National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Nurses Union (NANU) Secretary General, Junias Shilunga, says the growing number of private health training institutions contributes to poorly trained healthcare workers and compromises the quality of healthcare in the country. Shilunga made these remarks in an interview with Windhoek Observer, responding to criticisms of private nursing schools from members of parliament.  These institutions, he said, are more focused on profit-making than improving Namibia’s healthcare system. The National Assembly is preparing to debate a motion on the regulation of the increasing number of nursing schools and other health training institutions.  This comes as last week, Popular…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), in partnership with the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine (LHU), officially opened the Swakopmund Breast Clinic at the Swakopmund State Hospital last Tuesday. The facility is part of a wider initiative to decentralise cancer screening and care services in Namibia.  It operates every Tuesday from 08h00 to 13h00 and is one of two such clinics established in the Erongo Region, the second located at Walvis Bay State Hospital.  The Walvis Bay clinic is expected to be inaugurated soon. Sanet de Waal, Head of the CAN…

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, has called on all citizens to help protect the country's youth from the tobacco and nicotine industries. Speaking at the national commemoration of World No Tobacco Day in Outjo on Thursday. Luvindao warned that the global tobacco epidemic continues to claim over 8 million lives every year and remains one of the most serious public health challenges worldwide. “This day aims to raise awareness about the health hazards associated with tobacco use and to promote the implementation of effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption,” Luvindao said.  She also…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A women-led transport service is expanding in Swakopmund as the municipality remains in early talks about introducing a public bus system for low-income residents and schoolchildren. Go Girl Transfers, a private business offering rides by women for women and children, is operating in the town with eight female drivers.  The company has not yet received formal recognition from the municipality. Swakopmund municipal spokesperson Linda Mupupa said the council supports private businesses registered with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) and the municipality’s health department, as long as they hold a valid fitness certificate. “We will have to…

Staff Writer  The 2025 Bank Windhoek Choral Celebration ended with standing ovations and a shared sense of unity in the packed Windhoek High School hall.  The event brought together choirs and conductors from across Namibia for a weekend of music, workshops, and cultural exchange. This year’s programme focused on capacity-building and featured a mix of performances and learning activities.  Choir clinics and a conductor’s workshop created space for growth among participants, with three selected choirs showcasing their talents at the event’s final performance. On Friday, 6 June 2025, the conductor’s workshop drew 62 participants from nine regions: ǁKharas, Erongo, Hardap,…

Allexer Namundjebo The Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) and the Namibia Security Labour Forum (NSLF) have called on the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) and other public entities to stop awarding tenders to security companies that violate the newly gazetted wage laws. Their call was made during the official launch of the collective agreement for the security industry, now law under government gazette 8562.  The agreement sets a phased national minimum wage for security guards starting at N$13.50 per hour from 15 January 2025, increasing to N$16.00 in 2026 and N$18.00 in 2027. “We are here to officially…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has thrown its support behind the United Democratic Front's (UDF) candidate in the upcoming Kamanjab constituency by-election in the Kunene region.  PDM, on Wednesday, in a media statement, called on its supporters in the Kamanjab constituency to vote for UDF candidate Jacobus Buruxa Namaseb in the upcoming by-election. PDM secretary general Manual Ngaringombe said the decision shows the party’s commitment to co-governing the Kunene region with the UDF. “I urge all PDM members in the Kamanjab constituency to support and vote for the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, Mr Jacobus Buruxa Namaseb. This…

Niël Terblancé Prime minister Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare has officially accepted a donation of 2 000 tonnes of grain from India to support Namibia’s drought relief efforts. The delayed handover ceremony took place in Windhoek. India donated 1 000 tonnes of yellow maize and 1 000 tonnes of rice last year in response to Namibia’s call for assistance during one of the worst droughts recently. “This generous donation in a time of need is a true reflection of solidarity and a demonstration of the long-standing good relationship between Namibia and India,” said Ngurare. The 2024/25 Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment showed that 1.26…

Niël Terblanché Namibia marked World Book and Copyright Day on Thursday with a call to promote reading and protect the work of local authors and artists. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), through the Directorate of Namibia Library and Archives Services (NLAS), hosted the event at the National Library and Archives building under the theme “Read Your Way”. M’kariko Amagulu, director of arts at MEIYSAC, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Executive Director Erastus Haitengela.  She highlighted the role of books in shaping people and society. “World Book and Copyright Day serves as a…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Assembly is set to debate a motion on the regulation of the growing number of nursing schools and other health training institutions in the country. The motion was tabled by Winnie Moongo, a member of parliament from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and a trained nurse, on Tuesday. Moongo said new nursing schools continue to emerge every year. She said Namibia is experiencing a rapid increase in health-related training institutions.  While this may seem like improved access to education, Moongo said the growth reveals deep problems in the system.  She warned that these problems are already…