President Nandi-Ndaitwah named to Time100 list for 2026
via The Namibian1 min read
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been included in the Time100 list for 2026, recognizing her as one of the world's most influential figures and highlighting Namibia's increasing international presence. Winnie Byanyima, executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, stated that the Time100 list acknowledges the impact, innovation, and achievements of influential individuals who shape the global agenda. Byanyima noted that Nandi-Ndaitwah's dedication to service reflects the significant role African women played in anti-colonial struggles. She added that President Nandi-Ndaitwah continues to overcome obstacles, leading an inclusive government and inspiring women globally. Nandi-Ndaitwah is recognized as a consistent and respected voice from the global South, advocating for equity and justice through international platforms and agreements such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Her inclusion on the list reflects her leadership and commitment to Namibia's development priorities, democratic governance, and inclusive economic growth. This recognition also emphasizes Namibia's growing influence on the international stage, particularly in promoting peace, stability, and equitable progress.
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A recent study conducted in Uganda has shown that a catnip-based lotion is as effective as diethyltoluamide Deet in repelling mosquitoes. The research, presented at the Society for Experimental Biology conference in Florence, found that mosquitoes were less likely to land on individuals using lotions containing catnip. Specifically, a 6% catnip oil solution performed comparably to Deet, while a 2% concentration was only slightly less effective. This development is significant for malaria prevention, especially in African countries where the disease infects approximately 282 million people annually and caused 610,000 deaths in 2024, predominantly among young children. Concerns about rising insecticide resistance and the high cost of commercial repellents like Deet for rural Ugandan subsistence farmers highlight the need for affordable, locally produced alternatives. The catnip lotion, which can be made by community enterprises, has been distributed for free through grant funding, with plans to increase production and sales to create a sustainable income for workers. Swai Kyeba, a research entomologist from the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, emphasized the importance of new, accessible vector-control tools in the fight against malaria.
Must ReadThis year's Red List of endangered species highlights how human activities are overwhelming the ingenious survival strategies of various species. Deep-sea mining, for instance, threatens two-thirds of mollusc species found exclusively on hydrothermal vents, with over 200 species living in these extreme environments. One snail, Lirapex felix, is critically endangered due to mining in the Indian Ocean, though some vent species are protected in marine areas. The desert rain frog is also at risk from diamond mining and energy infrastructure expansion in Southern Africa, compounded by demand from the exotic pet trade. However, conservation efforts can succeed, as demonstrated by the numbat, an Australian marsupial. Its population has rebounded from 300 in the late 1970s to between 2,000 and 3,000 today, moving from endangered to near threatened, thanks to protection from feral cats and foxes, captive breeding, and translocations. Despite this success, five other Australian marsupials have been confirmed extinct, likely due to feral predators. The International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN, which produces the Red List, notes that while life adapts to hostile habitats, increasing pressures threaten even the most resilient creatures. The IUCN advocates for conservation, having voted for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in 2021. The Red List currently includes 175,909 species, with 49,505 threatened with extinction.
Baronice Hans, former managing director of Bank Windhoek, has been appointed chief executive officer of Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, effective September 1. Hans confirmed her new role on Wednesday. She was the first woman to lead Bank Windhoek, serving as managing director for nine years, making her the longest-serving managing director in the bank's 42-year history. During her leadership, Bank Windhoek issued southern Africa鈥檚 first green bond, listed on Nasdaq, and achieved a profit after tax of N$1 billion in 2023. Hans, a chartered accountant, has a background in finance and strategy. After leaving Bank Windhoek, she joined Burning Bush Strategy Consultants, providing strategic advisory services. She now takes the helm at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital as it continues to grow within Namibia鈥檚 healthcare sector.