National News

Allexer Namundjebo Six senior members of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) are suing their party, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), and the National Assembly for compensation over their exclusion from Parliament in 2020. Mike Venaani, Raymond Diergaardt, Charmaine Tjirare, Yvette Areas, Nghidipo Hamata, and Maximalliant Katjimune were originally on the PDM’s list of parliamentary candidates for the 2019 general election.  However, after the elections, the party submitted a modified list to the ECN, excluding their names and replacing them with others. This change caused internal turmoil within the party and led to a legal battle.  In 2022, the High…

Hetta-Maria Amutenja  Some Namibian Diplomatic missions have yet to display the official portrait of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, nearly two months after her inauguration.  The Namibian High Commission in London, for instance, has not yet hung the portrait.  Photos obtained by the Windhoek Observer show only the portrait of Founding President Sam Nujoma on display, with no image of the current or former president visible. A source, who visited the mission recently, expressed surprise at the absence of the portrait of President Nandi-Ndaitwah. “It was surprising to walk into the High Commission and see that only the portrait of President Nujoma…

Justicia Shipena  The Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest (MN-CCF) in Kavango East has secured a price increase for Devil’s Claw, raising it from N$44 to N$50 per kilogram. The negotiation took place in mid-April with off-taker Ecoso Dynamics and the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) Project Management Unit. The new price includes N$2 per kilogram for Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism.  This ensures that communities benefit from the use of local genetic resources. “This is not just about money, it’s about dignity and long-term benefit,” said MN-CCF manager Max Muyemburuko. “For the first time, we feel that…

Justicia Shipena  Michelle Van Wyk, the director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN), has urged Namibians to unite in visually expressing their identity on international platforms.  She made this call at the launch of the Bank Windhoek Triennial on Tuesday.  Van Wyk emphasised the importance of using art to tell the world who Namibia is and who it is becoming. The launch event, held in Windhoek, marked the beginning of the sixth edition of the Triennial, which carries the theme "Namibian Identity: The Linework of a Country’s Contours and Wealth".  The competition invites artists to explore and portray…

Allexer Namundjebo Despite continued government support, youth empowerment projects face serious challenges in achieving sustainability. Olivia Hanghuwo, Chairperson of the National Council Standing committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, revealed this during a report presentation.  The findings follow oversight visits to youth projects in the Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, and Otjozondjupa regions between 15 and 28 September 2024. The visits focused on projects under the 121 Constituency Youth Enterprises and the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, as well as National Youth Service centres.  These efforts assessed the progress, effectiveness, and struggles of youth-focused programmes aimed at tackling unemployment…

Niël Terblanché The Roads Authority (RA) has started sending renewal reminders for vehicle licence discs and driving licences via SMS and email. This move replaces the printed notices previously delivered through NamPost. “Going forward, all renewal notices will be sent via cell phone messaging (SMS) and email. Clients are urged to visit their nearest NaTIS office to request renewal notices and provide their updated contact details. The process will be subject to verification and positive identification,” the RA said. The new digital system forms part of the RA’s shift to a paperless process. The goal is to improve communication and…

Niël Terblanché Municipal work crews in Walvis Bay are working to clear large sand drifts that have accumulated on the B2 Road at the town’s eastern entrance, following strong east winds that swept through large parts of the coast since the start of this week. The affected stretch, the lane lined with palm trees, has seen heaps of sand blown across the road, prompting a coordinated response by the Walvis Bay Municipality. Crews manning earth-moving equipment have been deployed to remove the sand, with traffic officers on-site to manage the flow of vehicles and ensure public safety. “Our teams have…