By Ella-Betty Chapoto/
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), an advocate for accessible telecommunication services to all, donated computer equipment and digital services to the Khomasdal Rossing Library and Otjomuise Community Library in June 2024.
The goal was to promote universal access to information and digital services.
The donations reinforced CRAN’s dedication to digital inclusion and economic empowerment of all Namibian citizens to benefit from socio-economic activities, notwithstanding their social status.
The donations equipped recipients with computers and digital services such as access to free internet for a 24-month period.
CRAN visited the libraries to assess the impact that this noble gesture has had on the two communities.
The Khomasdal Rossing Library, with a capacity of 80-90 users, served a total of 5415 individuals for computer and internet usage during the period January to November 2025.
“The donation brought a huge improvement of services to the users and community at large, the library only had two functioning computers with a high demand, the internet now works at high-speed compared to a previously slow internet,” said Ms Jakobina Nghulondo, Senior Librarian at Khomasdal Rossing Library.
She added that these services were mostly used by learners and students from tertiary institutions.
Similarly, Albertina Haindaka, Librarian at Otjomuise Community Library, pointed out that the inflow of users tripled as a result of improved ICT services.
The library has a capacity of 16 users, however during the period February to November 2025 it served a total of 12 246 individuals for computer and internet services.
The figures emphasise the communities’ demands and challenges in accessing ICT services, contrasted to the limited resources.
This gap validates CRAN’s identified need in the community.
“We received 3 computers and internet, before that we did not have internet connection and only had 1 computer. The use of ICT services increased in June 2024 when internet services were installed,” said Ms Haindaka.
Although the library has capacity constraints, with users allocated 1-hour sessions each, she added that users primarily access ICT services for research, assignments and online job applications.
In serving her community with passion, Ms Haindaka sets up sessions at the start of the year to assist students with educational funding applications, which require access to a computer and internet.
Her interaction with users provides an opportunity to motivate and encourage learners to pursue their studies with fortitude.
The library has thus transformed into a hub of possibilities, bridging the divide between dreams and actualisation for aspiring students, learners and the entire community.
To this end, CRAN remains committed to its mandate of providing quality and affordable access for all citizens to derive the full benefits of ICT’s.
The provision of computers and internet services to tech hubs and e-villages is one of many initiatives that the authority has embarked upon to equip and empower communities for tangible outcomes.
The two libraries have therefore serviced over 17 661 community members, providing access to services which were previously inaccessible and further cementing CRAN’s footprint in the heart of the community.
– Ms. Ella-Betty Chapoto is the Practitioner for Consumer Relations and Advocacy at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)
