National News

Presidency oil unit gets N$20m of budget pie …MPs warn against funding unit without law

Presidency oil unit gets N$20m of budget pie …MPs warn against funding unit without law

Patience Makwele  The Upstream Petroleum Unit under the office of the President has been allocated N$20 million in the 2026/27 budget.  The unit was established after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took office last year. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah then appointed Kornelia Shilunga as head of the unit with Carlo McLeod as deputy.  But the allocated budget to the unit has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers who say the unit is not yet grounded in law. Debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday had the members of parliament questioning why parliament is being asked to fund an entity before its legal framework is finalised.…
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Sacked RA bosses claim disciplinary action was flawed 

Justicia Shipena  Dismissed senior Roads Authority (RA) executives have accused the institution of failing to follow its own disciplinary procedures.  The duo is challenging their dismissal in the High Court. Johann Ludwig Boois and Richard Masule Milinga argue that the process leading to their dismissal in February was flawed and unlawful.  They want the court to review and set aside the outcome and reinstate them while the case is being heard. Court documents show that the disciplinary chairperson found them guilty on 25 November 2025.  The written judgement was only shared on 20 January, almost two months later. The parties…
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Namibia asks Brazil to build factories locally

Namibia asks Brazil to build factories locally

Patience Makwele Namibia has called on Brazilian companies to invest in its local manufacturing and processing sector.  The call was made during talks in Windhoek on Tuesday between Namibia's minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and Brazil’s minister of foreign affairs, Mauro Vieira. Ashipala-Musavyi said Namibia’s natural resources, including recent oil and gas discoveries and planned green hydrogen projects, offer opportunities beyond extraction. “We encourage Brazilian companies to establish manufacturing and processing plants in Namibia to add value to these resources locally,” she said. The talks focused on expanding cooperation in energy, agriculture and trade. Vieira said Brazil…
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IPC’s Mulunga denies illegal land grab claims

IPC’s Mulunga denies illegal land grab claims

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Michael Mulunga has denied allegations that he illegally acquired and fenced communal land in the !Kharoxas area.  !Kharoxas is seven kilometres south of Groot Aub.  Mulunga said he followed all required procedures and only occupies a two-hectare plot. Mulunga was responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday after the Land Access Movement of Namibia, representing the |Khomanin community, claimed that he had fenced off five hectares of land linked to the |Khomani community. He rejected the claims and said the land in question is a two-hectare plot allocated…
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Walvis Bay tightens informal trading rules

Walvis Bay tightens informal trading rules

Allexer Namundjembo The municipality of Walvis Bay has introduced new rules for informal trading. The rules require all traders to register and obtain permits before operating in the town. The regulations were published in a government gazette dated 23 March.  Under the new system, traders are not allowed to operate without registration and a valid permit from the council. “A person may not conduct informal trading in the local authority area unless the person is registered to conduct informal trading under these regulations and is issued a permit,” the government gazette states. The rules introduce different types of permits, including…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | Search for teen who vanished into the sea continues 

OBSERVER COASTAL | Search for teen who vanished into the sea continues 

Renthia Kaimbi  Search teams are looking for a teenage boy who went missing after jumping into the sea at the Swakopmund Jetty on Tuesday afternoon. The incident was reported on Tuesday at about 15h00. Police said the boy, believed to be between 17 and 18 years old, entered the water under unclear circumstances. Erongo police spokesperson Judith Shomungula said officers responded after receiving information from a witness. At the scene, police spoke to a woman who said she had greeted the boy shortly before the incident.  She described him as dark in complexion, wearing grey school-like trousers and a grey…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | New Erongo Red board promises accountability

OBSERVER COASTAL | New Erongo Red board promises accountability

Renthia Kaimbi  A new board at Erongo Red has committed to focusing on leadership, accountability and affordable electricity services across the region. The board was inaugurated on Tuesday at the company’s headquarters in Walvis Bay, with all directors appointed by shareholders in attendance. Erongo Red chief executive officer Immanuel !Hanabeb briefed the new board on the company’s operations, strategy, financial performance and governance responsibilities. He also outlined the role of directors before handing over governance documents. The board then elected its leadership. Johnny Johnson Doëseb was elected chairperson, with Ismael Kalipi as deputy chairperson.  Selma Shaanika will chair the audit…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | A woman’s journey aboard fishing vessels

OBSERVER COASTAL | A woman’s journey aboard fishing vessels

Renthia Kaimbi  When Selma Jantjies Madzivanzira stepped onto a fishing vessel for the first time in 2017, rough August seas left her unsure if the ship would stay afloat. Today, she says she can sleep through storms. Madzivanzira works as an assistant to the cook on the MVF Oukaume V5-TL, a fishing vessel operated by Embwinda Fishing Company in Walvis Bay. She also steps in as a cook when needed and handles hospitality and housekeeping duties on board. The vessel carries 32 crew members and usually spends seven to ten days at sea before returning to port for two days.…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | Manica pledges N$600 000 for KSS school hall

OBSERVER COASTAL | Manica pledges N$600 000 for KSS school hall

Renthia Kaimbi  Manica Group Namibia has pledged N$600 000 towards the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Kuisebmond Secondary School, adding support to efforts to complete the facility. The pledge was announced at a handover ceremony on Wednesday. The hall is expected to serve the school and the wider community. It will be used for assemblies, sports, vocational training and youth programmes. Manica Group managing director Ralph Ruiters said the contribution is linked to his connection to the area and the need for private sector support. “Growing up in Kuisebmund, I recall a joyful childhood. The presence of sports facilities…
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Suppliers hoard fuel for profits …as panic buying grips fuel stations nationwide 

Suppliers hoard fuel for profits …as panic buying grips fuel stations nationwide 

Allexer Namundjembo Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse has ordered fuel wholesalers to stop withholding supply and to account for any delays in deliveries.  The directive comes after fuel stations experienced long queues and shortages hours before prices went up. Amutse said the ministry launched an investigation after reports of delayed deliveries. Amuste also directed retailers to serve customers without discrimination and not to limit fuel sales to benefit from price increases. He warned that withholding fuel to sell later at higher prices undermines supply and must stop. Wholesalers must now provide written explanations for any reduced supply…
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