National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Nangolo Mbumba urged all eligible voters, especially the youth in the Omusati Region and nationwide, to register for the presidential and national assembly elections before the cutoff date of 1 August. Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Ehao Cultural Expo 2024 on Wednesday, Mbumba addressed issues affecting Namibia. “Exercise your democratic right and patriotic duty by voting for the party and presidential candidate of your choice, and thereby ensure that you enable Namibia to continue traversing the path towards further growth as a peaceful, stable, and prosperous country,” he said. Voter educators on…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Unity Democratic Organisation’s (NUDO) Secretary General, Joseph Kauandenge said he is still waiting on the party leadership to set a new date for the elective congress, which was called off a week ago. NUDO was set to elect new leaders during the weekend of 13 to 14 July but the party’s national executive committee called the congress off to avoid a physical brawl between attendees. Supporters of one aspiring candidate, Barry Rukoro, prevented the congress from moving forward after Rukoro's disqualification from the presidential race. According to Kauandenge, the national executive committee has not yet decided…

Niel Terblanché The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) is set to host the 9th Edition of its Annual Games in Grootfontein from 29 July to 04 August 2024. This year, the event is organized by the Namibian Air Force and will take place at the Lt Gen Dimo Hamaambo Garrison’s Sports Grounds and Omulunga Stadium under the theme “Forging Resilience Through Sport.” The primary goal of the NDF Annual Games is to enhance both the physical and mental fitness of the soldiers. It also serves as an important platform for showcasing the diverse skills and talents of NDF personnel, fostering a…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Congress of Democrats (CoD) is unable to hold an elective congress due to a lack of funds. This is despite the party preparing to participate in the November elections. On Tuesday, the party’s acting president, Vaino Amuthenu, told the Windhoek Observer that the party has not been active in local politics for years and is currently on a revival mission. "No, we will not have a congress. We don’t have money to organise a congress. We can’t even bring 50 people together to constitute a congress for a day. We are only focusing on campaigns for now,…

Stefanus Nashama The High Court of Namibia has postponed delivering judgment on the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN) decision to deregister the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to 8 August 2024. Arguments in the matter were heard on Tuesday. The NEFF, along with the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), were deregistered by the ECN last month after the parties failed to submit and publish financial statements as prescribed by the Electoral Act. Representing the state, Advocate Gerson |Narib argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction and competence in the NEFF's case against the ECN. Narib stated that the NEFF's challenge does…

Niël Terblanché In response to challenges faced during the ongoing mass registration campaign, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security urged all applicants who have received Confirmation of Birth letters instead of birth certificates to promptly submit these letters to the ministry's offices or the nearest constituency council offices. The ministry wants to expedite the issuance of official birth certificates and ensure the smooth processing of national identification documents. Etienne Maritz, the ministry’s executive director stressed the importance of complying with this request to ensure timely issuance of birth certificates. "Applicants are urged to comply with this request…

Martin Endjala The Daure Daman community in the Daures constituency in the Erongo region has threatened to go on strike until the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and the Daure Daman Traditional Authority (DATA) hear their concerns. They are calling for the removal of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority Chief Sagarias Seibeb after a community no-confidence vote and to end nepotism and self-enrichment, among other things. According to the group's spokesperson, Jimmy Areseb, their decision to go on a strike follows failed attempts last year when they handed in their petition to the Seibeb and again in May this…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) denied allegations by the Landless People's Movement (LPM) that it excluded Namibians who are in jail or in police custody across the nation from registering as voters for the November elections. This comes after LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa accused the electoral body of preventing incarcerated individuals from registering for voter cards. “This unfair and intentional exclusion of inmates is robbing these Namibians of their democratic rights, further dehumanising and excluding them from society. As a government, we must ensure that we do not harm the human rights of any Namibian. Inmates are…