Page 8 – News Stand

31 Jul

The former liberation movements: The imperative of pan-African refoundation and amílcar cabral’s thoughts of the battle against our own weakness

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Abstract This article critically examines the contemporary relevance and challenges facing Southern Africa’s former liberation movements, specifically in the context of the LIBERATION MOVEMENTS SUMMIT 2025: The three-day indaba, which began last Friday and concluded on Sunday with the Summit of Heads of State and Leaders of Liberation Movements, ran under the theme “Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa.” The summit brought together six former liberation movements—the ANC of South Africa (host and outgoing chair), Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe), MPLA (Angola), SWAPO (Namibia), Frelimo…

31 Jul

Health procurement issues ‘fuel’ ED transfers

info_e12wt4csMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The recent reshuffle of executive directors, involving officials previously linked to the ministry of health, has raised concerns about corruption and instability in the public service. Ben Nangombe who served as executive directors at the health ministry is among those affected by the latest transfers. Nangombe served as the executive director of the health ministry from 2018 until March this year, before being transferred to the ministry of industries, mines, and energy. The office of the prime minister announced the changes on Thursday, with effect from 1 August. This marks the second round of reshuffles in just over…

31 Jul

Fuelgate: Austin’s five-month bribe spree at Namcor

info_e12wt4csNational News

Justicia Shipena The seventeenth accused in the Namcor fuel corruption case, Austin Elindi is alleged to have paid over N$2.36 million in bribes to former Namcor employees in five months. The bribes were paid between July and December 2022. Court documents show the payments were channelled through Namcor Petroleum Trading and Distribution (Pty) Ltd, the state-owned company responsible for fuel trading and distribution. The company also operates the National Oil Storage Facility in Walvis Bay and supplies fuel to sectors such as mining, construction, and public enterprises. The state alleges the payments included N$500,000 to Jennifer Hamukwaya, N$350,000 to Cornelius…

31 Jul

Six Namibians trafficked to Asia

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Six Namibian nationals were repatriated from Southeast Asia after being trafficked between June 2024 and June 2025. The victims, five from Myanmar and one from Laos, were returned to Namibia through coordination between Namibian authorities and international partners. The minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, shared this on Wednesday during the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons commemoration held in Rundu, Kavango East region. “These are not just statistics. Each represents a case in which a person’s rights and dignity were violated. Our collective response must be rooted in justice,” she said. Ashipala-Musavyi also confirmed that…

31 Jul

Eco Fuel fights Engen over summons delivery

info_e12wt4csNational News

Justicia Shipena Eco Fuel Investment CC has asked the High Court to set aside a N$5.46 million default judgment granted in favour of Engen Namibia (Pty) Ltd, arguing that the summons was not properly served. The company, co-owned by Namcor corruption accused Austin Elindi and fugitive Victor Malima, filed an urgent rescission application on Wednesday. Eco Fuel claims that Engen delivered the combined summons to an outdated address, Buffalo Signs on Werner List Street, despite having been notified on 16 April 2024 that the company’s new address was on Julius Nyerere Street in Windhoek. In court documents seen by the…

31 Jul

Presidency, defence warned to reconsider U.S. jihadists military help

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The office of the President and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs have been warned against accepting military assistance from the United States to counter alleged jihadist groups near Namibia’s border with Angola. Social commentator Ben Mulongeni urged President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and defence minister Frans Kapofi to be cautious, arguing that U.S. involvement often leads to destabilisation rather than peace. Muloheni claimed that the U.S. has a track record of creating or supporting rebel groups in countries with valuable resources to secure access for its own interests. His comments follow reports that Minister Kapofi recently met with…

31 Jul

NHE rejects ceremony cost claims

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) has dismissed reports that it spends up to N$500,000 on site and house handover ceremonies, following the circulation of an internal memo that raised concerns about expenditure and financial management. In a media statement issued on 30 July 2025, NHE stated that, “no site handover has ever cost the enormous figures quoted in the memo and sensationally reported by the media.” This follows media reports based on an internal memo that raised concerns about high expenditure and financial management. In a statement issued on Thursday, NHE said, “No site handover has ever cost…

31 Jul

Job hunt frustrates 85% of youth in the southern regions

info_e12wt4csNational News

Justicia Shipena A recent survey by the #BeFree Movement shows that youth unemployment, limited access to education, and lack of resources are among the main challenges facing young people in southern Namibia. Of the 51 participants, 85% listed unemployment as their main concern, followed by 72% who cited education and 68% who pointed to resource constraints. The findings informed the launch of the #BeFree Big Talk: Solutions Now initiative in the ||Karas region. The movement, in partnership with Active Youth Organisation Namibia (AYO), is running a three-day programme aimed at amplifying youth voices and driving community-led solutions. The programme, which…

31 Jul

Clerks urged to back SADC parliament shift

info_e12wt4csAfrica / World, Featured

Moses Magadza The chairperson of the committee of clerks and secretaries general of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Xolile George, has highlighted the role of clerks and secretaries of national parliaments in transforming the forum into a fully fledged SADC regional parliament. George, who is the clerk of the Parliament of South Africa, did this on Tuesday when he officially opened a statutory meeting of the Committee under the theme “Ensuring Operational Continuity Post Elections in SADC Member States.” “We gather here as a special crop of clerks and secretaries to our national parliaments with a special call and…

31 Jul

GOVERNANCE: AN ANALYSIS OF SOE BOARD MEMBERS WINDOW DRESSING

info_e12wt4csOpinions

JOSEF KEFAS SHEEHAMA It's time to have an uncomfortable conversation and be honest with each other. It is upsetting and sad to watch Namibia's multiple scandals emerge, particularly those involving State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in an array of critical economic sectors. This piece will not pinpoint specific entities involved in corruption and mismanagement scandals that have threatened our citizens' livelihoods and service delivery. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated during her inaugural speech that corruption is treason and should be treated as such. As a result, corruption emerges as soon as new administrations take office as part of their commitment to improving transparency…