National News

Niël Terblanché In a decision aimed at addressing income inequality and improving the standard of living for its citizens, Namibia's Cabinet has approved the country’s first national minimum wage, set to take effect on 1 January 2025. The wage order, which was published in the government gazette on 7 August, establishes a national minimum wage of N$18 per hour for all private-sector employees. According to the latest decisions taken by Cabinet, the new minimum wage is part of a broader effort by the Namibian government to alleviate poverty and ensure that workers receive fair compensation. The initiative is particularly focused…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The recent Afrobarometer survey, which predicted the outcome of the November Presidential and National Assembly elections, has faced criticism for its "hogwash" results as more Namibians question its legitimacy. The survey, conducted in March and April of this year, was released last week and suggests that Swapo's presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will win the November polls with 50.8% of the votes. Landless People's Movement leader, Bernadus Swartbooi is projected to take second place with 5.6% of the votes. According to the survey, the Popular Democratic Movement candidate, McHenry Venaani, will be in third place in the race with…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Julia Nekwaya, a journalist who previously worked for The Namibian newspaper and Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), has switched to politics. She was elected as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Youth League secretary-general over the weekend. She replaces Bensen Katjirijova, whose term has ended. After her election, pictures of Nekwaya in Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) regalia started circulating on social media. She confirmed that she was part of the AR before the movement became a political party. “It is a ploy to invalidate my candidature by one of the candidates who also contested for the position during the elections. Yes,…

Martin Endjala The High Court has ordered the Swapo party and presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to respond on or before 30 August to an application challenging Swapo for failing to host an extraordinary congress following President Hage Geingob's death. Judge Kobus Miller is presiding over the matter brought by Reinhold Ngihepavali Shipwikineni, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute and Aina Kalimba Angula. The five Swapo members argue that the decision to postpone the extraordinary congress to April 2025 was a violation of the party constitution. “The first respondent (Swapo) shall file their answering affidavit and counter the…

Niël Terblanché Importers, exporters, and the general public in Namibia have been advised to ensure that they conduct business with clearing agents who are in possession of valid licenses for 2024 to avoid any operational disruptions. This advice followed after the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) announced the suspension of licenses for clearing agents who have not renewed their licenses for the year 2024. According to the notice issued by the spokesperson of NamRa, Tonateni Shidhudhu, the suspension, that came into effect on Wednesday was performed in accordance with Item 835.00 of Schedule 8 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1998…