National News

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba reiterated Namibia’s commitment to global cooperation, economic development, and conflict resolution, as he addressed members of the diplomatic corps at the annual New Year’s greetings event at State House in Windhoek on Friday. In his address to the diplomatic corps, the President reflected on the trials faced in the past year, while expressing optimism for Namibia’s future, particularly in light of the upcoming transition to a new head of state. “The year 2024 was marked by significant challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of President Hage Geingob. Despite our grief, Namibia ensured a smooth transfer of…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has reinforced its commitment to digital transformation with the introduction of new electronic signature regulations and accreditation of security products and services regulations. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement hosted by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) in Windhoek on Friday, the executive director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology,  Audrin Mathe, said the regulations are a vital element in building a secure and inclusive digital economy. “The Electronic Transactions Act (No. 4 of 2019) forms the foundation of our digital economy. It provides legal recognition for electronic communications and transactions, ensuring they…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund mayor, Blasius Goraseb, delivered his maiden address at the first town council meeting of 2025 on Thursday, pledging to lead with transparency, inclusivity, and a steadfast commitment to service delivery. “It is an honour to stand before you today as the Mayor of Swakopmund. I extend my sincere gratitude to my fellow councillors for placing their confidence in me. I also wish to express my appreciation to my predecessor, Dina Namubes, whose leadership saw notable progress in economic development, infrastructure, and community engagement,” he said. In his address, Goraseb pointed out key initiatives undertaken by the council…

Mallex Shipanga  Telecom Namibia (TN) and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) have partnered to develop smart housing, following an agreement signed on 28 January. The partnership combines TN’s expertise in information technology and telecommunications with NHE’s experience in providing housing solutions. It aims to create employment opportunities, drive economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for Namibians. “Telecom Namibia is thrilled to embark on this journey with NHE. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of a digitally connected Namibia. Together, we can create innovative solutions that address the nation’s housing challenges while fostering vibrant, tech-enabled housing,” said…

Martin Endjala The town of Rundu, the capital of the Kavango East region, which is derived from its vernacular name, Ruuntu, meaning a place of many people, has for many years struggled to sustain city status.  This is despite it being the second-largest urban settlement after Windhoek. According to the 2023 census report, Rundu is Namibia’s second-largest urban area, with 118 632 inhabitants after Windhoek with 486 301 residents. By law, Rundu has already met the criteria for city status, as cities are governed by municipalities, while towns fall under town councils. Rundu Rural Constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu believes the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Richard Metcalfe the legal representative of Reinhold Shipwikineni, who is contesting the legality of Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's candidature in the November 2024 presidential elections, has withdrawn from the case for the second time.  The withdrawal was submitted to the High Court on Thursday.  Shipwikineni said he and his co-applicants were not consulted about the withdrawal. “I saw it. It’s the second time. He didn’t even consult us. He just withdrew. At this moment, we will see what we can do. We want the High Court to finalise the case,” Shipwikineni said. Despite Metcalfe's withdrawal, Shipwikineni maintains…

Stefanus Nashama The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) has called for a drastic reduction in registration fees at all tertiary education institutions across the country.  The student body has proposed that the cost be lowered to N$3 000 or less, citing concerns over the affordability of current fees, which are seen as particularly burdensome for vulnerable and needy students. In a statement released on Thursday, SUN’s president, Shikesho Natangwe, emphasized the urgent need to make higher education more accessible.  "We recommend that registration fees for all universities in Namibia be lowered to below N$3 000. Additionally, we demand that all…

Niël Terblanché More than a week after the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources announced a N$10 000 reward for information regarding the deliberate killing of Cape Cormorants near Henties Bay, no leads have emerged. The ministry's spokesperson, Uaripi Katjiukua, confirmed on Thursday that not a single member of the public has come forward with vital information. "We are, however, confident that some information will be forthcoming and that we will be able to initiate a criminal investigation soon," she said. The incident, which occurred on 17 January at Canopy in Dorob National Park, involved a driver in a four-wheel-drive…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), is considering a six-month pilot project aimed at optimising the retail water supply process. The initiative was unveiled at a stakeholder engagement session in Ondangwa on Wednesday and seeks to modernise Namibia’s water distribution system using smart technologies to address longstanding inefficiencies. During the discussions, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia, stressed the necessity of the project, citing persistent challenges in the sector. "Water supply in north-western Namibia has evolved significantly, but challenges such as non-payment, inefficient billing, and infrastructure constraints…