National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) is warning farmers to prepare urgently for the upcoming wildfire season.  Much of the country has seen its best rainfall in years after a long drought. While the rains have revived pastures and fed livestock, they have also created large amounts of dry vegetation that could fuel fires. “Firefighting should now be urgently considered. There is already an abundance of flammable material this year,” the NAU said in its weekly newsletter on Friday. The union plans to publish a series of articles in its newsletter to help farmers manage the risks of veld…

Niël Terblanché The deputy prime minister and minister of industry, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, called for the transformation of his ministry into a model institution. He wants it to deliver efficient, people-centred services while driving industrialisation and job creation. Speaking at a regional staff meeting in Oshakati on Friday, Ithete urged ministry employees across the country to embrace reform and innovation.  “You are the heartbeat of this ministry, whether you work in Windhoek or the regions. Your efforts, commitment, and professionalism have laid the foundation for the progress we have made thus far,” he said. Ithete outlined his vision…

Allexer Namundjebo Two Walvis Bay Municipal Council members have rejected the proposed N$1.3 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year. Councillors Ronald Bramwell and Ephraim Shozi said the budget is unrealistic and does not reflect the real needs of residents.  They raised concerns about poor community consultation and financial mismanagement. Bramwell criticised the budgeting process, saying the municipality struggles to spend allocated funds effectively and continues to marginalise residents. “I do not agree with the budget. I think it is a bit of a show that is put on every year, and we never manage to do it the way…

Justicia Shipena Business owners along Peter Nanyemba Road, formerly Monte Christo Road, are calling on the City of Windhoek to reconsider aspects of the current road upgrade design, which they say is crippling their operations. The N$381 million road project, which broke ground in April 2023, is still under construction.  The construction work was expected to take 20 months to complete, but it has not met that deadline.  The upgrade aims to transform the 6.1-kilometre stretch into a dual carriageway with provisions for future rapid bus transit lanes to link the city to the Ongos Valley development. However, several businesses,…

Justicia Shipena Maize meal producer Goal Maize CC will pay a fine of N$300 000 after the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) found that it has engaged in anti-competitive conduct through an exclusive distribution deal that blocked other traders in northern parts of the country. The Namibian Competition Commission resolved on 14 March 2022 to initiate an investigation against Goal Maize CC and Ondangwa Farmers Market CC. The commission’s investigation, registered under case number 2020FEB0003COMP, found that Goal Maize signed a sole distributorship agreement with Ondangwa Farmers Market CC.  The deal gave the company full control to supply maize meal in…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Calls for an international anti-corruption court have grown stronger, with advocates pointing to the Fishrot scandal as a clear example of why such a court is needed to handle large-scale corruption across borders. Frederico Links’ report, A Perfect Case for an International Court, published in this year’s international edition of Good Governance Africa, highlights the limits of national courts in dealing with corruption that spans several countries. “The Fishrot case illustrates the limitations of national courts in prosecuting corruption involving multiple jurisdictions,” said Graham Hopwood, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).  He added that…

Justicia Shipena  As European Union foreign ministers prepare to meet later this month, Namibia is calling for decisive action to bring peace and end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Namibia urged the European Union to address the situation in the Gaza Strip and push for a ceasefire for the Palestinian people. This call came during the Europe Day celebration held in Windhoek on Thursday. Every month, EU foreign affairs ministers meet at the Council of the European Union for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). International and Trade Deputy Minister Jennelly Matundu said Namibia hopes the upcoming meeting will lead to…

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Zambia are exploring ways to boost reciprocal trade by identifying goods each country can supply to the other.  Officials from both sides have been tasked with studying their import lists and finding products that can be sourced through mutual trade. The plan was revealed during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s working visit to Zambia.  She returned to Windhoek on Friday afternoon after a two-day visit to Botswana and Zambia, focused on cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry. In Lusaka, Nandi-Ndaitwah met with President Hakainde Hichilema. The two leaders held private and official talks.  They agreed that human-centred development…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless Peoples Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi has proposed a five-year term limit for civil servants in senior positions to boost accountability and improve service delivery.  Speaking during a meeting with the Public Service Commission in Swakopmund last week, where members of parliament were undergoing a week-long induction, Swartbooi suggested directors, deputy directors, and others in senior roles should have contracts like politicians. He said politicians face five-year terms and are expected to deliver within that period. Swartbooi said civil servants often remain in office for 20 to 35 years without innovation and reject new ideas.  Members of…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism confirmed renewed concerns from Ngonga residents after a pride of lions returned just days after being relocated.  On Friday, 9 May, six lions, two adult females and four cubs, were moved from Ngonga to the Kasimba area within Bwabwata East (Kwando Core Area).  By Tuesday evening, the lions had crossed back over the B8 road through the Kwando Gate and returned to Ngonga. “The return has understandably heightened fears and frustration among the residents in the area,” said ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela.  She added that one adult female and two cubs…