National News

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has called for the implementation of the Namib Declaration on the United Nations (UN) Convention to combat desertification. The call was made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as she delivered her maiden speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Nandi-Ndaitwah asserted that this is crucial for achieving a world free from land-degradation. The declaration aims to reverse land degradation and to mitigate the impacts of drought.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said climate change continues to harm livelihoods and ecosystems.  “Climate change is scorching our lands and drying up our rivers. Global instability is…

Allexer Namundjembo The chief executive officer of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa), Kenneth Matomola, says favourable market conditions, lower interest rates, and moderate inflation helped push the value of the non-banking financial sector to N$474.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.  This figure represents growth of 14.3% compared to the previous year’s 4.2% decline. “Our regulated entities continue to demonstrate financial stability and resilience, underscoring the effectiveness of our oversight and operational efficiency initiatives,” Matomola said on Thursday at the launch of the 2025 annual report in Windhoek. The report shows that NAMFISA’s regulatory portfolio has expanded to…

Renthia Kaimbi Delegates at the eighth session of the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners have passed a resolution calling for urgent support and empowerment of the boy child, describing him as increasingly vulnerable and left behind. The session, held under the theme “Breaking Barriers”, addressed issues ranging from infrastructure to healthcare.  The resolution on the boy child, however, became one of the most pressing points of discussion.  It highlighted a shift toward recognising that rural youth face complex challenges that require a balanced approach. The chairperson of the National Council, Maria Mwala, said the gathering had “confronted the…

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Winnie Moongo has asked the minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Indileni Daniel, to explain how the Gambling Trust Fund is being monitored to ensure transparency and accountability.  The fund was created under section 25 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act of 2018 to reduce the social and economic effects of gambling. It is used to support rehabilitation programmes and public education. The Gambling Board of Namibia manages the fund in trust. In a notice of questions in parliament on Thursday, Moongo said that despite the objectives of the act, concerns remain…

Justicia Shipena  Former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune has allegedly resigned from the party. Sources within PDM claim Katjimune tendered his resignation this week, and that the party is withholding the confirmation.  His alleged departure follows a wave of recent resignations, including former shadow minister of education Charmaine Tjirare and former National Assembly members Yvette Araes, Esmeralda !Aebes, Vakamuina Kamutuezu and Shonena Nathaniel. Reports last week also suggested that Katjimune and PDM leader McHenry Venaani disagreed on the reasons behind the resignations. PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that he has not received…

Allexer Namundjembo Former Lüderitz mayor Philipus Balhao says he is considering contesting the upcoming regional and local authority elections after resigning from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and from his position as mayor this week. Balhao confirmed his intentions to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, a day after his resignation. “We have not made a conclusive decision yet, but I am working on a strategy. We are considering creating a ratepayers’ association with devoted citizens from an apolitical perspective. Right now, it is still just an idea, and we are putting more heads together. We haven’t made any firm…

Allexer Namundjembo A Usakos resident, Melvin Areseb, is suing the Namibian Police for N$3 million after claiming he was unlawfully arrested, assaulted, and abandoned by police officers. His lawyers, Sisa Namandje & Co. Inc., set out the allegations in a letter of demand dated 19 September 2025 to inspector general Joseph Shikongo. The letter states that in August, Areseb was taken from his home in Usakos by warrant officer Jonas Flai, Constable Raphael Kaundu, and Constable Willem Jantze.  “It is apparent that the members of the Namibian police arrived at our client’s residence at around 03:00 am, while our client…

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition members of parliament have questioned  the Ministry of Works and Transport over government spending on luxury vehicles and ballooning office rental costs.  They also raised concern about the absence of a complete asset register to track state properties and vehicles. On Wednesday, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader  McHenry Venaani criticized the procurement of luxury vehicles such as Toyota Prados while the country faces fiscal constraints.  In March, the ministry confirmed spending N$20 million to procure 20 Toyota Prados to supplement the vehicle fleet.  Earlier this month, it announced plans to auction 1 500 government vehicles that have…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Road safety activist Felix Tjozongoro says government neglect of safe pedestrian infrastructure is costing lives.  His comments follow the death of a 20-year-old man who was struck by a vehicle on the Western Bypass on Tuesday morning while attempting to cross the B1 highway at the bridge from Hakahana Service Station to China Town.  The man succumbed to his injuries instantly. Three passengers in the vehicle were injured.  The Windhoek City Police confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. The identity of the deceased has not been released, pending notification of his family. Tjozongoro said the tragedy…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Charcoal activities are suspected to have caused a wildfire that broke out in Etosha National Park this week.  The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) confirmed yesterday that the fire likely started with nearby charcoal production before spreading into the park. According to the ministry, the blaze began outside the park on Monday evening and moved into the south-western parts of Etosha, pushed by strong winds and dry vegetation. MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela said firefighting teams are struggling to contain the fire.  “Despite efforts, the blaze remains difficult to contain and is advancing rapidly in several directions,”…