National News

Niël Terblanché The search for a new Chief Executive Officer for the Outjo Municipality is set to start afresh following directives from Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development. The minister’s decision comes in the wake of serious allegations pointing to irregularities and a purportedly flawed interview process that marred last year’s recruitment efforts. The controversy unfolded after Mahne Kruger, a candidate for the CEO position, raised concerns with the Ombudsman over what was described as unfair recruitment practices at the municipality. These allegations prompted a closer examination of the selection process, culminating in the minister's intervention. Outjo…

Stefanus Nashama Maximalliant Katjimune, a Member of Parliament of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has announced that he will be presenting a motion to merge the National Youth Council (NYC) with the National Youth Service (NYS) to the National Assembly next month. He has also declared that on the same day, he will ask the assembly to refer the motion to the relevant Parliamentary Standing Committee for further scrutiny and report its results back to the National Assembly. Katjimune expressed his reasons for re-tabling the motion, stating that the recent developments and infighting at the NYC have caused him to…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform held a National Validation Workshop on March 26, 2024, to discuss the final draft of the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP) and its Implementation Action Plan (IAP), alongside the Revised Drought Management Policy and StrategyIn in an effort to revitalize Namibia’s agricultural sector. The workshop saw the gathering of a broad spectrum of agriculture stakeholders such as government officials, farmers' representatives, industry leaders, and development partners. All stakeholders converged to enrich the proposed investment plan with their insights. The Executive Director of the Ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, opened the workshop with…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba emphasized the multifaceted partnership between Namibia and the European Union (EU) that transcends mere resource exchange during a courtesy visit by Ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins to State House. The cornerstone of this growing alliance is a comprehensive agreement, signed in 2022 by the late President Hage Geingob and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to develop a strategic hydrogen roadmap. The meeting between President Mbumba and Ambassador Martins reiterated the deepening relationship of the partnership. The relationship is anchored in mutual commitment to sustainable development and green energy and is seen as a testament…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), has announced that the Namibian economy continued to stride in a positive direction, posting a growth of 4.2 percent in 2023 relative to a growth of 5.3 percent recorded in 2022. The growth rate indicates the pace at which the economy is expanding and serves as a barometer of economic activity. The NSA’s Statistician-General and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Shimuafeni, announced yesterday that in nominal terms, the size of the economy was estimated at N$227.8 billion during the reporting period relative to N$205.5 billion recorded in 2022. This shows a moderate expansion of…

Stefanus Nashama The African National Congress (ANC), which governs South Africa, has lost a legal battle to prevent a newly formed party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma, from participating in the general election in May this year. The party in question is called uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), named after the now-defunct armed branch of the ANC. This development is expected to impact ANC's support, given Zuma's endorsement of the MK party. According to a report by the BBC yesterday, the electoral court dismissed the ANC's claim that the MK party did not meet the official registration requirements. Supporters of…

Niël Terblanché The recent induction of new members into the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) marks a key moment in Africa's ongoing battle against war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The orientation program not only introduced the members to the council's extensive mandate, powers, and functions but also reinforced the continent's resolve to silence the guns and ensure collective security. Established two decades ago, the PSC has emerged as the cornerstone of Africa's efforts to maintain peace and security across the continent. Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, emphasized the council's significant…