Future Media News

The City of Windhoek has rejected calls for residents to boycott payment of municipal services, warning that non-payment could threaten service delivery across the capital. The City says outstanding municipal debt currently stands at N$932.7 million, and disconnections are targeting accounts that are at least 30 days in arrears. It warns that defaulters could face interest charges, service disconnections and legal action. The City's spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya, has more. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

In S.A, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s legal team, led by Advocate Anneline van den Heever SC, is challenging the Madlanga Commission’s use of statements he made during a failed plea deal involving a police healthcare tender. Matlala had agreed to testify against other accused, including senior police officers, but withdrew after a court rejected the proposed sentence as too lenient. Van den Heever argues that statements made during plea negotiations are protected and cannot be used by the Commission. The challenge centres on whether those statements remain legally protected despite the collapse of the agreement. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

In S.A, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has dismissed suggestions president Cyril Ramaphosa was considering resigning following the party's performance in the local government elections. The ANC’s national share of the vote dropped from 45.59-percent in 2021 to around 30.76-percent. Sunday Times reported Ramaphosa was willing to fall on his sword, and suggested the party’s National Executive Committee should also take responsibility for the electoral setback. Mbalula describes the reports as malicious: Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, speaking in an interview with Bloomberg less than a month ago, discusses his unconventional leadership style, the pressures of the job, and who might succeed him. That conversation takes on a dramatic new context today: Huang has since acknowledged an affair following reports that US intelligence officials suspect the woman involved was recruited by Beijing, and Nvidia’s board has launched an investigation. Here is Huang on accountability for CEOs. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

COP31 has started in Turkey and Namibia is represented. One of the main focuses of the Namibian delegation is securing climate adaptation finance for arid and semi-arid regions. Things, however, do not look good. The latest Adaptation Report, prepared in the run-up to this conference, shows that funding shortfalls are massive. Secretary-General to the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

South African Professor Thuli Madonsela says South Africa’s Constitution does not guarantee young people jobs, but promises justice within a fair economic system. Speaking to the Daily Maverick, she says the government should create an environment where everyone can participate in wealth creation and job creation. Madonsela argues that young people should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and solve community problems. She also calls for university reforms to equip graduates with self-employment plans, rather than relying solely on government jobs.

Meanwhile, the Forum for South Africa is calling for urgent amendments to South Africa’s electoral legislation to strengthen the independence, transparency, accountability and credibility of the electoral processes. It has expressed concern about the conduct of the recent local government elections in Madibeng Local Municipality, North West, following reports of alleged irregularities. FORUM4SA leader Tebogo Mashilompane says questions are being raised about the fairness, impartiality and credibility of the electoral process: Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

An independent technical review by the International Atomic Energy Agency has highlighted key gaps and uncertainties in the Russian environmental assessment for the proposed uranium project at Leonardville. The IAEA report stresses that its findings apply strictly to the pilot-scale in-situ leaching test and do not evaluate potential full-scale commercial mining. While project proponent Headspring Investments asserts that the uranium-bearing Auob Aquifer is safely insulated from the overlying drinking water of the Kalahari Aquifer, the IAEA found a lack of empirical proof confirming vertical confinement. Yanna Smith explains some of the uncertainties Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

As COP31 kicks off today in Turkey, local ecologist Dr Peter Cunningham says Namibia should focus on practical climate solutions at home. He says the country should improve farming practices, protect soil, reduce carbon emissions and address water wastage. Cunningham argues that Namibia, as a dry country, needs to prioritise practical action, particularly in agriculture and water management, rather than endless discussions at international climate conferences.  Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Namibia Dairies has injected N$54.5 million into a state-of-the-art Tetra Pak A3 Flex filling line. Unveiled by OL Group Executive Chairman Sven Thieme, the new plant operates at up to 8 000 packs per hour and features advanced cap-application technology alongside enhanced safety and supply chain efficiency. The upgrade drastically reduces packaging waste from 4 to 1.5% while cutting down on stockholding requirements through materials sourced from South Africa. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

World number three Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Paris Masters title as he avenged his US Open defeat to Ben Shelton. The Spaniard beat the American 7-6, 7-5 to secure his ninth consecutive match win and fifth tournament victory from six finals this year. This is also his ninth ATP Masters one thousand title. Shelton was aiming to win his third Masters one thousand title. Alcaraz says this title is something that he has been chasing for a long time. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage