National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has warned that damaging or destroying Namibian currency is a criminal offence that can result in jail time or a heavy fine. The warning follows a viral social media video showing the newly launched N$5 coin destroyed.  In a statement issued on Saturday, BoN said damaging or defacing legal tender is illegal under section 80(3)(a) of the Bank of Namibia Act and is punishable by a fine of up to N$50 000 or imprisonment of up to three years. “The currency must be treated with care. It is not only a medium of…

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has opened a 14-day public comment period on three new spectrum licence applications.  The applications were submitted by the International University of Management (IUM), Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The announcement was made in a recent government gazette issued on 3 October 2025.  Cran chief executive officer Emilia Nghikembua said the process is part of promoting transparency and public participation in the allocation of spectrum licences. “These notices are published in accordance with regulation 4(7) of the regulations prescribing procedures regarding application for, amendment, renewal, transfer…

Justicia Shipena  The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has recorded losses of N$65 million over the past three years.  It lost N$20.9 million in 2023, N$18.5 million in 2024, and N$25.6 million in 2025. Auditor general Junias Kandjeke revealed the latest loss in his latest audit report on the NaCC for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. Despite the repeated shortfalls, the commission maintains that it remains financially stable.  “The commissioners believe that the commission has adequate financial resources through the grant allocation to continue in operation for the foreseeable future,” the report stated. Despite these losses, Kandjeke said NaCC…

Justicia Shipena Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel says the recent fire in Etosha National Park was no accident and was started by someone. “Fire doesn’t just emerge from nowhere. Somebody has started it, and I’m sure if he has got his right mind, he can feel the same and the damage that he has caused, not only to Etosha National Park, but to the whole Namibian nation,” she said on Thursday during a press conference at the ministry's offices.  She stressed that Etosha is Namibia’s flagship park, adding that to have it destroyed like that, and definitely by someone,…

Justicia  The government is engaging in bilateral discussions to secure and expand access to international beef markets, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told farmers in the Omaheke Region this week.  She said the efforts aim to help commercial farmers increase earnings from cattle farming while improving living standards for Namibians. “The government is deeply aware of the various challenges faced by the farmers. These challenges include diseases affecting cattle, the devastating impact of drought on livestock survival, persistent water scarcity, the scourge of cattle theft, and the ongoing need for improved market access,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah reassured farmers about the measures already…

Moses Magadza  Participants at a capacity-building workshop underway in Johannesburg have warned that worsening climate shocks are undermining healthcare systems across Southern Africa, with women, adolescents, and vulnerable groups bearing the brunt. The SADC Parliamentary Forum, supported by Sweden, convened the workshop that began on Monday, focusing on strengthening evidence-based policymaking in parliament by integrating the connections between climate change, health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).  Through interactive group discussions, delegates examined how droughts, floods, and heatwaves are disrupting SRHR service delivery and reviewed the extent to which national climate frameworks integrate health, gender, and SRHR. Their…