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Choose visas or reparations, Reform UK threatens victims of slavery

THATO MASHABA WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) - DESPITE all 27 European Union (EU) member states, particularly the United Kingdom (UK), being among the biggest beneficiaries of slavery, efforts are being made to push back against reparations and colonial accountability. The United Nations (UN) resolution of 25 March called on countries, individually and collectively, to engage in fair, inclusive, good-faith dialogue on reparatory justice, including formal apologies, financial compensation and restitution. Africa’s reparations agenda took centre stage under the African Union’s (AU) 2025 theme, Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. By mid-2025, the AU had declared 2026 to…
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Starlink fails to overturn CRAN licence decision

CHAMWE KAIRA The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all applications seeking reconsideration of its decision to reject the licence applications of Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, reaffirming that the company failed to comply with the country's communications laws. CRAN said it received 624 requests from members of the public asking the Authority to reconsider its 23 March 2026 decision. However, 622 of the requests were dismissed because they failed to meet the procedural and jurisdictional requirements set out in the Communications Act. According to the regulator, the submissions did not clearly identify the decision being challenged,…
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THE TURNING POINT | Greylist exit: Why Namibia’s financial rehabilitation matters to entrepreneurs

THE TURNING POINT | Greylist exit: Why Namibia’s financial rehabilitation matters to entrepreneurs

Namibia’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist in June 2026 is more than a technical victory for regulators and policymakers. It is an important economic milestone with direct implications for entrepreneurs, investors and the country’s long-term competitiveness. As a Namibian entrepreneur, I view this development not simply as a compliance achievement, but as the restoration of confidence in our financial ecosystem. Confidence, after all, is one of the most valuable currencies in business. When Namibia was placed on the FATF greylist in February 2024, the designation sent an unfortunate signal to the international community. Greylisting does not…
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Parliament probes lending practices as debt crisis deepens

Parliament probes lending practices as debt crisis deepens

Patience Makwele A parliamentary probe into lending practices has put Namibia’s debt crisis under the spotlight, with lawmakers raising concerns that some workers are taking home only a fraction of their salaries after multiple loan deductions. The National Assembly’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy and Industry, Public Administration and Planning on Friday held a public hearing to examine whether existing laws adequately protect borrowers from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders. The hearing formed part of the committee’s investigation into the country’s growing indebtedness and follows a motion tabled in Parliament calling for a review of lending practices…
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Leaders warn Namibia is producing graduates industry can’t use

Leaders warn Namibia is producing graduates industry can’t use

Patience Makwele Namibia’s education system is producing graduates who are increasingly ill-prepared for the demands of the modern workplace, with industry and education leaders warning that a growing skills mismatch could hamper the country’s development ambitions. The warning emerged during International Training College-Lingua’s first business networking breakfast held under the theme, ‘Stakeholder Engagement: Actions Leading to Smart Partnerships between Industry and Educational Institutions in Windhoek on Friday. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the education minister, National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) deputy executive director, Sylvia Demas said employers continue to complain about a mismatch between the skills required…
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IPC slams ‘public silence’ on Tanzania human rights abuses amid NNN’s state visit

IPC slams ‘public silence’ on Tanzania human rights abuses amid NNN’s state visit

Eugenia Moche The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has criticised President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to Tanzania, accusing her of remaining silent on human rights abuses while celebrating economic ties with a government accused of extrajudicial killings, political persecution, and mass detentions. In a statement issued on Sunday, IPC shadow minister of international relations and trade, Rodney Cloete, said that while the three-day visit had produced “warm words on trade” and pledges to deepen economic cooperation, there had been “public silence” on the imprisonment of Tanzania’s main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, and the killing of citizens in the wake of…
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Immanuel calls for worker voices in policy

Immanuel calls for worker voices in policy

Allexer Namundjembo Minister of justice and labour relations Fillemon Wise Immanuel has urged that workers’ voices be reflected in national policy and economic planning, while also stressing compliance with the labour law. Speaking at the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) regional roundtable meeting held under the theme “From the Shaft to the Chamber: Workers’ Voices, National Choices” in Swakopmund on Saturday, Immanuel also congratulated MUN on 40 years of service since its establishment in 1986. “Workers are not merely participants in the economy; they are builders of the nation. Every tonne of uranium, gold, diamonds, copper, lithium, zinc, and other…
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Over 16 000 road users demand pedestrian bridges over speed humps

Over 16 000 road users demand pedestrian bridges over speed humps

Allexer Namundjembo A petition calling for pedestrian bridges instead of speed humps on the B1 highway has collected more than 16 560 signatures, organisers say. Social justice activist Michael Amushelelo, who is spearheading the petition, said the total includes electronic signatures and over 1 000 handwritten signatures. The campaign is demanding the removal of what it calls “poorly planned, bolted plastic-and-metal speed humps” which it alleges are causing catastrophic highway collisions. Amushelelo has announced plans to sue the minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, through Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners. “The planned class-action lawsuit seeks financial compensation for motorists who…
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NYC blows N$2 million on violence and chaos …factions trade accusations as allegations of fixing and dirty politics emerge

NYC blows N$2 million on violence and chaos …factions trade accusations as allegations of fixing and dirty politics emerge

Renthia Kaimbi Competing narratives have emerged from the National Youth Council’s (NYC) general assembly that descended into chaos on Saturday in Swakopmund, suggesting back-door deals and lawful processes under threat from political interference. The assembly left nine delegates injured , forced the electoral committee to resign immediately after citing safety concerns, and effectively wasted an estimated N$2 million in public funds as the process was indefinitely suspended. The meeting, which convened on Friday to elect leadership for the next four years, was meant to conclude today. Instead, it has become a symbol of institutional failure, exposing competing narratives of back-door…
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National Youth Chaos

National Youth Chaos

The scenes that reportedly unfolded at the National Youth Council (NYC) elective congress are nothing short of a disgrace. What should have been a democratic gathering to discuss the future of Namibia’s young people reportedly descended into chaos, intimidation and alleged physical altercations. Instead of ideas triumphing over personalities, disorder appears to have overshadowed substance. Instead of leadership, the nation witnessed behaviour unbecoming of institutions entrusted with representing the aspirations of Namibia’s youth. There is no sugar-coating this reality. If reports emerging from the gathering are accurate, then the events constitute a national embarrassment. What makes the situation even more…
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