🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
University of Namibia team secures spot at Global HackAtom finals
via The Namibian2 min read
The University of Namibia’s NamHack Innovators team has qualified for the Global HackAtom 2026 Grand Final after winning the national round of the international student competition on nuclear technology innovation. The competition, held in Namibia, involved 15 countries and challenged participants to develop practical, innovation-driven solutions in nuclear technologies within 24 hours. Twenty teams from across Namibia competed, tasked with designing comprehensive solutions for sustainable energy supply in southern Africa’s coastal regions, using floating power units as a case study based on Namibia’s specific conditions. The Namibian round was organized by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, with support from Rosatom, a Russian state-owned nuclear corporation. Team captain Lemmy Nyambe described the experience as transformative, highlighting how it strengthened teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. He expressed the team's honor to represent Namibia at the finals in Russia and gratitude to the organizers, partners, and the University of Namibia. Ryan Collyer, Rosatom central and southern Africa chief executive, noted that the championship serves as a platform for developing engineering thinking, research culture, and young people’s interest in cutting-edge energy technologies. Winners from each national round will compete for the overall championship title in Russia in September. Rosatom plans to expand its presence in Namibia through uranium mining oper
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadThe Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority Namfisa is investigating Wealth Management Solutions WMS, a financial advisory firm owned by Hanjo Schlabitz, following reports of at least N$250 million in client losses. The Namibian reported that WMS owes this amount primarily to pensioners and families. While 87 individuals and two organizations have come forward as creditors, the liquidator estimates total losses could reach N$350 million. Investors claim Schlabitz promised annual returns of around 7% in money market funds and up to 20% on foreign exchange investments. The foreign exchange investments have reportedly disappeared, and Schlabitz admitted to using money market funds to repay foreign exchange investors. Namfisa spokesperson Victoria Raimond confirmed the ongoing investigation but declined to comment on specific supervisory or enforcement actions. WMS and Schlabitz maintain active registrations with Namfisa, with WMS registered in 2007 as a long-term insurance broker firm and Schlabitz in 2015 as a long-term insurance broker. Since the Financial Institutions and Markets Act 2021 came into force, brokers like Schlabitz are categorized as financial intermediaries, who manage policies for clients and are required to keep up-to-date financial records but not necessarily have auditors. Independent Patriots for Change shadow finance minister Michael Mwashindange suggested that if client funds were diverted between investment products, it would raise questions
The ruling party Swapo concluded the 2025/26 financial year with over N$7 million in assets and a surplus of nearly N$4 million. Its financial report for the year ended March 31 shows political funding income of N$107.7 million and an additional N$706,892 in finance income, with N$104.5 million spent on political funding activities. Swapo's assets more than doubled from N$3.1 million in 2024/25 to N$7 million in 2025/26. In contrast, the official opposition Independent Patriots for Change IPC reported total liabilities of N$1.8 million and a deficit of N$777,217 for the year ended December 31, 2025. The IPC's total income was N$30.8 million, but its operating expenses reached N$31.6 million. The party's financial position became insolvent, with N$1.86 million in liabilities significantly outweighing its N$390,061 in assets. The IPC's liquid cash also decreased from nearly N$1 million to N$22,034 within 12 months. Swanu of Namibia's financial report for the year ended February 28, 2025, indicated the party received N$1.34 million in government grants, using N$1.29 million and retaining N$49,521 in unused funds. A June 2025 report by the Institute of Public Policy Research IPPR highlighted that taxpayers have spent N$181 million on political party funding, and a February 2023 IPPR report noted that most political parties were still not fully accounting for their funding in a timely manner.
Must ReadFormer mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has urged the Namibian government to publish a detailed implementation plan for the new mineral agreements signed with China. These agreements, part of nine cooperation deals covering various sectors, were established during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to China from July 6 to 11. Alweendo emphasized the need to translate these diplomatic agreements into measurable economic benefits and an industrial plan that can attract investment and be evaluated by Namibians. He suggested the plan should identify priority minerals, outline processing stages, assign ministerial responsibilities, address infrastructure gaps, and set annual targets for investment, skills development, local suppliers, and exports. Alweendo stressed building a competitive minerals industry rather than solely relying on raw mineral exports, noting that uranium constituted 85% of Namibia's N$23.4 billion exports to China last year. He cautioned that banning raw mineral exports alone would not create factories or jobs, highlighting the need for dependable feedstock, affordable electricity, water, logistics, technical skills, environmental controls, working capital, and long-term buyers for processing plants. The Independent Patriots for Change IPC also questioned the transparency of these agreements, calling for details on the deals and involved companies. Rodney Cloete, IPC shadow minister of international relations and trade, raised concerns about