WINDHOEK: The Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) is set to initiate training programmes for media professionals that focus on the coverage of emerging sectors within the oil and gas industry.

Nampa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Linus Chata made the announcement on Thursday during a high-level tertiary education funding budget review dinner held at the Nampa headquarters in Windhoek.

The event was officiated by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Also in attendance were Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Modestus Amutse, and prominent industry figures.

‘This event is the first of many similar engagements Nampa will be hosting going forward. We plan to give exposure to a wide range of sectors of our economy and society,’ Chata said.

The CEO noted that Nampa has ‘come of age’ and is determined to leverage all available avenues to deliver on its mandate.

‘We are scaling up and expanding beyond traditional ne
ws and information collection and dissemination, to content creation. With the aid of modern technology, we are able to connect corporate entities with their target markets here in Namibia and beyond,’ Chata added.

Nampa board member Bertha Amakali, while officially opening the event, commended participants for their dedication to national development, stressing the importance of research, innovation, and training in emerging sectors such as oil and gas and green hydrogen.

‘Our collective efforts will guide us toward sustainable growth and impactful outcomes. Besides the presentations, let us engage in constructive dialogue, share insights, and chart a course that aligns with our Harambee mantra, no one must be left out,’ said Amakali.

Amakali further revealed that Nampa has finalised its strategic plan, outlining its readiness to serve as a reliable information and content partner in the era of multimedia and emerging technologies.

She encouraged collaboration, stating, ‘Our teams will be calling on you
soon to discuss what we can do for you with our diverse capabilities.’

Nampa currently distributes content to over 500 digital media platforms and 88 newspapers across more than 70 countries and regions worldwide. The news agency delivers news to over 18 radio stations throughout Namibia.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

All sectors of the economy must adjust to new demands for personnel, skills, research, digital connection, and alternative platforms for education, health, and public services.

This is according to the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, who was speaking at the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) retreat in Johannesburg on Friday.

‘For us to match with the new demands, we must undergo a rapid paradigm shift and reorientation to realign the content of our curriculum offerings and skills development programmes,’ he said.

Chaired by the Deputy President, the HRDC is an apex national, multi-sectoral advisory body established to create a collective response to the national challenge of human resource development in the country.

Human resource development refers to formal and explicit activities that will enhance the ability of all people to reach their full potential and serve to improve the productivity of people in their areas of work.

The council’s term, which was established in 2010, ends on 31 March
2024.

However, government is looking into extending the existing term by six months to facilitate a seamless transition and process of appointing new council members.

Guided by the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa (HRD-SA) 2010-2030, the council’s retreat is aimed at reflecting on and evaluating its work in terms of the progress made so far.

‘I believe that the country’s re-conceptualised Human Resource Development Strategy and Master Skills Plan will give further impetus to our efforts to address skills shortages across all sectors of our economy.’

He said the Master Skills Plan consolidates previous strategies affecting skills development across the nation.

These include the National Development Plan 2030, the National Skills Development Plan 2030, the Innovation and Skills Compact, and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.

The country’s second-in-command believes that the retreat should aim to influence the new Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) as government plans for the admi
nistration.

‘It is only when the country’s human resource development priorities are in line with planning frameworks across departments, that the work of the Council will receive the necessary attention and traction it deserves.’

The gathering is also an opportunity to zoom in on underlying challenges faced by the country, which serve as an impediment to achieving the council’s mandate, lessons learned and interrogating the need to change or restructure the council.

The retreat also looks at key future focus areas to be attained in the remainder of the current term and beyond.

International Women’s Day

He also shifted his focus to International Women’s Day, which is celebrated annually on 8 March.

The Deputy President said this year’s theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ emphasises the need to address economic disempowerment and promote diversity and empowerment across all societal sectors.

‘As the HRDC, we anchor our support for women’s development on creating programmes that foster a support
ive environment, promote skills acquisition, and provide access to resources, opportunities and quality education.’

He also commended the former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for her role in championing global gender equality during her tenure as the Executive Director of United Nations Women.

‘Our global efforts to leave no one behind are embedded in the strategic efforts towards gender equality, and as South Africa, we remain committed to championing the cause for both gender equality and gender justice.’

Human Rights Month

Deputy President Mashatile also touched on Human Rights Month, which recognises the constitutional right to basic education, including adult basic education, and further education, which he said the State must take reasonable measures to make progressively available and accessible.

Speaking at the launch of Human Rights Month earlier this week, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa called on all South Africans to participate in the activities planned for Human Rig
hts Month.

The Minister said National Human Rights Day commemoration on 21 March, will be preceded by an International National Human Rights Conference, bringing together key stakeholders from across the globe as well as other government departments, to assess progress on the advancement of human rights since 1994.

Source: South African Government News Agency