Victor Wembanyama named NBA defensive player of the year in unanimous vote
via The Namibian5 min read
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been named the NBA's defensive player of the year, becoming the first unanimous winner in the award's 43-year history. The France international received a perfect 100 votes in the media ballot. At 22, Wembanyama is the youngest player to win this honor. He led the league in blocks per game for a third consecutive season with 3.08 and contributed to the Spurs achieving the No. 3 ranking in defensive ratings. Wembanyama scored 35 points, grabbed five rebounds, and made two blocks in his first postseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers. German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki praised Wembanyama, stating he is "changing the game as we speak" and that his defense is so effective it alters the game just by his presence on the court. Wembanyama attributed his success to his teammates and the Spurs coaching staff, emphasizing the team aspect of his achievement.
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Former Tottenham star Edgar Davids stated on Tuesday that the London club faces a difficult challenge to avoid relegation, attributing their predicament to "a lack of quality and a lack of management." Tottenham is currently in the Premier League relegation zone, two points from safety with five matches remaining, and is on its third manager of what Davids described as a disastrous season. Davids, who played for Spurs in 2005-2006, acknowledged the recent appointment of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi three weeks ago as a positive step, but expressed concern for the club's Premier League future. He suggested that the club should have significantly strengthened its injury-hit squad during the winter transfer window. Tottenham, which has not secured a league win since late December, is scheduled to play already relegated Wolves on Saturday.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters NEFF has challenged the health ministry's decision to transfer officials allegedly involved in pharmaceutical theft and stock record manipulation, rather than suspending them. NEFF deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu raised this concern in the National Assembly, questioning why implicated staff members were reassigned instead of suspended pending investigations, especially given ongoing medicine shortages. Health minister Esperance Luvindao stated that while her office initially directed suspensions, due process under the Public Service Commission rules and regulations must be followed, requiring evidence gathering before suspensions. Iipumbu rejected this explanation, arguing that decisive action is needed to ensure accountability and prevent further risk to lives. Executive director of health and social services Penda Iithindi previously confirmed that the alleged misconduct includes manipulation of stock records, theft, and diversion of pharmaceutical supplies within the national system.
Must ReadPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent state of the nation address highlighted that Namibia's future relies on the skills and productivity of its people, not solely on natural resources. She stressed that skills shortages are a critical constraint and called for sustained investment in training, institutional capacity, and technology to build a resilient and inclusive economy. The President's address served as a national call to action for all sectors, businesses, and employers to contribute to developing a skilled workforce for Vision 2030. The Employer Training Grant ETG, with a submission deadline of midnight on May 5, offers a practical way for employers to support this initiative. The address also emphasized technical and vocational education and training TVET, noting increased enrollment to over 13,000 trainees and the expansion of infrastructure like the Nkurenkuru and Keetmanshoop vocational training centers. New programs are aligning with emerging sectors such as green hydrogen and renewable energy. The work integrated learning policy, launched in March, aims to strengthen the transition from training to employment and integrate green and digital skills into curricula. The ETG allows registered VET levy employers to reclaim up to 50% of their levy contributions for qualifying training. For the 2025/26 financial year, over N$306 million is projected to be available for disbursement through ETG claims for training conducted between April 1, 2025, and March 31. Eligi
Must ReadThe final draft of Namibia's cybercrime bill, circulated ahead of a validation workshop by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, has drawn criticism from civil society groups for its serious flaws. Dianne Hubbard highlights several shortcomings, including the undefined term "critical information" in the computer virus offense, and the lack of clear definitions for "cyberbullying" and "cyber-extortion." The bill's provisions on "obscene images" are also deemed problematic due to vague terms and concepts, potentially conflicting with a 1998 High Court ruling that struck down similar legislation for overly broad restrictions on freedom of speech. Concerns are raised about the child pornography offense, which lumps all children under 18 together, potentially criminalizing consensual acts between minors of legal age. Furthermore, the bill's control of online content provision, which holds account administrators responsible for "undesirable content" without defining intent or providing due process, is seen as vague, unworkable, and likely to infringe on freedom of speech. Hubbard notes the bill's inadequate protection for victims, particularly children, and its focus on digital offenses while neglecting the intertwined nature of online and offline crimes. She suggests that rushing the bill in its current state could lead to confusion and constitutional challenges, advocating for improvements before it reaches parliament. Hubbard is the author of 'Impact of Cyber