National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Office of the Prime Minister has urged regional councils to continuously update drought relief beneficiary lists to ensure that only eligible individuals receive aid. The Executive Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, I-Ben Nashandi, stressed the importance of regularly identifying new beneficiaries and updating the current list to reflect those who meet the criteria. He said that some individuals registered since 2022 may no longer be eligible due to changes in their circumstances, such as relocating or finding employment. "A lot of people don’t know the true meaning of the drought programme. It is a…

Niël Terblanché Despite its critical role, the pharmaceutical sector in Namibia faces numerous challenges, including limited resources, a lack of local manufacturing capacity, medication shortages, and the need for better integration of pharmacy services into the broader healthcare system. The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Ester Muinjangue, said this during the launch of the Annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum on Wednesday. “Despite these challenges, there are numerous examples of innovative solutions and best practices that we can learn from and adapt to our context,” she said. The Annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum serves as a platform for addressing…

Martin Endjala A former diplomatic representative of Namibia, Ambassador Pius Dunaiski urged the government to exercise caution when accepting financial support from countries outside Africa, as this could compromise the country’s ability to remain independent. Dunaiski said this on Wednesday during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer when asked about the possible implications of accepting financial support for the country's policy-making processes. The National Planning Commission (NPC), in a notice, invited the government, and other interested parties to provide input to the draft of the new Government-Civil Society Partnership and Engagement Policy. The notice was published in local newspapers…

Niël Terblanché PowerCom has announced a series of measures to enhance connectivity and bridge the digital divide across Namibia. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Beatus Amadhila, highlighted these initiatives at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new network tower in Ikumwe village, located in the Zambezi Region. Amadhila outlined PowerCom’s plans to roll out network towers nationwide, reflecting the company’s commitment to ensuring that all Namibians, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, have access to reliable, high-speed internet. “This initiative represents our dedication to bridging the digital divide and bringing every individual into the digital fold,” Amadhila said. PowerCom has…

Niël Terblanché The Heroes' Day commemoration preparatory committee met on Monday to discuss and plan for this year's event, which will take place in Omuthiya. The committee, under the leadership of Oshikoto Regional Governor Penda Ya Ndakolo, is focused on organising a memorable event to honour Namibia's heroes and heroines. Heroes Day, celebrated annually on 26 August, is a national holiday in Namibia that commemorates the country's struggle for independence and honours those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. The day marks the start of the armed struggle against the South African occupation in 1966 when members of the South…

Niël Terblanché The secretary to the Cabinet, George Simataa, has issued a call to action, highlighting significant challenges in public service delivery within the country's institutions of higher education. In a statement, Simataa said that these challenges require collaborative efforts from all Namibians, not just the institutions themselves. Simataa addressed concerns about the quality and appropriateness of courses offered by various higher education institutions. He stressed that resolving these issues demands a collective approach, involving all stakeholders in the education sector. Simataa's response follows a public debate regarding the roles and course offerings of the International University of Management (IUM)…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The United Democratic Front’s (UDF) spokesperson, Mabasen Narib said if the party gets the chance to govern Namibia, education will be free of charge from pre-primary up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level in the country. Narib said this during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday while explaining the party’s plans for the November elections. He said Namibians should trust the UDF with their votes because it will govern through the principles of social democracy. "The needs of the nation will be prioritised and not left in the hands of the monopoly capitalists. This includes…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The digital transformation of the education system is progressing, although, not without challenges. Oshigambo Secondary School Principal Pinehas Ekongo highlighted several issues faced by schools, including poor internet connectivity and the need for teacher training. “Our school initiated digital learning several years ago. In fact, almost 70 percent of our students have laptops at school, and that led to bad internet connectivity. We had to consult with MTC due to the high cost of internet access. Another thing is teaching and training. Some of the teachers lack the skills to use digital tools. So we also have to…