National News

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has been downgraded from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country, according to the World Bank’s latest income classification update released this week. Namibia is the only country whose classification moved downward in the 2024 update.  The downgrade follows changes in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which the World Bank uses to group countries into four categories, low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income.  Every year on July 1, the World Bank makes these updates using the previous year's GNI data and the Atlas method, which smooths exchange rate fluctuations. The World Bank said Namibia’s GNI per capita…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality says it will take firm action against shebeen and bar owners who violate noise regulations and public order laws.  This follows complaints from residents about growing lawlessness in the town. “We are concerned about the bars and loud music from bars. In fact, on Monday, we had a very serious meeting and we are going to take strict measures against shebeen owners and other places of entertainment that are not adhering to the laws,” said acting chief executive officer of the municipality, Indileni Lungameni. Lungameni said the municipality has approached the Namibian Police Force to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Minister of health and social services Esperance Luvindao has urged 52 health scholarship recipients to remain focused and disciplined as they begin their academic studies. Speaking at the pre-service scholarship award ceremony on Wednesday, Luvindao stressed the importance of staying committed, especially as many students will be far from home and familiar support systems. “You are embarking on a journey in a new environment, potentially far from home and far from familiar family and friends support systems. It is vital that you remain focused on your primary objective,” she said. Luvindao warned students against falling into negative social…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Air Connect Namibia has announced the launch of a new nonstop flight route between Zurich and Windhoek, set to begin in June 2026. The route will operate twice weekly and will be serviced by Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure airline. “This is more than just a new flight, it’s a strategic bridge between Europe and Namibia. We are thrilled to welcome Edelweiss to Namibia. This connection elevates our country’s status as a global tourism and investment destination, and we are committed to ensuring the route’s long-term success,” said Bisey /Uirab, chief executive officer of the Namibia Airports Company and…

Justicia Shipena Namibia and Angola have agreed to work together to recover proceeds from money laundering and step up efforts to fight financial crimes.  The two countries’ Financial Intelligence Units signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the third Meeting of the SADC AML-CFT Committee held recently in Luanda, Angola. The agreement focuses on cooperation in tackling money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of weapons of mass destruction. It also enables both institutions to collaborate more closely on tracking cross-border financial flows. The MoU outlines joint capacity-building initiatives and aims to align financial intelligence analysis and investigative techniques . …

Allexer Namundjembo The newly appointed governors of Ohangwena and Omusati regions have placed water access and sustainable agriculture at the top of their development agendas.  They have pledged to address water challenges and improve food production. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer at State House on Tuesday, Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said her previous experience at NamWater would help secure a stable water supply from the Ohangwena Aquifer. “With the necessary support from government parastatals, we can begin tapping water from the aquifer,” she said.  “We must ensure the entire region has access to water.” She said improved water access would…

Herrtta-Maria Amutenja The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has denied that any of its employees were involved in the disappearance of about 400 cattle from the Linden Beef Feedlot.  Acting Meatco chief executive officer Patrick Liebenberg described the incident as a criminal matter involving external stock theft. In a report submitted to the Ministry of Finance last week, Liebenberg explained that Meatco’s internal controls and procedures, in place for the past three years, were functioning properly and consistently verified.  He said the missing cattle were removed without authorisation. “The May 25 lost cattle incident is a criminal matter with no…

Allexer Namundjembo Pijoo Nganate, the governor of the Omaheke region, was the only person in his position to be reappointed, as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah named seven new regional governors on Monday. Speaking at State House, Nganate said he was grateful to continue serving and focused on completing ongoing development work.  His reappointment comes after recent criticism from a local report that labelled him the "poorest governor". “The criticisms are my encouragement to do more. We’ve laid a strong foundation for food production in Omaheke, and many farmers are eager to participate,” he said. He said the region has made progress…

Niël Terblanché The chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Florian Donatus, launched a fresh appeal to business leaders ahead of Friday’s Uis Investment Conference, arguing that additional capital is the missing ingredient in the settlement’s bid to regain formal town status. “We are now set to make history in our quest to chart and correct an unequal developmental pathway in the Daures Constituency, and especially the settlement of Uis,” he said on Tuesday. Uis once had a village council, but the town was downgraded to settlement status in 2010. A submission to the ministry of urban and rural development seeking…

Allexer Namundjembo The cause of a fire which occurred last week at the City Police headquarters in Windhoek remains unknown. The City of Windhoek stated that it is still investigating the incident that caused substantial damage to parts of the building.  Emergency services responded quickly after on-duty officers noticed smoke coming from the ceiling of an upper-floor hall. City Police spokesperson superintendent Merceline Murapo confirmed the damage in response to questions from the Windhoek Observer. “I can confirm that the incident did result in substantial damage to parts of the building, as well as to various items within,” she said.…