Desert FM 95.3

by Desert FM 95.3

Jason Kasuto unpacks the big questions ahead of the Oil and Gas Conference 2025

We are talking oil, gas, and the big picture for our economy. The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2025 has been called a platform for real deals, not just talk. But with that comes big questions from avoiding the so-called ‘resource curse’ that’s plagued other nations, to making sure local skills, suppliers, and communities benefit directly from the boom. We’ll explore whether our policies on local content are truly opening doors, how we can diversify beyond oil and gas, and what urgent steps Namibia must take to turn forecasts into long-term prosperity. Joined us is Jason Kasuto,CDFA President of the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN).

Happy Auala: From blank walls to bold stories

We are taking you into the colourful, expressive world of street art. One Namibian artist is transforming bare walls into vibrant canvases that tell stories, celebrate culture, and beautify our spaces. Her name is Happy Auala a mural artist whose work you might have walked past, photographed, or even had as the backdrop to your social media posts. We’re talking to Happy about where his passion for multi function artist murals began, what goes into creating these large-scale artworks, and how his art is shaping conversations in the community.

Standard Bank Fights Against Financial Crime

Standard Bank Namibia will host its Annual Anti-Financial Crime Conference today, bringing together government, regulators, industry leaders, and corporate partners. The aim is to tackle urgent threats such as money laundering, cybercrime, and fraud crimes that not only cost Namibia millions but also threaten public trust in the financial system. Joining Desert FM is Roxzaan Witbooi, Head of Compliance at Standard Bank Namibia.

Namibia Reaffirms Support for Palestine

Namibia has once again taken a firm and public stand in support of Palestine, this time condemning Israel’s newly approved plan to take control of Gaza City. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade warns that the move could deepen the humanitarian crisis already unfolding in Gaza, and calls on the international community to act in line with UN resolutions. But what does this mean in real diplomatic terms? What impact will it have on Namibia’s foreign relations, especially with nations backing Israel? And what does this say about the global balance in the ongoing conflict? To understand this, Desert FM is joined by international relations expert Marius Kudumo.

FirstRand, PETROFUND Partnership to Boost Namibia’s Oil and Gas Capacity

FirstRand Namibia and PETROFUND signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the ongoing Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, aiming to boost local capacity in the country’s emerging oil and gas industry. With global investors and local stakeholders focused on turning exploration into economic opportunity, Energy Coverage Manager at RMB Namibia Olavi Hangula, joins Desert FM to give a brief on what these developments mean for the sector, particularly in terms of financing, local skills, and Namibia’s investment appeal.

Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu on why a 25 basis point cut in the repo rate would have been a wise move

We’re talking money matters - specifically the repo rate and how a possible cut could affect you. The Bank of Namibia today announced to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.75 percent. Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu believes a 25 basis point cut would have been a wise move. With inflation under control, he says such a cut could stimulate the economy, boost consumer spending, and encourage investment. But what does this actually mean for ordinary Namibians, and how can we make the most of it if the decision were to have gone our way.

Jessica Babich on how the Rhisotope Project aims to protect African rhinos

Poaching continues to threaten some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife - but a groundbreaking conservation initiative may be changing the game entirely. The Rhisotope Project, developed by Wits University in South Africa in collaboration with global experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency, has just moved from research to full-scale implementation. The project uses trace amounts of radioactive isotopes to make rhino horns detectable and therefore worthless on the black market, with the potential to deter poachers and protect these endangered giants once and for all. Joining us is Jessica Babich, CEO of the Rhisotope Project, to unpack how it works, why it’s safe for the animals, and how this innovation could change wildlife conservation forever.

Mark Mushiba on Inherited Testimonies: Re-tracing the Genocide with Nama and Ovaherero Descendants exhibition

We turn our attention to a powerful and deeply significant exhibition Inherited Testimonies: Re-tracing the Genocide with Nama and Ovaherero Descendants. Opening this week at the National Art Gallery of Namibia, the exhibition brings together years of collaboration between affected communities, traditional leaders, genocide activist groups, and the investigative team at Forensis. It uses a remarkable combination of oral histories, advanced digital mapping, and archival reinterpretation to uncover traces of the German colonial genocide traces still embedded in our landscapes, memories, and collective identity. We were joined by Mr. Mark Mushiba from Forensis to talk about how this project came to life, the stories it preserves, and the impact it hopes to make.

DJ Munene: Ohangwena hosts second Namibia national women’s conference

Earlier this month, the Ohangwena Region hosted the second edition of the Namibia National Women’s Conference, organised by the Progressive Men Empowerment Organization of Namibia. Under the theme ‘Creating the Safest Environment for Girls and Women to Live, Learn, and Lead’, the event brought together voices from across the country to discuss safety, leadership, empowerment, and how men can be part of the solution in building a safer Namibia for women and girls. We were joined by DJ Munene, founder and president of the Progressive Men Empowerment Organization, to share how the conference went, what the key takeaways were, and how these discussions will shape the next men’s conference.

Trisha Mutumbulua dives into CANA Zone IV challenge for Namibia

We shine the spotlight on an inspiring young Namibian athlete making waves literally in the swimming pool. Trisha Mutumbulua is proudly representing Namibia at the CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships in Eswatini. But while she’s ready to race against some of the region’s best swimmers, she’s also facing the challenge of raising funds to cover her accommodation costs for the competition. Today, we hear her journey, her dreams, and how we can all help her make a splash for Namibia.

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