National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has urged the government to set up a state-owned factory to manufacture boots and shoes. He says this will help meet local demand and cut down on imports. In a submission to the Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation last month, Amupanda said Namibia spends hundreds of millions of dollars importing over five million pairs of shoes each year.  He pointed out that sectors such as mining, police, defence, and private security need boots and shoes regularly. “If each worker in these sectors is supplied with two pairs of boots annually, there is already…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Lüderitz Crayfish Festival is facing tensions behind the scenes as the Crayfish Festival Trust is accusing the Lüderitz Town Council of withholding vital fishing quota funds. The Trust claims this has disrupted the festival’s preparations and operations. The 18th edition of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival began on Tuesday and will run until Monday, 5 May. The event, under the theme “Safeguarding our Ocean Riches”, celebrates the town's maritime culture and features seafood dishes. But the Crayfish Festival Trust and the Town Council are at odds over financial matters, with both sides accusing the other of failing in…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Chief Executive Officer of Daures Green Hydrogen Village (DGHV), Jerome Namaseb, says it is too early to assess revenue generation from the fertiliser production at the village. Namaseb stated that the project has not yet reached that stage. Namaseb made the statement during a media visit to the facility this week. He announced that the village, located in the Daures Constituency in the Erongo Region, is set to produce its first fertiliser by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The project, supported by a N$220 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research…

Ester Mbathera  Chinese-owned lithium mining giant Xinfeng Investments has won a Supreme Court battle confirming its ownership stake in Orange River Exploration Mining CC after a disputed cancellation of company records. The matter was heard on 12 March, and judgment was delivered on Wednesday by a panel consisting of Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Acting Justice of Appeal Rita Makarau, and Acting Justice of Appeal Dave Smuts. Justice Makarau wrote the judgment, with Shivute and Smuts concurring. The case stems from an April 2022 agreement where Peter Shifwaku, who owned 100% of the mining company, sold 85% of his interest to…

Niël Terblanché An investigation has been launched following reports of an alleged attempted kidnapping of a learner from Moses Garoeb Primary School in Windhoek earlier this week. The Namibian Police confirmed that the Gender-Based Violence Unit’s social workers are interviewing the learner in the presence of her mother. “The Police had to act, given the current situation of learners raped and killed in Okahandja, because we cannot overlook nor ignore such posts of threats to peace and security disruption,” said Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Police’s public relations division. According to the learner, while walking from Havana to…

Allexer Namundjembo Nursing graduates are raising concerns over the high exam fees set by the Nursing Council, with many saying the N$2,000-plus cost is an unfair barrier to entering the workforce.  Former lawmaker Hidipo Hamata condemned the charges, calling them unjust and harmful to the country’s health system.  “How can unemployed graduates, most of whom still depend on their struggling parents, be expected to afford such exorbitant fees? It is completely wrong and unfair! These are the same nurses we desperately need in our hospitals and clinics, yet we are blocking them with expensive, unnecessary barriers,” Hamata said.  He added…

Ester Mbathera  Protests broke out across the country on Tuesday as communities, especially children, voiced fear and frustration over their safety. The protests followed the murder of three young girls in Okahandja. In Okahandja, residents filled the streets demanding justice. The killings of young girls have shaken the town, once known as the garden town. The peaceful march was joined by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Balloti, Swapo member of parliament Fenny Tutjavi, and LPM member of parliament Utaara Mootu. The leaders stood in solidarity with protestors and called for urgent action to protect…

Allexer Namundjembo Following reports from traditional leaders in Ekungira, Epupa Constituency, that ongoing mining activities are illegal, community members have reached an agreement with mining companies to contribute to local development. This was revealed in a report by the Ombudsman, conducted after some traditional authorities complained that mining was taking place without their consent. The agreement includes conditions that the mining companies drill a borehole for the community, assist with a community garden, contribute to a community fund, and establish a school garden project. Media Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, in a report presented yesterday, stated that a complaint was lodged with…

Niël Terblanché Water rationing in Walvis Bay will continue until 30 June 2025, following an extension announced by the Municipality of Walvis Bay. The extension adds 31 days to the initial measures, which were due to end today.  The decision follows ongoing electricity supply problems affecting the Rooi Bank and Dorop South aquifer systems, which are key to the town’s water supply. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the utility advised the municipality to maintain water rationing to avoid complete depletion of reservoir levels. Voltage drops and ageing infrastructure continue to limit water extraction from the boreholes. Daily water supply interruptions…