National News

Niël Terblanché The University of Namibia (UNAM) has taken a step in strengthening the country’s wildlife conservation efforts within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) with the expansion of its Katima Mulilo Campus. The extension is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to developing skilled human resources that can sustainably manage and protect the country's rich biodiversity for future generations. President Nangolo Mbumba inaugurated the Department of Wildlife Management and Tourism Studies on Monday. He said the facility is another milestone in Namibia's efforts to build capacity in human resources dedicated to wildlife conservation. "In the past, we struggled…

Martin Endjala Municipal councillors of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) have returned to work and have taken over the administration of the Karasburg Town Council on Monday. Mayor Maria Veldskoen, Gregorius Ruhl, Josef Witbooi, and Fransiskus Skeyer, were suspended earlier this year. Veldskoen confirmed their return to the office with the Windhoek Observer, citing the recent court order that found the suspension of the entire Karasburg council by Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development to be illegal. “We did not encounter any hostility. It was a smooth transition so far and now we must work hard to…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Council has recommended that the Roads Authority and Road Fund Administration under the Ministry of Works and Transport, recognise and prioritise both towns and rural road infrastructure. The recommendation is to ensure that connectivity in rural areas is positioned around rural development centres to grow the rural economy. The National Council standing committee on transport, infrastructure, and housing, which released a report this week and recommended it to parliament, advocates for allocating more financial resources to rural road infrastructure during the four stages of the budget cycle. This is to ensure sufficient funding to address the…

Niël Terblanché The people of Namibia are hopeful that acts of kindness will continue to eventually overcome the challenges they face because of the drought. In this regard, the State of Qatar has extended a hand to the people of the country who are battling the effects of the severe drought conditions. Qatar donated 58 000 boxes of essential food items such as rice, tuna tins, soya beans, and cooking oil which were handed over to Erongo Regional Governor, Neville Andre at Namport in Walvis Bay on Tuesday. Andre expressed deep gratitude towards Qatar for its timely assistance. In his…

Niël Terblanché Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah embarked on a two-day familiarisation tour of the green schemes in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions in an effort to strengthen the country’s agricultural production. On Monday, Vice President Nandi-Ndaitwah re-commissioned the cold-pressed sunflower oil production facility at the Shadikongoro Green Scheme. The sunflower oil production facility was revived this year after its closure in 2021 due to a lack of finance. According to a report by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, the vice president said that the cultivation of sunflowers and the use of a press to diversify and add value to…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein has announced that the government has made progress in updating the Commercial (Agricultural) Land Act and the Communal Land Reform Act. He said the government has consolidated two following recommendations made during the 2nd National Land Conference in 2018. The minister was speaking at the national validation to review the final draft of the resettlement criteria on Monday in Windhoek. ‘’These consultations are a clear dedication towards a responsive land reform policy,” he said. Schlettwein said that, despite delays in drafting, the law is now ready and will…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced the passing of Congress of Democrats (CoD) representative, Johannes Matroos, who died on Saturday. Matroos was part of the delegation of political parties observing the printing process of ballot papers for the upcoming elections in Johannesburg last week. According to a media statement from ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama, the late Matroos passed away on 2 November. He said that Matroos was scheduled to return to Namibia on 30 October with the rest of the party representatives. However, after missing his scheduled transport to the airport, they…

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has successfully dispatched ballot papers and non-sensitive election materials to 33 of the country’s 35 diplomatic missions worldwide. This is preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections special voting window for Namibians in the diaspora set for 13 November. The chief electoral and referenda officer, Peter Shaama in a statement on Monday said that the distribution commenced and concluded last Thursday, with the materials sent out on 1 November. The material was sent through the diplomatic bags of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO). Shaama added that the remaining…

Niël Terblanché Grootfontein’s residents are battling with an influx of free-roaming livestock that has taken over their streets, gardens, and public spaces. This has created a crisis that has left many frustrated and searching for solutions. The town, once known for its neat neighbourhoods, now faces the daily challenge of herds of cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs wandering the community. Despite repeated complaints to the town council, residents feel their concerns have largely been ignored, and many worry that the once vibrant town is losing its character and quickly turning into a village. For at least four years, the town…