National News

Allexer Namundjebo  The director of the National Youth Council (NYC), Calista Schwartz-Gowases, has denied reports that she was placed on forced leave, calling the claims false and baseless. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Schwartz-Gowases said she continues to carry out her duties as director without disruption.  “I remain in full service, report for duty daily and continue to execute my mandate as Director of the National Youth Council,” she said. She asserted that there was no formal directive or legal foundation for placing her on involuntary leave.  “These fabrications serve no purpose other than to spread politically motivated misinformation,”…

Niël Terblanché The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) on Wednesday donated laptops and sanitary pads to schools in the Kavango East and Omaheke regions.  The donation is part of Cran’s effort to promote digital inclusion, youth empowerment, and gender equality. The deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, Dino Ballotti, said the handover represented more than just material support. “This handover is not merely about physical items, but it symbolises hope, opportunity, and the unwavering belief that every young person deserves access to quality education, dignity, and the tools to thrive,” he said. Laptops were handed…

Niël Terblanché The executive director of the ministry of information and communication technology,  Audrin Mathe, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a digitally inclusive, secure, and connected Namibia. Speaking at the 2025 Tech Huddle in Windhoek, Mathe said digital literacy, universal connectivity, and innovation must guide the country’s path toward global digital participation. “We gather today to create a vision for a digitally transformed Namibia. Our vision extends beyond mere technological adoption. We envision a Namibia where digital literacy becomes as fundamental as reading and writing, where high-speed connectivity is recognised as a right rather than a privilege,” he said.…

Allexer Namundjebo Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament Eneas Emvula has raised concerns over the administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, claiming it has already been distributed to certain schools without proper orientation or public education. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Emvula called on health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao to assure the public that parents can still decide whether their children receive the vaccine.  “A lot has been said in the outside world, especially in regional countries like Uganda, about the dangers of this vaccine,” Emvula said.  He claimed the vaccine could lead to long-term health problems for…

Niël Terblanché Windhoek is set to host a weekend focused on health, wellness, and community care, as the Well of Hope Organisation rolls out a two-day event offering free services to residents. The event is a collaboration between the Well of Hope Organisation and partners, including the AFM Restoration Centre, Khomas Medical Centre, Precision Emergency Training, Virgin Active, and several local health professionals.  They aim to improve access to healthcare and promote healthier living in the Khomas region. “This sounds like the perfect mission of Khomas Medical Centre,” said Sister Chrisma, one of the planning coordinators. The weekend begins on…

Allexer Namundjebo  The interim executive chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC), Beverly Silas-Garas, says allegations questioning the legality of her appointment are part of a smear campaign. Silas-Garas dismissed allegations challenging the legality of her appointment, calling them a politically motivated campaign aimed at undermining her credibility ahead of the NYC board appointments scheduled for 19 June. In a statement released on Tuesday, Silas-Garas said her appointment is fully compliant with the country's governance laws, including the Public Service Act of 1995 and the Public Enterprises Governance Act of 2019. “These coordinated allegations are not only misleading but also…

Justicia Shipena The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has fully met five out of ten strategic objectives set in its 2023/24 Annual Business and Financial Plan (ABFP).  However, three of its objectives are lagging behind.  Cran recorded an overall implementation rate of 83% for its strategic initiatives and an organisational performance rating of 3.86 out of 5. Cran announced the figures on Tuesday in its latest performance appraisal report. The report evaluates the effectiveness of the Cran board of directors from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The chairperson of the Cran board, Tulimevava Mufeti, said the appraisal…

Justicia Shipena  The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has recruited 845 polling officials for the upcoming by-election in five constituencies.  The by-election is scheduled for next week in Grootfontein, Kabbe South, Kamanjab, Otjiwarongo, and Sesfontein. The ECN announced the recruitment on Tuesday, along with the start of training for the selected officials.  ECN corporate communications and marketing manager De Wet Siluka said the five-day training sessions began on Monday.  The training is taking place in Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo (for Kabbe South), Kamanjab, Otjiwarongo, and Opuwo (for Sesfontein). Siluka said the training will end on 14 June and covers electoral laws…

Justicia Shipena  Come October, researchers across Southern Africa will gain access to a new digital platform that centralises climate data.  The SASSCAL Climate Service Gateway, developed by Southern African and German researchers, will be unveiled at the SASSCAL 2.0 Research Programme conference in Luanda, Angola. The portal will house climate data sets and model projections tailored for the Southern African region.  It will include variables such as minimum and maximum temperatures, humidity, wind speed, as well as derived indicators like heat wave days, high fire danger days, drought indices, and precipitation events.  Researchers will be able to download complete or…