National News

Justicia Shipena  The Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest (MN-CCF) in Kavango East has secured a price increase for Devil’s Claw, raising it from N$44 to N$50 per kilogram. The negotiation took place in mid-April with off-taker Ecoso Dynamics and the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) Project Management Unit. The new price includes N$2 per kilogram for Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism.  This ensures that communities benefit from the use of local genetic resources. “This is not just about money, it’s about dignity and long-term benefit,” said MN-CCF manager Max Muyemburuko. “For the first time, we feel that…

Justicia Shipena  Michelle Van Wyk, the director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN), has urged Namibians to unite in visually expressing their identity on international platforms.  She made this call at the launch of the Bank Windhoek Triennial on Tuesday.  Van Wyk emphasised the importance of using art to tell the world who Namibia is and who it is becoming. The launch event, held in Windhoek, marked the beginning of the sixth edition of the Triennial, which carries the theme "Namibian Identity: The Linework of a Country’s Contours and Wealth".  The competition invites artists to explore and portray…

Allexer Namundjebo Despite continued government support, youth empowerment projects face serious challenges in achieving sustainability. Olivia Hanghuwo, Chairperson of the National Council Standing committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, revealed this during a report presentation.  The findings follow oversight visits to youth projects in the Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, and Otjozondjupa regions between 15 and 28 September 2024. The visits focused on projects under the 121 Constituency Youth Enterprises and the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, as well as National Youth Service centres.  These efforts assessed the progress, effectiveness, and struggles of youth-focused programmes aimed at tackling unemployment…

Niël Terblanché The Roads Authority (RA) has started sending renewal reminders for vehicle licence discs and driving licences via SMS and email. This move replaces the printed notices previously delivered through NamPost. “Going forward, all renewal notices will be sent via cell phone messaging (SMS) and email. Clients are urged to visit their nearest NaTIS office to request renewal notices and provide their updated contact details. The process will be subject to verification and positive identification,” the RA said. The new digital system forms part of the RA’s shift to a paperless process. The goal is to improve communication and…

Niël Terblanché Municipal work crews in Walvis Bay are working to clear large sand drifts that have accumulated on the B2 Road at the town’s eastern entrance, following strong east winds that swept through large parts of the coast since the start of this week. The affected stretch, the lane lined with palm trees, has seen heaps of sand blown across the road, prompting a coordinated response by the Walvis Bay Municipality. Crews manning earth-moving equipment have been deployed to remove the sand, with traffic officers on-site to manage the flow of vehicles and ensure public safety. “Our teams have…

Allexer Namundjebo and Erasmus Shalihaxwe Politicians have supported the establishment of an independent body to investigate crimes committed by police officers and other law enforcement agencies.  They argue that the police cannot be trusted to investigate the offences of officers. Social activist Michael Amushelelo has reiterated his call for such an institution, emphasising the need for public involvement in selecting its leaders.  "For a very long time, I have called for the immediate establishment of an agency similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): We can call it the Namibia Bureau of Investigations," he said. He added that such…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Residents in Iitapa village and surrounding areas in the Okahao Constituency say government officials failed to act after being alerted to sewage being dumped near homes and communal farmland.  According to the Ekwawo Community Foundation, health inspectors confirmed the incident during a site visit, but no steps have since been taken to address the issue. The foundation said it reported the issue to the Waste Water Management office under the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Okahao.  This comes as the foundation has raised concerns over unsafe sewage disposal in villages under the Okahao Constituency.  The foundation…

Niël Terblanché Policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and development partners from across Africa have converged at Windhoek for the 19th International Conference on HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis, and Prevention Research in Resource-Limited Settings (INTEREST 2025).  The weeklong gathering aims to advance HIV treatment and prevention efforts in some of the continent’s most underserved communities. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said during the official opening of the event that Namibia is committed to combatting HIV and strengthening the country’s health systems. Ngurare commended both national and international efforts to curb the spread of HIV and added that the conference is another call to action that…