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Leadership by example. But health reform must start with the basics

When Health Minister Esperance Luvindao told Parliament yesterday that public hospitals must be good enough for senior officials, she cut through years of polite avoidance. Her message was direct: if the state runs a public health system, those who govern the state should use it. That declaration deserves recognition. Namibia has lived with an uncomfortable duality in healthcare. The majority depend on public facilities that are chronically stretched. Meanwhile, a politically connected minority accesses private care through the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS). The result is a structural detachment between decision-makers and the daily experience of ordinary patients.…
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Namcor board chair and acting MD butt heads

Namcor board chair and acting MD butt heads

Renthia Kaimbi A leadership dispute is unfolding at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), where board chairperson Florentia Amuenje and interim managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende are at odds over the future of the top executive post. Hinda-Mbuende’s six-month contract ends on Friday, one day after applications close for a substantive managing director. She was appointed after former acting MD Victoria Sibeya was removed in August 2025, five months into her tenure. Sources within Namcor claim Amuenje has made it clear that Hinda-Mbuende will not be reappointed beyond her initial term. Insiders say the chairperson has already identified a preferred…
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Itula insists President lied about her family’s oil interests

Itula insists President lied about her family’s oil interests

Allexer Namundjembo Independence Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula insists that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s family has interests in the oil and gas sector. He says the country must confront what he calls a conflict at the centre of government as the National Assembly debates the oil bill. “It is not speculation. What I am about to present to you is a diagnosis of capture,” Itula said during a press conference at the party’s office in Windhoek on Tuesday. At the same time, Itula said he was presenting evidence, not making allegations. He described what he called “a capture of…
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Outapi drainage plans stall over budget shortage

Outapi drainage plans stall over budget shortage

Allexer Namundjembo Outapi mayor Victorina Neingo says stalled stormwater projects are holding the town back as drainage problems resurface with each rainy season. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday after heavy weekend rains, Neingo said the town has an approved stormwater master plan but lacks funds to implement it. “The Outapi Town Council has an approved stormwater master plan in place to systematically address stormwater drainage challenges within the town. However, implementation of the identified projects remains constrained due to budgetary limitations,” Neingo said. The recent rainfall led to temporary water accumulation in low-lying areas. Some buildings became difficult…
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Experts warn sardine stocks need protection

Experts warn sardine stocks need protection

Renthia Kaimbi Government officials, scientists, industry leaders and community representatives gathered in Swakopmund last week to confront gaps in marine research and address growing pressure on the country’s ocean resources during the two-day Ocean in Focus Symposium. The two-day Ocean in Focus Symposium, held from 18 to 19 February, aimed to identify knowledge gaps and guide research, policy and investment in Namibia’s coastal and marine areas. The event was facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform through the Namibia Islands and Marine Protected Areas Project (NIMPA+). Donor support came…
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Salmon industry touted as economic boost

Salmon industry touted as economic boost

Staff Writer The deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Ruthy Masake, says Namibia must expand beyond traditional fishing and invest in large-scale aquaculture. She identified salmon farming as a new driver of industrial growth. She was speaking at the “Unlocking Namibia’s Salmon Industry: An Opportunity for Industrialisation” seminar at the Avani Hotel on Monday. Masake said the country needs to shift from harvest-based fishing to farming-based production of high-value species such as Atlantic salmon. She said this move would strengthen agro-processing and aquaculture value chains while supporting economic diversification. Masake noted that salmon ranks among the most…
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Leadership by example. But health reform must start with the basics

When Health Minister Esperance Luvindao told Parliament yesterday  that public hospitals must be good enough for senior officials, she cut through years of polite avoidance. Her message was direct: if the state runs a public health system, those who govern the state should use it. That declaration deserves recognition. Namibia has lived with an uncomfortable duality in healthcare. The majority depend on public facilities that are chronically stretched. Meanwhile, a politically connected minority accesses private care through the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS). The result is a structural detachment between decision-makers and the daily experience of ordinary patients.…
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Andrada secures N$48 million tin deal

Andrada secures N$48 million tin deal

Chamwe Kaira Tin producer Andrada Mining Limited has secured a N$48 million advance under an expanded exclusive offtake agreement with Thailand Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd (Thaisarco). Andrada announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Uis Tin Mining Company (Proprietary) Limited (UTMC), has extended its existing offtake agreement with Thaisarco, first signed in November 2023. Under the new terms, Thaisarco will advance US$3 million, about N$48 million, to UTMC. The advance is unsecured and interest-free. It is repayable at UTMC’s discretion, except in specific default situations. The funds are expected to be received this week. In return, Thaisarco has been granted…
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Namibia eyes oil revenue windfall

Namibia eyes oil revenue windfall

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s offshore oil and gas discoveries are expected to shape investment expectations in 2026, but they are unlikely to bring immediate changes to the structure of the economy. Industry analysts describe the current period as one of positioning.  They say policy clarity, infrastructure readiness and final commercial decisions will determine whether discoveries move to production. Between 2021 and 2025, more than 15 offshore exploration wells were drilled in Blocks 2913B and 2913A. Operators included TotalEnergies SE, Shell plc, Galp Energia SGPS S.A., Chevron Corporation and partners such as Rhino Resources Namibia and BW Kudu Limited. Despite multiple discoveries,…
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Debt climbs to 60% of GDP

Debt climbs to 60% of GDP

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s fiscal position for the 2025/26 financial year shows growing pressure on revenue and rising debt, with limited room for policy adjustment in the short term. The government has revised its revenue forecast downward from about N$92.6 billion to N$89.4 billion after weaker-than-expected collections from major tax and non-tax sources.  By mid-year, revenue collections stood at about N$36.6 billion, or 41% of the revised target. This falls below the usual mid-year benchmark of around 50%, pointing to deeper revenue weakness. Transfers from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) remain volatile, making fiscal planning difficult. Mining revenues have also…
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