National News

Renthia Kaimbi A large group of whales and dolphins seen off the coast of Walvis Bay over the weekend has been described as a sign that marine life feels at home in Namibian waters. According to Dr Hilkka Ndjaula of the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Research Centre (SANUMAR), the sighting of more than 40 whales and dolphins is rare and significant.“What’s different this time is the sheer number,” Ndjaula said.  She noted that smaller sightings are common, but this large gathering suggests the animals are comfortable in the local environment. Ndjaula said the event could be linked to environmental…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has urged for inclusive, reliable and high quality data for every citizen as it joined the global community in marking World Statistics Day 2025. The day, observed every five years, is celebrated under the theme “Driving Change with Quality Statistics for Everyone”. Statistician general and chief executive officer of the NSA, Alex Shimuafeni, said the day highlights the role of statistics in promoting equitable development, transparency and informed decision-making. “Quality statistics are the foundation for accountability, transparency and informed decision-making. They are essential tools in ensuring that no one is left behind,” Shimuafeni…

Allexer Namundjembo The Katima Mulilo branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has elected a new leadership team.  The branch had been without leadership since the previous Executive Committee’s term ended.  The branch recently hosted its elective general meeting on 10 October 2025 at the Zambezi Regional Council offices. Entrepreneurs from various sectors, including small and large businesses, attended the meeting in large numbers. The session started with a presentation by the NCCI Secretariat on the chamber's role, membership benefits and advocacy work. It drew interest from both members and non-members who wanted to learn more about…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Defence Force (NDF) will recruit 1 500 new members in this financial year despite the government’s decision to freeze all unadvertised job positions until March 2026. A memo issued last Wednesday stated that a team from the NDF Recruitment Planning Committee (NDF RPC) will manage the process across all 14 regions. “Marginalised communities are also allocated 4% of slots and their application forms received should be stamped and recorded. In the same vein, the constituency councillors should assist all candidates and no candidate should be turned away,” the memo reads. NDF spokesperson Colonel Peter Shilumbu said…

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has launched the second phase of the Support for Operationalisation of SADC Regional Agriculture Policy (STOSAR II) project.  The executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, described the initiative as a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the agricultural sector by enhancing food security, resilience and competitiveness. The European Union (EU) funds the second phase, which runs from 2025 to 2028, with N$3.5 million allocated to Namibia.  It builds on the first phase (2019–2023), which improved national capacity in data management, animal disease diagnostics and sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Under STOSAR II, Namibia will…

Allexer Namundjembo The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has created 142 permanent jobs at the Rundu Abattoir since its reopening in August 2023.  This was revealed by Meatco's interim chief executive officer, Albertus Aochamub, during a recent visit to the Kavango East and West regions where he met with with governors Hamunyera Hambyuka of Kavango East and Verna Sinimbo of Kavango West.  The meetings aimed to build partnerships and explore ways to improve livelihoods in the northern communal areas.  The company shared these developments in a statement issued on Friday. “We believe sustainable growth begins with empowering farmers and creating…

Allexer Namundjembo Drivers and vehicle owners help the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) generate nearly N$87 million in monthly revenue, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament on Wednesday. Nekundi said that as of September, the country's vehicle population stood at 419,716, while the number of licensed drivers was 379,023.  “Approximately 140,000 NaTIS transactions are conducted monthly, generating a revenue of about N$87 million,” he said during his ministerial statement. Despite the strong revenue, Nekundi acknowledged that clients still face major challenges such as long queues, long waiting periods, unnecessary travel costs, corruption, and scams.  “Therefore, the ministry and…

Justicia Shipena  The minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, has urged Karibib residents to live within town planning boundaries to benefit from electrification projects. This comes as 47% of households are currently connected to the national grid, while 12% rely on solar energy. “The government cannot electrify unserviced areas; therefore, the community is encouraged to ensure that they reside according to the town plan,” Ithete said during the inauguration of electrification projects in Usab, Karibib, on Thursday. The inauguration brought electricity to 257 houses in the area.  Of these, 133 households were connected under the first service level…

Renthia Kaimbi  Former Grootfontein councillor Etnee Tsanigab has lost a court case against the Grootfontein municipality after the High Court dismissed his company’s N$770 000 claim related to a disputed jackhammer rental deal. Court documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer show that High Court judge Thomas Masuku ruled against Elseldra & Etnee Trading CC, a company owned by Tsanigab.  The firm had sued the municipality for N$771 008, claiming it rented out a heavy-duty jackhammer in November 2020 at a daily rate of N$2 450. The municipality denied the claim, saying no agreement existed.  It argued that such an arrangement…