National News

Niël Terblanché In a groundbreaking move that signifies the growing international cooperation in renewable energy, the German government has extended a letter of intent to Enertag, supporting Hyphen Hydrogen Energy's ambitious green hydrogen project in Namibia. The initiative, valued at US$10 billion, is poised to set a new precedent for strategic foreign undertakings, receiving targeted support from Germany, a nation at the forefront of the green hydrogen revolution. Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, a Namibian-based renewable energy firm, has been awarded preferred-bidder status for the development of a vast 4,000 square kilometre green hydrogen project within the Tsau ||Khaeb National Park, near…

Stefanus Nashama The Secretary for Information and Publicity and Member of Parliament of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Hidipo Hamata, said the ruling party, has for years been hijacking Independence Day which is supposed to be a national day for all Namibians regardless of their political affiliation. Hamata stated that the Swapo Party does this every year for their political gain which betrays the spirit of inclusivity and national unity that Independence Day represents. “Independence Day is a cherished occasion for all Namibians to come together in unity and celebration of our nationhood. “It is a time when people from…

Martin Endjala The Development Bank of Namibia is leveraging development partnerships with other development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is a critical enabler of DBN's strategy. This follows a meeting that took place in Windhoek between the two banks last week. The meeting was part of the consultation mission to Namibia, by the AfDB Executive Director of Southern Africa Group II Constituency, Dr João Ngimbi to Namibia. The DBN’s Chief Executive Officer, John Steytler, said that the bank’s strategy for the next five years has been submitted to the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises…

Stefanus Nashama The government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development yesterday launched the construction of 113 houses in Extension 4 of Goreangab in Windhoek. The houses will range from two-bedroom, one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, NHE and Windhoek Municipality are collaborating to bring the project to fruition. Speaking at the launch event, the Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele said the project aims to eliminate shacks in informal settlements in the country. According to her, the program has delivered a total of 694 affordable houses to residents of Windhoek…

Martin Endjla The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) celebrated the decentralization of services and enhanced accessibility during the official opening of its new regional office in Outapi. Edwin Tjiramba, the GIPF’s General Manager of Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement, stressed the importance of this expansion and reiterated the GIPF’s commitment to decentralization and bringing services nearer to the populace. With the GIPF now present at 11 regional and four satellite offices, the institution aims to meet and exceed the expectations of its members, many of whom are far from Windhoek. Tjiramba said the development aligns with the GIPF's strategic vision of…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU), has threatened to reveal a list of the names of all media companies where journalists are being economically exploited and harassed if nothing is done to immediately improve the working conditions of staff. Raising the matter last week, NAMPU’s Acting Secretary-General, Jemima Beukes, said the organisation has received several complaints from journalists not being paid on time while others have been made to work without any contracts or meaningful employment agreements. This, she said has become a norm within various media houses across Namibia. “NAMPU is deeply concerned about increasing incidents of…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Three members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) were apprehended on Friday, within the confines of Mangetti National Park. The arrests followed after park officials saw the perpetrators climbing over a fence during a routine anti-poaching patrol and fence inspection. The three soldiers were arrested while attempting to claim over the Mangetti Park's boundary fence into the Mururani location, bearing bags laden with dried game meat ranging from Eland, Kudu and Wildebeest. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, said the arrested soldiers lacked the necessary permit for such activities, which confirmed suspicions of illicit poaching.…

Stefanus Nashama Heavy rainfall has reportedly caused a lot of damage to the shacks of people living in the informal settlements of the capital city. Heavy rain accompanied by storing wind and loud thunder were observed in Windhoek on Saturday night. The rain, according to some residents, started at around 20:00 and lasted for several hours into the evening. Many people believe this was the heaviest rain since the rainy season started last year in November. Some residents woke up on Sunday morning only to be faced with the destruction that they immediately had to repair in order to ensure…

Niël Terblanché In the wake of Friday’s horrific terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow, which left at least 133 people dead and over 140 injured, international leaders, including Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, have come forward to condemn the violence and extend their condolences to the victims and the people of Russia. The brutal massacre, occurring at the packed Crocus City Hall during a performance by the veteran band Picnic, has been described as the deadliest attack in Russia for nearly two decades. President Mbumba expressed his profound sympathies to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the bereaved families, and the…