National News

Niël Terblanché By adopting sustainable methods, Uganda hopes to learn from Namibia to balance the demand for charcoal with the imperative of environmental conservation, ensuring that the sector contributes to the country's economic development without compromising its natural resources. In a bid to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional charcoal production, the Ugandan government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has initiated the "Forest Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain in Uganda" project. As part of this endeavour, FAO Uganda and FAO Namibia have organised a five-day study visit to Namibia. According…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The current rate of rainfall across Namibia will continue at the same pace until March according to a forecast by the Namibia Meteorological Service. Beata Iipinge, a meteorological technician at the service, told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that their weather forecast conducted in late December indicates normal rainfall throughout January, February, and March. “The prediction shows normal rainfall for the entire country throughout those months, but things can still change depending on various factors affecting the weather,” said Iipinge. Namwater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said that the water level in major dams across the country keeps rising. This,…

Stefanus Nashama The Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) has called on the City of Windhoek (CoW) to take immediate action and relocate all residents in high-risk flood zones within the Katutura area. In a letter addressed to CoW's chief executive officer, Moses Matyayi, on Sunday, the committee spokesperson, Shaun Gariseb, urged for urgent consideration of relocating people who reside in flood-prone areas. Gariseb highlighted several areas at risk, including Namibia Primary School in Marula/Rykmansdorp, Soder Water in Shandumbala, the Herero location at the intersection of Mungunda and August Tjaapa streets, and the Eiland location. He stressed that many of the residents…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has reassured the public that the increase in acute respiratory infections caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the northern provinces of the People's Republic of China is not a cause for alarm. This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, in a statement on Wednesday. “The observed increase in cases of respiratory infections in China and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere is an expected phenomenon around this time of the year due to winter weather conditions,” Nangombe explained. Nangombe assured Namibians that the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has ordered the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Namibian Police (NAMPOL), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$1.3 million in settlements to the family of Joseph Kautjingu Ndondji. This follows a civil claim instituted after Ndondji (34) was shot and killed during a joint operation in Rundu on 3 March 2023. He was thought to be in possession of a pangolin skin. The settlement was finalised on 4 December 2024 and addresses the loss of support and emotional suffering endured by Ndondji’s parents and seven minor children.…

Allexer Namundjembo and Ester Mbathera Some parts of the country received good rains over the past few days, bringing much-needed relief but also posing challenges for communities. Some of the challenges include property damage and the disruption of people’s daily lives. Despite these short-term difficulties, experts and advocates have said this is an opportunity for the people to harness the water from rain for sustainable growth and development. Wayambekange Hamufenhu, a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate, explained the dual impact of the rain. “Water is one of the most precious natural resources, and despite the short-term destruction, it brings life,…

Ester Mbathera The process of doing cross-border payments across the Common Monetary Area (CMA) of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini has been described as cumbersome. The new cross-border payments came into effect in September last year, and all payment flows between these countries will be done via foreign exchange and will no longer be processed via electronic funds transfer rails. This is despite these countries’ currencies being pegged to the South African rand. Financial sector expert Adrianus Vugs argued sending money to the CMA has proven to be almost impossible since. “If we have a CMA, why are we…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has raised concerns about misleading advertisements for health products, including aloe vera juice, that claim to cure ailments such as ulcers, gastritis, and acidity. However, the lack of specific regulations governing such advertisements in Namibia has left a gap in consumer protection. The health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe expressed alarm over the unverified claims made by health product advertisers. "If consumers are not well-informed, such claims can mislead them and potentially harm public health," he said. He acknowledged that Namibia currently lacks regulations specifically addressing the advertising of health…

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has adjusted the boundaries of Rehoboth’s local authority area, incorporating several portions of land from the Khomas Region. Minister Erastus Uutoni announced the when it was published in a government gazette No. 8520. “I give notice that I have altered the boundaries of the local authority area of Rehoboth by adding—(a) Portion 14, a portion of Portion 2 of Portion A, of the Farm Dordabis No. 98 situated in Registration Division 'K', Khomas Region, represented by the Cadastral Diagram No. A252/67," said Uutoni. The minister also listed more parts that are…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A forensic report into the fatal accident that led to the death of Romario Tony Pienaar, which involved a Sea Pride Foods truck, has revealed issues with the heavy vehicle’s braking system. The incident, which occurred on 14 November 2024 at the intersection of Robert Mugabe Avenue and Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Street in Windhoek, resulted in the death of the motorcyclist. According to the report, the truck’s service braking system was found to be inefficient, requiring multiple pumps on the brake pedal to stop the moving vehicle. The investigation also found that previous maintenance checks had overlooked…