National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) convened a senior leadership retreat in Okahandja to review and align the strategic objectives of the ministry and its public entities, with a focus on leveraging ICT to address pressing national issues. The event brought together the ministry's executives and public enterprise board leaders. In her opening address, ICT Minister Emma Theofelus stressed the importance of devising effective strategies to alleviate unemployment, poverty, and the high cost of living through the digital economy. "Over the next few days, our discussions should focus on how our industry can contribute to alleviating…

Moses Magadza The National Assembly of Namibia is dedicated to creating a resilient and prosperous society, knowing that the country’s future depends on today's decisions. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, said this when he addressed a two-day regional workshop on fostering sustainable futures, which was held from 9 to 10 July in Windhoek. The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) partnered with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) to convene a regional workshop on "Fostering Sustainable Futures: Integrating Climate Resilience in Southern Africa." Katjavivi told the workshop that climate resilience is…

Niël Terblanché The sixth session of Namibia’s Children's Parliament will convene on Friday at the National Assembly and will focus on finding solutions to the educational challenges faced by Namibian children. The session, which starts today, and themed "Transforming Education in Namibia," aims to tackle critical post-COVID-19 issues such as school dropouts and learner pregnancies. Over 60 learners from Namibia's 14 regions are expected to participate in the week-long session. Before being sworn in for two years the young parliamentarians will undergo an intensive induction programme. They will then break into standing committees to discuss and address pressing educational issues.…

Stefanus Nashama The executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, said no Namibian should pay bribes to obtain medical care at the state’s healthcare facilities. He also said the government policy does not require the elderly, persons with disabilities, and veterans of the liberation struggle to pay anything for the health services they receive. “All health services provided by the ministry are free of charge, save for a once-off token payment of N$4 for those with the means to pay at a clinic. No individual is turned away or refused services even if they are…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni has tabled amendments to Section 77 of the Electoral Act of 2014, which will allow public servants to be nominated and accept nominations as candidates for the National Assembly election without having to resign from their employment. Previously, Article 47 of the Electoral Act required public servants nominated for the National Assembly elections to resign from their jobs. The Law Reform and Development Commission was tasked with reviewing the Act, producing a report, and making recommendations to Parliament. This week, Uutoni presented a motion to consider the amendments as a…

Martin Endjala A few metres away from the Outapi District Hospital in the Omusati region, a family waiting for medical help for their sick child, is battling the elements while sleeping under a thorn tree. Helena Maitjavi and her nine-year-old daughter, Tivasha, have been camping in a tiny green tent under a thorn tree while they await the laboratory results. "Tivasha has been coughing for a while, but they took samples of her saliva and told us to come back next week. "We don't have money to go up and down,” said Helena. They travelled from Oshifo near Ruacana to…

Niël Terblanché The joint civil-military community sensitisation campaign between Namibia and Botswana aimed at addressing critical issues such as illegal fishing, border crossings, poaching, and the smuggling of firearms, drugs, and illicit goods has commenced in the Zambezi region. Launched in June in both countries, the campaign began on Impalila Island on the Namibian side of the border. The initiative focuses on human-wildlife conflict, cattle rustling, and the protection of resources, with residents from Impalila Island and the nearby Kasika Island actively participating in the first community sensitisation meeting. During the meeting where the campaign was launched, several issues affecting…

Martin Endjala The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, said concerning motor vehicle accidents, that the number of fatalities in proportion to the number of crashes has reduced by 4% from 18% in 2019. According to the report presented at the 9th Annual Road Safety Conference on Wednesday in Ongwediva, there has been a 30% decrease in fatalities, from 609 in 2019 to 423 in 2023. “As a nation and as stakeholders in this subsector, we need to measure and improve where necessary. I'm emphasising this in line with the theme adopted for this year's conference, which speaks to…