National News

Allexer Namundjebo and Erasmus Shalihaxwe Politicians have supported the establishment of an independent body to investigate crimes committed by police officers and other law enforcement agencies.  They argue that the police cannot be trusted to investigate the offences of officers. Social activist Michael Amushelelo has reiterated his call for such an institution, emphasising the need for public involvement in selecting its leaders.  "For a very long time, I have called for the immediate establishment of an agency similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): We can call it the Namibia Bureau of Investigations," he said. He added that such…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Residents in Iitapa village and surrounding areas in the Okahao Constituency say government officials failed to act after being alerted to sewage being dumped near homes and communal farmland.  According to the Ekwawo Community Foundation, health inspectors confirmed the incident during a site visit, but no steps have since been taken to address the issue. The foundation said it reported the issue to the Waste Water Management office under the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Okahao.  This comes as the foundation has raised concerns over unsafe sewage disposal in villages under the Okahao Constituency.  The foundation…

Niël Terblanché Policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and development partners from across Africa have converged at Windhoek for the 19th International Conference on HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis, and Prevention Research in Resource-Limited Settings (INTEREST 2025).  The weeklong gathering aims to advance HIV treatment and prevention efforts in some of the continent’s most underserved communities. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said during the official opening of the event that Namibia is committed to combatting HIV and strengthening the country’s health systems. Ngurare commended both national and international efforts to curb the spread of HIV and added that the conference is another call to action that…

Justicia Shipena  Consumers in Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, and several northern regions paid the highest for rooibos tea in April. In April a 100g pack cost N$37.76, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)'s latest consumer price index bulletin.  Meanwhile, for consumers in the Khomas region, sunflower oil was most expensive at N$33.43. The report by the NSA also says meat prices in April 2025 surged by 7.1%, up from 4.9 % in April 2024.  The rise was driven by key meat products such as biltong, which jumped from -8.4% to 8.7 %.  Minced meat rose from -2.5 percent…

Niël Terblanché Young Namibians are set to benefit from a new offshore oil and gas training initiative through a partnership between the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF) and global recruitment firm Atlas Professionals. The Greenhand Program will offer free training to prepare young people for jobs in the oil and gas sector.  It will be rolled out in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, and Lüderitz. This is the first time offshore oil and gas training of this kind has been offered in the country. The programme has already been implemented in countries such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Suriname. It is…

Niël Terblanché The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia, in collaboration with the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), has developed three green hydrogen-based project proposals with the aim of securing funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The draft concept notes, which focus on energy production and agricultural development in the Kharas region, were the subject of recent stakeholder engagement sessions in Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop. The proposed initiatives include the establishment of a green hydrogen production plant within the Southern Corridor Development Initiative (SCDI), a fertiliser and irrigation plant linked to the Neckartal Green Scheme, and an offshore wind project…

Justicia Shipena  Two students from the University of Namibia (Unam) recently received bursaries from Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ).  Each year, RPZ awards one bursary to a student from the //Kharas Region and another to a student from another region.  While previous bursaries were limited to mining-related fields, this year the RPZ opened the opportunity to all fields of study.  It marks the second bursary cycle since Appian Capital Advisory took over the mine. The 2025 recipients are Paulina Shakumu, a second-year Chartered Accounting student from Oshakati, and Secilia Kalimwe, an Economics student from Rundu who was raised in Rosh Pinah. …

Niël Terblanché The Sam Nujoma Foundation will pursue additional ways to honour the legacy of the late founding president.  Former prime minister and the foundation’s chairperson, Nahas Angula, disclosed these plans during a remembrance ceremony on Monday at Heroes’ Acre.  The ceremony was to mark what would have been Sam Nujoma’s 96th birthday. It was the first time the day was commemorated since his passing in February this year. According to Angula, the initiatives include reviving unfinished initiatives such as the Etunda Farm Primary School, which he intended to donate to the government to serve children of farm labourers. “His…

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, paid tribute to Namibian nurses and acknowledged their vital role in the country's healthcare system during International Nurses Day on Monday by paying tribute.  Speaking at the Windhoek Central Hospital, the minister pledged improvements to nurses’ working conditions and professional opportunities. “Nurses are the backbone of Namibia’s healthcare system,” Luvindao said.  She recognised their tireless service in both urban and rural areas, from national referral hospitals to remote clinics.  “It is our nurses who stand at the frontline,” she added. The event, which coincided with the birthday of…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has introduced a new requirement to ease traffic congestion and improve the flow of goods at the Katima Mulilo Border Post. From 26 May 2025, all clearing agents must submit goods declarations and supporting documents at least two days before the consignments reach the border. NamRA's chief of strategic communications and support engagements, Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, said the new measure follows a cabinet decision and a resolution from a stakeholder meeting held on 28 April. “This approach aims to improve traffic flow and expedite clearance at the Katima Mulilo Border Post, allowing NamRA sufficient…