National News

Niël Terblanché In light of recent unsettling developments in the Middle East, the Namibian government has voiced deep concern over the potential for escalating conflict in the region, which could have broader global repercussions. Dr Peya Mushelenga, Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, stressed the importance of restraint and diplomatic engagement to avoid further destabilization. Mushelenga highlighted the series of attacks, counterattacks, and threats of reprisals that have marred the region, noting these actions are detrimental to the pursuit of peace - a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter and upheld by its members. "Such aggressive actions are…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Police officers in Terrace Bay are sometimes unable to patrol along the sea due to a fuel shortage in the town, which can last for a week. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration revealed this in its report on the oversight visits to the Skeleton Coast in Erongo and Kunene regions. The report stated that the police barracks where officers are accommodated had broken windows due to strong winds and a dilapidated roof. There is a lack of hot water, and officials are forced to use cold water despite the weather conditions in the town being…

Niël Terblanché In order to significantly boost healthcare services in Otjiwarongo, a new N$6 million clinic will soon rise in the Ombili informal settlement. This project, generously funded by B2Gold Namibia, aims to upgrade the existing health post centre to a full-service clinic. The announcement was made during a ground-breaking ceremony where Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Health and Social Services Ministry, highlighted the benefits of the new facility. According to Nangombe, the Ombili Clinic will alleviate the existing pressures faced by the Otjiwarongo Hospital and the Orwetoveni Clinic. “Additionally, it will reduce the travel distance for residents…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Grootfontein Constituency Councillor, Elder Filipe, who is also a Member of the National Council, said he has witnessed deliberate attempts to keep vacancies within certain organisations open for years by those trusted to govern and manage public institutions. Filipe was speaking in the National Council yesterday while contributing to the Fiscal Budget debate. He stressed that sometimes it takes more than five years to employ personnel like cleaners and labourers to serve in public institutions. He added that this is an unrealistic trend. “It’s time to conduct an audit of public institutions such as Local Authorities to ascertain…

Hertta- Maria Amutenja Africure Pharmaceuticals Namibia's attempt to contest the Central Procurement Board of Namibia's (CPBN) decision on the supply of antiretroviral medication to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, has hit a wall after the Windhoek High Court delivered a blow to its legal challenge. Africure is owned by businessman Shapwa Kanyama. In the most recent ruling, High Court Judge Orben Sibeya, dismissed Africure's urgent application, marking the failure of its attempt to halt the implementation of procurement contracts with successful bidders while seeking a review of the CPBN's selection process. Acting judge Kobus Miller, in a judgement…

Martin Endjala Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), says at present, Namibia’s natural resource industries such as the mining sector have a very low number of links to local industries. “For example, the just-ended Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) acknowledged this challenge and further provided for deliberate interventions to deepen local industry participation along the mining sector supply chains”. These were the sentiments expressed by NCCI President, Bisey Uirab on Tuesday at the Namibia Local Content Conference (NLCC) of the Oil and Gas industry held in Lüderitz. He said the conference is held against the background of the emerging…