Namibian founding editor who has urged urgent implementation of the Access to Information Act and described Jesse Jackson as a supporter of the country's liberation movement.
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May 2026
The Namibian
Gwen Listercalled forurgent implementation of Namibia's Access to Information Act
Source
“VETERAN journalist Gwen Lister has called for the urgent implementation of Namibia's Access to Information Act, warning that delays are exposing journalists to growing legal and digital harassment.”
“The project, started by The Namibian's founding editor, Gwen Lister, is a way of giving back to the community which supported it at a time when it was not popular – it was, in fact, dangerous to do so.”
Gwen Listersaid the tournament was established togive young girls and boys opportunities to showcase talent
Source
“She said the grassroots development tournament was established to give opportunities to young girls and boys to showcase their talent, and for national teams and club coaches to scout for talent.”
Gwen ListerdescribedJesse Jackson as a larger-than-life figure
Source
“The Namibian founding editor Gwen Lister has described American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson as a "larger-than-life" figure whose activism extended beyond American borders.”
“Veteran journalist Gwen Lister reflects on how she started The Namibian in 1985 after leaving the Windhoek Observer, and the challenges that followed.”
“Veteran journalist Gwen Lister reflects on how she started The Namibian in 1985 after leaving the Windhoek Observer, and the challenges that followed.”
Former Namibian editor Gwen Lister has urged the government to urgently operationalise Namibia's Access to Information Act, signed in 2022 but not yet in effect, warning that delays are exposing journalists to growing legal and digital harassment amid increasing global threats against the media.
Why it matters
Journalist calls for urgent implementation of Access to Information Act stalled since 2022, essential for press freedom and government transparency.
Former Namibian editor Gwen Lister has urged the government to urgently operationalise Namibia's Access to Information Act, signed in 2022 but not yet in effect, warning that delays are exposing journalists to growing legal and digital harassment amid increasing global threats against the media.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup is presented as both a talent factory producing international players and an economic engine for host towns, generating revenue for local traders and small businesses while spurring infrastructure improvements that benefit communities long after the tournament ends. According to the Namibia Football Association's marketing director, the tournament also builds national identity by bringing young athletes from all 14 regions together.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, a youth football and netball tournament now in its 25th year, returns for Easter weekend in Keetmanshoop as a flagship corporate social responsibility project that boosts local economies, upgrades sports infrastructure, and has launched careers for young athletes.
Namibia's media sector has expanded significantly from a single state broadcaster before independence to today's mix of state, private, and community outlets. While the country maintains strong media freedom protections and has weathered challenges including rising printing costs and the shift to digital publishing, new pressures from AI and ethical standards in online content present ongoing challenges for journalists.
The youth football and netball tournament brings together under-20 teams from all 14 regions of Namibia to develop emerging talent and foster regional sports development. Kunene defends the 2025 football title while Kavango East defends the netball crown, with group draws revealed at the official launch in Windhoek.
American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died at 84, visited Namibia in February 1990 just before independence and met with founding president Sam Nujoma. Namibian leaders including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and PDM leader McHenry Venaani praised Jackson's support for Namibia's liberation struggle and his broader advocacy for justice and human rights globally.
Jesse Jackson, a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., became the first African-American to achieve significant success as a major-party presidential candidate in the 1960s–80s, paving the way for later Black candidates and championing a multiracial "rainbow coalition" focused on poor and working-class Americans. His career included founding Operation Breadbasket and Operation Push to advance civil rights and economic justice, though it was later marked by scandals and health challenges.
The Namibian founding editor Gwen Lister has described American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died aged 84, as a "larger-than-life" figure whose activism supported Namibia's liberation movement and Swapo during the country's struggle for independence. Lister said Jackson was an internationalist and unwavering in his commitment to human rights, civil rights, and equal dignity over decades.