Page 21 – News Stand

15 May

‘Report drunk police officers’ – Shikongo

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjebo The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, urged the public to report police officers who are drunk or misbehaving. Speaking on a local radio station, Shikongo said he has received many complaints about officers suspected of being drunk. “The calls to implement mandatory breathalyser tests at police stations are many, but at the moment, there are no resources to implement such measures. We have many police stations, and that might not be possible to implement,” he said. Shikongo warned officers who show up drunk at work to stop this behaviour. “They have the responsibility…

15 May

Cooperation on water is essential, says Zaamwani

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, called for stronger regional cooperation and unity in managing the Zambezi River Basin. She made the call during the 12th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) held in Windhoek on Thursday. Zaamwani welcomed ministers and delegates from Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to Namibia’s capital. She thanked them for their commitment to working together on transboundary water governance. She described this cooperation as “not optional—it is essential,” pointing to the shared nature of Namibia’s perennial rivers and the country’s position…

15 May

Workers exploitation cannot be blamed on government alone

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro Most of the time the dagger has been falling on the government and the Swapo Party of Namibia for its blatant lack of ideology. This is not without reason because since the dawn self - rule and determination, it is the Swapo Party that has been at the helm of the country’s political direction, and/or the lack thereof, let alone being responsible for delivery and/or non-delivery on the socio-economic front. As much as on the economic front, investors, entrepreneurs, businesspeople and what-have-you predominantly whites, have been ruling the roost. With the government at best in this regard…

15 May

NamWater confirms Katima Mulilo’s discoloured tap water is safe

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has responded to concerns from Katima Mulilo residents about brownish discolouration in their tap water. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the water is microbiologically safe to drink, despite its colour. He explained that the Katima Water Treatment Plant is operating beyond its design capacity during peak demand, putting extra strain on the plant’s sand filtration system. “This strain has affected the water’s appearance,” he said. Ndamanomhata added that seasonal increases in the Zambezi River’s flow have raised iron and manganese levels in the raw water. He said that while this affects the water’s…

15 May

Chronic medication stockouts continue despite deliveries

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services has admitted that stockouts of chronic medication remain an ongoing issue despite efforts to deliver supplies to regional facilities through the Central Medical Stores. Spokesperson Walters Kamaya said the ministry has been actively dispatching medication in response to reported shortages. “Last week, we were actively engaged in delivering supplies through our Central Medical Stores (CMS).through our Central Medical Stores (CMS). We were dispatched to the regions. The issue of stockouts has been ongoing, but we have tried to resolve it,” he said. Kamaya explained that some delays result from coordination challenges…

15 May

Ministry denies claim that London mission lacks Nandi-Ndaitwah portrait

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) has rejected claims in the Windhoek Observer on 15 May that diplomatic missions, including the High Commission in London, had not displayed the official portrait of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Executive director Penda Naanda said the article was "inaccurate and misleading" and confirmed the portrait is displayed at the London mission. "Upon consultation with the Mission, it was confirmed that the official portrait has indeed been displayed at the High Commission in London, contrary to the impression created in the article that no official portrait has been displayed," Naanda said. The…

15 May

Africa Trust calls for feminist, people-centred trade justice framework

info_e12wt4csAfrica / World

Moses Magadza The Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Africa Trust, Alice Kanengoni, has called for a bold reimagining of trade justice in Southern Africa, urging a shift away from exclusive technical approaches to inclusive, people-driven frameworks that centre those most affected by global economic shifts. Kanengoni made the call when she delivered welcome remarks at the beginning of a High-Level Dialogue on Trade Justice in Johannesburg co-convened with the SADC Parliamentary Forum. She welcomed the gathering of parliamentarians, civic organisations, feminist movements, cross-border traders, and policy experts to what she described as “a pivotal convening”. “This is not just…

15 May

Soil sampling training set to boost food security

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A two-day training session hosted in Windhoek earlier this week has equipped Namibian agricultural technicians with practical skills in soil sampling, a critical element in sustainable farming and land use. The program, organised under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), aims to enhance the country’s approach to improving food security by combining international expertise with local knowledge. The session also aimed to improve food security by combining international expertise with local knowledge. It forms part of the second phase of the China–FAO–Namibia South-South Cooperation project to boost Namibia’s agricultural productivity. The…

15 May

Namibian athletes and coach among 2025 regional sports award nominees

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Four Namibian athletes have made the final list of nominees for the 2025 Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), announced Thursday by AUSC chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya. Lahja Ishitile is nominated for Sportswoman of the Year with a disability. She will compete against Taonele Banda of Malawi and Simone Kruger. Pieter Benade, a rugby coach, is nominated for Coach of the Year. He faces competition from athletics coaches Kebonyemodisa Dose of Botswana and Douglas Kalembo of Zambia. Chris Kinda is nominated for Sportsman of the Year with a disability. He will compete against Mpumelelo Mhlongo of South Africa…

15 May

‘Sport has outgrown recreation’ – Ballotti

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture, Dino Ballotti, said sport management is not just a career but a vehicle for economic growth, youth empowerment, and nation-building. He spoke at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s (Nust) graduation ceremony on Thursday in Eenhana, Ohangwena region. Ballotti praised the university for offering sports management degrees. He said graduates in this field play a key role in building sustainable structures, ensuring ethical governance, and creating economic opportunities through sport tourism, athlete development, and infrastructure investment. “Personally, I am also pleased to know that Nust offers qualifications…