National News

Allexer Namundjembo  Thirty-one residents of Rehoboth received title deeds on Monday as part of the town’s Alienation Program.  The initiative aims to address past land injustices and ensure fair land distribution. Rehoboth’s mayor, Justin Coetzee, said the occasion was more than just about improving services. He said it was a celebration of justice, dignity, and the fulfilment of a promise to those affected by past land dispossession.  "The 31 title deeds are not just documents; they represent justice and the restoration of land rights," he said. He credited Hardap governor Salomon April and the Rehoboth Town Council, particularly councillor Jacky…

Hertta-Maria Amutenya  The Supreme Court ruling on 28 February has brought an end to the Electoral Court case involving the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM).  The dispute stems from an extension of the voting period from the initially designated 27 November 2024 to 29 and 30 November 2024, as per Proclamation 34 of 2024 issued by President Nangolo Mbumba on the recommendation of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). Chief Justice Peter Shivute, while delivering the unanimous decision by a bench of Justices of the Supreme Court last week, ruled that the extension was…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Cabinet member and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, has questioned the government’s decision to increase fuel prices to subsidise employers in the fuel sector to pay minimum wages to their employees. Schlettwein, who is also a member of parliament, raised these concerns on his social media platforms on Monday. This follows an announcement by the Ministry of Mines and Energy last Friday that fuel prices would increase for March, effective 5 March. “Petrol and diesel prices are to be increased to fund road maintenance and minimum wages, we are told. The latter is a…

Niël Terblanché Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform urged the Trust Fund Committee of the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) to approve and support the implementation of the Zambezi Region Nature, People, and Climate (NPC) Investment Plan. The plan, aimed at tackling climate change, ecosystem degradation, and human activity impacts, was presented at the CIF Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) Trust Fund Committee meeting in Washington, USA last week. Schlettwein, who also serves as Chair of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Council of Ministers, stressed the plan’s significance, calling it a shared vision of sustainable development that aligns…

Ester Mbathera  There are currently no financial policies or regulations mandating mining companies to contribute toward mine closure plans. These findings are contained in a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources on lithium mining in Uis, Daures Constituency, released last week. During a meeting with the committee in March 2023, Erasmus Shivolo, the deputy executive director for the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), informed the committee that many companies had failed to comply with mine closure plans.  Shivolo explained that while the Mineral and Environmental Acts require companies to have a Closure Plan, there are no…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) stated that it is committed to tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing along Namibia’s northern maritime border. In response to reports about the presence of foreign fishing vessels illegally operating within Namibia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the ministry has deployed its flagship patrol vessel to monitor the situation. The executive director of the ministry, Annely Haiphene, expressed concern over viral videos and photographs circulating online, which show vessels engaging in illegal fishing activities in Namibian waters. “These reports, photographs, and videos were analysed with the primary objective of establishing…

Allexer Namundjembo and Erasmus Shalihaxwe Just hours after laying to rest Founding President, Sam Nujoma, the country was struck by the loss of two influential figures, Jacob Hamutenya and Charles Siyauya. Hamutenya, a well-known agriculturalist, died in a car accident between Otavi and Otjiwarongo on Sunday afternoon, along with two others.  Many have described his death as a huge loss to the country. Hamutenya served as the regional manager for the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) in Ongwediva when he was 26 years old. He also served on the boards of various organisations.  AMTA expressed deep sorrow on its social…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services launched its Customer Service Charter on Monday to improve service delivery across Namibia’s public health sector. Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, the minister of health and social services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, described the charter as a fundamental step towards ensuring efficiency, accountability, and patient-centred care in all health facilities in Namibia.  “This Charter is not merely a document. It is our collective commitment and undertaking to serve the Namibian people to the best of our ability,” he said. He added that the charter is a guiding tool that enshrines national…

Niël Terblanché Namibia has officially launched an online visa application system for travellers seeking visas on arrival, in an effort to improve tourism, to facilitate investment, and streamline immigration processes. The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, announced the new system in Windhoek on Monday and said the initiative aligns with the country’s broader economic and security objectives. “This initiative represents the latest in our series of progressive measures to boost the country's tourism sector, improve international engagement, and uphold our national security,” he said. He added that the online system allows visitors to apply for…