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Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has recorded an economic expansion of N$5.3 billion during the first quarter of the gross domestic product this year. Alex Shimuafeni, the statistician-general of the NSA, made this announcement in Windhoek on Thursday. “In nominal terms, the domestic economy was estimated at N$59.1 billion during the first quarter of 2024, an expansion of N$5.3 billion from the corresponding quarter of 2023, which was N$53.9 billion,” he said. The domestic economy continued to progress positively, with a growth of 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 5.3 percent in the first…

Stefanus Nashama Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari has proposed a motion for Namibia to boost local media and music content. Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Hengari expressed that the underutilization of local content deprives Namibia of opportunities for job creation within the creative industry. “The current data reveals that a staggering 80 percent of the music played on local radio stations originates from foreign sources, contributing to a homogenous and limited musical environment. This reliance on foreign content not only leads to a significant outflow of royalties, thereby economically marginalising Namibian artists but also hampers the growth and…

Martin Endjala Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says that the creative industry has the potential to be an economic driver for Namibia and create jobs for young people. She said the government is fully aware of the potential and importance of the culture and creative industries offered. She said this on Wednesday at the start of the 2024 TechNovation Social held in Windhoek. “I strongly believe that in addition to our main economic sectors, namely mining, fishing, tourism, and agriculture, we need to include sports and the creative industry. As an engine of economic growth and social development, the creative industry…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MEAC) has directed all regions to stop using the stipulations of formal education Circular 3 of 2019 for recruiting junior primary phase teachers. The executive director of the ministry, Sanet Steenkamp, has directed the chief regional officers of all regions to align recruitment processes with the national curriculum for basic education and personnel administration measures. According to the directive, teacher shortages in the junior primary phase, specifically from pre-primary to grade 3, led to the issuance of the original circular. “The MEAC, during the time of teacher shortage in the junior…

Niël Terblanché In an effort to address historical land injustices and improve living conditions for marginalised communities, the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has announced the establishment of communal land in the Khomas region. This development, aimed at correcting the legacy of colonial-era land dispossession, was detailed by Minister Calle Schlettwein in a speech delivered to the National Assembly. Schlettwein stressed the importance of this initiative, highlighting that the Khomas region, despite being central to Namibia, is the only region without designated communal land. According to the minister, this has left many residents, particularly those from the…

Chamwe Kaira Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite internet company, has applied for a licence to enter the Namibian market, Chief Executive Officer of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) Emilia Nghikembua said in an interview. “Starlink has submitted an application for licences to the Authority, and the application is being processed and considered in terms of the provisions of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009) and relevant regulations,” she said. Last month, Botswana granted an operating licence to Starlink, which is owned by SpaceX, three weeks after a government delegation met with the SpaceX team in the US.…

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) is proposing that military personnel vote on the same day as the rest of the country to avoid victimisation. The LPM, in a letter to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) dated 20 June and signed by the party’s representative, Ivan Skrywer, also requested that the military personnel vote at public polling stations. “Our military personnel have on many occasions complained about the way they are expected to cast their votes. Given the nature of their service, the commission has over the years made efforts to place the voting stations uniquely at the…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Social justice activist, Michael Amushelelo has warned that if the government fails to address the unemployment situation on time, unemployed people, especially the youth, will make things uncomfortable. Amushelelo was addressing the parliamentary committee on constitutional and legal affairs during a consultative meeting at parliament on Thursday. “Crime is a result of people not having an income, and if we keep ignoring unemployment, we will face serious danger. You should bear in mind that unemployed people have nothing to lose; you as members of Parliament and politicians, have your nice cars and live a comfortable life with your…

Martin Endjala Auasblick, the State House's neighbourhood, has become a hub for crimes such as robbery and hijacking. Many health enthusiasts use the area for exercise because of the hills and lack of traffic. The latest crime incident involved Matthias Ngwangwama, the managing director of Namibia Wildlife Resorts. On Wednesday night, robbers stole Ngwangwama's car and cell phone. Alfred Hengari, the spokesperson of State House, said that there is an investigation into the matter and assured the public that the presidential residence is secured and its safety has not been compromised. “I can assure you that the precinct of the…