Desert FM 95.3

Activist Edison Uapingene says publicly shaming students, like the recent viral video of a boy failing exams, can cause long-term emotional harm, damage trust in caregivers, and urges parents and the public to stop sharing such content.

Acting CEO Festus Nekayi tells Desert FM the postponement of the swearing-in of Oranjemund’s newly elected councillors was due to scheduling conflicts and administrative preparations, assuring residents that council operations remain unaffected.

As families head to the coast this festive season, urgent calls for stronger water safety are being renewed. Emergency responders say many drowning incidents are preventable if beachgoers stay alert and take ocean warnings seriously.

Desert FM speaks to Monarch Lifeguard & Emergency Services founder Martin Muyenga about the essential dos and don’ts for staying safe in the water.

Prosecutor general (PG) Martha Imalwa has been appointed acting PG for 2026, extending her leadership while the Judicial Service Commission completes its search for a permanent successor.

The commission says the move ensures stability and continuity within the prosecuting authority during a rigorous recruitment process. However, the decision has sparked debate about succession planning and institutional independence.

Desert FM speaks to former ombudsman John Walters to unpack what this means for Namibia’s justice system and the next PG.

Coalition politics has reshaped regional and local councils following the 2025 elections, with parties forming unexpected alliances from Usakos to Keetmanshoop and Grootfontein. As questions arise about the stability and impact of these power-sharing deals, Desert FM speaks to political analyst Johan Coetzee to unpack the landscape.

The government has launched its long-promised free tertiary education model, offering full tuition and registration subsidies for first-time undergraduates and technical and vocational education and training trainees. However, student bodies have warned that the plan leaves major gaps, from non-tuition costs to institutional capacity.

Desert FM speaks to Namibia National Students Organisation spokesperson Jessy Abrahams to unpack these concerns.

A viral video of a guardian publicly humiliating a young boy for failing his exams has triggered national outrage and renewed concerns about harmful parenting. Education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp, child advocates and psychologists have condemned the act, warning that shaming can cause long-term emotional damage.

To unpack how parents should support children during exam season, especially after failing, National Organisation of Parents in Education spokesperson Salome Kambala speaks to Desert FM.

Political analyst Dr Ndumba Kamwanya says the recent swearing-in of office bearers, especially in Kavango East, reflects rising tension, weak leadership, and likely policy continuity rather than change. He also warns coalition councils may again struggle to function.

Political analyst Johannes Sakaria says Namibia’s latest ambassadorial appointments prioritize experience and political maturity over youth, highlighting strategic choices for key countries like Nigeria, Belgium, and Japan, while raising questions about long-term foreign policy impact.

The executor of founding president Sam Nujoma’s estate, lawyer Sisa Namandje, has dismissed an online report claiming that Nujoma endorsed a money-making investment platform before his death.

Namandje speaks to Desert FM’s Oshiwambo show, ‘Olweendo Mombuga’.