National News

Allexer Namundjebo  Student leaders are unhappy about hostel evictions at the University of Namibia (Unam).  The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) and the National African Students Association (Nasa) have objected to Unam's reported plan to evict students from hostels during exams.  The move reportedly aims to create space for renovations ahead of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games.  Namibia is set to host the 11th edition of the AUSC Youth Games in Windhoek and Swakopmund from 4 to 13 July.  The games were initially scheduled to be held in Mozambique, but after their withdrawal, Namibia stepped…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The government has submitted documents detailing how it appointed a new principal for Windhoek High School.  This follows claims by the school board that the ministry of education ignored proper procedures and left the board out of key parts of the hiring process. In court papers filed at the Windhoek High Court, the school board, led by chairperson Tertius Stears, is asking the court to set aside the appointment of Teofilus Nuugulu.  His appointment was set to begin on 6 May 2025. The board argues the process was not transparent and failed to follow the Basic Education Act…

Allexer Namundjebo  The Sam Nujoma Foundation has confirmed its support for the annual Olufuko Cultural Festival, pledging to continue the legacy of its late patron, founding president Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.  At a fundraising gala dinner for the festival’s 11th edition on Saturday, the Foundation’s deputy chairperson, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, said the Foundation will keep backing the cultural heritage and values promoted by the late president.  “This year’s edition marks the first Olufuko Festival held without its most ardent patron, but the Foundation will steadfastly support the cultural objectives he tirelessly advocated,” Iivula-Ithana said. She highlighted Dr Nujoma’s belief that cultural…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Starting from July 2026, Namibians will be able to use electronic identity cards (e-ID). This comes as the ministry of home affairs recently announced plans to launch the first e-ID system in July 2026.  In April of this year, the home affairs minister, Lucia Iipumbu first unveiled the plan that the country is transitioning to a digital identity system.  The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, said the e-ID will transform identity management and improve access to public and private services in Namibia. According to the ministry, this initiative aligns with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) model governance…

Niël Terblanché Nearly N$750,000 was raised during a fundraising gala dinner on Saturday at the Ondangwa Trade Fair Centre.  The event aimed to support the 12th Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, scheduled from 27 June to 5 July 2025.  The theme for this year’s exhibition is “Building Resilient Industries Through Innovation and Smart Partnerships”. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare opened the pledge with a N$5 000 donation. Contributions followed from corporate entities, government institutions, and private individuals, bringing the total to N$740 600. Ngurare told attendees that exhibitions like the one in Ondangwa play a key role in national development.  “The…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) announced a planned water supply shutdown in parts of the Oshikoto region from midnight on Monday until midnight on Tuesday.  NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the shutdown will affect all distribution pipelines connected to the Onembenge 2nd Tower. “This means that all communities supplied by the Omulingi-Okakodhi-Ontana rural pipeline network, including all associated sub-branch lines, will be impacted,” he said.  Ndamanomhata explained that the interruption is needed to upgrade the distribution network and remove bottleneck fittings at the tower. “These essential works are part of NamWater’s efforts to improve flow efficiency and enhance…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Swapo party leader said there is no bad blood between her and the party’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa.  Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks at a press conference held at the Swapo party headquarters on Thursday, responding to reports suggesting a rift between her and Shaningwa.  She dismissed the allegations as unfounded and damaging, calling for unity ahead of upcoming elections. The reports, which circulated widely in the media and on social media, claimed that Nandi-Ndaitwah and Shaningwa no longer shared a working relationship or political vision.  The reports suggested a lack of alignment between…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Politicians and lawmakers have criticised the health ministry's plans to introduce artificial intelligence ambulance services, saying the focus should be on solving current problems, like medicine shortages. Former PDM member of parliament Maximilliant Katjimune called on health minister Esperance Luvindao to first deal with the shortage of medicines at public health facilities before thinking about smart ambulances. Katjimune's comments come after Luvindao’s statement this week when she unveiled a fleet of 36 new ambulances.  Luvindao had announced that there are plans to upgrade emergency care with 5G-powered, AI-supported ambulances. “The ministry will soon start looking at the possibility…