Milton Louw's stance on abortion

 Milton Louw's writings do not extensively cover the topic of abortion, but given his emphasis on social justice, national development, and sustainable growth, a campaign stance on abortion would likely focus on balanced, compassionate approaches that respect individual rights and promote public health.

A possible approach for the campaign could be:

1. Healthcare Access and Education:

   - Enhance comprehensive sexual education programs to reduce unwanted pregnancies.

   - Improve access to healthcare services, including contraception and family planning resources.

2. Support Systems:

   - Strengthen support for pregnant women, including prenatal care, financial assistance, and counseling services.

   - Provide robust support for adoption services as an alternative to abortion.

3. Legal Framework:

   - Engage in national dialogue to discuss the current legal status of abortion, considering public opinion and ethical perspectives.

   - Ensure that any legislative changes are made transparently and democratically, prioritizing women's health and safety.

4. Public Health Perspective:

   - Emphasize the importance of safe and legal abortion services to protect women's health.

   - Combat unsafe abortion practices through stringent regulations and public awareness campaigns.

This balanced approach aligns with Milton Louw's vision for a progressive and inclusive Namibia, focusing on education, healthcare, and social support to address the complexities of the abortion issue.

Law Society of Namibia - Demand to desist from "unlawful acquisition and dissemination of private and confidential information"

For the regular readers of my blog you will recall my post Law Society of Namibia leaks members details - June 2023.  

The Law Society of Namibia sent me a letter of demand to desist from unlawful acquisition and dissemination of private and confidential information of or relating to members of the Law Society of Namibia.

First let us look at the events that brought about this demand:

Namibia's Universal Service Fund - better late than never

 The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) advertised in daily newspapers for the position of Manager: Universal Fund on 25 July 2024. This has taken a long time (like many other issues at CRAN) but we hope that it will soon be operational.

If we look at the history of CRAN, there are numerous issues that should have been dealt with by the Authority but never have been operationalised. Let us look at these issues that impact the lives, and pockets, of Namibian consumers

Background

The Communications Act 8 of 2009 established the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia to provide for the regulation of telecommunications services and networks, broadcasting, postal services and the use and allocation of radio spectrum. In the law it provides for, amongst others, the following:

Universal Service Fund (Part 4);

protection of consumers (Part 7); and

a numbering plan that must require mobile number portability by all technology and service neutral licensees within two years from the date of commencement of this Act (Part 7).

(The other two issues will be dealt with in later blogs)

Universal Service Fund - benefiting the poor

Imagine living in a world without internet. No YouTube videos, no social media, no Netflix, and no way to easily do your homework or research. For many people, this is a reality.

A Universal Service Fund (USF) is like a special pot of money that governments use to make sure everyone, even people in really remote areas, can access the internet. It's like making sure everyone has a chance to use the same cool tools and information. 

How does it work?

• Collecting money: Usually, internet service providers (like your phone company) pay a small amount extra on your bill. This money goes into the USF.
• Funding projects: The government uses this money to pay for things like:
  • Building cell towers in rural areas
  • Providing internet to schools and libraries
  • Offering internet plans at lower prices for people who can't afford it

Why is it important?

• Education: Students can access online resources, do research, and learn new things.
• Jobs: People can find jobs, apply for them, and learn new skills online.
• Healthcare: Doctors can use the internet to access medical information and connect with other doctors.
• Communication: Families and friends can stay connected, no matter where they live.

In short, a Universal Service Fund helps to level the playing field, making sure everyone has a fair chance to benefit from the internet.

Under the Communications Act, a fund is to be established when the Act becomes operation - that is in 2009. It is not clear what prevented the establishment of the fund and the levies, but the monopoly cellular company, MTC, took CRAN to court in 2020  when they lodged a constitutional challenge against Section 23 of the Communications Act, contending that the amendment granting CRAN the authority to impose regulatory levies failed to establish limits on levy amounts, lacked executive oversight, and granted CRAN unchecked discretion. "On 13 March 2024, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict, overturning the previous ruling and affirming the constitutionality of the amended Section 23. The Court underscored the legislature’s efforts to provide detailed guidelines, thereby curbing CRAN’s discretionary powers and ensuring a balanced approach to levy imposition.

In a media statement following the judgment, the Supreme Court praised the amended legislative framework for establishing clear criteria for levy determination and implementing safeguards against arbitrary decision-making by CRAN. The ruling provides stability to CRAN’s funding structure and paves the way for the implementation of the Universal Service Fund, a crucial initiative stalled by the legal dispute."1

I hope that this latest advertisement it means that CRAN is at last starting to do its job as provided for in 2009.

1 COMMUNICATIONS REGULATOR WINS LEGAL BATTLE OVER REGULATORY LEVIES, SORT OF - https://economist.com.na/86739/extra/communications-regulator-emerges-victorious-in-supreme-court-battle-over-regulatory-levies/

What is Artificial Intelligence and how can Namibians use it?

 First let us look at what AI is?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems or machines that can perform tasks usually requiring human intelligence. In other words, AI can assist a person in doing much more work than what is normally possible.

These tasks include learning from data (like humans learn from experience), recognising patterns (such as identifying faces in photos), making decisions, and understanding natural language (like how we talk to each other).

For an average user this means three levels of usage, namely: 

1. How can you use existing AI for improving your life; 
2. How is AI used ON (or against) you; and
3. Creating AI chatbots with information you upload to assist in answering questions suited to your needs and wants.

Use existing AI for improving your life

One of the most popular and well-known AI applications is ChatGPT, (an advanced conversational AI model), which allows questions, provides personalised answers and can engage in conversation. This is but one of many assistants that can enhance personal productivity, learning and overall convenience.

Here are some examples of what conversational AI can do:

• Students can use ChatGPT for homework help, understanding complex subjects, and preparing for exams;
• Employees and business can seek advice on business strategies, marketing, and customer service improvements;
• Individuals can get preliminary health advice and wellness tips (without the knowledge of parents, friends, etc);
• Farmers can ask about best practices, crop management, and sustainable farming techniques.
• In daily life anyone can use ChatGPT for cooking recipes, travel recommendations, and personal finance tips.

How is AI used on, or against, you

AI is used in various ways to improve our lives, interacting with you almost unseen. There are amongst others:

• personal assistants to help manage your schedules, set reminders and even control smart home devices; 
• health monitoring wearable devices to help you manage your help; 
• AI tutors and homework help applications provide explanations; and 
• recommendations services such as advertisements on Google, which movie to watch on Netflix, and suggest friends on Facebook.

 These same service can be used against you without your permission, for example:

• privacy issues when data is misused or not protected;
• tracking of your movements without your knowledge;
• manipulated advertising, (as an example see the graphic below showing my own personal "sunburst" to determine my buying actions)

Creating AI chatbots

"A "created ChatGPT" typically refers to a ChatGPT model that has been set up or deployed for a specific purpose. This could involve customising the model to better suit a particular application or integrating it into a specific environment, like a customer service chatbot, a personal assistant, or a tool for educational purposes. It means leveraging the capabilities of ChatGPT to generate human-like text based on the input it receives." source: ChatGPT 4.0

In Namibia, AI can be used in various sectors such as education for personalised learning, healthcare for disease diagnosis, agriculture for precision farming, and business for customer service automation. By integrating AI, Namibians can improve efficiency and access to services across these sectors.

As an example of a personalised GPT, I have uploaded all information about myself such as personal details, my work history since 1990, my personal writings and poems created by my early twenties, my newspaper columns in The Namibian and New Era, my personal blog as well as my book, Future Namibia. 
 

This customised ChatGPT allows people to interact with me - in other words my history, writings and almost any other question that an answer can be found for in the uploaded files or anywhere on the Internet.

Some of the questions asked of my bot:

• What are Milton's economic policies?
• How can we engage more young voters in Namibian elections?
• Tackling unemployment in Namibia
• Does Milton propose Public Private Partnerships?
• Write a biography of Milton in  less than 120 characters

Try it yourself. Here is the link to my ChatGpt bot: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-c5tyqslsF-ask-milton-louw-2029. 

Remember to reload the ChatGPT app if you have registered for the first time, and then click on the link.

Conclusion

In Namibia, AI can be used in various sectors such as education for personalized learning, healthcare for disease diagnosis, agriculture for precision farming, and business for customer service automation. By integrating AI, Namibians can improve efficiency and access to services across these sectors. 

And of course, we need the curiosity of our people to try new ways of using this technology!

Using prisoners for forced labour as per the Namibian Constitution

 Under the Namibian Constitution, forced labour is generally prohibited. However, there are specific provisions that allow for certain exceptions, including work by prisoners. Article 9 of the Namibian Constitution addresses slavery and forced labour:

Article 9 - Slavery and Forced Labour

1. No persons shall be held in slavery or servitude.
2. No persons shall be required to perform forced labour.
3. For the purposes of this Article, the expression "forced labour" shall not include: 

• a. Any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of a court; 
• b. Any labour required of any person while he or she is lawfully detained which, though not required in consequence of a sentence or order of a court, is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene or for the maintenance of the place at which he or she is detained; 
• c. Any labour required of a member of the defence force, the police force, or the prison service in pursuance of his or her duties as such or, in the case of a person who has conscientious objections to service as a member of a defence force, any labour which that person is required by law to perform in place of such service; 
• d. Any labour required during any period when Namibia is at war or in the event of any emergency or calamity which threatens the life and well-being of the community, to the extent that the requiring of such labour is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during that period for the purpose of dealing with that situation; 
• e. Any labour reasonably required as part of reasonable and normal communal or other civic obligations.

Based on these provisions, prisoners may be required to perform labour as part of their sentence or detention, provided it falls within the conditions outlined above and is not considered forced labour in the unconstitutional sense.

This approach aligns with international standards, which allow for certain exceptions to the prohibition of forced labour, particularly in the context of lawful imprisonment. It is important that any labour required of prisoners is conducted under humane conditions and does not constitute exploitation or abuse.