National News

Niël Terblanché The persistent drought in the Omaheke region has left farmers in desperate conditions, with sporadic rainfall failing to sustain agriculture and livestock. Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform visited the region last week at the invitation of Governor Pijoo Nganate to assess the situation and explore possible interventions. In a series of video clips published by the agriculture ministry, Schlettwein described the conditions as dire, confirming that rainfall patterns have been erratic, with some areas receiving as little as 40 millimetres of rain—barely enough to make a difference. “Regarding the drought situation, we can…

Allexer Namundjembo  Kavango West Regional Chairperson and Tondoro Constituency Councillor urged the government to improve school infrastructure. Sikongo Joseph, made this call last week during a visit to Tondoro Combined School. He criticised the use of corrugated iron structures as classrooms, highlighting the challenges faced by both learners and teachers due to extreme heat. “The structures are designed with only one window, and by 11:00 AM, the heat in those classrooms is unbearable unless the learners are sent home by then. Thirty-four years after independence, the government has still not provided quality learning infrastructure, including well-built classrooms to accommodate students,”…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba reiterated Namibia’s commitment to global cooperation, economic development, and conflict resolution, as he addressed members of the diplomatic corps at the annual New Year’s greetings event at State House in Windhoek on Friday. In his address to the diplomatic corps, the President reflected on the trials faced in the past year, while expressing optimism for Namibia’s future, particularly in light of the upcoming transition to a new head of state. “The year 2024 was marked by significant challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of President Hage Geingob. Despite our grief, Namibia ensured a smooth transfer of…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has reinforced its commitment to digital transformation with the introduction of new electronic signature regulations and accreditation of security products and services regulations. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement hosted by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) in Windhoek on Friday, the executive director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology,  Audrin Mathe, said the regulations are a vital element in building a secure and inclusive digital economy. “The Electronic Transactions Act (No. 4 of 2019) forms the foundation of our digital economy. It provides legal recognition for electronic communications and transactions, ensuring they…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund mayor, Blasius Goraseb, delivered his maiden address at the first town council meeting of 2025 on Thursday, pledging to lead with transparency, inclusivity, and a steadfast commitment to service delivery. “It is an honour to stand before you today as the Mayor of Swakopmund. I extend my sincere gratitude to my fellow councillors for placing their confidence in me. I also wish to express my appreciation to my predecessor, Dina Namubes, whose leadership saw notable progress in economic development, infrastructure, and community engagement,” he said. In his address, Goraseb pointed out key initiatives undertaken by the council…

Mallex Shipanga  Telecom Namibia (TN) and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) have partnered to develop smart housing, following an agreement signed on 28 January. The partnership combines TN’s expertise in information technology and telecommunications with NHE’s experience in providing housing solutions. It aims to create employment opportunities, drive economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for Namibians. “Telecom Namibia is thrilled to embark on this journey with NHE. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of a digitally connected Namibia. Together, we can create innovative solutions that address the nation’s housing challenges while fostering vibrant, tech-enabled housing,” said…

Martin Endjala The town of Rundu, the capital of the Kavango East region, which is derived from its vernacular name, Ruuntu, meaning a place of many people, has for many years struggled to sustain city status.  This is despite it being the second-largest urban settlement after Windhoek. According to the 2023 census report, Rundu is Namibia’s second-largest urban area, with 118 632 inhabitants after Windhoek with 486 301 residents. By law, Rundu has already met the criteria for city status, as cities are governed by municipalities, while towns fall under town councils. Rundu Rural Constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu believes the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Richard Metcalfe the legal representative of Reinhold Shipwikineni, who is contesting the legality of Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's candidature in the November 2024 presidential elections, has withdrawn from the case for the second time.  The withdrawal was submitted to the High Court on Thursday.  Shipwikineni said he and his co-applicants were not consulted about the withdrawal. “I saw it. It’s the second time. He didn’t even consult us. He just withdrew. At this moment, we will see what we can do. We want the High Court to finalise the case,” Shipwikineni said. Despite Metcalfe's withdrawal, Shipwikineni maintains…