National News

Allexer Namundjembo The acting deputy general secretary of the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU), Lukas Matias, has confirmed that a planned strike by Furnmart employees will proceed across all branches nationwide, following a breakdown in negotiations over salary increases and the introduction of a housing allowance. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday, Matias said the industrial action stems from long-standing unresolved demands despite continued engagement between the union and management since last year. According to Matias, 467 employees voted in favour of the strike. “The strike is about both the salary increase and the introduction of a…

Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia remains committed to securing a resolution on reparations for the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people during German colonial rule, insisting that justice and reconciliation can only be achieved through truth, acknowledgement and sustained dialogue. Addressing the High-Level Consultative Conference on the Next Steps for United Nations Resolution A/RES/80/250 on the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Accra, Ghana on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s pursuit of restorative justice forms part of a broader African effort to confront the enduring effects of slavery, colonialism and historical injustices. She said Namibia’s engagement with Germany stems…

Allexer Namundjembo Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has defended the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, saying the proposed reforms are necessary to safeguard Namibia's emerging oil and gas industry and ensure the country's petroleum resources are managed in the national interest. Contributing to the debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Ngurare urged lawmakers to put aside political differences and support the legislation, drawing parallels with the passage of the original Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act in 1991. Recalling discussions with ambassador Heiki Ausiku, a member of the first National Assembly, Ngurare said that lawmakers from across the political spectrum…

Eugenia Moche Men's Mental Health Awareness Month in June marks a time dedicated to breaking the silence and stigma around issues that many men face but rarely discuss. Across Namibia and globally, advocates are calling for greater recognition of men's mental wellbeing and for more support systems to help them cope. Research shows that men are far less likely to seek professional help for mental health compared to women.  Globally, men account for nearly 70% of suicides, and studies indicate they are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than women. Geluk Psychology services psychological counsellor Simone…

Patience Makwele The plight of vulnerable children in the Omaheke Region has once again cast a spotlight on the paradox of hunger in resource-rich Namibia, with regional leaders questioning how children continue to suffer from malnutrition despite the country’s economic potential. The concerns were raised on Tuesday as employees of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) donated food items worth more than N$44,000 to community organisations caring for vulnerable children in Omaheke. Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate said the continued need for food assistance should concern leaders and institutions across the country. “How can people be so rich in a country that…

Patience Makwele Child marriage is continuing to trap young Namibian girls in a cycle of school dropout, early motherhood and unemployment, raising questions about why the practice persists despite years of interventions and awareness campaigns. Studies conducted by the ministry of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimate that 18.4% of girls in Namibia marry or enter unions before the age of 18, with the highest prevalence recorded in Kavango East and Kavango West, followed by Kunene and Zambezi regions. Child rights campaigners say the consequences extend far beyond childhood, with many…

Allexer Namundjembo The chief of the Nama Traditional Authority in South Africa, Gert Links, has announced plans to replicate and expand the successful Tsumkwe Community Cleaning Campaign in South African communities, following a five-day oversight and learning visit to the settlement earlier this month. Links, accompanied by councillor Petrus De Wet, visited Tsumkwe from 1 to 5 June to assess the community-driven initiative, which is supported by the Palms For Life Fund.  The visit aimed to provide firsthand insight into the campaign's implementation and explore opportunities for adapting the model across the border. Speaking during the visit, Links praised the…