SANGONeT, in conjunction with the Rossing Foundation, SchoolNet Namibia and NANGOF hosted the first Southern African Thetha in Windhoek, Namibia. This event place from the 5th to the 6th of July 2006.The aim of this ICT discussion Forum was to give the participants an opportunity to discuss ICT policy issues and their impact on their development work within the Namibian context. It also aimed at exposing participants to practical ICT solutions.

Speakers at this event included Dr. Claudia Harvey, Director, UNESCO in Windhoek Office; David Barnard, Executive Director, SANGONeT; Len le Roux, Director, Rossing Foundation; Norman Tjobe, Chairperson, NANGOF; Joris Komen, Director, SchoolNet Namibia; Johan van Wyk, Deputy Director, Ministry of Education; Collins Kazondovi and Maggie Beukes, lecturers, University of Namibia; Alex Zacharia, Managing Director, PC Centre; Uwe Thiem, Managing Director, SysEx; Marianne Labuschagne, Director,Southern Cross Systems Integrators; Denis Branjes, Managing Director, ReadySteadyGo; Mzwakhe Makhalemele, Technical Support Coordinator, SANGONeT; Wilfred Kuria, Secretary, Xnet Alliance; Ebben-esser Hatuikuilipi, Media Coordinator, SchoolNet Namibia. Issues discussed included the Namibia ICT Policy and Implementation Plan and perspectives from civil society, research and government; opportunities provided by Open Source solutions, Access to Knowledge and Creative Commons, as well as ICT opportunities and challenges facing civil society organisations in Namibia.

A total of 92 participants attended the Namibian Thetha. These were drawn from civil society organisations, government, corporate sector, and academic institutions.