馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Lize Ehlers represents Namibia at Toronto Pride, advocates for creative industry investment
via The Namibian4 min read
Namibian musician and creative Lize Ehlers represented Namibia at this year鈥檚 Toronto Pride celebrations in Canada, performing and marching as an international ally ambassador. This marks her second appearance, following her debut in 2025. This year, Ehlers was joined by Drag Night Namibia co-chief executive Rodelio Lewis, with both appearing in drag as DJ Rise Elders and Miss Mavis Dash. They marched directly behind Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and Toronto mayor Olivia Chow. Ehlers described the experience as a deeply emotional milestone, emphasizing the significance of a Namibian representing the country at such a prominent event. She noted that this year they represented not only themselves but also Namibian creatives, queer individuals, and allies. Beyond the parade, Ehlers performed her song 'Change' at a community vow renewal ceremony celebrating 25 years of marriage equality, while Lewis performed a lip-sync. They also presented a 30-minute performance at Pride Toronto鈥檚 community riser. Ehlers reunited with the original 2021 co-founders of Drag Night Namibia during her visit. She highlighted the need for Namibia to recognize the arts as an economic sector, drawing comparisons to countries that invest in artists and treat culture as an economic driver. Ehlers suggested that stronger support for the creative economy and greater openness towards queer-owned businesses could attract international investment to Namibia. Her focus for the rest of the year includes se
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibian midfielder Moses Shidolo has maintained his impressive form in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, scoring in his third consecutive league match for Scottland FC. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder opened the scoring against Hunters FC, contributing to a 3-0 victory. This win keeps Scottland FC at the top of the Castle Lager Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League table with 46 points, seven points ahead of Hardrock FC. Shidolo was named Player of the Match, his second such award in three games, and has now contributed seven goals this season with three goals and four assists. He credited his performances to hard work and his midfield partner, Mthokozisi Msebe. Shidolo also mentioned his willingness to play out of position, having previously played at right-back and provided two assists. Head coach Norman Mapeza emphasized that all players must earn their positions. Scottland FC is aiming to defend their league title with 13 matches remaining and is currently assessing Namibian forwards Elias Hambongo and Stoffel Witbeen for potential squad strengthening.
The Namibian Presidency has stated that the more than 200-member business delegation accompanying President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to China was not funded by taxpayers. This clarification follows public criticism regarding the delegation's size. According to a statement from State House, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board coordinated the business delegation through an open expression of interest, allowing companies to apply for participation. The businesses are in China to explore commercial opportunities, establish partnerships, identify suppliers, attract investment, and secure export markets. The Presidency emphasized that participating businesses made their own travel and participation arrangements. The large turnout is seen as a reflection of the private sector's confidence in opportunities within China, the world's second-largest economy. The Presidency also noted that it is common international practice for business leaders to accompany heads of state on official visits to promote trade and investment, strengthen bilateral economic relations, and support industrialization, job creation, and market access.
Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi announced a significant increase in cargo at the Katima Mulilo and Ngoma borders, with import values reaching N$71 billion and export values at N$20 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year. This surge in trade, she noted, underscores the need to expedite the One Stop Border Post initiative, with progress made on the Katima Mulilo project through a bilateral agreement between Namibia and Zambia. The governor also reported that 30,683 heavy goods vehicles were weighed at the Katima Mulilo weighbridge, with 8,806 found to be overloaded. Of these, 126 trucks overloaded above the 5% requirement resulted in N$406,000 in duties paid, and 424 summonses for general traffic offenses totaled N$667,150. Kabula-Simushi highlighted challenges at the weighbridge, including limited operating hours 08h00 to 17h00 compared to the 24/7 border, and a shortage of staff, with only four members instead of the required twelve for 24-hour operation. Plans are underway to upgrade the Katima Mulilo weighbridge to a multi-deck system and introduce 24-hour operations at both Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo weighbridges in the 2026/2027 financial year. Additionally, the region's 15 conservancies generated N$33 million from conservation hunting and tourism, with over N$3.7 million reinvested into community development. However, human-wildlife conflict incidents increased to 563, up from 411 the previous year.