National News

Allexer Namundjembo Independence Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula insists that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s family has interests in the oil and gas sector. He says the country must confront what he calls a conflict at the centre of government as the National Assembly debates the oil bill. “It is not speculation. What I am about to present to you is a diagnosis of capture,” Itula said during a press conference at the party’s office in Windhoek on Tuesday. At the same time, Itula said he was presenting evidence, not making allegations. He described what he called “a capture of…

Allexer Namundjembo Outapi mayor Victorina Neingo says stalled stormwater projects are holding the town back as drainage problems resurface with each rainy season. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday after heavy weekend rains, Neingo said the town has an approved stormwater master plan but lacks funds to implement it. “The Outapi Town Council has an approved stormwater master plan in place to systematically address stormwater drainage challenges within the town. However, implementation of the identified projects remains constrained due to budgetary limitations,” Neingo said. The recent rainfall led to temporary water accumulation in low-lying areas. Some buildings became difficult…

Renthia Kaimbi Government officials, scientists, industry leaders and community representatives gathered in Swakopmund last week to confront gaps in marine research and address growing pressure on the country’s ocean resources during the two-day Ocean in Focus Symposium. The two-day Ocean in Focus Symposium, held from 18 to 19 February, aimed to identify knowledge gaps and guide research, policy and investment in Namibia’s coastal and marine areas. The event was facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform through the Namibia Islands and Marine Protected Areas Project (NIMPA+). Donor support came…

Staff Writer The deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Ruthy Masake, says Namibia must expand beyond traditional fishing and invest in large-scale aquaculture. She identified salmon farming as a new driver of industrial growth. She was speaking at the “Unlocking Namibia’s Salmon Industry: An Opportunity for Industrialisation” seminar at the Avani Hotel on Monday. Masake said the country needs to shift from harvest-based fishing to farming-based production of high-value species such as Atlantic salmon. She said this move would strengthen agro-processing and aquaculture value chains while supporting economic diversification. Masake noted that salmon ranks among the most…

Justicia Shipena The workers at the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) will proceed with planned industrial action after the High Court struck the company’s urgent application from the roll. The court dismissed the urgent application brought by Nored against the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN).  Yesterday, High Court judge Johanna Salioga ruled the application did not meet the requirements for urgency. “The application for condonation to bring this application as one of urgency is refused. The application is struck from the roll for lack of urgency," she said.  Judgement had initially been expected last week but was only delivered on…

Justicia Shipena Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa says a fine of N$200 under the Rent Ordinance of 1977 no longer meet the realities of today’s property market. Sankwasa said the penalties were set for a different time and must now be reviewed as part of efforts to modernise Namibia’s rental laws. “As I indicated in my previous responses, we are seized with drafting a new bill that speaks to today’s rental markets. That means matters such as N$200 fines were ideal for the property market of that time,” Sankwasa told Parliament on Thursday.  He said the value of…

Allexer Namundjembo “We need concrete results that translate into income for producers and stability in our industry,” Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) deputy chairperson Stephanie De Klerk said as the state entity presented its latest financial results at its recent 37th annual general meeting in Windhoek.  The meeting, held at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM), focused on improved financial performance and the country’s preparedness against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which remains a threat in the region. Meatco reported that revenue increased by about 55% to roughly N$1.87 billion for the 2024/25 financial year.  Profit before tax reached…