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Ester Mbathera President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has remained silent amid growing public outcry over the appointment of Dr Esperance Luvindao to parliament and subsequently as minister of health and social services. Allegations surfaced about irregularities in the vetting process and questions surrounding her nationality. Luvindao has been open about her parents' nationality on numerous occasions, of which proof is available on the internet. In 2023, at the Africa Women's Summit 2023 in Rwanda, Kigali, where she was a guest speaker, she again confirmed it. “My parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, so I speak Lingala, I speak Swahili and…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has become the first country in Africa where women hold the top three government positions. This followed the swearing-in of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 21 March as the country’s first female president. She previously served as Namibia’s first female vice president, a role she assumed in February 2024 after Nangolo Mbumba became president following the death of Hage Geingob. Alongside her are Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the first woman to serve as Speaker, while Witbooi is the second woman to become Vice President. Nandi-Ndaitwah has long supported…

Niel Terblanche Namibia’s fifth President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced a sweeping reorganisation of Namibia’s Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs), alongside a new Cabinet for the 2025–2029 term.Nandi-Ndaitwah said changes are aimed at eliminating duplications, reducing public expenditure, and improving the implementation of national development programmes. “In accordance with Article 32(3)(g) of the Namibian Constitution, and guided by the Election Manifesto Implementation Plan, I have decided to establish, abolish, and make several alignments in various Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies. I have also merged some ministries and transferred some mandates to the ministries where we can maximise outcomes,” she…

Ester Mbathera  President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to serve all Namibians, regardless of political affiliation. Speaking to SABC News on Wednesday, she said her leadership will focus on national unity and ensuring that everyone benefits from government policies. “From now on, even the Swapo Party members, will know Netumbo is a president of all Namibians,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah will be sworn into office on Friday as the country’s 5th and first female president. She acknowledged divisions following the elections but said her priority is to unite the country. “Namibia’s unity is very important, and I will keep appealing to all…

Allexer Namundjembo President Nangolo Mbumba has urged new parliamentarians to uphold the principles of unity, liberty, equality, and justice. In his final address to Parliament on Tuesday, he called on MPs to use the chamber to combat racism, tribalism, division, and corruption, ensuring progress in the country’s "Second Struggle for Economic Freedom." “Since I am now ending my political career to join my fellow citizens, I encourage current and future generations of members of parliament to continue using this chamber to advance these ideals,” Mbumba stated. The country’s fourth president reflected on how parliament is where the sovereignty of the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The High Court has ruled that the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) must refund N$1.2 million to Obie Logistics (Pty) Ltd after it unlawfully withheld the tax refund to offset a N$53 million debt owed by a separate company, Obie Transport. NamRA’s action was based on Section 83D of the Income Tax Act, of 1981, which was amended in 2015 to allow the agency to recover unpaid taxes from company directors. However, the court ruled that the law could not be applied retroactively and that Obie Logistics could not be held responsible for debts from another company that was…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has taken parliament to court over a report it claims is unconstitutional and flawed.  The report, titled ‘Report of the Motion on Devastating Strike at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC),’ was tabled in parliament on 15 February by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development. It identified the main cause of the 2021 strike by 600 employees as the N$5.4 million paid to executive management and selected senior managers as “performance bonuses.” The committee also found that NBC violated the Labour Act, which limits salary deductions to one-third of an…

Hertta-maria Amutenja  The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation has assigned an inspector to investigate the death of Abel Ashiyana Kayembo, a Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) employee who was electrocuted while on duty at Yinsu Village in Kavango West Region on Monday.  The ministry also engaged NORED and the Electricity Control Board (ECB) to jointly conduct the investigation. NORED spokesperson, Simon Lukas confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to Kayembo’s family.  He said the company has appointed an external industry expert to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. “This incident will remain a painful reminder of the…

 Allexer Namundjembo With just over a week left before a new government takes office under President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the outgoing National Assembly is pushing to amend Rule 2 on committee procedures, a move drawing criticism for its timing. On Tuesday, Swapo lawmaker Philipus Katamero introduced the proposal, which seeks to change the composition of the Selection Committee to include ten members, comprising the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Government Chief Whip, Opposition Chief Whip, and six other members determined by proportional representation. Swapo's Natangwe Ithete seconded the proposal, suggesting a change to Rule 2 to make the selection committee consist of ten…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Sources within the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) told the  Windhoek Observer that the bank’s former boss, John Steytler, was presented with an ultimatum to either resign or face suspension. The specific reasons for this decision remain undisclosed. Steytler resigned with immediate effect on Tuesday. Speculation has also emerged that there is potential that he may be appointed as a cabinet minister under president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s incoming cabinet either as finance minister or director general of planning. Steytler has, however, denied these claims. ““You can quote me on this; I’m definitely not going to Cabinet,” he told the…