Blog – Page 2 – News Stand

08 May

MP tells health minister to focus on basic needs before e-health

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People's Movement (LPM) member of parliament Aina Kodi urged the Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, to prioritise fixing medicine shortages, staff gaps, and failing infrastructure before rolling out electronic health platforms. Kodi raised these concerns in Parliament during the debate on the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ N$12.3 billion budget for the 2024/25 financial year. This follows the ministry’s plan to place digital systems at the centre of its budget allocation for 2025/26. Presenting the health vote this week in the National Assembly, Luvindao said the goal is to modernise healthcare and improve…

08 May

ICT ministry prioritises N$898 million state media revamp

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is set to allocate a portion of its resources this financial year towards revitalising state-owned media institutions. This announcement follows ICT minister Emma Theofelus's presentation of a N$898 million budget allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year, an increase from the N$759 million allocated last year. Theofelus provided justification for the ministry’s budget in Parliament on Wednesday, stating that the funds would facilitate digital transformation, enhance access to credible information, and strengthen public media houses. Of the total budget, N$529 million is earmarked for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), New Era…

08 May

Rising Orange River prompts night-time road closure

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Roads Authority has closed the MR118 gravel road between Rosh Pinah and Oranjemund at night due to rising water levels in the Orange River. Spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said the road remains open during the day but will close overnight as a safety measure. “While the road remains passable currently, the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of all road users,” she said. Emergency vehicles will be allowed under strict supervision. Fillemon advised motorists to use alternative routes while the closure is in place. One route is from Keetmanshoop via Aus and Lüderitz, using the Namdeb gravel…

08 May

Water supply back to normal in Oshakati and Ondangwa

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has completed repair work on the pipeline between Oshakati and Ondangwa after a pipe burst near Okandjengedi on Wednesday morning. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said on Thursday that the water supply has been fully restored and is now flowing normally from Oshakati to Ondangwa. The burst disrupted supply to several areas, including Oneshila to Evululuko in Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Oniipa, Omuthiya Town Councils, and nearby constituencies. NamWater had informed the public about the interruption and confirmed that maintenance teams had been sent to fix the issue. “Water supply will resume as soon as…

08 May

Nationwide tree-planting initiative launched to celebrate Nujoma

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The government has called on citizens to plant trees throughout May. The tree planting initiative is in honour of the late founding president, Sam Nujoma’s birthday on 12 May. The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Sam Nujoma Foundation, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said on Thursday. Theofelus said that it would serve as a tribute to Nujoma’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Nujoma, who passed away on 8 February 2025 at the age of 95, was not only a key figure in Namibia's liberation but also a strong advocate…

08 May

GRN plans upgrades to roads, rail, and aviation

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, stated that his ministry aims to ensure the 2025/2026 budget delivers a modern and reliable transport infrastructure within its N$2.7 billion. The transportation development programme will include the construction of feeder and access roads, upgrading gravel roads to bitumen standard, road rehabilitation, and the development and maintenance of state-owned aerodromes. Nekundi highlighted the completion of several major projects, including the rehabilitation of 58km of the Windhoek-Okahandja road, transforming it into a dual carriageway from Brakwater to the intersection of Okahandja-Karibib and Okahandja-Otjiwarongo roads. He also mentioned the completion of Phase 1…

08 May

Netball Namibia hopes that planned stadiums will include netball courts

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former Netball Namibia president Rebecca Goagoses hopes the planned construction of sports stadiums in all 14 regions will include netball courts. This follows the announcement by Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, that N$35 million has been allocated to build stadiums in each region during the 2025/26 financial year. Steenkamp said the stadiums will meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) category two standards, and each will have 10,000 seats. Goagoses, who currently serves as acting Netball Africa president, has long raised concerns over the lack of proper netball courts in Namibia. She urged…

08 May

Namibia joins global call for clean hands on World Hand Hygiene Day

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché An earnest call for clean hands to remain at the core of healthcare delivery in Namibia was made as the country joined the world in commemorating World Hand Hygiene Day on Thursday. The event took place with the theme "It Might Be Gloves." It’s Always Hand Hygiene”. The occasion served as a gathering point for health professionals, development partners, and government officials to reaffirm their commitment to infection prevention and patient safety. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, while addressing the gathering, described hand hygiene as more than a routine procedure but a tangible…

07 May

No clear stance on genocide under Merz

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Justicia Shipena The election of Friedrich Merz as Germany's chancellor implies that there is no longer a straightforward declaration or commitment to confront the genocide deal, says political analyst Henning Melber. Melber cautions that even simple symbolic actions, such as the unified proclamation against genocide, may not be realised under Germany's new administration. Merz was voted as Germany's future chancellor on Tuesday after winning a second Bundestag vote. While the previous "Ampel" coalition, which included the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Green Party, and the Liberal Party, explicitly committed to completing the joint declaration on genocide committed during Germany's colonial…

07 May

Rail upgrade tender requirements exclude local businesses – Naloba

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Local Business Association (Naloba) says a recent government tender under the Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project (TIIP) Phase II could block local businesses from participating due to a high bid security requirement. The tender, issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport on 15 April, is for the supply of 48 48kg/m rails and turnouts. It forms part of the upgrade of railway lines between Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb and between Otavi and Grootfontein. The project is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and follows the bank’s 2015 procurement framework through the open competitive bidding (international) method.…