REPORT

RURAL INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETYHORIZON HOTEL, GOBABIS

22 – 24 SEPTEMBER 2009

GOBABIS, NAMIBIA

Content Page

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1. Glossary 2

2. Introduction 3

3. Executive Summary 4

4. Presentations 5

5. Deliberations 15

6. Recommendations 15

7. Next Steps 16

8. Participants’ Evaluation 16

9. Acknowledgement of Donors 16

10. Appendix (Delegates list) 17

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GLOSSARY

AIDS Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome

GRN Government of the Republic of Namibia

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus

ICT Information, Communication and Technology

MoAWF Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry

MoE Ministry of Education

MoICT Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology

MoYNSSC Ministry of Youth National Service, Sports and Culture

NAMCOL Namibia College of Open Learning

NBC Namibia Broadcasting Corporation

NDF Namibia Defence Force

NDP National Development Plan

NPC National Planning Commission

NYC National Youth Council

OSISA Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa

OTC Ounongo Technology Centre

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

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Introduction

Rapidly growth in information communication and technology is one of the greatest challenges for mostly developing nations who are wrestling with complex issues in relation to sustainable development.

With her small population of about 2 million inhabitants, Namibia has the highest income inequality rate in the world and efforts to breach the gap between the poor and the rich seem, elusive.

Majority of the citizens live in rural areas where abject poverty and inadequate access to public services persist. Taken together, the 1991 population and housing census enumerated 28 percent of the total population in urban and 72 percent in rural areas. In essence, Namibia is still largely a rural population.

It has become apparent that such as a scenario, if not systematically challenged through targeted programs and projects may adversely contribute to stagnated development if not unsustainable efforts.

It is scholarly argued that government and private sector intervention through policy and deliberate empowerment programs is needed to bridge the digital divide between rural areas and urban centres which profoundly purports poverty and underdevelopment.

Although concerted efforts are being made by government, Namibia is still lagging behind in ICT integration.

ICT is still seen as a luxury by many people and while rural populations would prefer to shy away from this revolution, they are unwillingly bundled in the wagon and there seem not be options out there, but to join the information society – ICT is here to stay!

More so, the interaction of rural and urban populations and the inherent relations in commerce and industry exerts pressure on societal formation and might as well be one of the stronger forces prompting the need for integration of nations.

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The application of ICT tools is recognised broadly as a fundamental way of assisting citizens to access statutory rights enshrined in their constitution but bring about participatory development and deepening the values of democracy.

ICT is a catalyst tool for economic development and social emancipation for developing countries such as Namibia.

Ounongo technology Centre was founded five years ago to promote development through the application of affordable, relevant ICT tools and solutions in particular targeting the rural populace.

The organization has since set basic infrastructure (community tele-centres) in different constituencies within the region to cater for ICT needs.

Executive Summary

Ounongo Technology Centre, a non-profit making organization focussing in the area of empowering communities with tools and solutions related to information, communication and technology, organized a two day rural international summit in Gobabis, a town situated 200 kilometres east of Windhoek.

The meeting, the first of its kind in the history of Namibia, drew diverse participation from various experts and political leaders who hailed it as a step in the right direction in promoting constructive debate and engagement on topical issues related to ICT and how it impacts on rural population and the youth in particular. About 100 participants attended the 2-day summit deliberating on a wide range of issues pertaining to the pros and cons of ICT in general but with particular reference to rural populations.

Discussions critically centred on areas of access to ICT tools by rural areas which appears to be a major hurdle given the realities of inadequate infrastructure, skills shortage and financing. Rural populations and majority of the youth experience challenges of unemployment, poverty and find themselves humming a wrong tune.

Perhaps, the greatest hurdle is access to basic services such as electricity, roads and expertise in areas such as public health, veterinary services, housing and sometimes even water management is either inadequate or resources are not there to develop infrastructure to draw underground water or maintain existing equipments.

But in all the services, access to electricity even through solar system, holds a major breakthrough for rural remains a problem. While such technology is available in the market, the cost of procuring the equipment, installation and maintenance

prohibitive.

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Although the information age or knowledge –based society has become the buzz word for both developing and developed nations, the backlog in service delivery to rural population has become more evident and in the case of ICT tools and unless prompt actions are taken, rural communities will take decades to come at par with their contemporary urban –based citizens.

In simple term, the situation could pose serious backlog and perpetuate the status quo for critical industries such as education, agriculture, small and medium enterprises and health which are cardinal for the advancement of rural communities.

On the other hand the promotion of ITC tools and solutions is seen as a means to reaching rural communities with basic services to enable them to participate optimally in the development of their economy. The rural population is actually seen as an untapped resource which when fully utilised could contribute immensely to the booming of the country’s economy and people.

The presenters hence facilitated discussions on topics such as, how best can rural communities harness the potential of ICTs, access to information and knowledge for development, how ICT can be applied to reach targets of ensuring education for all in particular using E-learning tools, what role can community radios and multimedia centres play in advancing the pace of development toward a fully fledged knowledge-based society. This report captures the deliberations of the summit and resolutions for the way forward in rolling out ICT in rural communities and the challenges thereof.

Presentation Extract

The Governor of Omaheke Region, Honourable Laura Veendapi Mcleod – Katjirua commended Ounongo Technology Centre for organizing the historic event in her region adding that the programs and projects advanced by OTC are making a positive impact on the lives of rural dwellers in particular women and youth.

The Governor acknowledged that access to information and knowledge, culture diversity; linguistic and local contend development and E-learning could become integral cornerstones in integrating ICTs in the regions particularly in complimenting decentralisation program.

In outlining the aims and objectives of the summit, the Manager of Ounongo Technology Centre, Mr. Operi Murangi said the application of ICT tools and solution can improved service delivery; institutionalise democracy and the rule of law.

He said while the rest of the world seem to have embraced ICT tools as a means to empower citizens to participate meaningfully in development programs, rural populations are yet to be counted. Barriers such as language and costs of ICT tools are prohibitive to majority of the citizens in developing nations such as Namibia.

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OTC made significant impact in training and capacity building in areas such as basic computer skills development as well as exposing clients particular learners to research tools and other benefits of ICT such as E-mail, websites and emerging platforms such as facebook.

The Secretary General of the National Youth Council, Mandela Kapere challenged the government to recognise the youth as a positive resource and reward their intellectual capacity as an incentive to promote youth empowerment.

He pointed out that rural youth in particular, feel neglected as they wrestle with unemployment, substance abuse and are often on the wrong side of the law. Such scenarios can be changed for the better if the youth can be engaged in constructive activities that bring out the best out of their intellectual reserves.

A nation that does not value its youth, according to Kapere, neglects its future.

He used the platform to encourage the youth to abstain from unprotected sex and to focus their energy in positive activities, using Mr. Operi Murangi as a shining embodiment that attest to the fruits of determination, perseverance and hard-work.

The patron of OTC, Dr. Theophilus Kamupingene said ICT cuts across all spheres of life and hence must be embraced as a way of life particularly for the farming communities to increase profit margins.

He challenged farmers to come out from the closet and take ICT solutions for procurement, marketing, buying and selling their products and produce. He told the participants that ICT has come to stay and urged them to ‘jump in and eventually not die, but enjoy its numerous benefits.’

The patron ended his deliberation by challenging more corporate companies, donor partners, the government and the international community to support OTC in meaningfully playing it role – building a knowledge-based society.

He further applauded the donor partners who supported OTC from conception and continue to assist the organization in achieving its mandate.

Institutions such as OSISA, UNESCO, Government of the Republic of Namibia through various Ministries such as Education, Youth, National Services, Sports and Culture, regional local government and housing and rural development, India High Commission, the National Youth Council, Omaheke Regional Council, Gobabis Municipality and the corporate world such as Pupkewitz Holdings through the foundation, Telecom Namibia, Polytechnic of Namibia and Namcol made a significant contribution to the realisation of the summit and have made commitment to explore areas of further support.

In officially opening the summit, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Honourable Joel Kaapanda said the meeting came at a very opportune

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time as the world was increasingly becoming dependent on technology to drive economic and social development.

Kaapanda said the thematic areas addressed by the summit were in conformity with development objectives enumerated in the country’s Vision 2030 and National Development Plans.

The summit further addressed thematic areas and requirements set by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in amongst others fostering public private community partnership built on people-centred, inclusive and development –oriented information society in Namibia.

The Minister said Namibia has made some improvements in the ICT field on the policy legislative and operational levels, citing the creation of a dedicated Ministry as one of such positive actions.

He succeeding in the implementation of the Ministry’s mandate, a review of ICT policy and regulatory framework was undertaken during 2008.

The Minister agreed acknowledged that the ICT sector in Namibia is need of reform to address issues of costs of telephony, limited bandwidth fragmented, sometimes non-existent policy and a lack of an enabling legal framework.

According to the Minister, Namibia needs to embark upon an accelerated and yet managed liberalisation process to be competitive in the market arena.

The benefits if liberalisation processes include improved quality of service; decrease in the cost of ICT; transparent price information; a healthy telecommunications retail market; improved community access and skills development; infrastructure expansion and increased foreign direct investment.

The government’s vision is to transform Namibia into a knowledge-based, highly competitive, industrialised and eco-friendly nation with sustainable economic growth and high quality of life by 2030.

The mission is to ensure that every citizen and resident shall have affordable access to high quality information and communication services to meet these outlined objectives;

Enhance the market and regulatory structure of ICT in Namibia and to fully liberalise (open, competitive markets and private sector participation) all telecommunication services by 2010, following controlled process;

To enable streamlined, efficient and effective regulation of ICT industry on a fully transparent, technology, neutral and competitively balanced basis;

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to provide universal access to information and communication facilities in Namibia for all communities ensuring access to telecommunication services, internet and multimedia services by 2011;

to enable affordable prices for telecommunication services particularly for low I income groups by 2010; to enable profitable investment opportunities in all segments of the market by 2010;

to successfully implement government ICT initiatives in education and training by 2013 and E-government initiatives by 2015;

to establish Namibia as a first class regional ICT hub that will contribute toward job creation by 2013;

to entrench freedom of expression, pluralism, diversity and competition; protect the media users and particularly the vulnerable groups such as children against undesirable and involuntary exposure to offensive and harmful material;

Foster provision of services to all Namibians in appropriate languages and foster economic development of the electronic media and tradable information sectors.

Against these noble ideals, the Minister acknowledged that the challenges the ICT sector in Namibia are real, mammoth and need collective concerted efforts to overcome.

The challenges facing youth and women in rural areas in accessing and using ICT manifest s the gaps in resource allocation and development deficit.

The Minister assured participants that the new legal framework his ministry was putting in place in place through the Communication Bill will provide for a Universal Service Fund dedicated to ensuring adequate rural access for the citizens including youth and women. This will compliment efforts of the Ministry of Education which is working through SchoolNet and Tech /Na in rolling out ICT educational programs for the benefit of the youth and school children to improve access and usage of ICT tools.

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The Minister said OTC was a good case study of entrepreneurial initiative at regional level to promote access to information and knowledge adding that government encourages and supports such type of efforts since rural ICT connectivity and usage features prominently in the National Development Plan III (NDPIII).

Through the establishment of facilities such as multipurpose centres, government is eager to facilitate access to information and enhance communication of citizens.

The Minister told the summit that with the recent visit of His Excellency President Hifikepupunye Pohamba to India, the President signed up to an Indian sponsored broadband connectivity project called Pan-African e-Network that will provide real time e- educational and e-learning facilities to Namibian citizens with India education specialists. He encouraged OTC to take advantage of India’s vast knowledge and skills –base to benefit Namibia’s rural population.

In a presentation read on behalf, Mr. Marius Kudumo, Deputy Secretary General for Namibia’s National Commission for UNESCO said through the Participation Programme, has been employed as a means to strengthen the partnership between the organization and its member states. The participation programme also serves the purpose of enabling UNESCO member states to identify programmes and activities in order to compliment UNESCO’s regular activities.

OTC’s programmes and activities in conformity with UNESCO’s priorities in communication and information.

These factors led to the approval of $20,000 to OTC to cater for information and communication technology equipment, training and material production.

The US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Lisa Heilbronn, told the summit in her presentation that benefits of ICT tools are immeasurable. Access to digital information via internet allows business as well as private initiatives to overcome barriers such as time, space, geographical location, and start up capital and overhead costs.

Delays in transmission of information by mail or posting on the data have been overcome. The internet is a better and cheaper source of current information than printed material.

Information or knowledge is power as it puts the recipient in a better bargaining position.

Heilbronn said information helps entrepreneurs to make better judgments and decision at to increase profit margins.

Information further enables entrepreneurs to seek and meet business investment through research.

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A website for instance is a window onto the international market promoting innovation. With the many resources such as kiva.org, ICT can assist to uplift the

standard of life in particular for rural populations. ICT in education provides the

promise of change

Many institutions in Africa are using mobile phones to keep in touch with students.

In developing World ICT is driving a wave of innovation, teaching hard-to-reach groups.

In SA for instance, Nokia has partnered with the Mxit platform to give grade ten learners access to 10 500 mathematics exercises via their handset. In Ghana, instructions are being sent via mobile phones to communities on how to maintain solar-powered water purification units.

Mobile handsets of which the continent has one for every three people – come in handy as a solution. It removes activities such as bribery; collecting money for marks, strikes or civil unrest. Online courses run by foreign universities also mitigating the brain drain of top-level students leaving Africa. ICT offers flexibility that allows you to combine work and study. In Senegal, government spends 40% of its budget on education and still 5 000 students cannot enroll at University because of lack of space every year. E-Learning can increase the number of people in education.

The summit further deliberated on how ICT can compliment decentralization process in particular enhancing service delivery. A presentation from the Directorate of Decentralization Coordination outlined intention of decentralization and the plan of action to realize the ultimate objectives. The local and regional Councils will assume greater responsibility and autonomy in providing basic services to the people and thereby bringing governance closer to the people.

In creating greater harmony of efforts, the Summit looked at ways of harmonizing efforts to ensure less duplication of efforts and optimal resource allocation.

The summit looked at India’s rich experience in rolling out ICT tools to rural communities. The presentation by Kaggare Suresh representing the Indian High Commission inspired the participants as they enviously heard of a success story in ICT deployment in rural areas.

The amount of people using ICT tools in India is exceptionally high which might attest to the level of integration of ICT in nation of 1.1 billion citizens.

There are;

Telephony Subscribers (WL and LL): 479.04 million

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Cell phones: 441.66 million

Land Lines: 37.41 million

Yearly Cell phone Addition: 120.26 million

Monthly Cell phone Addition: 14.38 million

Teledensity: 41.08%

Projected Teledensity: 626 million, 46% of population by 2010

Internet and E-mail Users: 95 million

The case study of India helped in showcasing how ICT tools have benefitted rural populations particularly in increasing their access to information and communication but reducing their cost of doing business such as agriculture, business as well as empowering women and youth to actively participate in the economy.

Rural business centres are available to provide services such as financial services, educational support, micro-finance, health, banking services and internet.

India boast of the first rural business center (RBC) solution, connecting rural citizens to business, government and educational services, technology solutions that reduce inefficiencies and high cost of paper based systems in rural India.

Four Rural Business Centers are in place as pilot project. India has through time developed the skills base in ICT that compares to none in the world and a low-cost platform that is easy to manage, secure, robust and reliable.

The summit was inspired by the case study and deliberated broadly on how India’s expertise and skills base can be replicated in Namibia. Various suggestion ranging from exchange visit programs to technical support were deliberated upon in what could give meaning and impetus to Namibia and India’s bilateral relations.

In proposing the way forward, the Indian representative proposed that Namibia can set up one web portal for all e-governance access. Such a platform will then provide for a one-stop shop where different groups of society will find information relevant to them, This could include; education awareness kiosk system, farmers product information and discussion forum, virtual action and marketplace portal, health service kiosk system, centralised data base for all communal farmers, ICT in schools for fun, hobby and skills development, women empowerment ICT programmes, weather and agriculture information kiosk ICT for youth empowerment and self-sustainability programmes.

He further proposed some practical steps in advancing ICT in rural communities. These include; the need to create ICT awareness on its benefits but also on some of

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the deficiencies, to form a rural business consortium, identify stakeholders and the key area of ICT programmes such as;

Poverty Eradication

Self Empowerment

Information Sharing and Concept Development

Women Empowerment

ICT in Schools etc

Prepare a detailed project proposal and engage in fundraising and campaign to ensure the project is sustainable.

On her part, Thandikile Nbvundula, ICT Programme Manager at OSISA said ICT tools can assist to establish an open Namibian society where respect for human rights and dignity including the rights to expression and information are upheld and guaranteed. The concept further emphasis equality to opportunity and tolerance, where none holds monopoly to the truth.

ICT tools can be leveraged to facilitate social and economic development.

Challenges facing the roll out of ICT, Nbvundula said include the; high levels of illiteracy in English in developing countries such as Namibia. Most web content are written in English which presents a challenge.

There are 1 billion illiterate adults globally. With this scenario, Africa has a huge backlog in ICT development. The continent is one of those lagging behind on the web, hence, no local content and relevant African content for rural communities and contextualized content.

She further highlighted factors such infrastructure, electricity, access to telephones and computer and general cost of access as teething issues in Africa, including Namibia.

Access to appropriate and relevant ICT tools could facilitate access to Government information, ddocument processing and promote research-based decision making. Jobs and Networking Opportunities, business development information, bbusiness Plans, cash flow templates, new business ideas, access to training Access to training through the internet.

The tools can further create opportunities to search the internet to find answers to community members’ questions and translate them to local languages.

Other areas that can be covered include access to;

Mobile Phones

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Application development

SMS services

Citizen journalism

Encourage participatory democracy through discussion and learning around issues of public interest

Prime preconditions for integrating ICT in rural areas therefore include; ccommunity ownership; relevant local content; appropriate and user-friendly technology; language and Culture pertinence and compatibility as well as convergence and Networking.

She proposed that the following areas be looked at to develop the way forward;

capacity development and training in:

Basic use of ICTs

Effective use of the Internet for research

Technology maintenance

Audio Streaming

Using VOIP services

Archiving and information documentation

Content development tools

Integrating mobile technologies and SMS

Network building and information sharing

Use of Open source software could also be relevant as they are, cheap in cost and freely accessible.

The use of different technologies such as radio, television, CDROMs DVDs, cassettes, community radios wireless communication could enhance accessibility to information.

Jaco Du Toit, Unesco’s Information and Communication Special Advisor, said Many people are making a living through better communication ICT driven by commercial interest are here to stay. Most of the ICT experience is less than 5 years. He added that Unesco places emphasize on universal access to knowledge, quality of education to all, centre of provision of service, youth involvement as a key factor in rural development and E-science, media and ethical dimension of information dissemination.

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In reaching the Education for All (EFA) goals, the Ministry of Education recognizes the need to integrate ICT in their programmes and so far the computer roll out program is underway.

The Ministry is in the process of establishing ICDL centers: two thus far in Omaheke (Regional Office & Otjinene). Through Tech/Na deployment, the Otjinene Cluster received 21 computers. The ICDL training was provided to the teachers of the Otjinene cluster.

ICLDC Tallismanus Centre received 10 computers through the same initiative, whereby we are still in progress of registering it as an ICDL training center.

So far a total of 5 Schools in Omaheke region has received 21 computers each through the same deployment.

It is not the technology itself that matters, but the ability thereof to create greater access to information and communication in the underserved communities.

The Ministry is using ICT to mobilize strong national and international political commitment towards education for all, develop national action plans and enhance

significantly investment in basic education; ensure the engagement and

participation of civil society in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of strategies for educational development; develop responsive, participatory and

accountable systems of educational governance and management at all levels;

conduct educational programmes in ways that promote mutual understanding, peace and tolerance; implement integrated strategies for gender equality in education which recognize the need for changes in attitudes, values and practices; implement as a matter of urgency education programmes and actions to combat the spread of

HIV/AIDS pandemic and illnesses posing a National thread such as the H1N1 virus;

create safe, healthy, inclusive and equitably resourced educational environments conducive to excellence in learning with clearly defined levels of achievement for all.

Outlining existing partnerships, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology is already working with strategic partners such as UNESCO and Polytechnic of Namibia to conduct needs assessment and find appropriate interventions. According to Elva A. Gomez De Sibandze, senior lecturer at the Polytechnic on said ICT is cardinal to development. While information is only one component of knowledge, knowledge is the result of information being exposed to different cultures, community values and individual experience.

ICTs therefore form important bridges for information and knowledge.

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Central to this is the need to go beyond beyond connectivity; promoting enabling environment; minimizing threats and risks; and maximizing positive results.

Other presenters shared information on how ICT is being applied in service delivery in local authorities and learning institutions. NAMCOL showed how ICT tools have assisted the institution to support distance education and contextualize learning and assisted learners in career path development.

Phillipus Wido Katamelo fromTelecom Namibia made his presentation emphasising the need for universal service as outlined in the Communication Bill. In his submission connectivity for all means ensuring that high quality telecommunication services are available at affordable rates to all Namibians including the low income groups and consumers in rural areas, insular and other high –cost areas. It also means that the types and services and the rates for those services should be reasonably comparable in urban and rural areas.

He underlined the need to develop strategies that improve the services rendered by community telecentres, the e-schools cyber labs and the effective utilisation of these community telecentres for the delivery of multi-media services such as e-education, e-health, e-business development for small and medium Enterprises as well as cooperatives, e-government services and other socio-economic development programmes. By focusing on the deployment of ICT in the under-serviced areas, it will ensure that Namibia becomes globally competitive as these efforts will create socio-economic and professional opportunities for new markets and foreign investment.

While the efforts of government are encouraging in subsidising the under-serviced areas, Katamelo challenged the government to do more to close the gap between the urban centres and rural areas in relation to ICT application.

The need to construct appropriate communication infrastructure cannot be over-emphasised as well as broadband development.

Deliberations

The deliberations captured the need to work together toward a common goal.

Some delegates felt that there were fragmented efforts between Ministries and other development agencies and felt the need to converge to reduce duplication and optimise on resources.

Concepts such as multipurpose centres need redefining to avoid a situation where they become white elephants.

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The delegates further felt that initiatives such as OTC must be supported with funding from Regional Councils as integral component of development of a region.

The delegates felt that the challenges of rural communities are real but emphasised that with her small population, Namibia is a better position to deal with them through deliberate targeted interventions. ICT roll out should be seen against efforts to empower citizens, promote participatory democracy and universal access to information, communication and technology.

Recommendations

The delegates encouraged OTC to employ all efforts to solicit funding for initiatives that can empower them in their respective constituencies in their daily activities.

The need for capacity building in ICT tools and broader exposure to case studies that have worked such as the India case study were seen as inspirational examples that can be emulated.

Content development, packaging of specialised ICT services for specific groups such as farmers, teachers, civil servants, the police, the army, school leavers, those facing examinations, giving access to results through internet, health related matters, SMMEs and convergence is key to successful roll-out of ICT to rural population. Workshop in this regard must be implemented to identify specific needs of communities.

Sustainability strategies must be enhanced to ensure long term programming and foresight that enhance service delivery.

The delegates further implored all stakeholders and donor partners to collaborate with OTC to reach common objectives.

Government agencies were also encouraged to find unifying solutions by investing in concepts that are geared at empowering a diverse group of people thereby reducing the heavy cost of maintaining programmes that are sometimes hostile to certain groups of society. A one stop shop for OTC could help in broadening the organization’s service base and diversify its income base.

The delegates felt OTC was a blue print that needs to be protected through proper financial and material support and mentoring programme to ensure its sustainability.

Next steps

1. Report back to the constituencies from different delegates

2. Workshop on content development

3. Work with core group of experts and partners to craft the way forward

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4. Stakeholder analysis and explore strategic partnership

5. Strengthen institutional capacity of OTC; identify strength and weakness in governance

6. Develop strategies and consolidated plans

7. Develop proposals

8. Investigate other lessons learnt and explore linkages

Evaluation

17 participants participated in the exercise to assess the relevance and impact of the Summit to their individual expectation.

82 percent of the participant felt the summit achieved what it was intend to accomplish although concerns such as too many presentation and too little time to grasp issues were also highlighted.

Majority of the participants said the presentation from the Indian representative was inspirational and wanted to learn more about the Indian case study even if it is through some kind of exchange programmes.

Acknowledgement

OTC management would like to acknowledge all the generous support received from different donors. Without your generosity, this summit and OTC activities in general would have not been possible. We thank the following donors for the continued patronage and support; UNESCO, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Ministry of Youth, National Youth Services, Sports and Culture,

The National Youth Council, OSISA, Pupkewitz foundation, Telecom Namibia, Omaheke Regional Council and Gobabis Municipality. Our gratitude goes to the Minister of Information, Communication Technology for gracing us with his presence and the Governor of Omaheke, Honorable Veendapi Mcleod Katjirua and the Councillor of Epukiro Constituency Hon Brave Tjizera as and the patron OTC for his continued support and confidence in this noble and humble initiative.

We further thank all the presenters for the invaluable well researched inputs. More importantly we thank the delegates who made the conference what it has become – an historic event.

Participants’ List

Name/delegate Institution Country

Contact E-mail

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Cecil Kavaka MoE Namibia 0812236941 Cecilnguviyahoo.com

Nicoline Katjinaani MoE Namibia 0814110051 nicolinekatjinaani@yahoo.com

Ehrling Kambato MoE Namibia 0812298063Kavenandi Mbuende Ongendo

Dev TrustNamibia 0813934587 kavenandi@gmail.c

omAssaria Tjingaete Ongendo

Dev TrustNamibia 0813410680 assariat@yahoo.co

mJosaphat Ndjavera Ongendo

Dev TrustNamibia 0813991110

Bertsha Utaa Mbeja Ongendo Namibia 0813991151Augustinius Kazongari Ongendo NamibiaLesley Katjivikua MoE Namibia 0814546387 leekatjivikua@yaho

o.comJosephine Tjozongoro MoE NamibiaTjizembua Tjituka MoE Namibia 0813865618 tjizemtji@yahoo.co

mJesaja Kutaa MoE Namibia 0812272567 kutaijm@yahoo.co

mBenson Kandirikirira MoE Namibia 0812126682 kandirikirira@yahoo

.comFrieda Rukoro MoYNSSC Namibia 0814229642Kaendo K MoYNSSC NamibiaJacob Maingo MoYNSSC Namibia 0813414180Salome Kuhanga NUDO

youthNamibia 0813903480

Mbekasorua Kauzera NUDO youth

Namibia 0814252394

Edward Kangootui NUDO Youth

Namibia 0812100121

Drucilla Tjatjitua Ounongo Namibia 0812117512Josephine Kapenaina Ounongo Namibia 0812110328M.J. Heyns MRLGHRD Namibia 0811499740 lheyns@mrlgh.gov.

naSylvia Kazondona Kasojetua

GroupNamibia 0813335375

Karimbue E. Charlden Kunene Youth Forum

Namibia 0812308794

Tobias Kennedy Oshikoto RYF

Namibia 0813357201

Mateus Thomas Erongo RYF

Namibia 0812946275 matitiya@yahoo.com

Adolene Swartz Karas youth forum

Namibia 0814202907

NT Kuhanga Omaheke Nudo

Namibia 0813132478

Cynthia Kahiha Omaheke Namibia 0814188741Imelda Kahiha Omaheke Namibia 0813480030Trymos Mutsvanga Zimbabwe

Field CampZimbabwe

0814201722

Shepherd Muchanga Zimbabwe Zimbab shakesmut@yahoo.

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Field Camp we comRegina Brunzil Khomas Namibia 0813411777Tuvatera Kanguatjivi Zimbabwe

Field CampNamibia 0812629263 Tuvatera@gmail.co

mEmilai Mungandjera Khomas Namibia 0814235257 emilynuusiku@yaho

o.comPetros Tjonga MoYNSSC Namibia 0813351999Juliet Buiswalelo MoYNSSC Namibia 062562249 mwakabj@gmail.co

mFiina Marigwe Ounongo Namibia 0813142545 Fiina_m@yahoo.co

mLisa M Heinbronn US

EmbassyNamibia 081229801

Aloyuis Molelekeng MoYNSSC Namibia 0813480796Patrick Kahere OTC Namibia 081410579Mr, Murangi OTC NamibiaJosua Henguva Namibia 0814429618Mbenoo Tjozongoro Namibia 0814429618P. Henguva Nampa Namibia 062562878 patropas@nampa.o

rgBetold Karipi MoE Namibia 0813005290 bkauripi@hotmail.c

omKandjimi Goma MoYNSSC Namibia 061 2706501 ksigberth@hotmai.c

omKapuire Member of

publicNamibia 350111

Kamakwere Rikondonone From public Namibia 4244586S. Auchamub NYC Namibia 0812233178Ronny Hengari Youth

ForumNamibia 0812049401

Packy Pakarae Passion for perfection

Namibia 0812089944 pakarae@iom.com

Elvisia Tjituka MoYNSSC Namibia 062562249 eckey@techmail.co.za

Lesley Murangi MoE Namibia 062568150Acquilla Karuaihe OCYF Namibia 0813700124 mkaruaihe@yahoo.

comGustaf Hendricks Otjozondjup

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Puvetanda Tjouteka MoG Namibia 062564685Matundu Tjizoo - Namibia 0812153359Regina Davids MoYNSSC Namibia 0812055554 ginnababydawids@

yahoo.comI. Glaser MoYNSSC Namibia 0812710435 glaser@yahoo.com

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Lena Tebele MoYNSSC Namibia 062562249M. Claudia MoYNSSC Namibia 062562249N. Goagoses MoE Namibia 06564913PW Katamelo Telecom

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Mbaha Jefta NYC Namibia 0811504486Nandii Tjiriange Public Namibia 08122592488Erwin Katjimune Public Namibia 0813625655

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