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Allexer Namundjebo National Council Member for the Rundu Rural Constituency, Paulus Mbangu, has called for a fairer approach to road infrastructure development during the ongoing discussions on the Roads Bill.  The bill, which aims to improve the management and distribution of Namibia's road network, is being debated in the National Council to address issues of accessibility, economic connectivity, and infrastructure equity across the country. In his speech, Mbangu responded to statements made by Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, who suggested that road equity should be assessed based solely on the length of roads in each region.  While acknowledging…

Niël Terblanché A 43-year-old police sergeant has been arrested following a deadly shooting incident at the Onhuno Road Traffic Checkpoint in northern Namibia, where Eliud Hamukwaya, 38, was fatally shot on Sunday night. Hamukwaya was the co-driver of a heavy truck transporting goods. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the Police’s public relations division, the incident occurred at approximately 22:00 after the truck was stopped by traffic police for failing to produce weighbridge documentation. Shikwambi said that the main driver presented his driving licence to the officer on duty but was unable to present the necessary papers.…

Allexer Namundjembo Nearly seven years after the Second National Land Conference, only 14% of its resolutions have been fully implemented. Land minister Inge Zaamwani said of the 176 resolutions adopted in 2018, only 25 have been completed.  She said 134 resolutions, or 76%, are still being worked on, while 17, or 10%, have not yet started. “We are working to implement the resolutions from the Land Conference, focusing on resettling landless farmers and marginalised communities," Zaamwani said during her budget presentation for the 2025/2026 financial year in the National Assembly. The 2018 conference addressed key issues in resettlement, ancestral land…

Niël Terblanché The long-awaited Baynes hydro-electric plant, a cross-border project on the Kunene River, was part of the agenda discussed by the Namibian and Angolan heads of state last week. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Angolan President João Lourenço met in Luanda during a working visit on 9 May, where they discussed joint initiatives, including the long-discussed Baynes hydropower project. During the meeting, both leaders stressed the urgency of the project, describing it as a driver of economic growth and improved access to energy in both countries. Both heads of state reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, with energy and…

Niël Terblanché Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare called on Namibians at home and abroad, alongside the private sector and development partners, to support local exhibitions such as the Oshakati Totem Expo. Speaking at a fundraising gala dinner for the event in Oshakati on Saturday evening, he described these platforms as vital to cultural identity, entrepreneurship, and national unity. Ngurare stressed the role of expos in driving both social cohesion and economic transformation. “Let us remember that investing in culture is investing in sustainability. Investing in SMEs is investing in resilience. Investing in expos is investing in unity, visibility and local…

Allexer Namundjembo Shoprite reiterated that the company is committed to fair labour practices as Freshmark Namibia drivers continue to accuse the company of unfair treatment and lack of union recognition. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer, Shoprite stated: “The Group holds a long-standing view that all employees are entitled to reasonable and decent working conditions. The company guides its dealings with employees with the principles of fairness, transparency, and respect, adhering to prevailing labour legislation.” Drivers recently raised concerns over the company’s refusal to recognise the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU).  They said this violates their right to freedom…