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Yango refutes illegality claims

Yango refutes illegality claims

Allexer Namundjebo  International ride-hailing platform Yango has defended its operations in Namibia following public claims by works and transport minister, Veikko Nekundi, that the service is illegal in Windhoek. Last month, Nekundi told a local radio station that Yango taxis were not authorised to operate in the capital.  He explained that the company did not have the required permits and was not operating within the legal framework for public passenger transport. “Only those with valid authorisation are permitted to operate taxis in exchange for money,” Nekundi said.  He added that enforcement was the responsibility of traffic officers, who could only…
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Debmarine Desert Jewels set for UAE netball challenge

Debmarine Desert Jewels set for UAE netball challenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Netball Namibia has announced that the Debmarine Desert Jewels, the senior national netball team, will take part in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Netball Tournament from 15 to 21 June 2025. This will be the team’s first international competition of the year. Netball Namibia president Juanitha Witbeen said the tournament is part of the official ranking calendar and marks an important step in the team’s push for international recognition. She said the team’s participation reflects the leadership’s commitment to the growth of the sport and the strong support received from sponsors, stakeholders, and the broader netball community. “This…
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HPV Vaccination Rollout—Safe, Effective, and Powered by Gardasil 4

HPV Vaccination Rollout—Safe, Effective, and Powered by Gardasil 4

Dr. BD Platt Medical history has taught us that vaccination has remained one of the most successful stories of the 21st century. It is safe to say that no other medical intervention has revolutionised healthcare and global quality of life as much as safe vaccination. Perhaps only the dawn of antibiotic usage remains a close second. Dreaded viral diseases once rampant and incurable, have many been relegated to the aisles of medical history books through active effective vaccination. If I could rewind perhaps our memories back to the 1980s, Small pox; a dreaded disease that once debilitated human for centuries…
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Youth table tennis competition comes to a close

Youth table tennis competition comes to a close

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Junior National Table Tennis Competition, sponsored by Phoenix Insurance Namibia, concluded over the weekend and featured strong performances by young athletes.  The event also served as preparation for the African Union Sport Council Region 5 (AUSC) Youth Games, set for next month.  In the Under-19 boys’ quarter-finals, Kamrouz Ghayouri defeated Kevin Zhang, while Agape Chicalu narrowly beat newcomer Fillemon Ikanda.  Caden Bosman dominated the under-19 boys’ category to claim the title. In the Under-15 division, Kevin Zhang bounced back to defeat Kamrouz Ghayouri and take the top spot. In the Under-13 boys’ final, Fillemon Ikanda beat…
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‘Days of underperforming employees are numbered’ – Luvindao

‘Days of underperforming employees are numbered’ – Luvindao

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, warned underperforming employees that their days are numbered.  She said the health ministry will no longer tolerate individuals who fail to meet their responsibilities while continuing to draw salaries. Speaking during a recent courtesy meeting with the Public Service Commission (PSC), Luvindao said, “We are hired with terms of reference, and these must be clearly understood to hold people accountable.”  The meeting allowed the health minister to engage with PSC officials led by chairperson Salmaan Jacobs.  She received a briefing on the commission’s mandate and functions, especially in…
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Inmate telephone system launched

Inmate telephone system launched

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Correctional Service officially launched the Telio Inmate Telephone System at the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund correctional facilities on Friday.  This system is part of the country’s wider reform of the justice and correctional systems. The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, spoke at the launch.  She said the initiative supports the government's digital transformation and institutional modernisation.  “This is not merely a communication tool. It is a platform for empowerment, reform, and reintegration. It enables inmates to maintain monitored contact with their families, a connection proven to reduce recidivism and promote successful…
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Burger rallies support for Welwitschias

Burger rallies support for Welwitschias

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Rugby Union director Jacques Burger has called on all rugby fans to support the national team, the Welwitschias, as they gear up for a series of international matches. Burger said that next weekend will be packed with action as the team faces Uganda on 14 June in Walvis Bay.  They will then play against South Africa’s Airlink Pumas on 21 June at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, before hosting Italy on 27 June. “Please come and join us to support the rugby team in the build-up to the game against Uganda in Walvis Bay. Then on…
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Honoring the Titan, Interrogating the Legacy: Nujoma and the Art of Brinkmanship

Honoring the Titan, Interrogating the Legacy: Nujoma and the Art of Brinkmanship

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Windhoek recently witnessed a familiar ritual: the honoring of a giant. The launch of a lavish coffee table and Pictorial book celebrating Founding Father Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma served as a potent reminder of the liberation generation – those figures across our continent who stared into the abyss of colonial power and dared it to blink. Attended by Namibia’s political and business elite, the event pulsed with reverence for the man synonymous with the nation’s birth. Yet, beneath the veneer of celebratory unity, deeper, more unsettling questions stirred about legacy, leadership, and…
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Omuthiya at a crossroads: A Call to rescue Oshikoto

Omuthiya at a crossroads: A Call to rescue Oshikoto

Isak Tuyoleni Haimbodi Omuthiya, the capital of the Oshikoto region, stands as a symbol of both promise and neglect. Despite its administrative status, the town suffers from poor infrastructure, limited economic activity, and a glaring absence of higher education institutions. Across the region, residents face crumbling roads, inadequate healthcare, and high unemployment, all worsened by political inaction. Oshikoto’s youth face major obstacles to accessing tertiary education. While most regions host institutions such as UNAM, NUST, or IUM, Omuthiya has none. A long-promised vocational training centre remains unrealised, despite land having been allocated. Only a few under-resourced private colleges operate in…
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Nasfed warns against over-hyping swimmers

Nasfed warns against over-hyping swimmers

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Swimming Federation (Nasfed) president Riaan Steyn has cautioned the public and media against over-hyping athletes who participated in the swimming competition for Angola's 50th independence celebration held in Luanda last weekend. Namibia's team performance was seen as exceptional, finishing with the most gold medals and being declared the overall winners of the competition.  They collected 22 gold, 10 silver, and five bronze medals. Angola followed with 18 gold, 17 silver, and 30 bronze medals. South Africa came third with nine gold, seven silver, and one bronze medal. A total of ten teams took part in the event,…
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