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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced a complete ban on drones within Etosha National Park, citing escalating security concerns linked to rhino poaching. Colgar Sikopo, the ministry’s deputy executive director of Natural Resource Management, stated that while drones were previously permitted under strict conditions, the increasing misuse by visitors has necessitated a stricter approach. “Many visitors have been entering the park and using drones with no such permission. This situation created some security risks and a disturbance to other visitors to the park,” Sikopo explained. He added that drones can be exploited by poachers to…

Ester Mbathera  With the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand, the country finds itself caught in the eye of the storm as the trade dispute between the United States and South Africa intensifies. At the same time, with 40% of its public budget reliant on the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenue pool, Namibia has every reason to be concerned. These are the sentiments of economist Dr. Omu Kakujaha-Matundu, who warned that any shift in SACU's tariff structures could deal a severe blow to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's dream of job creation and economic growth. He cautioned that Lesotho,…

Allexer Namundjembo A police officer stationed at the Goma Police Station in the Zambezi region was arrested on Saturday for opening a holding cell, which led to the escape of five trial awaiting prisoners.  The Zambezi Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Andreas Shilelo, confirmed the incident, revealing that two Namibians and three Zambians were among the escapees. Shilelo said the officer acted alone and failed to inform fellow officers before opening the holding cell. “The inmates did not use force to escape. They simply fled after the cell was opened,” he said. By Monday, four of the five escapees were re-arrested.…

Niël Terblanché At the World Health Day commemoration in Katima Mulilo on Monday, the minister of health and social services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, addressed the pressing issue of maternal mortality in Namibia. She described many causes of maternal deaths as preventable tragedies that require urgent action. “Improved antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, exclusive breastfeeding, and better nutrition could further reduce these fatalities,” Luvindao said while stressing the necessity of people taking more time to care for and help each other. She also expressed concern that only 49% of mothers in Namibia practise exclusive breastfeeding, a factor contributing to child stunting.…

Moses Magadza The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Elias Magosi, has welcomed the signing of the agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a regional parliament. The agreement was signed by Botswana’s president, Advocate Duma Boko, in Gaborone on Wednesday. Magosi described the signing as a “momentous occasion” and a critical step toward regional integration, enhanced governance, and democratic accountability.  He commended President Boko, the government of Botswana, and all leaders who contributed to achieving this milestone. “We did not despair,” Mr Magosi said. “There have been layers…