Day: March 27, 2024

WINDHOEK: The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is developing a reporting tool kit on indigenous communities for the media which is expected to be finalised by the end of March 2024.

The toolkit is being developed by the university’s Journalism and Media Technology Department and aims to train students and journalists on effective reporting to ensure that stories represent the sources.

Speaking at a media conference here Tuesday, NUST Acting Executive Dean for the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Fungai Shava said the critical function of journalism, which is the production of news as a representation of people from diverse backgrounds in terms of cultural, religious, class, racial, and gender identities, will be encompassed in the tool kit.

‘This is because, in this latter point, the media has often failed, especially in respect of marginalised social groups and minorities such as indigenous communities, more so when it comes to reporting on these communities,’ said Shava.

Shava ad
ded that by developing this tool kit, the department will be at the forefront of global efforts aimed at creating more equal and inclusive societies.

Media Ombudsman John Nakuta on his part urged journalists to train themselves to accurately tell the truth and report in a way that honours the sources.

Nakuta further said his office plans to create codes of good practice for the media as part of his final outgoing project, stating, ‘We can’t perpetuate these stereotypes because of lack of knowledge.’

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) funded 10 African nations as part of its Promoting Excellence in Journalism Education in Africa Project. A grant was awarded to NUST through the University of Witwatersrand (WITS) in South Africa.

As part of developing the toolkit, the university in February visited Opuwo in the Kunene region, home to the majority of the Ovahimba people, and Donkerbos in the Omaheke region, a community east of Gobabis, home to the San people to lear
n from and experience firsthand accounts.

From these experiences, they are creating a reporting toolkit, three research papers, journals, and stories which will be published after review by community leaders on behalf of the communities that the students engaged to ensure accuracy and fairness, before being published by various media houses.

Source:The Namibia Press Agency

OKANKOLO: Oshikoto region health director Joshua Nghipangelwa has raised a concern about the rising cases of malaria amongst Angolan cattle herders employed by local farmers.

Nghipangelwa in an interview with NAMPA on Wednesday pointed out that most malaria cases are imported from Angola through cattle herders that are employed by local farmers.

‘Most of the cases recorded in the region are imported from Angola through their nationals that come to look after our cattle,’ he said and urged all the farmers to have their cattle herders tested, to reduce such cases in the region.

He said a total of 354 malaria cases and three deaths were recorded from January to 26 March 2024 and most cases were reported in the Onandjokwe District Hospital.

‘The males have reported many cases and the most affected age group is between 15 to 35 years old,’ said Nghipangelwa.

He also highlighted several challenges they face in preventing malaria in the region such as the limited testing kits due to the high number of suspected
cases as well as late presentation at health facilities.

He added that there is an inadequate availability of insecticide for indoor residual spraying and a limited stock of long-lasting insecticidal nets.

‘Our community members tend to ignore information on malaria prevention,’ he said.

Source:The Namibia Press Agency

Addis Ababa: State Minister Birtukan Ayano, held discussions with US Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Ambassador Rena Bitter, at her office today.

The discussion covered consular affairs, the issuance of visas, and other consular services in both countries, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in consular affairs and other related issues.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council hosted today a grand street Iftar that brought together thousands of Ethiopian Muslims for an evening Iftar in Addis Ababa.

During the occasion, Islamic Affairs Supreme Council Head Haji Ibrahim Tufa said Muslims must console the poor and needy, show solidarity, and unity during this month of Ramadan.

The Muslim community should also consolidate unity, solidarity, and maintain peace in the community, he added.

The Grand Ethiopian Street Iftar coordinator, Ustaz Abubeker Ahmed noted on his part that Ramadan is a month of togetherness.

The Iftar banquet was attended by diplomats, members of Islamic communities, and invited guests.

The Street Iftar is organized in collaboration with Halal Promotion and Nejashi Humanitarian Aid, it was learned.

Street Iftar began in Ethiopia four years ago with the view to strengthening unity, peace, and solidarity.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency