National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Some regional governors are reportedly eyeing diplomatic posts as their terms of office are nearing an end. While no official announcements have been made, sources indicate that these governors, whose terms were extended until 20 June, are lobbying for ambassadorial appointments. The governors are said to be leveraging their political and regional leadership experience in lobbying for postings abroad. Diplomatic appointments are usually timed with the international school calendar, starting in August or September, to allow diplomats with school-going children to secure placements. About 25 diplomatic positions are expected to be filled, with new appointees serving five-year terms.…

Niël Terblanché The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has set out her vision for the ministry’s expanded role, calling on staff to embrace the integration of trade and diplomacy as a strategic tool to reposition the country on the African continent and globally. Speaking during a general staff meeting in Windhoek on Wednesday, Ashipala-Musavyi acknowledged the trust placed in her by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and expressed her gratitude to her predecessors, including Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Namibia’s first Foreign Minister, and former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, President Nandi-Ndaitwah herself. “It is a responsibility that I have…

Niël Terblanché The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has initiated court proceedings against political activist Michael Amushelelo for alleged contempt of court. This action follows Amushelelo's recent social media posts concerning rape allegations against the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Mac Hengari. In a statement posted on social media, Amushelelo questioned the consistency of public demands for accountability. "As a society, it will be very hypocritical of all of you to demand that [redacted] resigns from his position as Member of Parliament and Minister when we equally have Joseph Shikongo, who is…

Allexer Namundjembo Former President Nangolo Mbumba will receive full presidential benefits despite serving for only one year in office after the death of former President Hage Geingob in February last year. Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari confirmed that Mbumba is entitled to benefits in line with the Presidential Remuneration and Other Benefits Act 5 of 2016. “President Mbumba will be provided with a small number of staff members and an office, consistent with the entitlements of a former president,” Hengari said. The Act provides former presidents with an office, administrative support, security and medical aid for themselves, their spouses, and legally…

Allexer Namundjembo Youth and student organisations are demanding urgent intervention from the education ministry over the ongoing food crisis in government hostels, following procurement delays that have left many learners without meals. The Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Affirmative Repositioning Students Command (ARSC), and Students Union of Namibia (SUN) have criticised the ministry for failing to ensure food supply in hostels and warned of the impact on learners’ health and academic performance. LPM Youth Command spokesperson William Minnie blamed the crisis on bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference. “It’s a failure of governance when children go hungry because of governmental ineptitude,” he…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is seeking to strengthen its energy and trade ties with Russia, with a focus on cooperation in natural resource beneficiation and infrastructure development. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev at State House on Tuesday to discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly energy and value addition to Namibia’s raw materials. According to Presidential Press Secretary, Alfredo Hengari, the meeting centred on increasing collaboration between the two countries to add value to Namibia’s natural resources. “The President reiterated the need for stronger cooperation with the Russian Federation in the area of energy, which has…

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipality has launched a series of development projects aimed at upgrading public infrastructure, expanding services to informal settlements, and restoring a long-neglected shelter for vulnerable residents. The projects, valued in the millions of Namibian dollars, were announced this week by the mayor, Blasius Goraseb, during the latest council meeting. Among the undertakings is the Mole Cubicles Upgrade Project, which the Council handed over to contractors this week. He added that with a price tag of N$4.8 million, the project is set for completion by October 2025 and will introduce enclosed cubicles to provide secure spaces for…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in the Erongo region issued a stern warning to residents of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund not to divulge their banking details when called by people identifying themselves as police officers. Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head of the police’s community affairs division in the region, said that a yet unknown person has been calling coastal residents randomly since Wednesday. “A man who introduced himself as Chief Inspector Shapumba from Walvis Bay called complainants and invited them to the Walvis Bay police station to address a problem with their bank accounts,” he said. The real Chief…

Allexer Namundjembo  Refusing to accept the five-cent coin as payment is illegal, the Bank of Namibia has warned. This follows complaints from consumers about retailers rejecting the small denomination. Sencia Kaizemi-Rukata, director of banking services at the BoN, confirmed that the five-cent coin remains legal tender despite no longer being minted since 2018. “The five-cent coin is still legal tender. Retailers are obligated to accept it as a means of payment. The fact that we no longer mint the coin does not alter its legal standing,” she said. The central bank stopped producing the coin in 2018 due to the…