Nandi-Ndaitwah begins first official visit to Angola

Nandi-Ndaitwah begins first official visit to Angola

Niël Terblanché President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will visit Angola today for her first official trip abroad since taking office on 21 March 2025. The two-day working visit aims to strengthen the close relationship between Namibia and Angola. A statement from the Namibian Presidency said Nandi-Ndaitwah will meet Angolan President João Lourenço during the visit. “This visit provides an opportunity for the two countries to further deepen the strong bilateral and trade relations for the benefit of the two Nations,” the statement read. The leaders will discuss ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, trade, and the oil and gas industry. They are…
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Weighbridge corruption accused granted bail

Weighbridge corruption accused granted bail

Niël Terblanché Two men linked to a fraudulent weighbridge deal involving the Roads Authority appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.  They were each granted N$30 000 bail, and the case was postponed to 1 August 2025 for further investigation. The suspects are Richard Milinga, Divisional Manager of the Transport Inspectorate at the Roads Authority, and Grant Cloete, Managing Director of SASCO.  They were arrested earlier this week as part of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into procurement fraud and misappropriation of public assets. ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said the case involves an invoice of N$2 372 704 certified…
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Recon expects 2025 to be successful

Recon expects 2025 to be successful

Chamwe Kaira  Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd has filed its annual disclosure documents for the nine-month period ending 31 December 2024. The company holds interests in exploration prospects under Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 in the Kavango Basin, Namibia. It is focused on the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin, covering parts of northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola, and northwestern Botswana. In April 2024, ReconAfrica raised US\$17.5 million through a bought deal public offering. In July 2024, it raised another US$38.8 million through an underwritten public offering. In November 2024, the company completed drilling operations of the Naingopo exploration well. The results…
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Kauandenge eyes local authority polls with new party

Kauandenge eyes local authority polls with new party

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Local authority elections are the target for Joseph Kauandenge’s new political association, the Association for Localised Interest (ASOLI). Kauandenge announced the formation of ASOLI on Tuesday. The party plans to contest in the Windhoek local authority elections set for later this year. The formation of ASOLI follows Kauandenge’s resignation last month from his position as Secretary General of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo). Although he did not provide a reason for his decision, he communicated his resignation in a letter addressed to the Nudo president, Esther Muinjangue. Kauandenge said ASOLI already has more than 4 000 registered…
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Analysts warn free tertiary education could worsen unemployment

Analysts warn free tertiary education could worsen unemployment

Justicia Shipena  Political analysts have urged the government to first address the root causes of unemployment before introducing a free tertiary education policy. Political analyst Sackaria Johannes has cautioned the government to examine the root causes of unemployment before rolling out free tertiary education. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer last week, Johannes said the real issue is not access to education but the growing number of unemployed graduates. “The leaders should start by asking, ‘What is the real problem that we have? Are they people who want to go to school but cannot afford it? Or is it…
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Oshikuku siphon works advance despite challenges

Oshikuku siphon works advance despite challenges

Niël Terblanché Construction at the Oshikuku siphon in Namibia’s north-central region is moving forward. The project is part of efforts by the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) to restore and upgrade the area's water supply system. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said workers are currently casting reinforced concrete structures. These include the inlet and outlet chambers, as well as anchor and support blocks. “These structural components are essential to ensuring the long-term stability and efficiency of the siphon,” he said. The original infrastructure was badly damaged during recent floods. The flooding disrupted water flow and put pressure on local water treatment facilities.…
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Flood risk along the lower Orange River rising

Flood risk along the lower Orange River rising

Niël Terblanché Communities along the lower Orange River in southern Namibia are on alert. Dam systems upstream in South Africa continue to release large volumes of water after heavy rains this season. Authorities warned of possible flooding in Noordoewer, Aussenkehr, Oranjemund, and nearby irrigation areas, mining sites, and low-lying settlements. Road users and residents were urged to stay vigilant. The Oranjemund Town Council also notified all residents and visitors that water levels in the Orange River are rising, and the flow is currently very strong and dangerous. “Under no circumstances is anyone permitted to enter the river or engage in…
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Venus field development advances despite Marula setback

Venus field development advances despite Marula setback

Niël Terblanché The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) and its joint venture partners, TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and Impact Oil & Gas, will move forward with developing the Venus Field in Block 2913B, offshore Namibia.  This decision comes despite the recent unsuccessful drilling of the Marula-1X exploration well. The Marula-1X well lies about 47 kilometres south of the Venus-1X discovery. It was drilled to a depth of 6,460 metres, targeting Albian-aged sandstones.  No hydrocarbons were found in the primary target, and no drill stem test was performed. Victoria Sibeya, acting managing director of Namcor, said on Tuesday that a full analysis…
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Nust has ‘no comment’ on suspected e-learning system hack

Nust has ‘no comment’ on suspected e-learning system hack

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has remained silent following reports that its e-learning system may have been hacked between 18 and 20 April. During the Easter weekend, students could not access the eLearning platform. The system was reportedly down, and some learners were unable to submit their assignments. Sources within the university, who requested anonymity, claimed that the breach may have caused some students’ assessments to disappear. “Some students were asked to resubmit their assessments, especially assignments. I cannot confirm whether the hackers managed to access student information or not, but you can find out…
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Swakopmund residents face increased service charges

Swakopmund residents face increased service charges

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund residents will pay more for municipal services in this financial year.  A five percent increase in service fees is proposed in the town’s draft budget. Councillor Wilfried Groenewald, chairperson of the Swakopmund Municipality’s management committee, tabled the N$579 million budget during a special council meeting on Friday. The budget allocates N$494 million for operational costs and N$85 million for capital development. Groenewald said the tariff adjustments are necessary to maintain service quality despite rising costs.  “The five percent increase is a measured approach aimed at sustaining service delivery without placing too much strain on residents,” he said.…
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