馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
TransNamib review of Rovos Rail derailment highlights need for safety improvements
via The Namibian1 min read
TransNamib announced that an independent investigation into the Rovos Rail passenger train derailment near Keetmanshoop on March 1 has affirmed the necessity for ongoing enhancements in rail safety and operational systems. TransNamib appointed South Africa鈥檚 Railway Safety Regulator RSR to conduct the investigation, as Namibia currently lacks its own dedicated railway safety regulator. The RSR chief executive, Brian Monakali, presented the findings to TransNamib leadership, including board and management representatives, and the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union. TransNamib chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld stated that engaging the RSR demonstrates the company鈥檚 commitment to transparency, independent oversight, and strengthening safety. He added that the report's recommendations will be thoroughly reviewed and integrated into existing safety programs and operational procedures. Van Jaarsveld emphasized the importance of regional partnerships in advancing rail safety and promoting accountability. Rovos Rail, a private luxury train operator, has operated in Namibia for over 28 years without serious injuries, and its services remain fully operational.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
France secured a 42-15 victory over Japan in Tokyo, concluding their Nations Championship southern hemisphere series. The Six Nations champions scored six tries against Japan, who managed to score two tries through Kippei Ishida and Sojiro Otsuka. This win means France finished their three-game series with victories against Australia and Japan, alongside a loss to New Zealand. Japan's performance in the series included a win against Italy and losses to Ireland and France. France captain Maxime Lucu noted the team's focus on the upcoming World Cup and expressed satisfaction with two wins from three matches. The game, played in 28 Celsius heat and high humidity, saw Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lamothe each score two tries for France, with Alexandre Roumat and Lucu adding one each. Japan coach Eddie Jones praised his team's finishers, particularly in the last 20 minutes. France opened the scoring early with a try from Lamothe. Despite setbacks with flanker Lenni Nouchi and lock Florian Verhaege leaving for concussion checks, France maintained control. Japan responded with a penalty and a try from Ishida. France quickly countered with a try from Jalibert, followed by another from Roumat, making his first international appearance since February 2025. Lucu added France's fourth try, but Otsuka scored for Japan before halftime. Jalibert and Lamothe both scored again in the second half. Jalibert was sin-binned for an illegal tackle, and a TMO decision denied Japan another try.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, recorded the fastest time in the third and final free practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Italian teenager posted a lap of one minute and 45.990 seconds, outpacing McLaren's Lando Norris by 0.139 seconds, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull in third. Norris will face a 10-second grid penalty for Sunday's race. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton, also for Ferrari, placed fifth despite a significant crash at the end of the session. Hamilton lost control at the Fagnes chicane, damaging the rear of his car, though he was unhurt. His car requires extensive repairs before qualifying. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's Ferrari teammate, was sixth, followed by Oscar Piastri of McLaren. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi, and Isack Hadjar of Red Bull, who also has a grid penalty, completed the top ten.
Must ReadNamibia's traditional musical expressions, including rhythms, ritual melodies, and communal songs, are vulnerable to exploitation because the country's 1994 Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act primarily focuses on identifiable authorship, offering little protection for communally owned works. This legal gap allows commercial entities and artists to record and monetize traditional music without adequately compensating the communities that have preserved these cultural assets for generations. While Namibia signed the Swakopmund Protocol, which promotes free, prior, and informed consent and equitable benefit-sharing for traditional cultural expressions, domestic law has not yet been updated to reflect this framework. The article suggests establishing a specialized statutory structure, possibly under the Business and Intellectual Property Authority Bipa, to act as a legal custodian for undocumented communal musical works. This entity would maintain a national registry and manage licensing, ensuring that commercial exploitation benefits the originating communities through reinvestment in cultural preservation and community projects, rather than simple cash payments. The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music Nascam is also urged to review its royalty handling for traditional or unattributed music to ensure funds support the communities.