National News

Martin Endjala The European Union (EU) has disbursed a N$42 million grant to four civil society organisations (CSOs) to advance the country’s development agenda. The funding is part of a strategic partnership aimed at fostering inclusive green growth, strengthening civil society participation, and addressing the country's economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The grants, awarded to the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation, Namibia Development Trust, Namibia Nature Foundation, and Deutsche Welle Academy, were the result of a competitive call for proposals launched by the EU delegation in 2024. “These promising projects will be funded under our bilateral programme with Namibia,…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) faced a bomb threat on January 14, disrupting operations and bringing airport security protocols under scrutiny. The incident occurred when a 66-year-old passenger on a departing flight claimed, "There could be a bomb on the aircraft, for all we know. Section 198 (2) C of the Civil Aviation Act states that acts contrary to public safety and order at an airport where a person who, while in an airport, and in a manner contrary to public order or safety at the airport - without justification makes an alarming statement, uses alarming words…

Niël Terblanché Namibia welcomed the United States of America’s decision to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and hailed it as a victory for justice and international diplomacy. President Nangolo Mbumba commended the announcement made by the Biden Administration on 14 January 2025, describing it as a long overdue step in the right direction. In a statement on Wednesday, Mbumba lauded the decision as one that aligns with Namibia’s consistent calls in international forums for Cuba’s removal from the contentious list. “I commend the US Government for having eventually taken the long overdue decision to remove…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is steadfast in its aim to achieve 70% of its energy supply from renewable sources by 2030. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, said this during the 15th Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly held from 11 to 13 January 2025 in Abu Dhabi. "Several key initiatives are nearing completion, and new projects will be launched in early 2025," he said while addressing the assembly. He stressed that Namibia is focused on harnessing solar, wind, and biomass resources to diversify the energy mix of the country. The minister also outlined Namibia's electrification…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe NamWater, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, has announced the resumption of irrigation water supply from the Hardap Dam. The decision was approved by Agriculture Minister Calle Schlettwein to support national priorities of agricultural productivity and economic stability in the Hardap region and will be implemented on 20 January. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata revealed the development on Wednesday, following a thorough assessment of the dam's water availability. The analysis determined that irrigation water can be supplied with a 20% demand reduction, allowing 80% of arable land to be irrigated until July while maintaining…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The country’s top performers in the National Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSCO) Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) levels are setting their sights on careers in medicine. Many of the high achievers expressed aspirations to study at the University of Namibia (UNAM) or abroad. The exam results were announced on Tuesday by the minister of education, arts and culture, Anna Nghipondoka. Trinity /Oxurus from Rukonga Vision School in Kavango East shared her passion for radiology and medicine. “I enjoy learning about the human body and that is why I want to study either radiology or medicine. I am mostly motivated…

Allexer Namundjembo Landless People’s Movement (LPM) national council affiliate, William Minnie and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Youth League secretary general, Julia Nekwaya have accused the National Youth Council (NYC) interim board of political bias after a High Court order barred them and other protesters from entering the council’s premises. The court order, issued on Monday evening, follows protests that began last week, culminating in NYC staff being forced out of their offices and the interim board being chased from its premises. The order prohibits Minnie, Nekwaya, third respondent Jafet Amakali, and unnamed protesters from disrupting NYC operations, locking premises, or…

Niël Terblanché The Inspector-General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has assured the public that the Namibian Police’s general crime-fighting and prevention efforts will be intensified this year to ensure the safety of all. “I would like to indicate that the 2025 crime prevention operations, traffic law enforcement, anti-poaching operations, and efforts against drug trafficking and dealings will be intensified,” he said. Shikongo said during a special briefing on Monday when he voiced serious concern over the increasing incidents of child exploitation through prostitution and the spread of child pornography. According to him the police and other law…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Employers in the fuel retail, security, and hospitality sectors have issued retrenchment notices and threatened to alter employees' benefits in response to the national minimum wage (NMW) implementation order. The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has described this as retaliatory actions by certain employers. The MUN’s general secretary, George Ampweya revealed that the union is aware of one such employer, Engen Swakopmund Truck Port. “The employer has informed employees about plans to remove the housing allowance of about N$1 400 to increase their wages to the minimum required level. Additionally, they have proposed removing the annual bonus, which…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Reinhold Shipwikineni has raised objections to the legal costs awarded against him after his case against Swapo and its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was struck off the court roll last October. The High Court in December ordered Shipwikineni to pay N$382 768 in legal costs, which included N$158 500 for lawyer fees and N$224 268 in disbursement fees. The court ordered Shipwikineni to pay the respondents' legal fees despite striking the case from the roll. Shipwikineni is now objecting to the legal cost award, stating it is unfair to hold him personally responsible for the costs, especially when…