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Sakeus Iikela A South African Member of Parliament has called for urgent action to implement a bilateral agreement on preserving the Nama language between Namibia and South Africa. Speaking in Windhoek on Monday, Newrene Klaaste, Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, warned that without concrete efforts between the two countries, the language – a vital part of the region’s cultural heritage – could disappear. “Our bilateral agreements with Namibia include education and the preservation of the Nama language. It is crucial that we assess the progress of this agreement. The fear we have is that if we do not…

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced the registration of the Association for Localised Interest (ASOLI) as an association under the Electoral Act, 2014. This development, published in Government Gazette No. 8585, opens a 30-day window from 4 March to 4 April 2025 for objections from any registered organisation or individual. In a statement confirming the registration, Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Peter Shaama, outlined the legal basis for the announcement. “Pursuant to Section 148(7) of the Electoral Act, Act No. 5 of 2014, as amended, the Electoral Commission of Namibia hereby formally announces the registration of…

Niël Terblanché The healthcare sector has undergone a major shift with the established Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) which consolidated five different councils into one entity. The transition follows on the heels of the enactment of the Health Professions Act of 2024. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, during the swearing-in of the new council members in Windhoek on Monday, described the development as a critical step towards strengthening oversight in the medical field. “The new Health Professions Council of Namibia was established in terms of the provisions of the Health Professions Act, 2024. This…

Allexer Namundjembo A special parliamentary committee has raised concerns that the Affirmative Repositioning’s (AR) Land Bill of 2015 could harm foreign direct investment (FDI) and conflict with Namibia’s legal framework. Tjekero Tweya, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, presented a report analysing the bill, which aims to regulate land ownership by non-Namibian citizens. He said the bill may impact certain constitutional rights, particularly those in Chapter 3, which guarantees equality. “The proposed bill will have an impact on certain rights and freedoms, particularly the fundamental rights and freedoms contained in Chapter 3 of the Namibian Constitution, the…