NDP6: Big Promises, Thin Substance — But We Must Still Hope

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s launch of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) marked a historic moment -  not only as  Namibia’s first female Head of State, taking the reins  of long-term national planning, but also as a leader seeking to chart a new direction in the face of stagnating growth. Her leadership carries the promise of renewal. NDP6 presents an ambitious blueprint that speaks to the country’s most pressing concerns—economic diversification, youth empowerment, climate resilience, and national cohesion. Namibia is not short of plans. From Vision 2030  to Harambee Prosperity plan and five previous NDP’s, the country has demonstrated an admirable…
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Nandi-Ndaitwah reviews seeds planted in first 100 days

Nandi-Ndaitwah reviews seeds planted in first 100 days

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says food produced by the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) saved the government N$6.7 million between May and June this year. The NCS farms located at Divundu, Oluno, and Hardap, produced food valued at N$ 13.9 during this period. “This is a clear demonstration of how we can leverage government institutions to be more productive and self-sustaining,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks on Monday in Windhoek during the launch of the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6), where she also reported on her administration’s first 100 days in office. She said agriculture remains a key focus…
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Enercon in covert fuel rights sale

Enercon in covert fuel rights sale

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A document presented in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court revealed that Enercon Namibia (Pty) Ltd sold fuel station assets to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) without informing the ministry of defence and veterans affairs. The document, signed by the ministry’s executive director Wilhelmine Shivute, stated that Enercon never communicated its intention to sell the assets, which were situated on ministry property. The state argued that the ministry had not granted any authorisation for the sale. During cross-examination on Monday, state prosecutor Menencia Hinda told accused Malakia Elindi—then a director at Enercon—that he had no legal right to…
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‘This plan will deliver’ – NNN 

‘This plan will deliver’ – NNN 

Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has launched the sixth national development plan (NDP6), presenting a clear roadmap to transform the economy, improve public services, and reduce structural inequality. “We can no longer continue to speak the language of ‘plans are not implemented.’ This plan will deliver,” she said during the launch on Monday.  The launch comes after repeated delays.  In 2023, then prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila had announced that NDP6 would be launched in March 2025. The National Planning Commission later stated in January 2025 that it was finalising consultations and waiting for Cabinet approval. In the same month, the…
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Grootfontein in the dark over N$8.9m discrepancy

Grootfontein in the dark over N$8.9m discrepancy

 Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality has come under scrutiny following revelations in the auditor general’s report highlighting a significant discrepancy of over N$8.9 million between the bank balance reported in its financial statements and the reconciled cash book balance.  During a recent public hearing convened by the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts, officials were questioned over the variance, as well as several other irregularities identified in the financial year under review. According to the auditor general Junias Kandjeke’s findings, the financial statements for the 2019/2020 financial year reflected a bank balance of N$11.1 million. However, the actual reconciled cash…
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Zaamwani learns of Meatco shake-up from the press

Zaamwani learns of Meatco shake-up from the press

Justicia Shipena Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says she only officially learnt about the suspension of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco)’s acting chief executive officer, Patrick Liebenberg, on the same day it was reported in the media. “I read it in the newspapers, and I was informed telephonically on the day of the suspension, which was on Tuesday morning I think, 15 July 2025,” Zaamwani told the Windhoek Observer on Friday.  She said no reasons were provided at the time.  “They have not indicated the issue and said they are still investigating.” Meatco suspended Liebenberg on 14 July pending an…
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MPs challenge PAP selection process as four sworn in

MPs challenge PAP selection process as four sworn in

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Members of parliament from the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and Body of Christ parties are challenging the process used to select Namibia’s representatives to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), accusing the National Assembly of secretive and unlawful conduct. On Monday four MPs were sworn in at PAP to represent Namibia.  They are National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo and Uahekua Herunga from Swapo, Anseline Beukes from the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), and Rodney Cloete from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). AR chief whip Vaino Hangula has written to secretary to the National Assembly Ester Kaapanda demanding the immediate withdrawal…
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Annual sport awards return with expanded categories

Annual sport awards return with expanded categories

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) on Monday launched the 2025 edition of the Namibia Annual Sport Awards to honour athletes, coaches, administrators, and institutions across various sport codes. Speaking at the launch, chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said the victories of Namibian athletes have built a legacy rooted in national pride.  He said the celebration of sport is supported by the Namibia Sport Act, which guides the promotion, development, and recognition of sporting talent in the country. “For 2025, we are pleased to announce that the nomination application system will open on Friday, 25 July 2025,” said Mwiya. He…
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Unfinished Otjinene hospital project loses N$41.1m

Unfinished Otjinene hospital project loses N$41.1m

Hertta‑Maria Amutenja “Who is going to be held accountable for all this money that was spent and the hospital is not even complete?” This question was raised during a public hearing on the long-delayed Otjinene District Hospital, where it emerged that the ministry of health and social services spent over N$41.4 million on a project that has not served a single patient since construction began in 2006. According to a report by auditor general Junias Kandjeke for the financial year ended June 2021, the ministry incurred "irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure" amounting to N$41.4 million.  The total includes N$30.5 million…
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Civil servants push back on Psemas restrictions

Civil servants push back on Psemas restrictions

Justicia Shipena  The Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) has opposed the government's decision to limit the use of the Public Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to private healthcare facilities. On Friday, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that shehe had instructed the health ministry to work on a plan to redirect Psemas usage from private to public health institutions.  She said this shift aims to boost investment in public hospitals and clinics. “We don’t use the state facilities and that is why I said, minister of health, with your team, I gave them a timeframe. We will start with senior civil…
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