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Niël Terblanché Namibian and American stakeholders met recently at the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek to discuss new ways to collaborate on cybersecurity, digital innovation, and responsible technology governance. The panel discussion, held under the theme “Driving Namibia and the United States’ Mutual Interest in Technology”, brought together representatives from government, academia, and the private sector. Acting deputy chief of missions Alexis Haftvani opened the session.  “By working with Namibia to expand internet access, improve digital infrastructure, and promote sound technology policies, we are investing in long-term progress,” she said. The panel included U.S. exchange programme alumni now working in Namibia’s…

Niël Terblanché Namibians were to embrace a long-term, regenerative approach to land use at the commemoration of Desertification and Drought Day, held in Outapi on Tuesday. Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti addressed attendees at the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel. “This year’s theme, ‘Restore the Land, Unlock the Opportunities’, is both a statement of fact and a call to action,” said Mufeti. He described land as more than just a resource, calling it the bedrock of a thriving society. “A healthy, functional ecosystem is not a luxury, but the fundamental foundation of a…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Tsumeb Municipality has defended its decision to use a restricted bidding process for the construction of 31 Build Together housing units in Nomtsoub Extension 8.  The municipality said the approach was in line with the Public Procurement Act and necessary due to time constraints. This follows a complaint filed last week by Affirmative Repositioning activist Johannes John.  He questioned the transparency of the process, alleging that only six companies were invited to bid and that one company had already been informally selected.  He called for the cancellation of the tender and a restart under open bidding. In…

Niël Terblanché The executive director of ministry of information and communication technology, Audrin Mathe, has called on government public relations officers to prioritise transparency and place citizens at the centre of public service. Speaking at a retreat for government communication officers in Rundu this week, Mathe said effective communication remains one of the biggest challenges in modern governance. “In an era where information travels at the speed of light, where citizens expect immediate access to government services and real-time updates, transparency is not merely a democratic ideal but a fundamental requirement for effective governance,” he said. He stressed that laws…

Niël Terblanché Namibia has confirmed its first case of rabies in a Cape fur seal after the death of an infected animal at the Walvis Bay Lagoon on Friday. The ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform said the seal showed signs of aggression and unusual behaviour before it died on Saturday. Laboratory tests conducted in Windhoek on Monday confirmed the presence of the rabies virus. “This is the first case of rabies in a seal reported in Namibia. It is the first known outbreak of rabies in marine mammals in the region and one of the very few…

Niël Terblanché Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), has officially opened the 18th Recruit Training Intake at the NDF Training Establishment in Osona, cautioning the recruits that discipline, honour and loyalty are non-negotiable values in their journey as future defenders of the nation. A total of 1,679 recruits, drawn from all 14 regions of Namibia, reported for training.  The intake includes 1,303 men and 361 women, as well as 88 drivers and 11 student pilots. Pinehas described the occasion as an opportunity to mould civilians into soldiers capable of safeguarding Namibia’s sovereignty and constitutional obligations.…

Niël Terblanché The Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) has reiterated its opposition to what it describes as disguised retrenchments at the Sinomine Copper Smelter in Tsumeb, following the company’s announcement of a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) affecting up to 650 workers. Speaking after a six-hour meeting with Sinomine management earlier this week, MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the union remained unconvinced by assurances that the VSS is optional and falls outside the scope of Section 34 of the Labour Act. “The chief executive officer of Sinomine confirmed the VSS has been board-approved and is final. Accordingly, the union…