National News

Niël Terblanché Engine failure was the most likely cause of the tragic aircraft crash that occurred in Windhoek late on Friday afternoon. Three people, Rozanne De Beer-Olivier (33), a pilot who joined Westair in 2017, Ruan van Schalkwyk (24), a pilot who joined Westair in 2023, and Andre-Armand Lubbe (25), an engineer who joined Westair in 2019, were in the Cessna 406 when it crashed into the yard of a house in Rieckmann Street in the Pionierspark neighbourhood at approximately 17:10. Preliminary investigations indicated that the pilot, who was test-flying the aircraft that belongs to Westair Aviation in Windhoek after…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Council has reassigned Tousy Namiseb as secretary, effective 1 May until 30 April 2029. His reappointment was done by the National Council chairperson, Lukas Muha, on Thursday. Namiseb has been part of the National Council since 2 May 2019. That term ended on 30 April. The National Council issued a statement stating that Namiseb's extensive legal and parliamentary knowledge, along with his consistently exceptional administrative and professional skills supported by his academic and professional qualifications, led to his re-appointment. Muha has expressed confidence in Namiseb, highlighting his strong team-player character and ability to provide valuable advice…

Niël Terblanché Yvonne Dausab, the Minister of Justice, called for a united effort to promote sustainable business practices, emphasising the importance of inclusive economic growth in the burgeoning sectors of green hydrogen, oil, and gas. Dausab, who spoke on behalf of Lucia Iipumbu, the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, at the official opening of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival Business Conference, pointed to significant opportunities emerging in Lüderitz and the immediate surrounding areas. She stressed the need for a deliberate approach to developing a renewed entrepreneurial culture that prioritises sustainability. "The conference serves as a crucial platform for exploring avenues for…

Niël Terblanché The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) as the umbrella organisation for all workers’ unions in the country has thrown all their weight behind Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the workers’ presidential candidate for Swapo. The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) announced its endorsement during the celebration of Workers’ Day in Rundu on Wednesday. Job Muniaro, the NUNW’s secretary general said that he made the announcement because the leadership of all unions mandated him to do so. “We feel strongly that Nandi-Ndaitwah will be the workers’ president as well as their leader,” he said. Muniario added that Nandi-Ndaitwah is…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) is facing pushback for its decision to issue a concession tender for the management of one of Namibia’s major tourist attractions, the Sandwich Harbour area south of Walvis Bay. A coalition of tour guides has launched a petition in which they voice their discontent and challenge the ministry's decision to put the concession for the area on tender. The group asserts that the tender process could potentially monopolise access to the area, disadvantaging smaller tour companies and contradicting the ethos of freedom and enterprise championed by leaders in the fight…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Social activist and member of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Michael Amushelelo, said when it comes to addressing workers' sufferings, only his party responds, while other political parties do nothing but watch from a distance. He accused other parties of only remembering workers’ sufferings during the election years. Amushelelo was responding to comments made by Independent Patriots for Change's (IPC) Rudolf Kahingunga of the party's Department of Employment Affairs on Thursday. “Most political parties sit back and relax. When workers are asking for assistance, there is only one political party that responds, and that is NEFF. Now…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) activist, Nicodemus Auxumub, also known as Mama Africa, claims that the private member bill that Swapo backbencher Jerry Ekandjo introduced in the National Assembly last year is inciting violence against their members. Mama Africa said this on Thursday after the body of Christof Fredricks (30), was found in a riverbed near Chairman Mao Zendong School in Ganzi Street, Otjimuise. According to City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo, the body was found with multiple stab wounds, and the private parts were removed. The activists said the bill is putting the lives of…

Niël Terblanché Wentzel Maasdorp, the man suspected of murdering the 40-year-old Angelique Delia Maasdorp in her flat before stealing her car last week, made his first appearance before a Windhoek magistrate. During the court proceedings, Maasdorp was informed that he is charged with one count of murder that will be read with the Domestic Violence Act as well as a count of theft of motor vehicle. Delia Maasdorp’s body was discovered in the lounge of her home in the Eucalyptus Apartment Complex late on Sunday by investigators of the Namibian Police. The officers also found several bloodstains on one of…

Martin Endjala The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), says unchecked market dominance could impede competition, stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. CRAN chief executive officer, Emilia Nghikembua, said this during a public discussion on the impact of market dominance on various aspects of the telecom industry. The discussion was held in Windhoek recently. "Market dominance isn't just a theoretical concern; its real-world consequences can be felt by consumers through restricted choices, higher prices, and lower service quality. By actively monitoring and regulating market dynamics. Nghikembua added that CRAN is addressing these issues, with the aim of fostering a more…

Niël Terblanché In an exciting development for Namibia's agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and other partners, launched the Bernafay Farm Integrated Food System Project. The initiative was inaugurated on 30 April by Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the executive director of MAWLR, at the Bernafay Resettlement Farm just outside Stampriet in the Hardap Region. The project, which represents a significant investment of nearly N$1.4 million, aims to revitalize local agriculture through the development of an orchard with over 200 fruit trees, alongside expansions into horticulture and lucerne production. “This…