馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Namibia's national volleyball teams return to international competition after 15-year absence
via The Namibian4 min read
Namibia's men's and women's national volleyball teams are set to compete internationally for the first time in approximately 15 years at the CAVB Zone VI Senior LA28 Olympic Games Qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe, from June 7 to 14. This tournament is a crucial step towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and signifies a major revival for the country's national volleyball program. According to Joel Matthews, Namibia Volleyball Federation NVF national team project head and head coach, the country has not had an active national volleyball team for over a decade, with its last international participation in 2014. The federation attributes this return to the progress made in developing regional leagues and the MTC Volleyball National League, which has expanded the talent pool. The men's squad includes experienced players like Simon Ekandjo and David Nashongo, while the women's side features Matheus Albertina and Naemi Amunyela. The qualifiers offer an opportunity for Namibia to assess its progress against strong southern African nations and pursue a spot in the next Olympic qualification stage. Matthews stated that preparations began on May 15, with the initial 18-player training squad reduced to a final 14 players for each team. The coaching staff has focused on player conditioning and integrating athletes from various clubs into a unified national team system. Despite the long absence, Namibia aims for a top-two finish to advance to the next qualification round. The federation
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibian musicians have expressed support for a new global labeling system for artificial intelligence-generated music, viewing it as a step towards greater transparency, stronger copyright protection, and helping listeners differentiate between human-created and AI-generated content. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry introduced the system, which classifies sound recordings as "AI-generated" or "AI-assisted" using visual icons, metadata, and backend delivery systems. This initiative aims for global adoption and will evolve with technological advancements and legal requirements. Joseph Ailonga, board chairperson of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music, stated that the system provides essential transparency for distinguishing between AI-generated and AI-assisted works, which is crucial for authenticating ownership, copyright, and royalty management. Singer Lize Ehlers emphasized that AI should serve as a tool, not a replacement for human creativity, and welcomed the labels for allowing audiences to make informed choices about the art they consume. She also warned that over-reliance on AI could diminish opportunities for emerging musicians. Rapper KP Illest acknowledged the labels as a positive development but highlighted concerns about AI learning from human-made music and the potential for beats to be "stolen." Musician Shax Champion, however, believes AI does not threaten originality, stating that authentic artists will continue to st
Must ReadMonicah Tjatindi highlights the consistent provision of nutritious meals in Botswana's schools, including in rural areas, where students receive balanced breakfasts and lunches. This contrasts with Namibia, where school feeding programs often face shortages and inadequacies. In Botswana, children are served soft porridge with peanut butter and warm milk, or bread, eggs, and milk for breakfast, and meals with meat, sorghum, fruit, and water for lunch. Tjatindi notes that well-fed students in Botswana remain active, focused, and disciplined, attributing this to the significant role nutrition plays in learning and concentration. The author suggests Namibia's education minister should examine Botswana's successful implementation of these systems. Tjatindi argues that hunger contributes to children becoming disengaged, falling into crime, substance abuse, and experiencing poor academic performance. The article also mentions that Botswana's schools are well-protected and organized, with less vandalism due to early education in responsibility and respect. Tjatindi calls for Namibia to reconsider and improve its school feeding programs, emphasizing that investing in school nutrition protects education, reduces crime, improves discipline, strengthens public health, and builds a productive future generation. The author concludes that Namibia has the resources and potential to improve pupils' lives if school feeding programs become a national priority.
Must ReadNamibia is experiencing a growing crisis where high youth unemployment, estimated at 38% by the Namibia Statistics Agency, is driving young people into criminal activities. Many school-leavers and graduates face limited opportunities in the formal economy, leading criminal syndicates to recruit them for various illegal operations, from petty theft to organized crime. Social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook exacerbate the issue by normalizing and even glorifying criminal acts among youth. The erosion of Namibia鈥檚 social fabric, with many young people lacking positive role models, further contributes to this trend, as gang leaders and online influencers fill this void. Addressing this requires more than just law enforcement; the government needs to expand economic opportunities through initiatives like the National Youth Entrepreneurship Fund and youth lending schemes, while reducing bureaucratic hurdles for start-up funding. Investment in human development, including transforming regional youth centers into vocational training hubs and enforcing the national minimum wage, is also crucial. Additionally, youth counseling, mentorship programs, and targeted support for high-risk communities are essential. Religious institutions, civil society, businesses, and communities must collaborate to provide mentorship, sports initiatives, apprenticeships, and safe spaces to prevent another generation from being lost to crime.