National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The parliamentary standing committee on gender equality, social development and family affairs stated that the abortion bill is still in progress. Despite three petitions submitted to the National Assembly in 2020, advocating for reforms to the Abortion and Sterilisation Act No 2 of 1975, definitive action is yet to be taken. The committee chairperson, Gotthard Kasuto, stated that the bill's finalisation is pending, and consultations are scheduled for next week. “The abortion bill is not yet finalised. The committee will meet next week to discuss the bill's completion. We are only left with consultations with the tertiary institutions…

Martin Endjala City of Windhoek (CoW) deputy mayor, Joseph Uapingene, said the city will stick with RedForce to collect its debts, despite calls from the Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) to abolish the plan. He said this on 22 April during a media briefing at the council chamber to address concerns raised by the KRC in a petition submitted last year and a letter dated 8 April, among other things. Uapingene said RedForce has proven more sustainable in collecting debts for the municipality than the previous system, which yielded no results. “It is imperative to note that the decision to appoint…

Niël Terblanché The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is intensifying its efforts to enable the Namibian government to better detect and manage outbreaks of contagious bovine pleuro-pneumonia (CBPP) in Namibia, The FAO in an announcement on its website over the weekend stated that the initiative to bolster animal health in the country is part of the agency’s broader strategy to support agricultural sustainability and disease resilience in the southern African region. CBPP, a severe respiratory disease affecting cattle, was recently identified in the Ncamangoro and Musese Constituencies of Kavango West. According to the FAO, local farmers reported symptoms…

Martin Endjala With the current drought conditions, the national cereal production of white maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and wheat for 2024, is estimated to be 72,150 tons representing a 53 percent decrease from last season’s harvest of 153,012 tons. According to the 2024 report of the Agro Business Information Services Unit of the Directorate of Planning and Business Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MWALR), this consists of 36,419 tons of white maize, 15,867 tons of pearl millet, 1,469 tons of sorghum, and 18,394 tons of wheat. The report indicates that major crop-producing regions will have…

Niël Terblanché The National Planning Commission (NPC) has recently completed nationwide consultations to identify key areas for improvement. This is as the country transitions from its fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) to the formulation of NDP6. The NPC's chief national development advisor, Sylvester Mbangu said during a consultation session with the Khomas Regional Council last week that these consultations have highlighted various critical issues such as poor-quality roads, inadequate health facilities, and limited educational resources. He added that underdeveloped sports and water facilities, particularly impacting high-density areas and contributing to a rising housing backlog were also highlighted. NDP5, which spanned…

Ester Mbathera Outjo municipality sold erven to the residents for N$4,500 as part of the formalisation of the informal settlements. This was confirmed by the town's acting chief executive officer Jaco Labuschagne to this publication on Friday. Last week, the first 900 residents were shown their erven. “We are still planning for 2,000 but the first 900 have been marked and distributed,” he said. Labuschagne further explained that the services for the new landowners will be done on a prepayment basis. “This will include rates and taxes, sewage and water. They erven will cost N$4,500 and the resident can pay…

Martin Endjala National Assembly member, Marina Kandumbu says there is danger in politicising education as this can lead to a decline in academic performance. Kandumbu said this during her contribution to a motion on education last week in the National Assembly. “This can have a long-lasting consequence for our future citizens, who will be ill-equipped to participate in the democratic process and governance. The politicisation of education is a dangerous trend that can have serious negative consequences for society,” she said. She advised political parties to create a neutral environment without attachment to politics when discussing the challenges facing the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Johanna Kapolo, the mother of the missing 20-year-old Namibian student, Faith Enkali, has expressed hope for the safe return of her son. Enkali, who is a student at the Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD), was last seen leaving his student accommodation on Malleson Street in Mowbray in the early hours of Monday, 15 April. Reports indicate that he did not inform his housemates of his plans before his disappearance. "I'm praying for my son Faith's safe return. We hope for him to be found soon," said Kapolo. The Head of CTCFD, Gregg Maragelis, stated that the…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) is advocating for strict measures and methods to trace rental vehicles. This is according to a report released by NamPol’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, last week. “The car hire industry is being targeted, and therefore, the police want to encourage stringent measures and methods when transacting vehicle hire,” she said. Shikwambi said the police statistics revealed that most reported vehicle thefts occurred in retail areas. “Theft of motor vehicles, especially at rental places, is increasing because our statistics at the motor vehicle theft unit reveal that most reported vehicles are stolen from…