Day: July 31, 2024

WINDHOEK: President Nangolo Mbumba on Wednesday said it would be impossible for the government to award study grants to every student through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), as funding will not be sufficient.

Mbumba made the remarks in response to such a suggestion during a courtesy visit by the United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership, led by its president, Hendrik Goabeb.

The party’s spokesperson, Mabasen Narib while engaging Mbumba said young professionals currently face the burden of paying back the study loans, on top of prevalent financial hardships.

‘We don’t want young Namibians to graduate into debt and times are already hard. They have to pay back these loans for long periods. We should look at ways to turn NSFAF loans into grants,’ Narib added.

Mbumba said employed beneficiaries should pay back their study loans to enable newer generations to equally benefit from the study scheme. He also added that socialism would be a difficult ideology to achieve, as many factors are
involved.

‘I have to be honest with you. First, we must understand where these resources we are using come from. It is coming from all of us. Even if we were to give grants, the money would still not be enough to cater for every one student and that in itself will be another problem,’ he said.

NSFAF provides financial assistance by way of loans to eligible Namibian students at recognised institutions of higher learning.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) has announced the successful applicants for its 2024 cycle two grant, valued at N.dollars 521 624.30.

After a thorough selection process, 15 projects were chosen to receive funding.

In an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, NACN Administrator, Gretta Gaspar said that 15 out of 98 submissions were selected for funding, emphasising their potential to enhance the arts and culture landscape.

The grant recipients for this cycle are; Home of the Arts (HOTA), Omidi Creative House, The Reformation Cantanta, Opuwo Town Council, University of Namibia Press, Nicoltine N Schaller, Ehi Land /Sand Rites-Group, Lineekela E Mukwendje, Namjive Investments CC, Phillipine Keister, Magdalena Gomachas, Priska Hikoam, Thandeka Hungua, Franzina Hochobes and !Haos Xuna ?An.

She stated that in recognition of the critical role artists play in shaping culture and society, the NACN’s funding policy aims to reduce financial constraints, while enabling efficient resource allocation.

According to Gaspar, the council supports initiatives across various genres, including craft, dance, fashion, literature, multidiscipline, music, theatre, and visual arts, which reflect the diversity of Namibia’s cultural community.

‘As we prepare for the 2024/2025 cycle three grant call, the NACN encourages artists from all disciplines to apply for the next cycle, which opens on 13 August and closes on 13 September 2024.’

She also stated that, to be considered for funding, applicants must demonstrate that their initiatives can address at least one of the primary focal areas, which are social protection and research, highlighting marginalised and indigenous arts in rural areas, addressing social issues such as unemployment and gender-based violence, encouraging women’s participation, youth employment opportunities, and people with disabilities, developing new works through digital media, and promoting arts entrepreneurship.

‘By addressing these areas, the NACN aims to cultivate a diverse and inclusive arti
stic environment that addresses societal challenges and fosters growth within the arts sector,’ she stated.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Kharas Region Governor, Aletha Frederick on Wednesday said stakeholders must work together to ensure that education systems are not only responsive but also proactive in addressing the needs of the labour market.

Frederick made the remarks during a consultative meeting in Keetmanshoop organised by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) for the development of pathways for the technical, vocational, education, and training (TVET) sector in Namibia.

Frederick said the significance of establishing formal pathways and articulations within the TVET sector cannot be overstated adding that historically, there has been an overwhelming focus on formal education pathways, often leaving behind those who seek practical skills through vocational training.

‘This oversight has created barriers for many individuals who possess valuable competencies acquired through informal settings or non-traditional learning environments. This initiative is particularly vital for marginalised communities and persons with disabilities ensur
ing that every Namibian has equitable access to quality education and training opportunities,’ she noted.

She said education is not merely a pathway to employment but is a fundamental human right that fosters dignity, self-worth, and community development.

‘By working collaboratively towards enhancing our TVET framework, we can ensure that it serves as a robust foundation for personal growth and national progress. We have now the opportunity to shape a future where technical and vocational education is recognised as an essential pillar in our educational landscape and shape a future where every individual can thrive through accessible learning pathways tailored to their unique strengths,’ she added.

Speaking at the meeting NTA TVET standard manager Amon Haufiku said the TVET sub-sector continues to experience service challenges such as the lack of articulation between basic education, TVET community skills, mainstream TVET, and tertiary TVET.

‘There is limited access to people to acquire technical skills
through informal learning and the neglecting of informal and non-informal learning, there is an inadequate response to the industry needs, a fragmented TVET system with hybrid programmes being offered. These challenges exist because of the lack of a unified and coherent structure of education,’ added Haufiku.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Minister in the Presidency Christine ||Hoebes has called on all eligible voters to register for the upcoming general elections slated for 27 November 2024.

||Hoebes made the call during the official opening of the Eenhana Trade and Business Expo on Wednesday, noting that the country is about to conclude its General Registration of Voters (GRV), on 01 August.

She said that on 27 November 2024, eligible Namibians will take to the polls to exercise their democratic rights in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

‘Against this backdrop, I implore all Namibians aged 18 and above, particularly young people, to use the remaining hours to go to the voter registration points to register for the upcoming elections,’ she said.

She added that voting is the patriotic duty and the right thing to do for all Namibian citizens to actively exercise their democratic rights, and by doing so, help ensure the country continues to enjoy the political stability, peace and economic opportunities that allow events such
as the Eenhana Town expo to thrive.

With only one day left of the election registration process, the Electoral Commission of Namibia recently indicated that they have reached a milestone when it reported a cumulative total number of 1 315 124 eligible Namibians registered as voters inside the country and at all Namibian Diplomatic Missions abroad, representing 81 per cent of the eligible voters.

Source: The Namibia News Agency