National News

Allexer Namundjembo Youth participation in the regional and local authority elections remained low, with many young voters not visible in the queues at the polls on Wednesday.  This is despite more than 643 000 youth registered to vote, making up about 42% of the 1.49 million voters on the final voters register released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). The regional and local authority elections took place on 26 November 2025.  Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Youth leader Duminga Ndala says the low youth turnout in yesterday’s Regional and Local Authority elections signals a serious disconnect between young people and…

Renthia Kaimbi Residents of Okahandja are putting aside political loyalties to form a coalition aimed at holding the incoming local authority council accountable for its promises. The initiative, driven by frustration over poor service delivery, seeks to create an independent community oversight committee to ensure transparency and progress in the town’s development. The idea gained momentum after resident Shatty Haihambo publicly called for unity and accountability, saying political celebrations mean little without visible improvements. “Political chants will not develop the town. It is for this reason that I want to appeal to all residents of Okahandja, let us come together,…

Allexer Namundjembo The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says political parties that held press conferences after the official campaign cut-off violated the electoral cooling-off rules. ECN commissioner Pius Iikwambi said the commission, through its chief executive officer, issued an operational directive on 20 November to all electoral stakeholders, including regional electoral officers, returning officers, and the police.  The directive outlined the legal framework for stopping campaigning and explained the statutory cooling-off period for regional and local authority elections. Iikwambi said the code of conduct, published in September 2024, binds all political parties, organisations, candidates, members and supporters.  The directive defined…

Renthia Kaimbi Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe says the assault on Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi amounts to criminal self-help and has no place in a constitutional democracy. Tjombe was reacting to an incident in Keetmanshoop on Monday in which independent candidate Vernon Coleman confronted and assaulted Swartbooi. Tjombe said the act shows Coleman is unfit for public office. “Criminal self-help is impermissible in a constitutional democracy and blatantly unacceptable as a means to drive home your political message. He must have a serious and honest self-introspection if he is fit for public office as an important councillor,…

Allexer Namundjembo Former Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Walvis Bay Rural councillor Deriou Benson says he did not receive money to leave IPC, insisting his departure was driven by frustration and lack of support. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday, Benson said his resignation was “a sober choice” and dismissed claims that Swapo paid him to leave the IPC. “I was 100% not paid. That I can swear on the Lord’s name. It was a sober choice,” Benson said. He explained that over time, his disengagement from IPC activities grew because his local government duties often clashed…

Renthia Kaimbi The Swakopmund Town Council has approved N$127 261 to cover accommodation and meals for a special contingent of the Namibian Police during the 2025/2026 festive season. The decision was taken at an ordinary council meeting on Monday.  The funds will support 20 officers from the Namibian Police Special Reserve Force, who will be deployed in the town from 14 December 2025 to 6 January 2026. Of the approved amount, N$101 752 is allocated for accommodation and N$25 508 for meals.  A condition of the sponsorship is that the unit must operate only within Swakopmund’s jurisdiction throughout the deployment…

Swakop Uranium has been crowned the overall winner of the 2025 Chamber of Mines Inter-Mines Sports Games. The Husab team secured the championship after strong performances across several sporting codes. The team claimed first place in the mixed, female and male relay races, netball, pool teams, darts doubles, chess teams and both the team and individual golf categories. They also won the Soccer Veterans division. These victories, supported by consistent high placements in other events, secured Swakop Uranium the top position in the competition.

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula says no law will pass in parliament as long as his party serves as the official opposition.  He said the opposition's role is to scrutinise every bill brought before the National Assembly.  “There is a need to scrutinise because our constitutional article 41 says that ministers shall be accountable to parliament. We are not going to have tissue paper bills brought in and passed tomorrow,” he said during IPC's event in Walvis Bay on Saturday, His remarks come after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah criticised parliament for leaving some bills unfinished.  During…

Renthia Kaimbi The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says the Namibian government is using a “Tanzania-style” strategy to weaken strong opponents ahead of the elections and create an appearance of democracy. In a letter dated 17 November 2025, penned by its leader Bernadus Swartbooi and addressed to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the LPM claims that more than 1 634 soldiers have been deployed to its stronghold regions.  According to Swartbooi, troops have taken control of a local authority building and conducted live exercises with the intention of intimidating voters. The letter, seen by the Windhoek Observer, also alleges…

Justicia Shipena The government has approved the second phase of youth-led projects under the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), allocating N$37.7 million to 66 initiatives across all regions.  The Ministry of Finance says the funding will create 404 jobs in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, horticulture, waste management, agroprocessing, green transportation and value-added services. The approved projects cover all regions and include poultry production, livestock rearing, crop farming, biomass processing, aquaponics, innovative technology services, recycling operations, and renewable energy installations.  Finance Ministry spokesperson Wilson Shikoto said the loan amounts range between N$88,000 and N$1 million, assessed through the Agricultural…