A pentecostal church in Windhoek has implored christians to pray for the forth-coming presidential elections.
Gospel Outreach Overseer Bishop Roy Wallace said that there was need for the church to pray for the elections and has urged christians to join the national elections prayer day that will be held next week.
Bishop Wallace said the church's role was to ensure that they pray for harmony and peace to prevail during the elections.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Students promises change
Aspiring presidential candidate for the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Namibia has said he will endeavour to unity students and enhance equal opportunities for all students through adequate representation.
Vellumu Hamutenya revealed that his vision which he dubbed the wayforward part II had a lot in store for the students populace.
Hamutenya, who is unopposed in the run up to the SRC elections that are scheduled to take place on November, 20 said 2010 will be a year of progression.
He said the way forward was enshrined in 5 pillars which included continuity and the wayforward, responsibility and modernity, information technology advancement, academic excellence and unity among all students.
Hamutenya said he will closely consult and work with his colleagues and ensure that the constitution of the university was amended adding that it was unfortunate that ever since 1994 the constitution had never been enacted due to inadequate representation of the SRC in the university council meetings.
He said that lack of amendment of certain clauses in the constitution were retrogressive and therefore once ushered in as SRC president, that will be a major task to concentrate on if meaningful results are to be achieved.
Vellumu Hamutenya revealed that his vision which he dubbed the wayforward part II had a lot in store for the students populace.
Hamutenya, who is unopposed in the run up to the SRC elections that are scheduled to take place on November, 20 said 2010 will be a year of progression.
He said the way forward was enshrined in 5 pillars which included continuity and the wayforward, responsibility and modernity, information technology advancement, academic excellence and unity among all students.
Hamutenya said he will closely consult and work with his colleagues and ensure that the constitution of the university was amended adding that it was unfortunate that ever since 1994 the constitution had never been enacted due to inadequate representation of the SRC in the university council meetings.
He said that lack of amendment of certain clauses in the constitution were retrogressive and therefore once ushered in as SRC president, that will be a major task to concentrate on if meaningful results are to be achieved.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Voter Verification ends Tomorrow
The voter roll verification exercise comes to an end tomorrow.
The voter's roll was made public this week on monday and the exercise is expected to be completed in all the 107 constituencies in the 13 regions in Namibia.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia on monday urged all registered voters to verify their names on the preliminary voter's roll after making it public.
According to the Namibian,Deputy Director of Elections Theo Mujoro confirmed making available printouts to the 13 regions that will participate in the elections next month.
The voter's roll was also made available on the ECN website to enable people to verify their details and also avail the same in electronic format.
However,most political parties complained that they were not in possession of the voter's roll in good time and also the time frame given to verify the voter's roll was too short.
The voter's roll was made public this week on monday and the exercise is expected to be completed in all the 107 constituencies in the 13 regions in Namibia.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia on monday urged all registered voters to verify their names on the preliminary voter's roll after making it public.
According to the Namibian,Deputy Director of Elections Theo Mujoro confirmed making available printouts to the 13 regions that will participate in the elections next month.
The voter's roll was also made available on the ECN website to enable people to verify their details and also avail the same in electronic format.
However,most political parties complained that they were not in possession of the voter's roll in good time and also the time frame given to verify the voter's roll was too short.
UPHOLD PROFESSIONALISM, JOURNALISTS ADVISED
A media student at the University of Namibia says journalism is among one of the most lucrative professions despite some of the risks that the profession is faced with.
Moses Magdaza who is a freelance journalist and founding editor of the Southern Times said in an interview that though freedom of expression and the press was at times threatened, the journalism profession still remains viable and highly recognisable.
‘’A journalist’s efforts are always appreciated once ones reporting is objective and truthful in discharging ones duties adding that journalists needed to be impartial in order to maintain a high level of professionalism,’’said Magadza.
He has worked as a journalist for 19years now and is an award winning journalist who has risen through the ranks in the different media organisations that he has worked for has maintained a high level of professionalism in order to avert his freedom of expression being curtailed.
Magdaza said over the years he has focussed on writing developmental issues that affect people such as gender inequality, domestic based violence and environmental issues among others.
He says covering assignments of such a magnitude draws a wider recognition because these are among the major issues that affect society and also draws the attention of the international community.
Magdaza said it is against this background that he has travelled extensively to different parts of the world and has been exposed to a lot of developmental issues that affect not only developing countries but developed countries as well and won awards for such stories.
He cites one of the stories he broke with regard to the outbreak of fish poisoning in Zambia which drew the attention of the authorities to act on, the fish poisoning before peoples lives could be affected.
Magadza shares one of his career achievements so far, when he first won the SADC media award which compelled him to really feel honoured for the contributions he had made adding that he felt he had helped in raising awareness and contributed to enhancing development.
He said in his journalism career he has encountered exciting and sad moments which have been stepping stones to higher heights.
‘’My sad moment has been when authorities take long to comment on an important developmental issue that needs to be written about and while his greatest moment is when he first won the SADC media award,’’said Magdaza.
He has called for active participation of students and media practitioners in transforming the media into a better profession by exercising professionalism in the media organisations that they represent.
Magadza started off his career as a teacher in the late 90s’and then a few years later went on to train at one of the Journalism training colleges in Zimbabwe as a journalist and worked as a senior reporter and then was promoted as editor for the Herald newspaper in Zimbabwe before he moved on to the regional newspaper, the Southern Times where he worked for almost four years. He has won eight awards and he finds the journalism profession a lot more rewarding only if one works hard and upholds professionalism.
He currently writes for various media organisations and is also an International correspondent for the Free Speech Radio International in the United States of America (USA) while pursuing his degree in Media and Sociology at the University of Namibia.
Moses Magdaza who is a freelance journalist and founding editor of the Southern Times said in an interview that though freedom of expression and the press was at times threatened, the journalism profession still remains viable and highly recognisable.
‘’A journalist’s efforts are always appreciated once ones reporting is objective and truthful in discharging ones duties adding that journalists needed to be impartial in order to maintain a high level of professionalism,’’said Magadza.
He has worked as a journalist for 19years now and is an award winning journalist who has risen through the ranks in the different media organisations that he has worked for has maintained a high level of professionalism in order to avert his freedom of expression being curtailed.
Magdaza said over the years he has focussed on writing developmental issues that affect people such as gender inequality, domestic based violence and environmental issues among others.
He says covering assignments of such a magnitude draws a wider recognition because these are among the major issues that affect society and also draws the attention of the international community.
Magdaza said it is against this background that he has travelled extensively to different parts of the world and has been exposed to a lot of developmental issues that affect not only developing countries but developed countries as well and won awards for such stories.
He cites one of the stories he broke with regard to the outbreak of fish poisoning in Zambia which drew the attention of the authorities to act on, the fish poisoning before peoples lives could be affected.
Magadza shares one of his career achievements so far, when he first won the SADC media award which compelled him to really feel honoured for the contributions he had made adding that he felt he had helped in raising awareness and contributed to enhancing development.
He said in his journalism career he has encountered exciting and sad moments which have been stepping stones to higher heights.
‘’My sad moment has been when authorities take long to comment on an important developmental issue that needs to be written about and while his greatest moment is when he first won the SADC media award,’’said Magdaza.
He has called for active participation of students and media practitioners in transforming the media into a better profession by exercising professionalism in the media organisations that they represent.
Magadza started off his career as a teacher in the late 90s’and then a few years later went on to train at one of the Journalism training colleges in Zimbabwe as a journalist and worked as a senior reporter and then was promoted as editor for the Herald newspaper in Zimbabwe before he moved on to the regional newspaper, the Southern Times where he worked for almost four years. He has won eight awards and he finds the journalism profession a lot more rewarding only if one works hard and upholds professionalism.
He currently writes for various media organisations and is also an International correspondent for the Free Speech Radio International in the United States of America (USA) while pursuing his degree in Media and Sociology at the University of Namibia.
Journalists urged to be courageous
A media expert has urged journalists to be fearless and courageous in executing their duties.
University of Namibia Media Lecturer Dr.Fred Mwilima said that journalists need to report events without fear or favour in order to gain trust of their readers adding that it was important for journalists to strive for objectivity in their coverage of various issues that affect peoples lives.
Mwilima said this in an interview with second year media students at the University of Namibia that they needed to uphold their integrity as they entered the media fraternity.
University of Namibia Media Lecturer Dr.Fred Mwilima said that journalists need to report events without fear or favour in order to gain trust of their readers adding that it was important for journalists to strive for objectivity in their coverage of various issues that affect peoples lives.
Mwilima said this in an interview with second year media students at the University of Namibia that they needed to uphold their integrity as they entered the media fraternity.
Litembu's ordeal
Iitembu Teophilia is a determined young girl whose dreams are torn between two worlds.
Teophilia comes from a humble background of seven children, two boys and five girls. She is the second born in her family.
She has struggled to complete her high school education in the North at Iishanaputa Combined School in 2007 under very strenuous circumstances as she did not have adequate financial support.
However, despite the financial hurdles that Teophilia encountered, she managed to obtain 25 points in her Grade 12 examinations.
‘’I tried to work hard in my school work despite the financial constraints that I was faced with,’’said Teophilia.
Her parents are peasant farmers in the North of Namibia who could barely afford to meet her needs to ensure she completes her high school education as well as fend for the entire family.
Narrating her ordeal, Teophilia disclosed that her parents sent her to school through selling agriculture produce such as finger-millet and sorghum.
‘’My parents could hardly afford to meet all my school fees and expenses because they were only able to sell sorghum and finger-millet which they cultivated on a small scale on a piece of land they acquired a few years ago,’’said Teophilia.
Despite all these struggles, she worked very hard to complete her high school education with the intention of pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics but her dreams are yet to become a reality.
She said last year, she opted to leave her parents in the North and went to live with her aunty in Katutura in Windhoek with a view of getting formal employment so that she could raise funds in order to continue with her tertiary education.
However, as time dragged on, Teophilia became apprehensive as no employment opportunities were forthcoming. It was at this point that Teophilia’s aunty opened up a store at Single Quarters which stocks assorted goods and requested her services as she looked around for something to lay her hands on.
She said, ‘’I did not realise that my aunty would be so passionate to offer me a job to help sort out my financial needs’’.
Teophilia’s aunty realised the predicament her niece was in and offered her a monthly take home pay of 400namibian dollars on condition that she strives to make at least over 3,000namibian dollars a month.
She was also offered this job on the basis that she could raise funds for her further training that she intended to pursue.
Teophilia further revealed that, a day she makes between 150-200namibian dollars and described the business as quite profitable.
She is now at pains which route to take because on the one hand she feels the urge of assisting her young brothers to also complete high school while on the other hand she has a career to pursue which would make her better placed to support the family.
‘’I do not know what to do now because I know I need to get educated but I also do not want to neglect my brothers because only my elder sister works for the Namibian Defence Force and tries to support our family single handedily,’’she said.
Teophilia feels the responsibility burden is too heavy on her elder sister being the only one working and wants to complement her sister’s efforts.
She is in a valley of decision because both sides of the coin are important aspects of her life and it is up to her to decide which route to take in order to excel in her future endeavours.
Teophilia comes from a humble background of seven children, two boys and five girls. She is the second born in her family.
She has struggled to complete her high school education in the North at Iishanaputa Combined School in 2007 under very strenuous circumstances as she did not have adequate financial support.
However, despite the financial hurdles that Teophilia encountered, she managed to obtain 25 points in her Grade 12 examinations.
‘’I tried to work hard in my school work despite the financial constraints that I was faced with,’’said Teophilia.
Her parents are peasant farmers in the North of Namibia who could barely afford to meet her needs to ensure she completes her high school education as well as fend for the entire family.
Narrating her ordeal, Teophilia disclosed that her parents sent her to school through selling agriculture produce such as finger-millet and sorghum.
‘’My parents could hardly afford to meet all my school fees and expenses because they were only able to sell sorghum and finger-millet which they cultivated on a small scale on a piece of land they acquired a few years ago,’’said Teophilia.
Despite all these struggles, she worked very hard to complete her high school education with the intention of pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics but her dreams are yet to become a reality.
She said last year, she opted to leave her parents in the North and went to live with her aunty in Katutura in Windhoek with a view of getting formal employment so that she could raise funds in order to continue with her tertiary education.
However, as time dragged on, Teophilia became apprehensive as no employment opportunities were forthcoming. It was at this point that Teophilia’s aunty opened up a store at Single Quarters which stocks assorted goods and requested her services as she looked around for something to lay her hands on.
She said, ‘’I did not realise that my aunty would be so passionate to offer me a job to help sort out my financial needs’’.
Teophilia’s aunty realised the predicament her niece was in and offered her a monthly take home pay of 400namibian dollars on condition that she strives to make at least over 3,000namibian dollars a month.
She was also offered this job on the basis that she could raise funds for her further training that she intended to pursue.
Teophilia further revealed that, a day she makes between 150-200namibian dollars and described the business as quite profitable.
She is now at pains which route to take because on the one hand she feels the urge of assisting her young brothers to also complete high school while on the other hand she has a career to pursue which would make her better placed to support the family.
‘’I do not know what to do now because I know I need to get educated but I also do not want to neglect my brothers because only my elder sister works for the Namibian Defence Force and tries to support our family single handedily,’’she said.
Teophilia feels the responsibility burden is too heavy on her elder sister being the only one working and wants to complement her sister’s efforts.
She is in a valley of decision because both sides of the coin are important aspects of her life and it is up to her to decide which route to take in order to excel in her future endeavours.
Students Urged To Consider ARV Treatment
Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARV) are considered to be the most ideal and effective treatment for HIV and AIDS, a disease that has continued to affect masses of people the world over.
As research into the possible remedial and medication to cure people infected with HIV/AIDS continues, various Governments have come up with mitigation measures that is helping to prolong the life span of patients suffering from the disease.
One such country that is battling to combat the epidemic is Namibia. With an estimated population of 1.8million people, the country is believed to be among one of the countries with the highest infection rates and emerges as the fifth highest country hit with HIV/AIDS in the world, according to the Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).
Against this background, the Namibian Government came up with a policy framework under the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) which provides for ARV treatment to those found to be infected with the virus and have a very low CD4 count.
However, against all odds the onset of ARV’s has had a lot of stigma attached to it and the government has embarked on sensitisation programme provides information which has seen the attitude of people slowly but surely change for the betterment of their lives.
UNAM HIV/AIDS Focal Point Person Dr.Scholastic Lipinge says there is need for students who are found to be HIV positive and whose CD4 count is low to start ARV treatment.
Dr.Lipinge says although there are no specific guidelines for the University but ARV Guidelines of the Government are applied to all those that need treatment.
‘’Access to ARVs to students follows the same guidelines as set out by the Ministry of Health. One’s CD4 count should be at least 250 or less to qualify to receive ARV,’’said Lipinge.
She explained that there are other social criteria that also need to be met such as access to food, treatment supporter and adherence to counselling adding that some of these could be barriers for one to be put on ARV treatment.
Lipinge further said students are treated as state patients unless they have medical aid which means the waiting maybe long sometimes for all those that may qualify for treatment.
She has advised students to consider the therapy because it accords regular counselling which helps in coping with the condition and health workers also assist in ensuring that one adheres to instructions related to the administering of ARV treatment.
As research into the possible remedial and medication to cure people infected with HIV/AIDS continues, various Governments have come up with mitigation measures that is helping to prolong the life span of patients suffering from the disease.
One such country that is battling to combat the epidemic is Namibia. With an estimated population of 1.8million people, the country is believed to be among one of the countries with the highest infection rates and emerges as the fifth highest country hit with HIV/AIDS in the world, according to the Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).
Against this background, the Namibian Government came up with a policy framework under the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) which provides for ARV treatment to those found to be infected with the virus and have a very low CD4 count.
However, against all odds the onset of ARV’s has had a lot of stigma attached to it and the government has embarked on sensitisation programme provides information which has seen the attitude of people slowly but surely change for the betterment of their lives.
UNAM HIV/AIDS Focal Point Person Dr.Scholastic Lipinge says there is need for students who are found to be HIV positive and whose CD4 count is low to start ARV treatment.
Dr.Lipinge says although there are no specific guidelines for the University but ARV Guidelines of the Government are applied to all those that need treatment.
‘’Access to ARVs to students follows the same guidelines as set out by the Ministry of Health. One’s CD4 count should be at least 250 or less to qualify to receive ARV,’’said Lipinge.
She explained that there are other social criteria that also need to be met such as access to food, treatment supporter and adherence to counselling adding that some of these could be barriers for one to be put on ARV treatment.
Lipinge further said students are treated as state patients unless they have medical aid which means the waiting maybe long sometimes for all those that may qualify for treatment.
She has advised students to consider the therapy because it accords regular counselling which helps in coping with the condition and health workers also assist in ensuring that one adheres to instructions related to the administering of ARV treatment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
