Blog

A STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS, AND STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE

A STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS, AND STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE

By P. T. Shipale The Confidénte newspaper (March 14-20, 2025) reports that Namibia’s President-elect and newly appointed SWAPO leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is taking decisive action to reform the executive branch of government. In a bold move to improve efficiency, cut costs, and facilitate more effective decision-making, the President-elect plans to restructure the Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries to between 12 and 15. Additionally, she is considering eliminating the positions of Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Ministers. In 2004 when the government amended the constitution in order to create a Vice-President’s position, I asked the question to find out…
Read More
NamRA ordered to refund N$1.2 million to a logistics company

NamRA ordered to refund N$1.2 million to a logistics company

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The High Court has ruled that the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) must refund N$1.2 million to Obie Logistics (Pty) Ltd after it unlawfully withheld the tax refund to offset a N$53 million debt owed by a separate company, Obie Transport. NamRA’s action was based on Section 83D of the Income Tax Act, of 1981, which was amended in 2015 to allow the agency to recover unpaid taxes from company directors. However, the court ruled that the law could not be applied retroactively and that Obie Logistics could not be held responsible for debts from another company that was…
Read More
Parliamentary committee recommends inclusion of struggle kids in Veterans Act

Parliamentary committee recommends inclusion of struggle kids in Veterans Act

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs has recommended that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Ministry of Justice, review the Veterans Act No. 2 of 2008.  The committee wants amendments to include all children who were in exile during the liberation struggle. A report released by Parliament on Monday states that when the Veterans Act was enacted in 2008, it excluded those below 18 years old.  At the time, they were considered children and dependent on their veteran parents. “The concern is that the Act automatically excludes those above 18…
Read More
New emergency response plan enhances public health

New emergency response plan enhances public health

Niël Terblanché Namibia has taken a decisive step in enhancing its capacity to respond to health emergencies with the launch of the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan on Monday. The initiative, which was unveiled in Windhoek by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), also includes the introduction of a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Handbook, a Digital Learning Platform, and the distribution of 80 electronic tablets for Community Health Workers. Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the new measures reflect Namibia’s commitment to being prepared for public…
Read More
AR outraged over dumping of spoiled maize meal

AR outraged over dumping of spoiled maize meal

Niël Terblanché The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement’s leadership in the Otjozondjupa Region has expressed outrage over the discovery of spoiled maize meal being collected by desperate residents in Otavi. Disturbing videos circulating on social media show people collecting sealed bags of maize meal that were dumped in an area easily accessible to the public, raising serious concerns about the handling of drought relief provisions. According to AR activist Jay Jay, the maize, intended as part of food aid efforts, was discarded in a manner that allowed hungry residents to retrieve and consume it despite it being unfit for human consumption.…
Read More
NYC Director’s suspension revoked

NYC Director’s suspension revoked

Allexer Namundjembo The Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service has revoked the suspension of Namibia National Youth Council (NYC) director Calista Schwartz-Gowases. The NYC board had suspended her last year over allegations of serious misconduct. In a letter to the executive chairperson of the interim board, minister Agnes Tjongarero lifted the suspension with immediate effect. Tjongarero cited clarification from Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, who said that he was not involved in executing the investigation committee’s recommendations and did not delay any NYC-related matters. A media statement from the Finance Ministry, issued by the spokesperson Wilson Ashikoto, said the reports…
Read More
Independence celebratory theme unveiled

Independence celebratory theme unveiled

Niël Terblanché With only three days left until Namibia celebrates its 35th Independence Day, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology revealed the official celebratory theme and logo for the next five years. The ministry’s executive director, Audrin Mathe in a statement on Monday announced the theme, “Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future” and said it reflects the nation’s commitment to unity, development, and progress. Speaking at the unveiling, Mathe said that the theme reinforces the collective responsibility to build a stronger, more prosperous nation. He added that the new logo is aimed at inspiring Namibians to continue working towards…
Read More
Paralympic Committee elective congress postponed over non-compliance

Paralympic Committee elective congress postponed over non-compliance

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Chief Administrator Freddy Mwiya has dismissed claims that the commission has taken over the affairs of the Namibia Paralympic Committee (NPC), saying that the NSC is only enforcing compliance with its regulations. Mwiya on Monday told the Windhoek Observer that while NPC is not in compliance with certain NSC provisions, the commission does not have the authority to take over any sporting body’s operations.  “We only help them to comply with the law. Right now, they are not in compliance with the law when they were organising the elective congress. We had a meeting…
Read More
NBC takes parliament to court

NBC takes parliament to court

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has taken parliament to court over a report it claims is unconstitutional and flawed.  The report, titled ‘Report of the Motion on Devastating Strike at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC),’ was tabled in parliament on 15 February by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development. It identified the main cause of the 2021 strike by 600 employees as the N$5.4 million paid to executive management and selected senior managers as “performance bonuses.” The committee also found that NBC violated the Labour Act, which limits salary deductions to one-third of an…
Read More
Schlettwein tables Land Bill to address land ownership imbalances

Schlettwein tables Land Bill to address land ownership imbalances

Niël Terblanché The minister of agriculture, water and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, has introduced the long-anticipated Land Bill that seeks to ban foreign nationals from acquiring communal and commercial land in Namibia.  Schlettwein tabled the bill last week saying it aims to address long-standing land ownership imbalances and streamline land administration in the country. “Foreign nationals do not have any customs being practised in Namibia traditionally, hence this prohibition,” Schlettwein stated. The bill proposes fines of up to N$50 000 or imprisonment for up to ten years for those who violate this provision.  Foreign investors would, however, be allowed to…
Read More