National News

Niël Terblanché In a solemn assembly with the diplomatic corps in Windhoek, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed profound gratitude for the global solidarity and support following the passing of President Hage Geingob. She told the assembly that the nation is collectively navigating through this period of profound sorrow, bolstered by the comforting messages of condolences from around the world. Vice President Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined the protocol surrounding the arrangements for the state funeral of President Geingob and reminded the diplomats of the seamless transition of leadership to Dr Nangolo Mbumba, who was sworn in as the fourth President of the Republic…

Niël Terblanché In an effort to enhance agriculture in Namibia, a delegation of 31 agricultural extension staff and management from Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) embarked on a fruitful study excursion to Malawi. The mission, which took place from January 27 to February 4, 2024, was spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) country offices in Namibia and Malawi. This initiative marks an essential step in the ongoing project “Emergency response to mitigate multiple shocks and enhance resilient livelihoods in Namibia,” funded by the Government of Japan.The delegation, comprising Chief Agricultural…

Niël Terblanché In a concerning trend that exploits the hopes of many unemployed youths, scammers have employed social media platforms to disseminate deceptive information. In this regard, the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service has issued a stern warning to young people to remain vigilant against scammers masquerading as ministry officials. These deceitful actors have reportedly been soliciting banking details from unsuspecting victims under the guise of offering assistance related to the Youth Development Grant for the 2024/2025 period. In the latest incident, scammers provide a link on social media platforms that features an image of Minister Agnes Tjongarero…

Niël Terblanché The Erongo Region is set to pay tribute to the late President Hage Geingob with a series of memorial events. The plans were announced by Governor Neville Andre and he said that the events are designed to honour the President’s legacy and contributions. Andre said the programme will span over the next week and a half, culminating in a regional memorial service. He outlined a variety of activities intended to celebrate President Geingob’s life and achievements. Billboards featuring the President’s image and messages will be erected at key locations throughout the region, including the entrances to Omaruru, Karibib,…

Martin Endjala The long wait for the Regional and Constituency, Development (RCDF) Fund bill is now over after it was finally tabled in the National Assembly by Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni this week. The bill aims to address the financial constraints of regional constituencies and provide much-needed funding for various projects. The bill has long been on the cards of the National Council with many members of parliament expressing a unanimous agreement that regional and local authorities need additional funds to carry out various projects. During his motivation in tabling the bill, Uutoni said that if passed,…

Martin Endjala The youth leader of the Landless People's Movement, Duminga Ndala while paying tribute to President Hage Geingob, described him as a leader who served the nation and the international community, selflessly. "The LPM Youth Command Element joins the Namibian nation and the rest of the world in mourning the death of a leader of note who selflessly served the Namibian nation and the international community. The late President will always be remembered for appreciating the skills and talents of young people. This is evident in the number of young people he groomed and appointed in strategic positions,” she…

Niël Terblanché Namibia's education system is under scrutiny following a report that highlights a series of challenges leading to an alarming 85% failure rate among learners in 2023. The report, issued by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT, and Youth Development alongside the National Council, sheds light on the dire situation of overcrowded classrooms, slow adoption of a revised curriculum, and overworked teachers as primary factors contributing to the high failure rates witnessed among Grade 11 and Grade 12 students. The investigation was initiated in response to public outcry over the dismal academic performance of students who sat…

Niël Terblanché Namibia stands at a critical juncture and actions taken to improve the education standard could very well shape the future of many young people and at the same ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT, and Youth Development presented a comprehensive report to the National Council, shedding light on the pressing issue of the high failure rates among learners at the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) and Advance Subsidiary (NSSCAS) levels for the year 2022 in an effort to improve…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In an outreach program undertaken by the National Council led by Victoria Kauma, the delegation discovered a pressing concern regarding the lack of school halls in numerous educational facilities across Oshana, Omusati and Kunene regions. According to the committee’s report, this infrastructure gap has far-reaching implications, affecting the quality of education and overall experiences for learners in these areas. The outreach program aimed to engage with learners and youth, shedding light on the challenges faced by communities following significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kauma, reflecting on the findings, expressed concern over the absence of school halls…