memories from St Mary’s Mission School at Odibo, former ambassador Tuliameni Kalomoh paints a picture of a woman he knew as 'Kambocho' — a brilliant, fiercely anti-apartheid student who grew into a liberation-era nurse and midwife.

He recounts their gruelling month-long journey into exile on foot across Angola in 1974, with former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba carrying her young child, and her eventual medical training in Tanzania and Jamaica.

Desert FM’s Jane Kandetu speaks to Ministry of Health and Social Services spokesperson Walters Kamaya on the difference between human hand, foot and mouth disease and foot-and-mouth disease currently affecting local farms. He reassures parents that all 19 affected children are in a stable condition and recovering well at home under standard isolation protocols.

Desert FM’s Jane Kandetu sits down with Gabriel Thomas, an administration and communications assistant at Palms for Life Namibia, to explore what true poverty alleviation looks like on the ground.

Moving beyond financial metrics, Thomas emphasises that poverty is fundamentally about an individual's access to basic human rights —including quality education, nutritious food, clean water, proper sanitation, and safe housing.

Desert FM’s Jane Kandetu tackles pressing questions surrounding accountability and oversight within the National Youth Development Fund alongside Austin Samupwa, the deputy chairperson of the oarliamentary standing committee on education, youth, civic relations and community development.

During recent field visits, parliamentary oversight revealed critical gaps: regional officers from implementing institutions like the Development Bank of Namibia, the Environmental Investment Fund, and Agribank struggled to locate funded projects on the ground due to a severe lack of post-disbursement monitoring.