RDJ Briefing - January 2023

ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY

Facts & Analysis

FROM THE EDITOR

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HappyNewYeardearreaders,

And we trust you had the great break you deserve through the festive season We say a special thanks to our loyal readers for coming back again, and a warm welcome to our new readers. The RDJ Briefing, as a forum where FACTS not NEWS helps share, engage, and contribute factual analytics in the Energy and SustainabilitysectorinAfricaatlarge

The January edition is a “choice pick” of 2022 articlescoveredintheRDJBriefing throughout the year deliberately so to provide a refresh in our readers minds of the barriers and progress made.

With 2023, deemed the year of “Revival” by the President of Namibia, His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob,itisplannedthereforetobringupdates and new insights from specialists while remainingtruetoourcoreof“FactsNotNews”

Hence,welookforwardtoincreasedandwider collaboration with writers and specialists on relevantcontentintheindustry,sodearreaders watchthespace!

To find out more, please continue reading and join our conversations on Twitter and follow us on social media networks. Reach me directly at editor@rdjpublishing.africa or at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

(DavidA Jarrett) Editor Authors RDJInterns*

E D U C A T I O N A N D U S : W H A T I S E D U C A T I O N ?

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

The recent furore around exam passes in Namibia coupled with parents’ exasperation in seeking places for the new school year has led us to

examine “Education and us” So, in earnest, what is education? What is education? A definition and discussion point out that when talking about education, people often confuse it with schooling.

Courtesy of Barry Chazan, there are three (3) kinds of definitions of “education” based on the 1960 works of Scheffler The first type is called the descriptive This type of definition claims to describe precisely how the word denoted as “education” is most prominently used.

The second type of definition of “education” is the programmatic , which comes to advocate for or prescribe a belief of what education should be or should do Programmatic definitions are ultimately short slogans or deeply felt preaching about the way education should be

(2015, 2021).

The third type of definition is the stipulative and its purpose is technical and utilitarian. It is basically a linguistic agreement or pact that enables a discussion to proceed smoothly without forcing a person to each time state, this is a kind of a shortcut that enables the

“schooling” so easily becomes the treatment of learners like objects, things to be acted upon rather than people to be related to.

-Smith, M. K.

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

discussion to precede at a decent pace.

We however feel that the programmatic definition does meet society’s viewpoint and mantra Most of us have been taught how important education is But why in truth is education important? This question becomes even more relevant when added to the current educational outcome or operational dilemmas such as unemployed graduates enhancing the contradiction of the view.

There are those who even with these definitions, feel that in fact, it is one of the most powerful tools out there for an individual to manoeuvre through society So is this why governments finance education?

Globally, In 2018, the average of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries’ expenditures per FTE student at the elementary/secondary level was US$ 10,800. In Zambia, despite having relatively low spending (3 4%) on education when compared to neighbouring countries, still outperforms countries like Namibia with a 2021 pass rate of slightly over 67% Namibia devotes a significant share of its budget towards the education of its children, with an annual average spending of 20.7% of total budget and 7.8% of gross domestic product (GDP). UNICEF in its recent Report on SDG 4 progress, Education Budget Brief for Namibia | FY2022/23 notes that Namibia’s spending in education ranks among the highest in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region South Africa has the largest budget as demonstrated in the report and has a pass rate of 76% for 2021 Botswana with a similar spend as

Namibia,hadapassrateofapproximately79%for2021

Namibia has wages as the largest cost driver of its education spend, noted in the report as accounting for some 88 6% and only 2 1% being allocated to development uses This creates a challenge to maintain facilities and ensure up to date infrastructure environmentsfor“teaching”totakeplace

WhatshouldAfricadotomeettheEFAgoals inthenearfuture?

Enter the other option for parents – Private Schooling! Private education becomes an alternative to State education and globally makes its case even more so due to the general failure rates on average from Government schools, especially rural ones This comes at a hefty price comparative, feeding the viewpoint around education’s importance and why parents will fork out huge sums to ensuretheirwardsare“educated”

This is thus a complex matter beyond the scope of the briefing but one in which our consulting team is well equipped to advise on So as always, the discussion continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa.

Readings:

https://en unesco org/partnerships/partnering/strengtheningeducation-systems-sustainable-development-africa http://www ibe unesco org/en/glossary-curriculumterminology/e/education-all-efa https://infed org/mobi/what-is-education-a-definition-anddiscussion/

www.rdjpublishing.africa

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@ RDJ Consulting

Did

know that two-thirds of

extend

for pleasure when they can? bitions, incentive travel and corporate hospitality So when a business traveller extends their stay, this is called “Business Tourism”, and its catching on worldwide by business travellers that seek to take some time off their business trips for leisure, therefore opening up opportunities to boost the tourism industry. This is even more so in light of emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic which saw us going through lockdowns and restricted travel Prior to the pandemic, Travel & Tourism revenues were instrumental in the restoration and expansion of natural parks and the protection of wildlife in many African countries, and in supporting local communities’ livelihoods through tourism projects.

attending meetings, congresses, exhi-

Travel and Tourism Contributions to GDP Courtesy: World Travel & Tourism Council – 2021 Global Economic Impact & Trends Report Image courtesy: Pixabay

With the outbreak of the pandemic, business tourism slowed significantly, and is only seeing slow recovery now. With business travel returning at near full force, it is expected that the 2022 numbers on travel and tourism’s impact on GDP will be much closer to 2019 levels. This increase is good for the global economy and good for all of the businesses that are operating in it

Unlike leisure travel, business travel flows depend on the dynamism of economic activity at the destination Global hotel groups such as Accor, Starwood, Intercontinental, and Kempinski continuously plan for growth in the business travel market. Business tourists tend to have a higher average daily spend and are less seasonal than leisure tourists The development of high-quality business hotels creates a large network of downstream benefits for the destination and increases demand for more business tourists Given the massive raise in global investment interest for Africa’s energy, water, mining, transport and ICT sectors, there is now impetus and potential to be continuously receiving international delegates and investors in search of exploration opportunities in various industries locally Hence it is crucial to take advantage of such circumstances to establish and promote business tourism in Africa

Here are some examples of attractions for business travel;

South Africa

Although South Africa’s scenery, wildlife, beaches and wine have kept leisure tourism as the sector’s key contributor, business tourism is on the rise Recognised as an important untapped segment within the powerhouse that is South Africa’s tourism industry,

business tourism has become a key priority for the government in recent years, and it is hoping that by targeting business travel, the number of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events will increase over the next five years

Kenya

Travel & Tourism continued to grow strongly in Kenya, expanding by 4.9% in 2019, driven in part by the improving connectivity and government prioritisation of the sector through, for instance, attracting and enabling the private sector investment for tourism related projects

Tunisia

Tunisia was the fastest growing country in Africa and sixth in the world, with Travel & Tourism GDP expanding by 12 9% in 2019, significantly ahead of the overall economy growth of just 1 3% What is more, Travel & Tourism significantly outpaced the overall economy growth for the third consecutive year This comes on the back of the efforts deployed by the Tunisian government to improve security in popular tourist resorts and their ability to swiftly respond to any threats. These actions have continued to make a significant and positive impact on Travel & Tourism

One of the major challenges African countries face from securing large numbers of business tourists in the continent despite having so many natural attractions, is the method used in the promotion of tourism itself. To overcome this, Africa needs to find strategies towards developing a competitive, sustainable, and integrated tourism Areas to be addressed include:

South Africa

1 2 3. 4.

Policy Reforms – tourism requires a sound policy and investment framework that addresses economic, social, and environmental issues and encourages privatesectorinvestment

Capacity Building – this empowers client country tourism ministries, tourist boards, tourist associations, tourism professionals, and civil society to provide quality service and make better use of tourismknowledgeandinformation.

Private Sector Linkages – this involves integrating tourismintoothersectorsoftheeconomytomakeita more effective vehicle of poverty alleviation, job creation,andeconomicgrowth.

Product Competitiveness – this has to do with developing partnership projects to improve access, upgrade infrastructure and attractions, and improve destination positioning to produce internationally competitive tourism products and tourism infrastructure.

Apart from this, enhancing the global visibility of Africa’s tourism brand through digital marketing is another gap that needs to be filled. A study that explored digital marketing and tourism with a focus on opportunities for Africa also revealed that digital media, content and mobile advertising are among the trends in digital marketing and, thus, affords Africa the opportunity to marketitsattractionstotouristsinthisdigitalera By

doing so, this puts Africa in the face of those interested in touringthecontinentforpleasure,aswellasforbusiness

Business tourism is expected to be one of the hottest growth markets for travel industry providers in the years ahead The developing and transitioning economies in Africa that are interested in expanding revenues from business tourism need to focus on both the individual business traveler and the meetings and conventions sectorofthemarket.

Given the universal celebrations of World Tourism Day set to take place on 27 September 2022 under the theme “Rethinking Tourism”, what do you think Africa still needs to address in order to achieve a sustainable, profitable andinclusivetourismindustry?

The conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www tradeforum org/Business-Tourism/ https://openknowledge worldbank org/handle/10986/12841 https://jtbbusinesstravel com/travel-and-tourism-impact-on-theglobal-economy/ https://oxfordbusinessgroup com/analysis/high-expectationssouth-africa-aims-become-top-business-travel-destination

Kenya

Youth and the Just Energy Transition

( August 2022 Edition)

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

Sustainable energy has an essential role in government strategies to build back better in the current economic crisis. Energy efficiency and ren-

ewable energy, for example, can deliver a significant number of jobs and provide multiple benefits, among other related to climate change mitigation

Enter the Just Energy transition, which seeks to ensure that climate action is balanced and that those who can afford, pay for the transition towards a cleaner future. While the push for the phasing out of fossil fuels and in particular coal-based electricity generation and diesel/petrol transport is a key focus area, the matter of not being able to use “local” resources and job losses is a counter one.

With this need for climate and sustainable development action, all sections of society must take part in this and be consistent in their efforts for the impacts to be tangible Several states have ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s), Renewable Energy

Policies and Plan’s. These however at times tend to be academic and lack implementation initiatives based on a lack of funding in place to carry out meaningful exercise.

From a quantitative viewpoint, currently, around 60% of Africa's population is younger than 25 years, with a median age of 19 8, and more than a third this group (the 60%) are between 15 and 34 years old By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. So shouldn’t their views take centre stage?

The World Bank reports that Africa’s working age population is expected to grow by 450 million people, or close to 70 percent, by 2035 New analysis shows that without effective policy change, there will only be about 100 million new jobs for this growing cadre of working people, however, one of the real failings is the inclusion of the youth voice and an understanding of their needs

“We must act today to ensure the world we leave to our children and grandchildren is prosperous, equitable and sustainable,” IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera

Decarbonisation will thus need the youth to recognize the problem and acknowledge their role in any possible solution. Some of the steps will require a change in how state resources are allocated and interact with the youth. The youth can make an impact to the Just Energy Transition through decision making, as a skilled workforce and through their innovation that will enhance value chains

Thus, young people must be allowed to interact with policy makers and experts as early as possible, raise awareness and introduce the topic into the curriculum. The youth should also be asked to offer possible solutions so that they are actively involved Any results from their solutions, once applied should be fed back to them to provoke a communications / feedback loop that will let them note that they are being taken seriously

However, young people have many barriers such as those in accessing quality education and training, inclusive financial mechanisms, and meaningful employment opportunities in the various sectors, that prevent them from leading, participating in, and benefitting from the sustainable energy transition One of the most pressing challenges for emerging economies is a shortage of jobs among the youth.

Solutions?

A greater integration of climate and energy polices with measures to support employment, and technical vocational education and training (TVET) policies that encourage the development of skills and job creation is necessary. Enhanced skills development and decent work opportunities for youth can be created in the sustainable energy and clean mobility sectors

Initiatives to develop business and technical skills and create jobs targeting the youth should be pursued more vigorously, with increased collaboration between the private sector and educational institutions to improve the quality and accessibility of training Educational institutions should now gear the youth for more embedded and isolated generation, integrated energy efficient systems, electric and hybrid mobility, vehicle to grid applications and more as employer’s need innovative employee’s to meet growing industry needs

The conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://ec europa eu/regional policy/sources/docgener/guides/yo uth just transition en pdf https://www irena org/newsroom/articles/2021/Jan/Global-YouthCall-for-a-Just-Energy-Transition-at-IRENA-Eleventh-Assembly https://www un org/en/energy-compacts/page/champion-youthmainstreaming-energy-compacts https://www ilo org/shinyapps/bulkexplorer13/? lang=en&segment=indicator&id=UNE 2EAP SEX AGE RT A

S Y N T H E T I C F U E L S

Green Hydrogen and Rural Development?

( October 2022 Edition)

AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist-Intern@ RDJ Consulting

Courtesy : Unsplash

Rural communities by their very nature always seem to be the last places to benefit from technological advances. Especially when we look at the discussions surrounding the Green Hydrogen industry, the industry always seems complex and somewhat far removed from rural communities, but it is far more relevant to rural communities than one might think. For that to be evident

however there needs to be a demystification of Green Hydrogen itself

Green Hydrogen is defined generally as hydrogen produced from renewables-based electricity through the electrolysis of water, thus splitting water molecules into its hydrogen and oxygen derivatives. This is then

Courtesy:JenniferCoffin-GreyonUnsplash

classified as carbon (fossil fuel) freely produced hydrogen The Green Hydrogen industry seeks to meet energy demand and the needs for decarbonization by providing an alternative to meet the current and future energy demands.

The high global demand for energy (electricity, heating/cooling and transport) has made the energy industry the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions at 73 percent according to the United Nations (UN) The impact on the climate matters especially to those living within rural communities as they are more directly dependent on the environment and therefore more likely to be negatively affected by climate change sooner than most urban areas.

Green hydrogen is especially relevant to addressing energy access in rural communities, given that about 600 million people in Africa currently do not have access to electricity for example, according to the World Economic

Forum. When we assess rural communities across the continent, often they rely on charcoal fires or paraffin lamps or off-grid options such as diesel generators and solar homes systems and to meet their energy needs

The applications for Green Hydrogen on a small-scale (household) level are still relatively new so focusing on communal projects to meet healthcare and education needs of rural communities might be a practical and meaningful way forward as we wait on the technology to catch up for household applications Hydrogen could take the place of diesel powered engines, with batteries storing excess energy created by renewables during their peak cycles It would ensure a continuous supply of power while also reducing the environmental and financial costs associated with diesel. According to ESI Africa, “ ..., [Hydrogen] fuel cells can be deployed rapidly and scaled up easily as the need arises, and their maintenance costs

arerelativelylow.”

This has already been demonstrated with the electrificationofruralschoolsasseeninVentersdorp, South Africa in 2018 or more recently the powering of a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, powered by hydrogen fuelcellstoaidpatientshospitalizedduetoCovid-19.

The benefits of Green Hydrogen for communal use in rural areas have already been recognized by implementers of projects such as the hospital built in Pretoria. Advocates, suchastheDirector-GeneraloftheDepartmentofScience and Innovation (DSI), Dr Phil Mjwara envision the technology expanding through the creation of other offgridhospitalprojectsacrossSouthAfrica.

As demonstrated by these two application examples, the potential for Green Hydrogen in rural communities are immense, particularly for Africa Green Hydrogen has various applications not only in the electricity sector but alsoforthesectorssuchasagricultureandmobility More on this to be explored in upcoming articles and as you know, the conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa.

Readings:

https://www pwc com/gx/en/industries/energy-utilitiesresources/future-energy/green-hydrogen-cost html https://www un org/africarenewal/magazine/july-2022/greenhydrogen-viable-option-transforming-africas-energy-sector https://www un org/africarenewal/magazine/july-2022/greenhydrogen-viable-option-transforming-africas-energy-sector https://www weforum org/agenda/2022/07/africa-hydrogen-iea/ https://www2 deloitte com/uk/en/focus/climate-change/zero-inon-hydrogen html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwzqSWBhDPARIsAK38LY9UxnJ6HND8Ze8zEglW83VCIGOkr3d0C58aspSliIbZlQHqttSasaAsFIEALw wcB https://www dst gov za/index php/media-room/latest-news/2507hydrogen-fuel-cell-technology-brings-power-to-rural-school-2 https://www womeninscience africa/dsi-deploys-hydrogen-fuelcell-systems-to-power-covid-19-field-hospital/ https://centreforglobalequality.org/hydrogen-fuel/ https://www esi-africa com/industry-sectors/futureenergy/hydrogen-fuel-cell-systems-to-power-field-hospital-andrural-areas/

www.rdjpublishing.africa

FuelCellatMilitary1Hospital

StudentsfromPoelanoSecondarySchoolinVentersdorpposinginfrontoffuel cells

M I N I N G

Sustainable Mining Operations: Recycling ( July 2022 Edition)

AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist-Intern@RDJConsulting

Recycling is not a new concept within the mining industry It has broadly been adopted by various mining companies for increased efficiency and

profitability, as seen with the recycling of wastewater in mineral mines such as gold mines or the offsite reuse of tailings and waste rock in the construction industry These recycling actions are but a few examples of the many ways in which mining waste is being reused and recycled

this is the first globally applicable reporting standard for companies to provide a complete picture of waste impacts along their value chain

When looking at sustainability within the mining industry

more holistically however, we will realize that recycling is only but a portion of the larger picture Well over three decades ago the Circular Economy (CE) concept was introduced and since then it has been researched and analyzed extensively with applications relevant even to the mining industry.

With Mining activities being finite and the demand on the mining industry rapidly increasing, there is a pressing need to find new avenues for the extraction of metals and minerals, as well as ways to circumvent potential commodity pricing losses in the market. This is especially relevant to sub-Saharan African countries which are largely dependent on the mining industry.

It is estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that up to 10% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP (comprising 15 resource intensive countries) is solely from the extrac-

Courtesy : books gw-project org

tion of metals and minerals As of 2018, the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) made up of a coalition of African countries was launched at the COP23 to spur on Africa’s economy while also positively impacting the environment through pursuing a transformation based on the Circular Economy.

A significant part of the African economy is composed of the mining industry The aim of a Circular Economy according to a Research Report titled Increasing Circularity in Africa’s Mining Sector by the ACEA is “to separate economic growth and the surge of resource consumption”. A Circular Economy in relation to mining according to Africa News can be defined as making use of the waste created into the operations of mines The three principles at the heart of the adopting a Circular Economy in mines can be summarized as; 1 2. 3.

Recycle, Reduce and Reuse Renewable Energy Circular Mines

As already mentioned with the creation of the ACEA, the potential value of the Circular Economy is gaining traction internationally with the mining community expected to soon embrace the CE concept fully according to the ACEA report

“International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) is part of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and has committed to adding the CE to the reporting framework. Recently, the GRI launched the "GRI 306: Waste 2020" – this is the first globally applicable reporting standard for companies to provide a complete picture of waste impacts along their value chain In partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the two institutions have created the Circulytics – a tool that enables businesses to asses cir-

cular economy performance in operations. … Although not yet mandatory, such global shifts will impact all GRI community members, including mining firms. Therefore, mining companies should start considering the circular economylensinassessingoperationalefficiency.

With more and more companies trying to move to carbon neutrality mining companies have an opportunity to be ahead of the curve by maximising their waste and ultimately strategically moving towards a Circular Economywithintheiroperations

Will it be a paradigm shift with more mining companies moving towards it in the near future? As always the conversationcontinues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://magazine cim org/en/news/2022/taking-a-circularapproach-to-mining-operations-en/ https://www worldbank org/en/news/video/2020/12/17/circulareconomy-and-critical-materials https://www accenture com/us-en/insights/naturalresources/circularity-metals-mining https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/03/28/mining-garbageand-the-circular-economy/ https://www miningweekly com/article/rethinking-mine-wastewill-bring-unexpected-benefits-2021-06-03/rep id:3650 https://www africanews com/embed/335058 https://blogs imf org/2021/11/05/countering-tax-avoidance-insub-saharan-africas-miningsector/#:~:text=The%20mining%20sector%20contributes%20about, intensive%20sub%2DSaharan%20African%20countries https://www miningweekly com/article/rethinking-mine-wastewill-bring-unexpected-benefits-2021-06-03/rep id:3650 https://www itnewsafrica com/2022/05/the-future-for-sustainablemining-in-africa-lies-in-circular-thinking/ https://news climate columbia edu/2022/03/28/mining-garbageand-the-circular-economy/

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@RDJConsulting

E L E C T R I C I T Y

What is a Sustainable Energy Mix? ( November 2022 Edition)

So let’s start here. In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs ”

It further refers the term Energy Mix to “How final energy consumption in a given geographical region breaks down by primary energy source.”

Now, is there such a thing as a Sustainable Energy Mix?

Firstly, a energy mix varies from country to country as it depends on the combination of resources available in individual countries to produce energy for industry and trade to thrive. These resources are used in different proportions to meet country specific energy needs and support economic development.

The energy sources may include fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal), nuclear energy, waste and the different types of renewable energy (biomass, wind, geothermal, water and solar) These energy sources are used to generate electricity, provide fuel for transportation, and heat and cool residential and industrial buildings

With the move towards fighting climate change, the fossil fuels age is environmentally inconvenient to say the least, since countries have been reviewing their energy mix to incorporate more environmentally friendly sources while doing away with those that could pose harm to humanity in the future

Despite varying significantly from one country to another, the UN reports that globally, fossil fuels account for over 80% of the energy mix. Energy production is the largest driver of climate change, but statistics show that around three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels for energy which comes at a large cost to human health This is why countries that have signed up to clean energy pathways have embarked on the journey towards incorporating more environmentally-friendly solutions.

So, what really is a Sustainable Energy Mix?

To reduce global emissions, it is expected that a shift of business as usual energy systems from fossil fuels to lowcarbon sources of energy should be the focus We need to ‘decarbonise’, and when countries undertake this at a rate that does not impede economic development, this is referred to as the Just Energy Transition!

At this stage, it is clear to relate now that a Sustainable Energy Mix refers to an energy mix derived from effective

sources that will ensure continuous supply of energy in future without degrading the environment or anything in existence.

Are we there yet?

With a population of 8 billion and rising, and the increase on energy demand, along with ambitious National Development Goals in terms of energy production and supply, the battle to attain such goals are eminent and on-going It is necessary that “All hands are on deck” to ensure a future for our planet. In 2019, almost 16% (15.7% to be precise) of global primary energy came from lowcarbon sources. Low-carbon sources are the sum of nuclear energy and renewables – which includes hydropower, wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal and wave /tidal

Such steps may seem small but are crucial to move forward. Today, we can already see the push for increased environmentally-friendly energy supply solutions taking a stand. We now have the carbon markets growing, the emerging green hydrogen industries and other renewables taking a stand All these are needed to achieve a common global goal

What do you think is a Sustainable Energy Mix? Do you think it is attainable? What is your country doing to ensure that we have a Sustainable Energy Mix moving forward? Talk to us and as always, the conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www un org/en/academic-impact/sustainability https://archive unescwa org/energy-mix https://ourworldindata org/energy-mix

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@RDJConsulting

R E N E W A B L E E N E R G Y

Desalination and Renewables: Its time!

( May 2022 Edition)

In light of “World Water Day” , it is important to have an open discussion on how sustainability and “green energy” can be incorporated in the production and

supply of freshwater to enhance access to water for livelihoods Southern Africa is well known as the “dry south” due to the reduced or erratic rainfall and the heavy reliance on rainfall for agriculture and other human needs

As you know, it is a common say that “Namibia is an arid, water deficient country with high solar radiation, low humidity, and high temperatures.” In this statement we notice a problem of water scarcity, and also a resource that is sunlight The question is now is what can and is being done with such free and precious resource? South Africa and Namibia being good examples of countries with scarce water resources, they have taken the rationale steps to use desalination to avert water crises especially related to either industry or urban demands.

Like many countries around the world, Namibia is well

committed to addressing climate change challenges while carrying out its economic activities and to decrease as much as possible its environmental footprint In fact, National regulations such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan II (HPPII) articulates under its Economic Advancement Pillar, the development of a blue and green economy that will drive the country’s economic recovery encapsulate this.

Real case studies include the Orano Desalination Plant which was commissioned by AREVA in 2010 In fact, Orano Desalination Plant is a very significant source of water supply to the Namibian coastal areas because it provides about 75 percent of the water for consumption to Swakopmund and surrounding communities as well as uranium mines. With this “success”, the Government of Namibia has recently announced its intention for the construction of a new desalination plant in addition to the private sector owned and operated Orano Plant, already in existence

Diagram showing global installed desalination capacity, 2010–2016 Sourced from IEA-ETSAP and IRENA 2012

This approach by the Namibian government to utilise desalination in such a mainstreamed manner is aligned with findings and summary around potential on Water Desalination Using Renewable Energy by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 2012, Technology Brief report It is also accepted that large amounts of electricity is needed to drive the desalination process and adds to the already pressured demands. According to the report, renewable energy technologies that are suited to desalination include solar thermal, solar photovoltaics (PV), wind, and geothermal energy. Solar technologies based on solar heat concentration, notably concentrating solar power (CSP), produce a large amount of heat that is suited to thermal desalination With Namibia being a country with known high solar irradiation levels, this seems to be a viable way of pursuit.

The use of solar desalination is not a new concept. Australia for example, is reported to have successfully tested a solar-powered desalination unit designed for remote communities in its Northern Territory similar but more successful than Namibia’s Akutsima desalination facility Therefore, instead of soil, pesticides, fossil fuels and groundwater, Sundrop Farms in Australia has been using only solar power and desalinated seawater to grow

tomatoes across 49 acres since 2016 In this way, the desalination plant is said to produce more than 118 million gallons of freshwater each year, while simultaneously displacing the use of more than 2 million litersofdieselayear

Given further the recent announcement in October 2021 by NamPower to develop a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant with a capacity of up to 130 megawatts, is solar desalination, with additional wind power support especially around the coastal areas, a clear pathway for Namibia?

Theconversationcontinues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://neweralive na/posts/nampower-progresses-onconcentrated-solar-power https://allafrica com/stories/202106070114 html https://www sa areva com/EN/news-8350/namibia-arevainaugurates-first-seawater-desalination-plant-in-southernafrica html https://www erongo com na/news/new-desalination-plant-fornamibia-2021-06-06 https://neweralive na/index php/os/posts/opinion-namibia-poisedto-become-african-renewable-energy-hub https://www wasserressourcen-management de/en/592 php

Guidelines For Building In An Energy Efficient Manner

Water Harvesting

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@RDJConsulting

W A T E R

Techniques

and Benefits for Rural Areas ( October 2022 Edition)

Potable water is critical for improved health and for the pursuit of various socio-economic activities Despite its immense usefulness, rural communities in developing countries, especially those in semi-arid and arid areas without other sources of fresh water (e.g., rivers, lakes, or aquifers) lack sufficient supply, and therefore have adopted water harvesting practices.

Water harvesting is a method of collecting and storing water for human, animal, or crop use The water thus collected can either be utilized immediately for irrigation, or be stored in ponds or in subsurface reservoirs, such as cisterns or shallow aquifers, for subsequent utilization. Water harvesting is as well-documented ancient practice and remains a fundamental and sustainable rural water supply tool that cannot be underestimated.

Rural communities of developing countries that lack adequate access to potable water, as well as areas situated near hillsides where cultivation is difficult due to large portion of bare soil would benefit greatly from water harvesting.

Water Harvesting Techniques

Water can be collected from roofs, and therefore channelled to constructed dams or tanks for storage and used in time of need The most used methods of harvesting water are Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting and Road Water Harvesting techniques

Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater is collected on the roof and transported with gutters to a storage reservoir The stored water can be used for different purposes, including domestic consumption like laundry, bathing, drinking, building and irrigating gardens. Apart from this, the water can also be used to recharge wells or even aquifers.

Road Water Harvesting

Harvesting runoff from roads is a way of using water that previously would cause flood damage, by intercepting the water and guiding it through channels or culverts to recharge areas, surface storage structures or distributing it over farmlands. To achieve this, farmers use a wide variety of available techniques depending on the geography, climatic conditions, and local needs of each examined area This can be done using earth dams, tanks, underground cisterns, subsurface dams, water ponds, runoff farming, etc

Uses and Benefits of Water Harvesting

Despite being a simple method of water supply, water harvesting has numerous uses and advantages, namely:

Low-cost technique Minimal expertise required Independent ownership Availability of water in times of scarcity Good water quality for crop irrigation systems

Rainwater harvesting can bring about a solution to flood-prone roads.

Credit: pixabay.com

Reduces soil erosion

Prevents flooding

Human consumption and drinking

Long storage period

Potential for aquifer and groundwater recharge

Applicability in African rural communities

From January 2011 to June 2015, a consortium of African and European institutions conducted case studies to assess Water Harvesting Techniques (WHT) in four African countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, South Africa and Tanzania) The outcome of the study showed that WHT developments were substantial, and a renewed respect for rainwater harvesting had emerged in Africa. However, it was discovered that there was a need to address the financial constraints faced by farmers interested in adopting WHTs

Further findings showed that WHTs have the potential to improve food security for example in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, while in Tanzania, WHTs supported the growth of cash crops. In South Africa, water harvesting, and storage tanks provided a supplementary water-supply solution for livestock, watering nearby vegetable farms and gardens

What now?

Water harvesting improves productivity and food security, while minimising soil erosion and enhancing soil moisture conditions In arid and semi-arid areas in sub-Saharan

Furthermore, water harvested through these different methods are not always the best quality due to external contaminants such as air pollution, animal droppings and organic matter. Therefore, regular maintenance of storage facilities (cleaning, repairs, etc.) as well as a treatment before consumption (e.g. filtration or/and disinfection)areveryimportant

Considering environmental, economic and demographic changes, how can water harvesting systems evolve with the times? Get in touch with us at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www jstor org/stable/23324853 https://www sciencedirect com/topics/agricultural-and-biologicalsciences/water-harvesting https://www.agriculturewale.com/water-harvesting/ https://sswm info/sswm-solutions-bop-markets/affordable-washservices-and-products/affordable-water-supply/rainwaterharvesting%28rural%29#:~:text=For%20drinking%20water%20purposes%20in ,agricultural%20use%20see%20also%20bunds%2C

https://www.waterproductivity.org/product/water-harvestingusing-roads-road-water-harvesting/ https://cordis europa eu/article/id/90773-subsaharan-agriculturereaps-benefits-of-water-harvesting

https://library wur nl/WebQuery/leap4fnssa-projects/74 chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://cordis europa eu/docs/results/266/266360/final1whater final report m1-54 28-sep-2015 final pdf

Africa, water harvesting is a particularly important way to help rain-fed agriculture and rural development in general,contributingtopovertyandhungeralleviation.

Courtesy:Unsplash

T H E E N V I R O N M E N T

Conservation & Black Rhinos – A Treasure for Namibia ( May 2022 Edition) Interview with Lorna

by Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist - RDJ Publishing)

Community-Based Natural Resource Management conservation efforts and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) are an important part of

ensuring the survival of species that face the threat of extinction either due to poaching or the encroachment of human industrial activities into their natural habitats. One such organization operating within Namibia is the ‘Save the Rhino Trust Namibia’ (SRT). Ms. Lorna Dax, the Program and Partnership Development Assistant at the SRT, takes us through the organization’s background and their efforts

About the Save the Rhino Trust Namibia

In fact, Blythe Loutit and Ina Britz created the SRT in 1982 as Namibia’s first rhino conservation project, and stands as the only NGO that has a memorandum of understanding with the Government for the monitoring, research and protection of black rhinos

With currently supporting over 60 Conservancy Rhino Rangers (CRR) for rhino monitoring, the SRT’s field office

“Mai-go-ha” is based in North-west Namibia, and this is where their teams are deployed from, and monitoring of data is captured

Namibia is home to the world’s last population of free roaming black rhinos After reaching the lowest point of near extinction, we have since seen an increase in the population of black rhinos in Namibia with efforts from our team and stakeholders.

During their 40-years of existence, SRT has been instrumental in bringing this important population of black rhinos back from the brink of extinction In the early eighties there were only a few dozen black rhinos remaining in the west Kunene landscape, and today that number has more than quadrupled Community engagement has been a foundation of their success and

What are some of the results of the Save the Rhino Trust Namibia conservation efforts?

Dax

Interviewed

Courtesy:IstockPhoto

the rhino ranger programme epitomizes this

The SRT supports local rangers to conduct rhino patrols and pay incentives to them for their effort. This cash injection into the local community has improved the value that local people place on wildlife, particularly rhinos They have supported several tourism enterprises focused on black rhinos and have helped communities to benefit from black rhino tracking activities These enterprises have brought millions of Namibian dollars into local conservancy coffers.

In recognition of such significant efforts, Simson UriKhob, SRT Chief Executive Officer was awarded the Prince William Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime commitment and contribution to African conservation The award ceremony, which is now in its ninth year, was attended by Tusk’s Royal Patron – the Duke of Cambridge, who personally handed over Simson’s award.

In fact, each year, the awards recognize and honour the important work that African Conservationists do to protect wildlife and biodiversity Arguably one of the most prestigious awards on the continent, the lifetime achievement award is a nod to Simson’s unwavering passion shown over 30 years of protecting black rhinos in Namibia's north-west regions.

Finally, the importance of pride and respect for nature are aspects of community conservation that are often overlooked The SRT has worked with partners to develop rhino youth clubs and other outreach activities which aim to bolster a sense of pride in rhinos in the local communities. A good example of this is the ‘Rhino Friend Forever’ campaign which has successfully managed to

reduce poaching up to about 80% over the past 5 years, with the support of their partners, local communities, conservation NGOs and the Namibian government at large.

Together with their partners including local communities, the Namibian government and conservation NGOs they have managed to dramatically reduce poaching in the landscape by close to 80% in the past 5 years

The SRT's success over the years has been because of the strong relationships they have built with different stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MEFT), conservation NGOs and the local communities within the rhino range conservancies

As a rhino protection strategy, the SRT has a team of trackers who come from the local communities and possess a deep knowledge of rhinos and their surroundings Covering an area of 25 000 km, their skills are tested during long patrols, on foot on rough terrain in an area with no national park status, no fences and no control over who enters and exits In fact, the SRT patrol team comprises a minimum of three members and spends 20 days in the field on patrol. In 2021 their patrol teams have recorded a record of 44 405 km on foot, which surpassed their targets for the year. Our “boots on the approach has been the major contributor towards our decade’s long success

What are the most effective technology and strategies being used for protecting Black rhinos in Namibia?

In addition, the STR introduced the

Rhino Ranger (CRR) programme in 2012, which employs rhino rangers deployed to conduct rhino monitoring patrols in their respective communities. The teams are deployed with Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) enabled devices which collect all rhino motoring data The SMART database serves as template and exemplary model for which the MEFT National Rhino Coordinator recommended to all individual-based rhino monitoring programmes

The SRT’s SMART database continues to be managed collectively by an onsite data management officer at their field office, with oversight and quality control made on monthly basis

is a collective effort, and the public can help by being our eyes and ears, and say no to poaching ” She added that “They can help us keep ‘boots on the ground’ by giving inkind or monetary donations.”

Furthermore, the SRT runs an ‘adopt a rhino’ programme where interested individuals can donate to their cause in helping communities and rhinos It is important to recognize that poaching not only affects rhinos but the national economy at large since tourism is a cornerstone of the Namibian economy “Less wildlife in Namibia means less tourists visits, which in turn means less money into our economy and fewer jobs.” Said Ms. Dax.

Conclusion

With growing support from the government and conservation NGOs, conservation in Namibia is growing positively. Communities are engaged and different avenues are used to have active youth involvement as well. The future of conservation in Namibia looks bright and will have even more support from communities.

Kindly describe how the general public can support the Save the Rhino.

In response to this inquiry, Ms. Dax said that “We will not be able to achieve our vision as SRT alone. Conservation

Conservation is key to the economic development of Namibia; the tourism industry is highly dependent on conservation of wildlife. “Without any wildlife, no one will visit our country which will affect the economy.” Said Ms. Dax. Black rhinos are listed as an endangered species which means that they are more likely to become extinct in the future It is only through conservation efforts done by SRT and stakeholders that the black rhino will be preserved for future generations

Conservancy

What does the future of conservation in Namibia looks like?

Courtesy: Marcus Westberg Photography

AUTHOR: David Junias Researcher@RDJConsulting

R O A D S A N D T R A N S P O R T

Movement

and the people: A Rural View ( October 2022 Edition)

Imagine a world, where there’s fluidity in transportation and movement of people regardless of which remote area you live in The advantages that it

would bring are endless, such as commerce and information exchanges. This could in principle improve the movement of people in rural areas, which is currently obstructed by the limited availability of transport services and infrastructures upgrades such as bitumen (tar roads) or gravel roads Defined by the National Geographic, rural areas have an open swath of land, with few homes or other buildings, and are defined by a low population One would infer that rural areas’ features and characteristics contribute to their lack of services (transport) and the lack obstructs the movement of people.

Rural areas in Africa have varying transport needs and movement features from those in the developed coun-

tries, resulting in unique challenges when it comes to the movement of people For instance, generally fewer people own mechanized vehicles in Africa, and some people use the only available means of transport such as animaldrawn carts.

However, in developed countries, it’s different. The United States of America (U.S) has a higher percentage proportion of people in rural areas owning vehicles, which is more than the people in urban areas owning cars A study on urban-rural differences in mobility and mode choice, by the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, indicated that 97% of rural households in the (U.S) own at least one car while 92% of households in urban areas at least one car.

Courtesy: AlbrechtFietzfromPixabay

Published in the World Bank Blogs, Peter O’Neil, the Chief of Transport Policy and Development, at the United Nations (UN) dissects the problem of rural transport to be caused by the features and characteristics of rural areas Features such as the low economic activities in rural areas make it unattractive for transport investment and development. Hence, O’Neil termed his finding, “the problem with rural transport is that it is rural.”

It's difficult for rural areas to access transport investment because they have complicated transport logistics such as the local contracting capability being limited, and younger engineers being unkeen to leave the urban environment for rural areas. Approximately 90% of the road network in the world remains unpaved, designated as mostly gravel, and the problem is not just in the logistics of building good roads but in maintaining them too Sometimes, even though rural areas have gravel roads, the movement of people is still obstructed when driving on poorly maintained gravel roads

Predominately, agriculturally based rural areas are prioritized for transport investment and are mostly developed with highway roads to move agricultural harvests to urban markets Another transport investment

priority is rural areas where tourist attractions can be found Investment in road networks in rural areas boosts the tourism industry by allowing for faster movement of tourists, as well as generating income opportunities for thelocalpopulation

The solution to making rural areas appealing for transport investment and development lies in making rural areas more attractive to investors and to the people that live there. This in turn allows for those who get involved in rural areas either through employment or education to take up long-term residence and maintain andimprovethetransportservicesforyearstocome.

Let us discuss more as the conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://blogs worldbank org/transport/the-problem-with-ruraltransport-is-that-it-is-rural-the-solution-is-in-branding https://www.oecd.org/cfe/regionaldevelopment/InvestmentPriorities-for-Rural-Development pdf https://education nationalgeographic org/resource/rural-area https://vtc.rutgers.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2014/04/Articles Urban-Rural differences pdf

www.rdjpublishing.africa

I C T & T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Gender and ICT: A missed opportunity for inclusion? ( Feb 2022 Edition)

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultantat RDJ Consulting

The topic Gender and ICT, raises a number of emotions on both sides of the gender debate on if enough is being done to bring women and girls into

an equitable position through access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields In terms of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) describes Information and Communication technologies (ICT) as a Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. Regrettably, ICT is still seen as a male dominated field with internet usage data for Africa in 2020 showing that 35% of males versus 24% of females having access

Productivity in every sector of an economy is greatly affected by the quality and performance of the road networks The Southern African Development Community (SADC) anticipates that Transit traffic for landlocked SADC

countries will increase from 13 million tonnes carried by road in 2009 to 50 million tonnes by 2030 and 148 million by 2040, at an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. These vehicles will need effective and efficient roadways to traverse.

Governments seek collectively to expand the reach of ICT networks and capabilities, inclusive of the persons capable of developing, installing, and maintaining such such systems With this has come the call to have ICT standards that enable “open access” so that no one is left behind. To establish capability, policy needs to align with providing tools for readiness, implementation, and impact. Governments need to be well-informed about how the ICT ecosystem works in practice for the designed policy to be effective, as well as have a keen sense of the gender barriers to access and how challenges can be overcome

Additional complexity comes from the fact the ICT is required to spread awareness, support policy and gender equity is needed to allow for meaningful female participation in the ICT sector It is therefore imperative that gender equity and sufficient opportunities be provided so that females can participate fully in the ICT sector Added to this, society is increasingly becoming highly digitized so that emails are sent instead of letters, attachments are added to emails instead of faxed or copied and printing is now direct from smartphones to printers without the need for connected cables

Developed countries are not immune from gender imbalance in ICT and Europe has identified a shortfall of some 700 000 ICT professionals while only having a 17% current female participation in the sector reinforcing the male dominance. It is thus understandable that Africa will have a much higher deficit and need to boost the number of females entering and being retained into the sector

Women are currently less likely than men to use or own digital technologies, with gaps larger among youth and those over 45 years old ICT improves efficiency, enhances coordination and improves the quality of information gathered and shared for development planning. The diversity that it brings to the sector will also enhance innovation and competition, as well as the development of ideas by females that can benefit women and girls

Society will be the ultimate beneficiary as with gender equity in the ICT sector, women and girls would see improved salaries, better role models, a means of

overcoming gender discrimination perceptions and give women and girls another tool to fight inequality itself. ICT can also give women access to basic needs such as healthcare and education As pointed out by O’Donnell and Sweetman in their piece on the subject, there is the need to focus on issues beyond access to ICTs, to focus on questions of knowledge and creation, agency, and empowerment.

The conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa and of course, your comments and queries are welcome

Reading

https://www tandfonline c om/doi/full/10 1080/13552 074.2018.1489952? scroll=top&needAccess=tr ue

https://iccwbo org/mediawall/news-speeches/3reasons-ict-mattersgender-equality/ https://ec europa eu/digit al-singlemarket/en/policies/digital -skills

https://www itu int/itud/reports/statistics/factsfigures-2021/

http://uis unesco org/site s/default/files/documents /guide-to-measuringinformation-andcommunicationtechnologies-ict-ineducation-en 0 pdf http://uis unesco org/en/g lossary-term/informationand-communicationtechnologies-ict https://www un org/wome nwatch/daw/public/w200 0-09 05-ict-e pdf

Youth In Action

Blue Economy Champion (June 2022 Edition)

Interview with Toini T.D Amutenya

Interviewed by Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Contributor )

EEngaging a diverse group of young people in the decision making process of how Blue

economy policies are implemented is critical to finding success in fulfilling the policies core objectives conservation and social and economic stability. We had the pleasure of speaking to Ms Toini T D Amutenya a Social and Climate Justice Youth Activist and the 2021 Youth Action for Sustainable Development Namibia’s Champion

Personal Journey

Ms Amutenya started her activism work in 2009, has a Science Degree in Natural Resource Management and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST); Affiliated studies in civics leadership; various professional studies in environmental education, project management, climate justice, climate finance, human security, peace and diplomacy.

She is currently employed as a Research and Communication Officer for Triple Capital Namibia a climate finance experts firm that works with clients to articulate and develop interdisciplinary solutions to mobilize and invest financial capital in ways that build ecological and societal capital.

Motivations

Ms. Amutenya says she is driven by the need for concrete action, resilience creation and community upliftment to deal with losses and damages experienced as a result of

climate change and the need for impactful youth involvement in decisions related to just and sustainable development “I have been an advocate for sustainable development for over a decade with a focus on creating awareness, influencing policy development and implementation and lobbying for youth inclusivity and recognition of community voices in all climate change development agendas.” Said Ms. Amutenya

Challenges

On the challenges she has faced as a youth Climate activist Ms. Amutenya says “we are often the last ones considered at the table and there is

less assistance tailored to uplift youth activism and youth forums in the climate and sustainable development space in Namibia.”

Achievements

On her personal achievements Ms. Amutenya lists winning the 2021 Youth Action for Sustainable Development Champion at the 3rd Namibia Sustainable Development Awards Being part of the 2021 Top 100 Young African Leader in Conservation and; LCOY 2021 National Coordinator; 2022 MTE Global Climate Ambassador for Namibia and; finally, being part of the COP26 Youth Delegation for Namibia

Blue Economy

Blue Economy refers to the use of ocean resources for sustainable economic development.

In which ways do you believe Namibia can improve its sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem?

By implementing the sustainability pillars in the conservation of ocean ecosystems which would ensure that the ocean environment is conserved sustainably and the resources are utilized for the benefit of all Namibians and its economy, and thus ensuring blue opportunities for unemployed nationals. We need to ensure that nothing is promoted at the expense of the other. Livelihoods should be sustained while we lobby for ocean ecosystem management and there should be fair benefitsharing of all resources derived from the ocean to ensure public support of policies in order to achieve sustainable development.

Namibia will need strategic implementation of ocean conservation policies and sustainable marine ecosystem management and resource utilization I believe in continuous awareness creation and building capacity and developing champions for collaborative national action on ocean conservation

In what ways can Namibian Youth be more involved in the Blue economy?

Firstly, we are the Blue Economy Secondly, we are the current and energetic generation who possess modern knowledge, engineering, economic and entrepreneurial skills, research and technology specialties to

implement the Blue Economy Policy

Based on this background it's crucial to put youth at the forefront of such implementation and through effective collaboration ensure that its action activities and strategies are executed and driven by youths For instance, an empowered and educated Namibian Youth, with knowledge on ocean conservation can use that knowledge to develop new sustainable activities in the industry of marine resources and or develop maritime consciousness industries that are driven to pursue the agenda of the Blue Economy Youth involvement increases the development of new and modern possibilities for any industry through exposure.

What are the most effective technology strategies being used to protect the oceans ecosystem?

Effective communication systems: Current radio telecommunication technologies have improved safety and logistical operations in the marine environment

Oil spill tracking systems: The oil and gas industry is a high-risk exploration on ocean grounds and new means of tracking oil spills is one effective way to ensure economic and environmental sustainability.

Early disaster warning systems: to detect disasters and protect ocean

infrastructures and limit damages that could result in ocean pollution

Sailing Cameras and drones for continuous inspection

Probiotic methods of investigating water quality for marine species

How the general public can support ocean conservation efforts?

Through complying with ocean conservation laws; keeping rubbish away from beach fronts and preventing plastic pollution on beach fronts and ocean environments

Through the promotion and implementation of the Blue Economy strategies in our everyday lives, educating communities, youth and children about the importance of a plastic and pollution-free ocean

The public needs to change attitudes and consolidate with the government in ensuring that public policies are implemented and implementing institutions are held accountable.

Conclusion

In conclusion Ms. Amutenya encourages other youths to “Believe in yourself and know that the world is in your hand and not the other way around Therefore, be the change, be part of the change and lead the change you want to see ”

www.rdjconsulting.co.za

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

( August 2022 Edition)

Interview with Hon. Emma Theofelus Interviewed by Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Contributor - RDJ Consulting)

ne of the challenges currently faced by African youth is the

continuous rise in unemployment rates According to the African Development Bank, 50% of the youth in Africa will face uncertainty for employment or will be economically inactive by 2025. Through an insightful discussion with the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) in the Republic of Namibia, Honorable Emma Theofelus, we explore the prospect of harnessing the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as a means of economic emancipation for African youth

Personal Journey

As a woman playing her part to ‘reinvent our society, our culture and our world’, Hon. Theofelus has been recognized as one of BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women of 2021 More recently, the United Nations (UN), honored her with the 2022 UN Population Award, making Hon. Theofelus the youngest UN Population Award individual laureate.

Hon Theofelus holds an LLB Honours Degree from the University of Namibia (UNAM), a Diploma in Business Management from Amity University and a Diploma in Afrikan Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa.

Also, as a Member of Parliament and the Deputy Minister of ICT in Namibia, Hon Theofelus plans to better communicate the activities and programs of the local government, while at the same time assisting in preparing the nation for the 4th Industrial Revolution (IR).

Prior to her appointment as Deputy Minister of ICT, she served as the Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek (2013-2014); Ambassador of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lifeline Childline 106 (2014-2017) and the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Namibia (2015-2016) amongst other roles namely; National Council of Higher Education Board Member (2017-2020); Secretary General of the Student Union at the University of Namibia (2018);Legal Policy Advisor to the Namibian National Students Organization (20182019);Vice Chairperson Global Entrepreneurs Network Namibia Board (2018-2020); Commissioner United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Namibia (2018-2020) and Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice (2019-2020)

4IR?

How can the youth harness full potential of the 4IR?

Africa is the only continent that is getting younger Every other part of the world continues to age In fact, the UN estimates a rise in the world population to 9.7 billion by 2050. Statistics further indicate that by the year 2025, Africa is expected to see a population bulge, however, a rise in youth unemployment, as well Unfortunately, this is also a reality Namibia is already facing This is a sad reality due to the fact that the continent is trying to catch up with current and future skills, while many parts of the world have already moved on. During our discussion on this matter, Hon Theofelus said that;

“We are constantly acquiring skills that are being updated faster than we can use them, and then we must still change our systems to teach young people these skills of the future of learning, the future of work, the future of doing business ”

With the emergence of the 4IR, Africa, therefore, has a chance to embrace it and use it as an opportunity for economic emancipation.

The MICT in Namibia has a digital transformation agenda, that is aimed at harnessing the 4IR as an overall umbrella, as it will revolutionize how people will drive on roads, learn, travel or do business, including giving guidance on the type of businesses that will emerge in the future Therefore, it is important that everyone understands that the 4IR is here to stay and youth need to adjust to it. Hon. Theofelus urges that the young people, the ones that can easily pick up skills and transition from career to career, and as a generation in touch with what they want out of life, we should harness the 4IR as an economic emancipation tool, and learn the skills needed for the future of work.

“Even I have to constantly check in to see what new skill I can learn for the future because it's not always [going to be] like this in 10 years ” Said Hon Theofelus. She adds by saying that “I think so far, we are on the right track. We see more and more young people embracing digital modes of communicating, doing business and learning But we really need to accelerate that potential, so that we are not left behind as a continent ”

What are some of the core challenges that the youth is facing, particularly when it comes to upskilling technologically?

Hon Theofelus says the first challenge in her perspective is affordability Training courses of such technical and logical nature are quite expensive. Additionally, expertise pertaining to such areas of study are not readily available on the African continent and funding students to study abroad is quite costly for governments Therefore, the first major challenge to this can be wrapped up as accessibility and affordability to quality education. Which technology through remotelearning can solve almost instantaneously Secondly, Hon Theofelus brings in the challenge of access to gadgets and data She says that;

“For a while now, our Ministry is trying to facilitate the ease of remuneration by foreign companies to Namibians working remotely. For example, we are exploring option to see how we can get Youtube to pay Namibians in Namibia more directly since there is an interest and growth numbers of young Namibian youtubers It is unfortunately taking longer than desired due to. the many hoops to make that a reality, through our payment systems and central banking regulations, however I am confident that we can crack it ”

The Ministry decided to embark in this journey because it believes that Namibians can longer just depend on traditional jobs, but also be able to earn from their abilities displayed though social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and blogging

She adds that there are already some Namibians living and working in Namibia who are employed within countries abroad. Today, teleworking is a “thing” and one no longer needs to live in a country to work there. The challenge of access to gadgets, such as a phone or a laptop and affordability of internet connection should drive more participation in the 4IR.

“I think with the Ministry’s digital strategy being developed as well as the cyber security strategy that we just completed, all of these are crucial public policy instruments meant to lay a foundation for both young and oldeverybody really to leverage technology as a way of learning and also working so we don't depend on traditional jobs There are only so many eligible Namibians that government can absorb in terms of works and our private sector is really small compared to other private sectors in countries like South Africa or Zambia so we need to find ways to diversify our working ability and I believe technology is our way ” Said Hon Theofelus

What support do you believe would accelerate youth uptake in areas such as AI, robotics and augmented reality?

"The 4IR is going to impact us whether we want it or not. It's going to affect how the world communicates and does business, learn and solve problems - we need to prepare ourselves now.''

Hon.EmmaTheofelus

Hon Theofelus believes that there is definitely interest in these areas, she thinks it is just a matter of the availability and opportunity to actually uptake these fields If someone were to open up a coding academy people will be interested What is needed is an education system that allows new and emerging technologies, that allows young people to learn the skills needed. Students should no longer experience a computer for the first time at university or for a child to be introduced to robotics, AI, Blockchains, Augmented Reality and coding only at university. Ideally children should be learning to develop their brain and abilities with computers constantly present in their lives You want to teach a 6 year old how to code so by the time they are 12 they would probably find solutions for water roll out in the country that's the aim and that's the vision.

“I am happy to let you know that the Ministry of ICT with partners on the African continent and sister ministries are embarking on a girls coding training as a first step of having a coding academy one day in the country. Although nothing is concrete yet we are hoping to have it in the next few weeks We are targeting 80 young girls from all over Namibia, along with We are starting with girls, not to keep the boy child out at all, but because we don't have as many girls and young women in the ICT space as we would like there to be equitable numbers. Therefore, for me it's a responsibility to find ways to mainstream girls into STEM areas especially for technology and this is why this coding training is targeting young girls I am very excited about this one.” Said Hon. Theofelus.

There is a need to accelerate efforts to overhaul the education system to uptake new skills and for African children to learn skills that allow them to be prepared for the 4IR

According to the World Economic Forum, the top three skills required to thrive in 4IR include; Complex

problem solving, Critical thinking. How can Namibia establish a living curriculum?

Hon Theofelus says that the point of life and work is to solve problems She believes the best way to establish a living curriculum is to incorporate more than just traditional education. Recounting how her own journey has enriched her critical thinking and problem-solving skills

“When I was younger, I joined debating, and other after school activities Through debating and public speaking, I learned very quickly to think on my feet and it teaches you to critically think and theorize how a problem would be best solved But also thinking about the practicality of those solutions I didn't learn that in the classroom I had to learn that skill outside the classroom

After my 18th birthday, I hiked the fish river canyon for 5 days with a backpack which taught me resilience, discipline and persistence These are skills you can't always learn in a classroom It has always been my hope to incorporate community involvement in learning. That is why I started the bring a buddy to parliament initiative. I wanted to bring young people from all over the country to network with one another Because you cannot just be confined to your school, community, church or town that you grew up in One needs to see that there are other people and places out there and also learn something you wouldn't' otherwise learn in an environment you are familiar with and used to For me that initiative that is still ongoing is my civic responsibility of bringing young people like me into a space I have been given an opportunity to occupy. I want them to believe that they too one day can become MPs but must learn to bring others along when they get into such institutions

So some of these skills you can't learn in a classroom so as much as we want to change the education system to cater for everything under the sun because it would place a heavy burden

on one sector of our society to teach all skills. It’s not practical to take such an approach in my opinion Therefore through the many initiatives I take, including the programmes that we run as a Ministry, we need to use our social capital, our abilities and resources to really pass on the buck for other young people to learn skills they wouldn't have otherwise learned in a classroom. It shouldn't be left to government to do that alone, everyone one of us should find a way to teach the next ” Said Hon Theofelus

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Hon. Deputy Minister says that the Ministry is currently harnessing their expertise to see how as a country Namibia can leverage the 4IR’s potential Although, there is so much work to be done. The 4IR is here whether we are ready for it or not. She adds that although many youths face needs like basic necessities

“We don't have to sacrifice one thing for another; we don't need to sacrifice our commitment to basic necessities like water and electricity in communities to turn our sole focus to the advancement in technology. We can do both things at the same time. We don't need to give up one for the other So as young people we should not wait and say that because 4IR doesn't speak to our current needs, we shouldn’t explore it. The 4IR is going to impact us whether we want it or not. It's going to affect how the world communicates and does business, learn and solve problemswe need to prepare ourselves now ” Said Hon Theofelus Finally, she adds “As young people we need to be ready to adapt and adjust when the situation calls for it. . We also need to be forward thinking and see how we can leverage opportunities available to us today for use in the future We need to prepare now otherwise we will once again be left behind I would like tp echo the words of H E President Hage G. Geingob that it is not our wish as a governemnt to leave any Namibian behind. . ”

TENDERS & CAREERS

DATES:24JAN2023-8FEB2023

Telecom Namibia

Description: Proposals are hereby invited for the following: Provision of Travel Management Services to Telecom Namibia for (3) years. Bid Closing Date: 24 January 2023

Description:Bids are hereby invited for the following: Supply and delivery of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to Telecom Namibia for a period of three (3) years Bid Closing date: 24 January 2023

Description: Proposals are hereby invited for the following: Provision of External Audit Services for Telecom Namibia for a Period of Three (3) Years Bid Closing date: 24 January 2023

Social Security Commission's Otjiwarongo Description: Bids are herewith invited for the following services: Provision of Security Services (Guarding, Fidelity and Alarm Monitoring) to the Social Security Commission's Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay Offices for a period of three (3) years Bid Closing date: 8 February 2023

Social Security Commission's Rundu, Grootfontein and Katima Mulilo

Description: Bids are herewith invited for the following services: Provision of Security Services (Guarding, Fidelity and Alarm Monitoring) to the Social Security Commission's Rundu, Grootfontein and Katima Mulilo Offices for a period of three (3) years.

Bid Closing date: 8 February 2023

Social Security Commission's Oshakati, Eenhana and Outapi Description: The Road Fund Administration (RFA), hereby invites suitable and competent Namibian registered service providers to submit their best bids for the following: Provision of consultancy services for ICT division workforce design and planning

Bid Closing date: 8 February 2023

Accor

DATES:18JAN2023-1FEB 2023

Position: Procurement Manager

Closing Date: 1 February 2022

Position: Front Office Manager Closing Date: 23 January 2023

O&L Fresh Produce

Position: Team Leader: Agronomy Job Closing Date: 20 January 2023

Position: Team Leader: Technical Agri Services Closing Date: 20 January 2023

Position: Demand Planner Local Closing Date: 18 January 2023

Standard Bank Position: Specialist, Payment Application Closing Date: 20 January 2023

Office of The Auditor General Position: Assistant Auditor Grade 8 (Trainee) Closing Date: 30 January 2023

Position: Chief Auditor Grade 6 Closing Date: 30 January 2023

Woermann Brock

Position: Branch Manager

Closing Date: 31 January 2023

DayDream Institute

Position: Executive Secretary To The Rector Closing Date: 20 January 2023

Standard Bank Position: Scientist, Data Closing Date: 18 January 2023

Standard Bank Position: Manager, Branch Closing Date: 18 January 2023

Telecom Position: Experiential/Job Attachment (Internship) Scheme: ICT Internship Opportunities Closing Date: 20 January 2023

Position: Apprenticeship Training Scheme: Telecommunications Electrician Training Opportunities

Closing Date: 20 January 2023

Position: Graduates Development Scheme: Electronics Engineering & Information Technology Closing Date: 20 January 2023