National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  In a country like Namibia, where traditional gender roles often dictate career paths, women like Linda Haimbili are challenging the status quo. Born on 26 August 1996 in Ohakweenyanga village near Ongwediva, Haimbili's upbringing as the only girl among boys instilled in her a sense of independence. In 2019, Linda worked on the Onkumbula police station roofing project in the Oshikoto Region, standing out as the only woman among 87 men. Her work earned her the moniker "The Welding Queen Among Men" from site managers. Today, Linda is the leader of Core Commercial Construction cc, a company that…

Moses Magadza An influential traditional leader is rallying other traditional leaders across the African continent behind ongoing efforts to eradicate child marriage. His Royal Highness Chief Chamuka VI, Dr. Morgan Kumwenda, is a gender equality activist and traditional leader of the Lenje ethnic group in Zambia.  He was a special guest at a side event co-hosted in Livingstone, Zambia by the Parliament of the Republic of Zambia, SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during the 56th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in December last year.  The speaker of the National Assembly…

Mallex Shipanga Access to gynaecological care is not just a matter of health but one of empowerment, dignity, and saving lives.  For many women, untreated gynaecological issues can lead to life-threatening conditions, yet access to specialist care remains out of reach for countless others. Recognising this critical need, specialist gynaecologist and obstetrician Simon Emvula has stepped up, partnering with the Be Free Care Clinic to provide free consultations for women. “Watching so many women queue up at the clinic, many suffering from serious, life-threatening, untreated gynaecological issues, was deeply disheartening. It served as a powerful reminder that, as healthcare professionals,…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has taken steps to address issues of statelessness and improve civil registration processes through two new pieces of legislation. These include the Civil Registration and Identification Act, 2024, and the Regularisation of Status of Certain Residents of Namibia, Their Descendants and Foreign Spouses Act, 2024. On Thursday, the executive director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Etienne Maritz, announced these developments, while reiterating their importance for national identity management and human rights. “These Acts reflect Namibia’s commitment to addressing critical issues of identity and statelessness while ensuring that all residents are…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba of Namibia welcomed Mohamed Meziane, Algeria's Minister of Communication and Special Envoy, at State House in Windhoek on Thursday. The Algerian envoy during the diplomatic engagement at State House in Windhoek sought to strengthen bilateral ties and secure strategic support from Namibia. Meziane delivered a personal letter from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, seeking Namibia's endorsement for Algeria's candidate in the upcoming African Union (AU) Commission chairmanship elections. In response, President Mbumba reiterated the longstanding camaraderie between the two nations. "Namibia and Algeria have good relations; we have both full diplomatic representation in the capitals," he…

Niël Terblanché NamWater has unveiled a series of urgent measures to address the ongoing water supply challenges in Opuwo. The town in the Kunene region has been struggling with deteriorating water quality and insufficient supply NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, in a statement on Thursday, said the national water utility has embarked on a combination of short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives aimed at ensuring reliable and sustainable access to potable water for the town’s residents. Ndamanomhata assured the community of NamWater’s commitment to resolving the crisis. “NamWater remains steadfast in its mission to provide reliable and safe drinking water to all…

Niël Terblanché Emma Theofelus, Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, has announced plans to expand collaboration agreements with neighbouring countries Angola, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.  The announcement was made during the ministry’s annual staff meeting in Windhoek on Thursday. “This initiative aims to harmonise mobile roaming fees, building on the successful reduction of roaming charges between Namibia and Botswana,” she said. Theofelus reiterated that the process of digital inclusion and cross-border connectivity is already in progress and being strengthened. “Our collaboration with Botswana is a demonstration of our efforts to deliver affordable communication services to all Namibians, which will ultimately…

Ester Mbathera  The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has dismissed fraud claims and allegations of unpaid contracts made by Hype.UP Limited, a Ghanaian tourism service provider company, labelling them as baseless.  The NTB is facing allegations of fraud of over US$51 123.92 (N$957 909.91) in unpaid contracts with a Ghanaian firm. Hype.UP in December filed a criminal charge with the Ghana Police Service, alleging fraudulent breach of trust by current and former NTB officials, including the current acting chief executive officer, Charmaine Mattheus, former acting chief executive officer Bornventure Mbidzo, another former chief executive officer, Digu //Naobeb, board secretary Amanda Bruyns,…

Stefanus Nashama Security guards deployed to protect municipal land from being illegally occupied in Windhoek’s informal settlement areas have put their safety at risk.  These officers are tasked with preventing illegal land grabs and ensuring lawful land use.  They often face risks because many of them live within the same communities they are employed to oversee.  Last October, security officer Natangwe Abed was attacked while trying to stop a man from illegally extending his shack without municipal approval. “I was on duty when I heard the sounds of zinc and hummers. I went to the place and peacefully asked if…

Martin Endjala Residents of Divundu town in the Mukwe Constituency have raised concerns over precariously low-hanging power lines across Kasoma Street in the Divundu proper area. A resident recently took to social media, urging the Divundu Village Council to address the situation, which poses a significant danger to the community. The power lines have also been erected alarmingly close to houses, raising further concerns, as regulations discourage the installation of power lines near residential properties. Attempts to reach the Divundu Village Council chief executive officer, Ndjamba Maghumbo for comment were unsuccessful. Martin Maghano, a resident of the Ndongo area in…