National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia celebrated Arbor Day with a special event held in Oshakati under the theme "Forest and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World." The occasion on Thursday, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, emphasized the vital role of technology and innovation in forest conservation while addressing deforestation and habitat degradation. The minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, stressed the importance of preserving Namibia’s green spaces amid urban development. He urged property developers to incorporate tree planting in urban planning to mitigate the loss of indigenous tree species while towns like Oshakati continue to…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe NamWater’s Chief Executive Officer, Abraham Nehemia has praised the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) for its role in developing students' skills, fostering innovation, and contributing to solving real-world challenges in the water sector and beyond. Speaking at NUST's October graduation ceremony in Windhoek last week, Nehemia highlighted the collaboration between NamWater and the university. ‘’Our partnership with NUST is anchored by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which serves as a cornerstone for joint efforts in research, development, and innovation within the water sector,” said Nehemia. Through this partnership, NamWater offers scholarships and internships to NUST students,…

Stefanus Nashama Windhoek is struggling with the mushrooming of the number of shacks that are often believed to belong to people in need of land. However, the situation is not as straightforward as it seems. Residents of informal settlements like Havana, Goreangab, Oshitenda, and Okahandja Park in Windhoek confirmed that many shacks and bars in their neighbourhoods are rented from wealthy people. They say many shacks belong to government officials, people with high social status and those who own houses in upmarket suburbs elsewhere in the city. “They come and build large structures here, seizing land and opportunities alongside us…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The minister of environment, forestry, and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has called on the leaders of conservancies and community forests to avoid dividing communities along tribal, political, or ethnic lines. Speaking at the joint handover of grants and equipment in the Zambezi region this week, Shifeta emphasised that conservancies should benefit all members, regardless of their backgrounds. “A conservancy or community forest should never be used as a tool to divide the community members along tribal, political, racial, or ethnic lines. It is a tool that we use to safeguard our common interests,” said Shifeta. Shifeta further urged community…

Ester Mbathera The South African National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has decided not to prosecute in the case of theft from the Phala Phala Farm. The NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, said that the director of public prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Mukhali Ivy Thenga, decided because the authority found no reasonable prospects of success after assessing the evidence. “This decision follows a comprehensive investigation process that was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) following a complaint laid by Mr Arthur Fraser with the South African Police Service (SAPS). The criminal complaint was registered against the President of the Republic…