
The Swapo Party Youth League SPYL has called on young Namibians to become education ambassadors and contribute to national development as the country observes the Day of the African Child. SPYL secretary Ephraim Nekongo stated that the day honors the students of Soweto who protested an unjust education system on June 16, 1976, sacrificing their lives for quality education, dignity, and freedom. Nekongo emphasized that their sacrifice highlights education's central role in Africa's liberation and development. He noted Namibia's progress since independence in expanding education access, including free primary and secondary education, subsidized tertiary education, and improved vocational training opportunities. Nekongo described these achievements as a testament to an independent Namibia's vision, which prioritizes education for national development. Despite these gains, Nekongo acknowledged ongoing challenges in ensuring quality education, digital literacy, and equal opportunities for children in rural and marginalized communities. He stressed that the modern world demands a generation that is educated, skilled, disciplined, and prepared for nation-building. Nekongo urged young people to honor the 1976 Soweto uprising's legacy by embracing learning, leadership, and service to their communities and the country.
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.

In Tehran, football fans gathered in one of the few cafes open at 4:30 am to watch the Iranian national team's first World Cup match against New Zealand. Despite the early hour, approximately 40 fans, including women without headscarves, discussed the team's prospects. The match occurred a day after a memorandum of understanding was announced between Tehran and Washington to end the conflict and economic turmoil. While some dismissed the agreement as temporary, the crowd's attention quickly shifted to the game. A large Iranian flag was unfurled at the stadium, prompting state television to highlight its presence in Los Angeles. Opponents of the Islamic Republic were also present at the stadium, displaying the pre-1979 Iranian flag. Shiva Sharifi, a 21-year-old teacher, expressed her hope for the team to advance and emphasized the separation of football and politics. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Iran equalizing twice, leading to cheers in the cafe. However, Abolfazl Kazemi, a 24-year-old employee, expressed concern about the players' stress and fatigue, attributing it to the difficult path to the World Cup amidst the ongoing conflict. Coach Amir Ghalenoei described his team as the "most oppressed" and criticized the travel arrangements, stating that the team was forced to return to their Mexico training base immediately after the game, limiting recovery time. The United States also denied visas to about 15 coaching staff members for the group matches. Despite these chal

The Namibia National Paralympic Committee NNPC reports that recent blind football exhibition matches in Windhoek have boosted aspirations to form a national team capable of competing at an African level. These matches, held at the Namibia Special Olympics Grounds in Katutura, are part of efforts to expand Paralympic sports in Namibia beyond athletics. NNPC development officer JP Schmidt stated that the initiative aims to include more sports codes, noting that while many associate Namibian Paralympic sport with track-and-field, there are 23 sport codes. Blind football is a five-a-side game played by blind athletes using a ball with bells for auditory tracking. Schmidt mentioned that spectators were impressed by the talent displayed by the six participating teams, whose players came from various parts of the country. The next phase involves establishing structured competitions and identifying players for national team selection. Schmidt believes Namibia has the potential to become a leading force in African blind football if the program continues to develop. The NNPC and the Namibian Association for Blind Sports plan to engage more regions through training camps and development programs to build the national blind football team.

Namibian center-back Sisqo Haraseb has joined Zimbabwe Premier League side Hard Rock FC after returning from a loan spell with Iraqi Stars League outfit Al-Qassim FC. The 25-year-old has traveled to Zimbabwe and signed with the Kwekwe-based club, becoming the first Namibian international to play for them. Hard Rock FC, newly promoted to the Castle Lager Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, are currently third in the league standings. Haraseb's move follows a challenging loan in Iraq, where Al-Qassim FC faced financial difficulties and relegation. He rose to prominence with Mighty Gunners FC in Namibia, earning a national team call-up in March 2025. After his Cosafa Cup debut, he attracted interest from clubs and signed with Mochudi Centre Chiefs FC in Botswana before his loan to Al-Qassim FC. His departure from Mochudi Centre Chiefs was complicated by an alleged breach of contract, with Haraseb's lawyer now handling a dispute with the club over outstanding payments. Haraseb expressed gratitude for this new chapter in his career after a difficult first year abroad.