🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Barbara Lopi emphasizes journalism's role in advancing SADC regional integration
via The Namibian6 min read
Barbara Lopi, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat, delivered remarks at the 31st SADC Regional Adjudication Committee Virtual Meeting for the 2026 SADC Media Awards. She highlighted journalism's crucial role in shaping narratives, informing societies, and strengthening regional integration and cooperation. Lopi expressed appreciation to the Republic of South Africa for hosting the session and acknowledged the support of Honourable Kenny Morolong, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, and Mr. William Baloyi, Chief Director for Media Engagement. The SADC Media Awards, established in 1996, celebrate outstanding reporting on regional cooperation and integration. This year, 28 entries from 11 SADC Member States are being adjudicated across print, photo, radio, and television categories. Winners will be announced at the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Durban, South Africa, on August 17, 2026, with first-place winners receiving US$2,500 and runners-up US$1,000. Lopi also mentioned the SADC Communication, Awareness and Visibility Strategy 2025–2030, aimed at strengthening public understanding of SADC's mandate. She urged Member States that did not submit entries this year to do so next year and paid tribute to Mr. Peter Mabaka, who retired from the SADC Secretariat after coordinating the Media Awards for 10 years.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Cazaly Resources has obtained ground access to the Cadix anomaly at its Abenab North project in northern Namibia, which the company identifies as its highest-priority target. Managing director Tara French stated that fieldwork, including geophysical surveys and drill planning, is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year. The company plans to conduct baseline geological mapping, detailed magnetic surveys, and finalize drill program designs before field activities begin. French noted that the Cadix anomaly is an untested magnetic target over 800m in diameter and is the largest magnetic feature within the exclusive prospecting licence 9852 area. This target was identified after reprocessing regional aeromagnetic data and remains undrilled despite previous exploration. The Abenab North project spans approximately 790 square kilometers within the Otavi Fold Belt, about 450km from Windhoek and 20km from the historic Tsumeb Copper Mine. Historical drilling in other parts of the licence confirmed carbonatite-hosted rare earth element mineralization, with reported intersections including 45m grading 0.73% total rare earth oxides. The larger Cadix anomaly, however, has not been drill-tested, making it the company's primary exploration focus.
Must ReadThe Namibian government's cash balance reached zero at the end of May, leading it to utilize an N$1.8 billion overdraft facility to meet its financial obligations. This information comes from the latest statement of assets and liabilities released by the Bank of Namibia BoN. While the government had a negative balance of N$3.23 billion in March, which improved to a N$379.2 million deposit in April, it moved into an overdraft position by May. This overdraft contributed to an increase in the central bank's domestic assets, rising from N$1.21 billion in March to over N$3.37 billion in May. Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu stated that the overdraft is not an indication of the government being broke, but rather a result of cash flow timing issues, with the BoN acting as the government's banker. The central bank's international investment holdings increased from N$47.15 billion in March to N$50.92 billion in May, despite a N$2.9 billion decline in May alone, primarily due to movements in foreign currency reserves, including the South African rand and other currencies. Gold holdings, however, nearly doubled, increasing by N$155 million to almost N$320 million by the end of May. Meanwhile, currency in circulation rose by N$400 million, from N$5.42 billion in March to N$5.82 billion by the end of May. Despite these fluctuations, the BoN's overall asset position remained strong at N$65.77 billion.
ERONGO SUNAM Desalination Pty Ltd and the ERONGO SUNAM Desalination Project have been officially launched in Namibia. Luo Wei, Chairman of the Board of ERONGO SUNAM Desalination Pty Ltd, stated that this initiative is a significant milestone for the Erongo Region and Namibia as a whole. The project, a joint venture between NamWater Ltd and Swakop Uranium Pty Ltd, aims to strengthen Namibia’s long-term water security and support sustainable economic growth, aligning with National Development Plans. Valued at approximately N$2.1 billion, the Erongo SUNAM Desalination Project is a strategic national infrastructure investment designed to deliver about 20 million cubic meters of climate-independent water annually to the Erongo Region and the broader Namibian economy. This project addresses water scarcity, a key constraint to industrial growth, particularly in the mining sector within the Erongo Region. The board emphasized its commitment to disciplined and transparent implementation, focusing on national benefits, broad-based national participation, and localization throughout the project's lifecycle, including financing, contracting, procurement, skills development, employment creation, and long-term value creation for the national economy. The Government of the Republic of Namibia, NamWater, Swakop Uranium, and CGN Group were acknowledged for their leadership, support, and investment.