National News

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition councillors in the Outapi Town Council say they were excluded from a meeting held on Tuesday in Windhoek between council representatives and the management of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.  The councillor said the meeting was with the minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa, along with deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele.  The meeting also included the ministry’s executive directors, Wilhelmine Shivute and Petrus Sikongo Sindimba. According to the council’s official Facebook page, a delegation led by Outapi mayor Victorina Neingo attended the engagement.  The delegation included councillor Gerson Dumeni, chairperson of the management committee,…

Allexer Namundjebo  Rejection of Namibia’s proposals on rhino horn trade at the 20th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) effectively communicates that even countries with proven conservation records will not be supported.  This was the message from the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), which has criticised the outcomes of the conference which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. CITES rejected Namibia's proposals last week to lift the ban on the international trade in black and white rhino horns.  The conference adopted the voting results on Thursday. NAPHA's president, Hannes du Plessis, said the decisions…

Allexer Namundjembo The United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth League and Oshikuku community activists are calling for accountability and better service delivery from newly elected regional and local authority councillors.  Both say communities expect leaders to prioritise basic services, transparency and public welfare. UDF Youth League secretary Reinold #Goseb urged councillors to focus on clean water, proper roads, electricity, healthcare and education.  He said political theatrics should not overshadow service delivery and reminded office bearers that public institutions must work in the interest of citizens. #Goseb also questioned how public resources are managed, especially in the awarding of tenders and the…

Renthia Kaimbi The Capricorn Foundation is investing in strengthening school leadership through a renewed partnership with the African Leadership Institute (ALI). A N$480 000 donation will fund a two-year certificate in transformational leadership for a second cohort of 29 school principals and senior school leaders. The foundation made the same contribution in 2024, supporting 19 principals and department heads who have since completed the programme.  To date, the foundation has invested N$960 000 to train 48 school leaders. Marlize Horn,  The executive director of the Capricorn Foundation said leadership development is a key part of their education focus.  “The Capricorn…

Renthia Kaimbi NamWater and Swakop Uranium have signed a Joint Venture Agreement to establish the Erongo Sunam Desalination Project Joint Venture.  The agreement was concluded on Tuesday following negotiations aimed at strengthening the country's long-term water security. The public-private partnership will develop a major seawater desalination plant in the Erongo region.  The partners said the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement is a major step toward strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors to deliver essential water infrastructure. The initiative responds to growing pressure on freshwater resources in the arid region.  Erongo hosts major mining operations, growing industries and…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Police Force (Nampol) in the Erongo region has launched the 2025/2026 festive season roadblock at the Swakopmund checkpoint.  The operation runs from 9 December 2025 to 16 January 2026 under the theme “Do the Right Thing and Save Lives.” The launch outlined the policing strategies for the busy holiday period.  Erongo police regional commander, commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, said the roadblocks mark the start of intensified efforts to protect all roads as the region prepares for heavy travel.  “This launch marks the beginning of intensive efforts to safeguard all roads as the region prepares to receive thousands…

Justicia Shipena  The Supreme Court says the property on which Oshoto Pension Hotel operates was never for northern businessman and husband to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Onesmus “Tona” Amadhila, to claim.  The court ruled on Thursday that any rights to the land belonged to a close corporation (CC) and not to Amadhila.  The ruling ends his attempt to undo the 2017 transfer of the erf to the son of his former business partner.  The dispute dates back to an oral agreement Amadhila said he made with Tobias Mundjele in 2007.  He said they agreed that erf 1784, extension…

Renthia Kaimbi Seven newly appointed ambassadors have been tasked with securing the investments needed to advance the country's Vision 2030 targets in the remaining four years.  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told them on Monday that their deployment is strategic and that their performance will be measured by clear gains in national development. The envoys are former Ohangwena governor Walde Natangwe Ndevashiya to Nigeria, former presidential press secretary Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari to Belgium, deputy auditor general Goms Menette to Zambia, agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata to Ghana, former Swakopmund mayor Rosina //Hoabes to Japan, former member of parliament Weich Murcle Uapendura…

Justicia Shipena  Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) project officer Verna Tjivera has resigned after accusing senior management of sexual harassment, bullying and forcing her into constructive dismissal.  In a letter dated 1 December 2025, seen by the Windhoek Observer and written by her lawyer Richard Metcalfe to acting chief executive officer Edward Shivute of WBCG, Tjivera detailed her allegations.  She said she faced sexual harassment and “disgusting chauvinistic behaviour” from former CEO Hippy Tjivikua and logistics manager Gilbert Boois, creating an “odious toxic environment” that made it impossible for her to work. Tjivera said she first raised a formal grievance…