Namibia's communications regulator receives over 600 requests to reconsider Starlink decision
via The Namibian1 min read
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia Cran has received 624 applications from the public and interested stakeholders requesting a review of its decision regarding Starlink Internet Services Namibia Pty Ltd.'s licence application. Cran communication and consumer relations executive Mufaro Nesongano confirmed on Monday that none of these applications were submitted by Starlink itself. The government had rejected Starlink's operating licence application in March. Nesongano stated that all 624 applications originated from members of the public and other interested parties who were dissatisfied with the initial decision. Cran noted that aggrieved individuals were given a legally prescribed period to request reconsideration. The authority acknowledges the significant public interest in this matter and assures all stakeholders that the reconsideration applications will be processed according to established legal and regulatory procedures, including the Communications Act of 2009 and other relevant requirements.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Fatima Mustapha, an award-winning tech innovator, is dedicated to empowering women and youth in Nigeria to address climate change through technology and sustainable practices. Witnessing the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, she co-founded the Future Prowess Foundation in 2007. The foundation focuses on bridging inequality gaps by providing access to digital skills, climate education, and economic opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and refugees. Mustapha's approach integrates green farming, digital empowerment, and innovative agricultural solutions, including training in climate-smart agriculture and advancing plant tissue culture to improve crop yield and resilience. She has trained over 500 women in digital skills, recognizing technology's role in unlocking economic opportunities. Despite challenges like limited technical infrastructure and reliance on traditional farming methods, Mustapha emphasizes building trust, continuous training, and demonstrating concrete impacts. Her work has shown positive results in communities across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno state, where demonstration farms helped overcome initial resistance to modern farming techniques. Mustapha aims to scale this integrated approach across Nigeria and Africa, fostering a network of youth-led, technology-driven climate solutions.
Young Namibian men are susceptible to financial exploitation due to economic hardship and unequal power dynamics, with societal expectations preventing them from seeking help, according to University of Namibia senior sociology lecturer Ellison Tjirera. Tjirera notes that some older women, referred to as 'sugar mummies', exploit young men struggling with basic needs, and wealthy men also target young men. He emphasizes that the core issue is power imbalance, not gender, and that economic realities like rent, tuition, and living expenses push young men into these situations. Mental health advocate Elago Nantana states there are no statistics on the 'blesser' phenomenon involving young men because society expects them to be strong and self-reliant, leading them to remain silent. Nantana argues this issue is a predictable outcome of economic design, not a failure of young men. He adds that young men are often not seen as victims, especially when money or survival is involved, and feel marginalized, believing gender-based violence responses focus solely on women and girls. Nantana suggests Namibia improve awareness and mental health services by providing protective shelters for all genders, as male survivors often lack access. 4x4 Boys Initiative founder Sidney Boois advocates for sustained male engagement programs, better counselling, anonymous reporting systems, and public education on constitutional rights to ensure accountability for perpetrators.
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