National News

Martin Endjala The United Democratic Front (UDF) branch has criticised the Omaruru Municipality for poor service delivery. This comes after the Omaruru Town Council announced a project to allocate 1 700 plots in extension 12 to build houses for middle- and ultra-low-income people. According to the branch chairperson, Eberth Gariseb, the residents have been demanding land for many years, but their calls have gone unanswered, and they are no longer content to sit around. “The planned 1 700 plots in extension 12 is a great thing, and we commend them for that. But we, as residents of the town, are…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Social commentator Ben Mulongeni said Namibians only own the country politically and geographically, but economically, the country is owned by white people. “Therefore, the white people are not interested in buying a country they already own,” he said. Mulongeni made these comments in an audio recording circulating on social media, in response to what he described as some politicians spreading misleading information during election campaigns. He mentioned that he has heard some politicians claim that certain political parties have leaders who, if they win the elections, will sell the country to white people and Western nations. “You can’t…

Ester Mbathera A lack of fish feed and other essential raw materials is among the challenges facing the aquaculture fisheries sector. The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sylvia Makgone, admitted this on Monday during a public update on the sector. She attributed the lack of feed to a shortage of mahangu and maize, which are key ingredients in fish feed production. Namibia does not produce soya beans, the cheapest ingredient. “We have a challenge with fish feed. No one in Namibia is producing fish feed, and the ministry on its own started producing, but the type of fish…

Ester Mbathera Martha Daniels, known as Nana, grew up in the Soweto residential area of Windhoek and has a passion for cooking. She is a single mother of four children who also owns Nana's Homemade Chilli Sauce. "My love for cooking began at a young age," Nana recalls. Over time, she started blending her own chilli sauces and incorporating them into her dishes. Despite not being a chilli eater herself, she enjoyed the aroma and flavour of her creations. For years, her close friends and family encouraged her to sell her chilli sauce, but she didn’t feel ready. “In 2020,…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Elma Dienda has raised various concerns in the recently introduced Property Practitioner's Bill. The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu proposed the bill to the National Assembly for further debate two weeks ago. The Bill Contains the Fidelity Fund Certificate, which aims to protect consumers against the theft of money entrusted to a property practitioner, among other proposed changes in the real estate industry. “This part of the bill also deals with the consequences of a property practitioner not having a Fidelity Fund Certificate. The bill also places an obligation on…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has reaffirmed that only original identification documents are acceptable for voter registration. This announcement follows an incident earlier this month where an individual attempted to register using a laminated copy of an identity document belonging to a Wagner Siegfried at the Lions Old Age Home registration point in Swakopmund. A video circulating on social media shows an official stating that fake identification documents were used at the time. “We have experienced a fake identity document. I have told my team to remove the laminated identity documents from the lamination. And soon after…

Martin Endjala Kadhila Amoomo, the lawyer for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), has announced that the party will challenge the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in court. This decision comes in response to the ECN's recent statement affirming its decision to deregister the NEFF. Last week, the ECN deregistered the NEFF for failing to submit its financial statements by the 10 May deadline, as required by Section 158. The ECN also cancelled the party's registration certificate. “We will now meet in court," said Amoomo. Last week, Amoomo demanded clarification from the ECN on its decision to deregister its client.…

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has urged the government to waive income taxes for electricity companies to lower electricity costs for consumers. This plea follows the Electoral Control Board's recent tariff increase from N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour, with further hikes anticipated. Hidipo Hamata, the party's secretary for information and publicity, expressed concerns about the tariff increases in a statement on Sunday, calling them "deeply troubling." “Namibian households are already grappling with economic hardship, exacerbated by inflation and a sluggish economy. Electricity is a fundamental necessity. The additional costs will be catastrophic for households already on the brink…