National News

Niël Terblanché In a bid to alleviate the dire food shortages caused by the El Niño-induced drought, the Government of Japan and the World Food Programme (WFP) have provided life-saving assistance to thousands of Namibians through a commodity voucher programme. A delegation led by Japan’s Ambassador to Namibia, Shinichi Asazuma, WFP Namibia’s Acting Country Director, Tiwonge Machiwenyika, and Kunene Governor, Marius Sheya, recently visited Queen Sofia Farm and De Riet settlement to assess the impact of the initiative. The programme, backed by a N$9.3 million contribution from the Government of Japan, has provided essential food relief to 26 556 people…

Niël Terblanché The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) urged all pensioners, children, and spousal beneficiaries to complete their biometric verification (proof of life) process for the period ending on 30 June.   Those who fail to verify their status before the deadline risk having their monthly benefits suspended. In a statement released on Wednesday, GIPF spokesperson Edwin Tjiramba stressed the importance of the verification process, stating that it ensures benefits are paid to the rightful recipients without delay. “Proof of life on the biometric system is key to ensuring that the Fund pays benefits to the rightful beneficiaries and on time,”…

Niël Terblanché The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has strongly condemned what it describes as a systematic and orchestrated campaign of repression and victimisation targeting journalists in Namibia. The case of senior journalist Jemima Beukes has drawn widespread outrage, with FAJ labelling it as an assault on press freedom, labour rights, and gender equality in the media sector. Beukes, who serves as Secretary General of the Federation of Southern African Journalists (FeSAJ) and Acting Secretary General of the Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU), has built a reputation for her fearless investigative journalism and commitment to holding power to account. However,…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The Ministry of Health and Social Services has acknowledged the ongoing impact of malnutrition on women and children in Namibia. Executive director of the health ministry, Ben Nangombe said on Tuesday that the issue extends beyond the health sector. “The Ministry of Health is not entirely responsible for the provision of food to people. We are responsible for addressing the clinical aspects and the impact of lack of access to nutritious food,” Nangombe said. The ministry, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), is implementing interventions to prevent and manage moderate and…

Niël Terblanché The arrival of drought relief food in Nehale Lyampingana Constituency on Monday brought joy and relief to beneficiaries who were surprised to receive an extra 50kg bag of rice alongside their monthly drought food parcel. The unexpected addition to their food aid was part of a consignment of 27,200 bags of rice donated by the Chinese government to aid Namibia’s ongoing drought relief efforts. Two soldiers from the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), tasked with distributing drought relief food in the region, embarked on their journey at the start of the week, closely followed by a crew from the…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Botswana has rerouted traffic to Namibia due to severe flooding that has forced the closure of several border posts between Botswana and South Africa. The Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS) issued a warning on Tuesday, alerting the public to expect potential congestion at Namibian borders as a result. TKCS executive director, Leslie Mpofu urged motorists, particularly truck owners and drivers, to plan their routes carefully to avoid delays. The affected border posts include Stockpoort/Parr’s Halt, Makgobistad/Phitsane Molopo, Bray, Groblersbridge/Martins Drift, and Pontdrift. Traffic will now be diverted to Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) borders, such as Tlokweng/Kopfontein, Pioneer/Skilpadshek, and…

Allexer Namundjembo  Thirty-one residents of Rehoboth received title deeds on Monday as part of the town’s Alienation Program.  The initiative aims to address past land injustices and ensure fair land distribution. Rehoboth’s mayor, Justin Coetzee, said the occasion was more than just about improving services. He said it was a celebration of justice, dignity, and the fulfilment of a promise to those affected by past land dispossession.  "The 31 title deeds are not just documents; they represent justice and the restoration of land rights," he said. He credited Hardap governor Salomon April and the Rehoboth Town Council, particularly councillor Jacky…

Hertta-Maria Amutenya  The Supreme Court ruling on 28 February has brought an end to the Electoral Court case involving the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM).  The dispute stems from an extension of the voting period from the initially designated 27 November 2024 to 29 and 30 November 2024, as per Proclamation 34 of 2024 issued by President Nangolo Mbumba on the recommendation of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). Chief Justice Peter Shivute, while delivering the unanimous decision by a bench of Justices of the Supreme Court last week, ruled that the extension was…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Cabinet member and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, has questioned the government’s decision to increase fuel prices to subsidise employers in the fuel sector to pay minimum wages to their employees. Schlettwein, who is also a member of parliament, raised these concerns on his social media platforms on Monday. This follows an announcement by the Ministry of Mines and Energy last Friday that fuel prices would increase for March, effective 5 March. “Petrol and diesel prices are to be increased to fund road maintenance and minimum wages, we are told. The latter is a…

Niël Terblanché Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform urged the Trust Fund Committee of the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) to approve and support the implementation of the Zambezi Region Nature, People, and Climate (NPC) Investment Plan. The plan, aimed at tackling climate change, ecosystem degradation, and human activity impacts, was presented at the CIF Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) Trust Fund Committee meeting in Washington, USA last week. Schlettwein, who also serves as Chair of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Council of Ministers, stressed the plan’s significance, calling it a shared vision of sustainable development that aligns…