
Ouma Marta Gansib, a 119-year-old supercentenarian from Rehoboth, Namibia, is the primary provider for her household of 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren through her monthly pension grant. Born on December 24, 1906, she has lived through significant historical events, including two world wars and the Great Depression. Despite her age, Ouma Gansib remains active, waking her great-grandchildren for school and maintaining a daily routine that includes tobacco and tea. She emphasizes the importance of respecting elders, a value she believes the younger generation lacks. Her family notes her memory is still sharp, though her eyesight has diminished. Ouma Gansib's diet includes meat, despite having lost her teeth, and she enjoys marshmallows. She attributes her longevity to faith, prayer, and reading the Bible. Her pension is crucial for her family's survival, and there have been instances where the Ministry of Finance removed her from the recipient list, assuming she was no longer alive, leading to periods without food for the family. Her family remembers her for her home-baked bread, magou, and jokes, and they view caring for her as a routine, much like their daily Bible study. Local councillors highlight her as an inspiration for the community, urging young people to learn from her life and respect their elders.
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.

Disney Andreas, a Namibian communication professional, discusses the growing excitement in Namibia about its renewable energy potential, particularly in green hydrogen. The country aims to leverage its abundant sunshine and strong coastal winds to become a leader in green energy, promising jobs, economic growth, and energy independence. Projects like Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, HyIron Oshivela Facility, and Daures Green Hydrogen Village are highlighted as examples of this momentum, attracting international investment and technology. However, Andreas cautions against "greenwashing," where optimistic promises overshadow practical challenges. She emphasizes the need for honest conversations about the impact of large projects on land and nature, especially in sensitive areas and regarding water usage in an arid country. Concerns are raised about whether jobs and benefits will genuinely reach Namibians, and the adequacy of public participation, particularly for indigenous groups. Andreas points out red flags such as vague promises without clear timelines, a focus on positive aspects while downplaying trade-offs like water consumption or limited local benefits, and narratives that ignore on-the-ground realities. She cites the ReconAfrica oil exploration in the Kavango regions as a cautionary tale regarding weak public participation and insufficient engagement. Andreas concludes by stressing the importance of learning from past experiences and insisting on genuine free, prior, and infor
Must ReadPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that she will lead a delegation of Namibian business personalities to China in the coming days. The announcement was made this week at Ondangwa. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen economic cooperation between Namibia and China. President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the business delegation members to clearly define their objectives for the trip, emphasizing the two-way nature of the cooperation.
Must ReadNamibian Catholic bishops recently highlighted a growing mental health crisis, noting that stigma exacerbates the situation and prevents individuals from seeking necessary help. They referenced Pope John Paul II, who stated that depression is an illness requiring understanding and treatment. The Namibian newspaper reported that state hospitals in Oshakati, Engela, and Okahandja lack medication for mental health patients, a situation reportedly mirrored across the country, forcing patients to return home without treatment or purchase medicine privately. Medical doctor Cornelia Ndifon warned that treatment interruptions can reverse progress and worsen a patient's condition, potentially leading to escalated aggression. The article suggests that a lack of access to antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants could lead to societal degeneration. To address this, the government is urged to remedy the medicine shortage, and the Ministry of Finance is called upon to reinstate comprehensive mental health pharmaceutical coverage under both Low and High Psemas options. The newly proposed mental health bill of 2025, introduced by health minister Esperance Luvindao, aims to replace the 1973 Mental Health Act, shifting towards a rights-based, patient-centered approach and decentralizing treatment to community and primary health clinics. The state is also encouraged to fund community-level mobile mental health clinics to distribute multi-month medicine supplies to rural and unders