‘Laws alone won’t end GBV’-  Pickering

‘Laws alone won’t end GBV’-  Pickering

Ester Mbathera  The executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Gladice Pickering, says laws alone are not enough to deal with the root causes of gender-based violence, rape, and domestic assault. Pickering said this on Monday at a high-level panel hosted by Open Society Foundations and Action Coalition-Namibia, under the theme “The Land of the Brave”. Her comments come after a series of disturbing, violent crimes reported across the country recently. “If we don't dig deep into the root causes and we are brutally honest with ourselves and each other, we are not going to win this fight…
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KEFA clubs demand an extraordinary meeting to iron out grievances

KEFA clubs demand an extraordinary meeting to iron out grievances

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Football clubs affiliated with the Kavango East Football Association (KEFA) have formally called on league chairperson Patrick Mukoya to convene an extraordinary annual general meeting, citing concerns over governance and the continued absence of a league constitution. In a letter addressed to Mukoya on Monday, club representatives, including Haushiku Kemba, Shankumi Mukeni, Mapa Erwin, Mukuve Thapa, and Manfred Mangundu, expressed frustration with what they described as the chairperson’s ongoing failure to uphold basic governance principles. They said Mukoya has repeatedly ignored the requirement to hold an annual general meeting at the start of each season to account for…
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Public demands justice for Ingrid Maasdorp

Public demands justice for Ingrid Maasdorp

Allexer Namundjembo A petition calling for justice for five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, who was raped and murdered in Okahandja last month, has reignited public anger over unresolved child murder cases in Namibia. The petition, launched by youth activist Kashivi Shingungu, has attracted over 4 000 signatures, reflecting growing frustration with what many see as a systemic failure by law enforcement to protect children and pursue justice in cases involving violence against minors. Maasdorp’s body was found under a bridge after she was reported missing in the early morning hours of Thursday, 22 March, and was discovered on Friday of the same…
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LPM criticises NNN for no-show at genocide walk

LPM criticises NNN for no-show at genocide walk

Hertta-Maria Amuteja  The Landless People's Movement (LPM) has criticised President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for failing to attend the annual Genocide Walk in Lüderitz on April 13. The party’s policy unit chairperson, Lazarus Kairabeb, in a statement issued on Monday, said the president’s last-minute no-show signals a lack of political will to engage with communities seeking justice and reparations for the 1904-1908 genocide.  “This was supposed to be an opportunity to engage directly with the community on an issue that is so close to our hearts. The president's absence is disappointing, but it will not deter us from continuing our fight for…
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Almost 53 000 young people applied for 2 000 police jobs

Almost 53 000 young people applied for 2 000 police jobs

Allexer Namundjembo Applications from 52 972 young people inundated the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) for 2 000 positions advertised during a recent recruitment drive for the 2024/2025 financial year. The numbers were confirmed by Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of Nampol’s public relations division.. “The overall recruitment figure was 2 000, which includes a special recruitment category,” Shikwambi said. She explained that the additional candidates will be drawn from crime prevention groups such as the Women and Men Network Against Crime, NYS graduates, and reservists from across the country. This surge in applications comes at a time when the…
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IPC assumes Erongo Regional Council chair

IPC assumes Erongo Regional Council chair

Niël Terblanché Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillor for Walvis Bay Rural Constituency, has been elected as the new chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council. Chief Regional Officer Mpenzeni Ntelamo confirmed the appointment on Tuesday and said in a statement that Florian Donatus' election follows the ousting of former chairperson Benitha Imbamba through a motion of no confidence. The motion that was tabled on 6 March by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillor Deriou Benson cited leadership failures and a lack of unity under Imbamba’s leadership. Benson alleged that Imbamba operated unilaterally and failed to foster collaboration among councillors. At…
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Advocate Lotta Ambunda joins High Court bench

Advocate Lotta Ambunda joins High Court bench

Niël Terblanché Advocate Lotta Ambunda was officially sworn in as an Acting Judge of the High Court on Tuesday during a ceremony held at the High Court in Windhoek. The oath of office was administered by Justice Shafimana Ueitele, Deputy Judge President of the High Court. Ambunda’s appointment, effective from 15 April to 31 July 2025, was made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). According to the JSC, this will be Ambunda’s first time serving on the bench. The JSC confirmed that Ambunda’s appointment forms part of broader efforts to enhance the judiciary’s…
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Namibia set to tackle climate change with science-based solutions

Namibia set to tackle climate change with science-based solutions

Niël Terblanché Namibia is committed to regional climate research and adaptation by hosting the latest Southern Africa Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) Thematic Workshop in Windhoek. The workshop that started on Tuesday brought together scientists, students, farmers, and policy experts to exchange knowledge and shape practical responses to the region’s escalating climate challenges. The deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Ruth Masake, officially opened the workshop and stressed the urgency of evidence-based, collaborative solutions. “Namibia continues to experience increasing climate variability, ranging from severe droughts to extreme rainfall, flash floods, and…
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BIPA extends annual duty penalty waiver programme

BIPA extends annual duty penalty waiver programme

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has extended the deadline for its Annual Duty Penalty Waiver Programme to 30 September. Announcing the extension on Tuesday, BIPA’s acting chief executive officer, Ainna Kaundu, said the move is part of ongoing efforts to support local entrepreneurs and improve compliance across the business sector. The waiver program allows registered entities that are in arrears with their annual duty payments to settle their obligations without incurring penalties or interest. Kaundu said the initiative offers businesses an opportunity to update their records, become compliant, and avoid the risk of deregistration. “We continue…
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GIPF announces 4% pension increase

GIPF announces 4% pension increase

Niël Terblanché The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has approved a 4% increase in pension benefits, effective 1 April 2025. This adjustment applies to all GIPF pensioners, qualifying annuitants, as well as spousal and child beneficiaries. The GIPF’s chief executive officer, Martin Inkumbi, announced the adjustment in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said that pensions in payment or deferment for less than a year as of 31 March 2025 will receive the increase on a pro-rata basis. “The Board of Trustees took this informed decision following the recommendation from the Fund’s Actuary,” Inkumbi said. He explained that the advice…
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