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Medicine shortages gives NNN sleepless nights

Medicine shortages gives NNN sleepless nights

Justicia Shipena  Medicine shortages in public hospitals are keeping President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah awake at night.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said the continued shortage of medicines remains one of the biggest burdens on her administration. “If there is one of the things that gives me sleepless nights, in all sincerity, it is when I'm hearing no medicines in our hospitals,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said during her visit to the FabuPharm pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Otjiwarongo on Wednesday.  Her remarks come at a time when public hospitals and clinics across the country continue running low on essential medicines.  This week, the Ministry of Health and Social Services…
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Amutse to investigate Karibib dumped CVs

Amutse to investigate Karibib dumped CVs

Patience Makwele Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse says his ministry will investigate allegations that curricula vitae (CVs) submitted by unemployed Namibians to a Chinese mining contractor in Karibib were dumped in the open.  The incident involves M15 Mining Contractor, a company contracted by Osino Resources Corporation and has sparked public anger over the handling of personal information belonging to job seekers. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday evening after reviewing a statement issued by the office of the Erongo governor, Amutse described the matter as unacceptable. “This cannot be allowed, definitely. We will definitely have to investigate…
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Namibia launches funding plan for conservancies

Namibia launches funding plan for conservancies

Justicia Shipena  The newly launched Namibia for Life Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) agreement aims to secure long-term funding for community conservancies and strengthen conservation efforts across Namibia. The agreement was launched and signed in Windhoek on Wednesday.  World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Namibia country director Dr Juliane Zeidler said the programme was built through partnerships involving government, conservation organisations and international development partners, including the German government, KfW, USAID, the Millennium Challenge Account and the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs bureau. Zeidler said declining donor funding forced conservation organisations to rethink long-term sustainability. “When traditional bilateral funding began to…
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VP champions vocational skills as path to jobs

VP champions vocational skills as path to jobs

Patience Makwele Vice president Lucia Witbooi has called for stronger support for vocational education.  She said skills training remains one of Namibia’s most important tools in fighting unemployment and creating opportunities for young people with disabilities. Witbooi made the remarks on Wednesday during the graduation ceremony of 443 learners enrolled in the Certificate in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills programme at Augustineum Secondary School in Windhoek. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture through the National Institute for Educational Development and provides practical vocational and life skills training in areas such as bricklaying, plumbing,…
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Ngurare calls for ethical African leadership

Ngurare calls for ethical African leadership

Allexer Namundjembo  Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has called on African governments to build ethical, technology-driven and people-centred public services capable of improving service delivery, creating jobs and driving economic growth across the continent. Ngurare made the remarks during the African Management Development Institutes Network (AMDIN) Conference hosted by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) in Windhoek under the theme “Transformative Public Service Leadership for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth in Africa". Ngurare said governments are operating in a rapidly changing environment shaped by climate pressures, economic uncertainty, technological change and growing public expectations. “We meet at a…
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New land commission tasked with tackling inequality

New land commission tasked with tackling inequality

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has appointed a new Land Reform Advisory Commission as Namibia intensifies efforts to redistribute commercial agricultural land and address historical land inequalities. The ministry bid farewell to nine outgoing commissioners and welcomed a new team during an induction workshop held at the Windhoek Country Club Resort on Wednesday. Deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruthy Masake, speaking on behalf of minister Inge Zaamwani, said land reform remains one of Namibia’s most urgent national priorities. Masake thanked outgoing commissioners Aune Shipanga, Winnie Mwilima, Jacobina Amulungu, Maria Immanuel,…
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Land reform: Dusty reports, empty promises and a landless nation

Land reform: Dusty reports, empty promises and a landless nation

For the latest appointment of a new Land Reform Advisory Commission under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, the question many Namibians are asking is painfully simple: will this finally produce real change, or is this yet another bureaucratic ritual designed to create the appearance of progress while the underlying crisis deepens? The uncomfortable truth is that Namibia is suffering from severe “land reform fatigue.” Mention the phrase “land reform” in many communities today and the response is no longer hope, urgency or optimism. It is cynicism. It is exhaustion. It is eye-rolling resignation from citizens who…
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Debt to hit 66% of GDP in 2026 – Fitch 

Debt to hit 66% of GDP in 2026 – Fitch 

Chamwe Kaira  Fitch Ratings expects Namibia’s government debt to rise to 66% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2026 financial year, while interest payments are projected to consume 18% of government revenue. The agency said government debt would remain above the ‘BB’ median of 54% while spending pressures continue to weigh on the country’s finances. Fitch affirmed Namibia’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at BB- with a stable outlook, citing the country’s governance framework and financing flexibility. However, the agency warned that high fiscal deficits, rising debt and weak economic growth continue to pressure the sovereign rating. The…
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SA fuel prices lead inflation higher

SA fuel prices lead inflation higher

Chamwe Kaira  South Africa’s inflation rate rose to 4% in April from 3.1% in March, mainly driven by sharp fuel price increases, according to Statistics South Africa.  Namibia imports most of its consumer goods from South Africa, making the increase important for local consumers and businesses. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 1.1% in April. Statistics South Africa said this was the highest inflation level recorded since August 2024, when inflation stood at 4.4%. Fuel prices recorded the sharpest increase. The fuel index rose by 18.2% between March and April, the largest monthly jump since the…
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Vukile targets double-digit dividend growth in 2027

Vukile targets double-digit dividend growth in 2027

Chamwe Kaira  The Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) and the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) have listed Vukile Property Fund, which expects double-digit dividend growth in 2027 as the company expands its property portfolio in South Africa, Spain and Italy. In an update to shareholders, the real estate investment trust confirmed its earnings and dividend guidance for the financial year ended 31 March 2026. Vukile said it expects funds from operations (FFO) and dividend per share growth of 9.3% for the 2026 financial year, in line with guidance issued during its March pre-close presentation. For the 2027 financial year, the company expects…
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