National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has dismissed reports suggesting that European tourists are cancelling their trips to Namibia due to a malfunctioning e-visa portal. In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz expressed concern over what he described as misleading information published by The Namibian. “The Ministry would like to refute this claim, as the e-visa for visa-on-arrival has not yet been launched,” Maritz said. He stated that a comprehensive communication regarding the new visa regime was shared well in advance with all affected countries, giving stakeholders, including tourists and…

Moses Magadza  As the motorcade bearing the casket of the late Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, Sam Nujoma, rolled down Sam Nujoma Drive early morning on Thursday, 20 February, a poignant moment unfolded. Nine-year-old Gcina Gaeyo Masuku, a young Motswana born and living in Namibia, stood with his fist clenched in silent reverence, then raised his hand in a solemn wave—a child’s pure and heartfelt tribute to a towering figure in history. Watching the hearse disappear into the distance, he turned to his mother and asked with innocent longing, “Mom, I waved at Dr. Nujoma. Did he wave back…

Stefanus Nashama  Journalists from different media houses in the Oshana region were initially barred from entering Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport in Ondangwa on Thursday while covering the arrival of the late founding president Sam Nujoma’s body. They claimed Police officers and members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) only allowed reporters from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on the tarmac. Hellen Andreas, a reporter from Shipi FM, described a heated exchange with the police. "I had to push hard to go into the airport. I did not surrender because I was doing it for the listeners and followers of…

Hetta-Maria Amutenja Former health ministers have credited Founding President Sam Nujoma for shaping Namibia’s healthcare system.  They said he played a key role in strengthening healthcare services across the country. Former health minister Richard Kamwi said Nujoma played a role in expanding access to healthcare, especially in rural areas.  “At the time I was working with Dr Libertina Amathila. President Nojoma educated us to be with the people out there in the rural areas, not here in the city. We must go out and see the challenges that ordinary Namibians like my grandmother, my uneducated aunt, and so many of…

Niël Terblanché Namibia has taken a courageous step in reforming its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector with the inauguration of a task force dedicated to transforming state-owned Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) into fully-fledged TVET colleges. The initiative, launched on Thursday by Itah Kandjii-Murangi, the minister of higher education, technology and innovation, aims to bridge the qualification gap in the country’s vocational education system and align training programmes with evolving labour market demands. Kandjii-Murangi stressed the significance of this transformation in tackling structural unemployment and fostering economic growth. “Transformation and classification of TVET in Namibia stand central in…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Currently, 949 businesses in Windhoek are operating without a valid certificate of fitness or registration, according to the City of Windhoek Municipality (CoW). The City Police’s spokesperson, Marcelline Murapo said fines have been issued to bars, mechanic's workshops, and restaurants in Otjomuise, Wanaheda, Ausspannplatz, the city centre, Rocky Crest, and Olympia. “We identify them during routine inspections and when complaints are brought to our attention either by public members or the business registration section of the City of Windhoek,” she said. The fines were for offences including conducting a business without a certificate, operating a business without a…

Niël Terblanché The government has commenced the distribution of a substantial rice donation from China in a determined effort to alleviate the severe hunger crisis precipitated by the current unprecedented drought. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) began dispatching the consignment to the Oshikoto region on Monday, aiming to reach 27 000 registered households under the drought relief programme. The Chinese government donated 27 200 bags of rice which arrived by sea at the port of Walvis Bay earlier this week. The OPM said in a social media post that the intervention responds to the acute food insecurity affecting…

Ester Mbathera  Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab urged lawmakers to support the Ombudsman Bill, arguing that it will strengthen the office’s independence and improve governance.  She said this during her motivation for the Ombudsman Bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday. According to her, the bill aligns with international standards and ensures the Ombudsman operates without political influence. "The bill now before this house seeks to give effect to these reforms and ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman operates with the independence and authority required to effectively fulfil its mandate," Dausab said.  She said the proposed changes will give the…

Allexer Namundjembo Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi's submission on Rule Amendment Five, which limits pension benefits for young MPs, was criticised by the Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) member of parliament, Hidipo Hamata. Hamata called it discriminatory against those under the age of 55 or those who served less than five years. In his questions to Shiimi in parliament on Tuesday, Hamata expressed concern that young parliamentarians, who did not serve a full term, would not be treated equally, solely because of their age. ‘’When will you address the concerns raised by the current pension structure and ensure that younger Members of…

Niël Terblanché The Hydrological Services of Namibia have issued urgent recommendations for infrastructure repairs following severe flooding in Windhoek since the start of the year.  A comprehensive hydrological assessment conducted on 13 February by a team led by Fillemon Shatipamba identified several areas of concern across the capital city. The assessment revealed significant structural damage and safety hazards at multiple water crossing points. At the Gammams Bridge near the Gammams Service Station, high water flows had swept side rails into the stream, and debris on the road surface indicated that water had overflowed the road, reaching an estimated height of…