National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Youth-led businesses across the country have welcomed the extension of the Youth Development Fund (YDF) application deadline to 25 August 2025, saying it allows them more time to prepare proposals. The Windhoek West Constituency Office announced the extension last week, urging eligible youth to take advantage of the new date.  Submissions must be made by 17h00. The office said the decision aims to increase youth participation in the fund.  “We encourage all eligible youth to use this opportunity to submit their proposals so they can be considered for funding,” it said. Some applicants have faced challenges accessing information,…

Allexer Namundjebo Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has urged residents to cooperate with road contractors as construction projects begin in the region.  Speaking at a meeting in Oshakati on Tuesday, he said full collaboration is needed to avoid delays. “I am asking you all to cooperate. Please move your fences to give way to the contractors so they can do their jobs,” he said. Iipinge called on village headmen to help educate their communities about the project to prevent disruptions.  “We are in contact with the headmen. They must all educate their residents about the project. Failure to cooperate will result…

Hetta-Maria Amutenja  Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chief investigating officer Oberty Inambao told the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that part of the money allegedly linked to corrupt dealings at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) was used to settle a mortgage for former finance executive Jennifer Hamukwaya and her husband, Panduleni. The amount paid towards the mortgage was N$643,000. Testifying in the bail hearing of the accused in the high-profile fuel fraud case, Inambao said the funds were channelled through Panduleni Farming, an entity solely owned by Hamukwaya’s husband. “Gratification can actually be received indirectly. In this regard, we know…

Former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) chief, lieutenant general Solomon “Jesus” Hawala has died at the age of 89.  Hawala died on Monday in a northern Namibian hospital after a prolonged illness. Hawala was a veteran of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), Swapo's military wing, and is regarded as one of the founders of the NDF. He served as the NDF’s army commander from 1990, following Namibia’s independence, and became chief of the NDF in 2000.  He held the position until his retirement in October 2006, succeeding founding commander lieutenant general Dimo Hamaambo. In 2004, the late founding president…

Renthia Kaimbi  Local contractors in Walvis Bay have accused the municipality of bias and unfair practices in awarding pothole repair tenders. In letters dated June 2 and 5 2025, Kapepo Construction CC, Mweshiitya Trading CC, Shamrock Investment CC, and V Jay Construction CC said they were overlooked for five pothole repair contracts divided into lots.  They alleged the tenders went to four specific contractors without proper public advertising or consideration of established local firms. The contractors bypassed the municipality’s general manager of roads and building control, Theo Potgieter, and took their concerns directly to chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda.  They…

Allexer Namundjembo The minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi says the government will no longer construct gravel roads, with all future projects to be built to tarred ( bitumen) standard. He made the announcement on Monday at the official launch of the 58-kilometre Omuthiya–Elambo road in the Oshikoto Region, which was initially planned as a gravel road.  The Omuthiya–Elambo road will now be upgraded to tarred standard. Nekundi said gravel roads will no longer form part of the ministry’s construction strategy. “From today on, there will be no road that will be constructed as a gravel road. Even this…

Allexer Namundjembo Walvis Bay residents have rejected claimsby the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) that their recent public meeting with national leaders was politically motivated. The residents, led by Kobus Van Schakwyk, said it is their constitutional right to engage national leaders on issues affecting the town.. In a statement on Monday they responded  to IPC’s criticism of Saturday’s engagement between Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa and the community. The meeting was initiated by concerned residents who invited Shaningwa and deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn Mwases-Taeyele to discuss the town’s growing infrastructure problems, including poor waste management,…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The absence of a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy or policy is limiting Namibia’s ability to coordinate and govern AI development in a holistic and forward-looking way. This was the message from minister of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp during the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Methodology report on Monday. Her speech was delivered by deputy minister Dino Balloti. Steenkamp said the lack of a regulatory framework specific to AI increases the risk of unchecked technological experimentation, algorithmic bias, and harm to vulnerable populations. She highlighted digital divides in gender, geography, income, and…

Allexer Namundjembo A formal complaint has been lodged  against City of Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja.  She is accused of persistent unethical and disruptive conduct that allegedly undermines council unity and service delivery. In a recent letter to the city's chief executive officer, Moses Matyayi, former mayor and councillor Sade Gawanas expressed “great concern regarding the continued unethical and disruptive conduct” of Larandja.  She warned that her [Larandja’s] behaviour “severely undermines not only the effectiveness and professionalism of council proceedings but also the integrity and public trust vested in this institution.” Gawanas alleged that while Larandja presents a professional image in…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has threatened legal action against Swapo, accusing the ruling party of dictatorship and a power grab in Walvis Bay. The threat follows a meeting of the Walvis Bay business community on Saturday, led by Cobus van Schalkwyk, which called on the urban and rural development ministry to take over the town’s municipality.  The group asked the urban and rural development ministry to take over the town, saying the municipality is failing to manage it. The meeting was attended by Swapo party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, former fisheries minister Derek Klazen, and other…