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Kimberley Process marks ‘breakthrough’ in expanding definition

Kimberley Process marks ‘breakthrough’ in expanding definition

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has welcomed the meaningful progress made towards expanding the Kimberley Process definition of conflict diamonds after a successful week of open and productive dialogue at the 2025 Intercessional in Dubai. The meeting, hosted by the UAE and current KP Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem, marked a significant breakthrough in seeking to expand the definition of conflict diamonds after years of discussion. The current definition, established over two decades ago, primarily addresses diamonds financing rebel movements against legitimate governments. However, the evolving nature of conflicts necessitates a broader scope. The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), representing 15…
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Home Affairs mum on alleged document forgery

Home Affairs mum on alleged document forgery

Allexer Namundjebo The Ministry of Home Affairs is in hot water after a man discovered his identity documents had allegedly been used fraudulently by another person.  Months after the incident was reported, the ministry confirmed forgery but has yet to provide any answers. Matheus Matheus, a resident of Arandis, found out about the identity breach in July 2024.He was applying for a passport at the Swakopmund Home Affairs office when officials told him his name and ID number were already in the system, but his photo and signature didn’t match. He was then referred to the ministry’s head office in…
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Activists call for lights and CCTV after woman dies in riverbed

Activists call for lights and CCTV after woman dies in riverbed

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) and women’s rights activists have called for urgent safety interventions, including improved street lighting and CCTV cameras, following the death of a woman found in a riverbed in Windhoek's Damara location on Thursday. Women's rights activist Rosa Namises, speaking in the wake of the incident, said the death reflects a deeper crisis facing women in unsafe and neglected areas of Windhoek. “This is not just a mysterious or unknown death of a woman in our midst. It is part of the violence against women in our country. It shows how unsafe and insecure our…
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Diplomatic spouses’ charity proceeds to support education projects

Diplomatic spouses’ charity proceeds to support education projects

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The Association of Diplomatic Spouses (ADS), representing spouses of accredited diplomats stationed in Namibia, is reaching out to the City of Windhoek to help identify education-focused projects and organisations that could benefit from funds raised through its recent charity initiatives. During a courtesy visit on Tuesday, ADS president Matthias Geisler and former president Lamia Lotfy met with Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja to discuss collaboration on distributing proceeds from the 2025 International Day Diplomatic Charity Bazaar.  The event, held in April, raised over N$200,000, with a maximum of N$50,000 allocated per beneficiary. Geisler explained that the ADS was established…
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Forbes calls for an end to infighting to enhance service delivery

Forbes calls for an end to infighting to enhance service delivery

Niël Terblanché The mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes, has appealed to the public and members of the municipal council and management to abandon what he described as a “blame game” and concentrate on resolving the town’s challenges through cooperation and accountability. Speaking during a special briefing on Tuesday, Forbes addressed recent tensions that arose following his earlier statements alleging sabotage of municipal functions by certain staff and councillors. His remarks were met with resistance, particularly from the current chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda, prompting the need for the mayor to publicly explain his position. During a meeting of the…
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Health ministry rejects malaria tender payment claims

Health ministry rejects malaria tender payment claims

Allexer Namundjebo The Ministry of Health and Social Services says no payments have been made for the procurement of anti-malaria medication, which Job Amupanda criticised on social media.  The ministry released a statement on Tuesday responding to claims made by Amupanda through his investigative platform, Eagle 25. Amupanda alleged that the government paid N$1,500 per pack for 300 packs of malaria tablets, totalling N$450,000.  He claimed the original supplier charged only R580 (about N$696) per pack.  He questioned the price difference and suggested corruption.  “Assuming the transportation cost was N$50,000, a crazy figure, the middlemen still scored N$225,000 just for…
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Huawei partnership to enhance Namibia’s digital development

Huawei partnership to enhance Namibia’s digital development

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said the country’s digital transformation hinges on close collaboration with private sector partners, robust infrastructure, and a digitally skilled population. Speaking at the Huawei Partner Connect Gala Dinner in Windhoek on Tuesday evening, she described the recently launched Namibia LEAP Digital Talent Programme as a turning point in efforts to empower young Namibians. The programme, which is the result of an agreement signed between the ministry and Huawei Technologies Namibia in August 2024, is designed to equip young Namibians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the global…
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Higher internet speeds could enhance national development

Higher internet speeds could enhance national development

Niël Terblanché The country’s national minimum broadband speed could soon increase tenfold, if proposals under discussion at a stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology come to fruition. The executive director, Audrin Mathe, spoke at the gathering in Windhoek on Wednesday, where he outlined the rationale for raising the country’s standard download speed from 2 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 25 Mbps and upload speed to 3 Mbps. “The question before us is not whether these technologies can deliver the required performance, but rather how we can deploy them efficiently, equitably and affordably,” he said. He…
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Project Never Walk Alone reports positive impact

Project Never Walk Alone reports positive impact

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Project Never Walk Alone (PNWA) says it is satisfied with the impact of its efforts to provide footwear to vulnerable children across Namibia, citing improved school attendance, academic performance, and confidence levels among beneficiaries. The project, launched by Tim Ekandjo in August 2021, aims to restore the dignity of barefooted Namibian children by providing them with access to new pairs of shoes. Since its inception, the initiative has distributed over 12,200 pairs of shoes across eight regions, having travelled more than 9,500 kilometres nationwide. According to the project, a recently concluded impact survey conducted in eight regions has…
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Namibia should brace for intense wildfire season

Namibia should brace for intense wildfire season

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has issued a nationwide alert, urging all Namibians to prepare for an intense wildfire season. Following one of the country's most productive rainy seasons in recent years, the resulting dense vegetation has created conditions ripe for wildfires. In a statement released on Wednesday, the ministry revealed that fuel load assessments conducted across the country indicate a high risk of wildfires. "Some parts of Namibia are already experiencing dry and seasonal strong windy conditions, which are conducive for wildfires to spread," the statement said. Wildfires pose a severe threat to both…
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