Blog

Police not investigating Ruacana High School fire incident

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian Police have confirmed that it is not investigating the fire incident that destroyed a boys’ hostel block at Ruacana High School on 30 March 2025. “We are aware of the fire incident; however, the police are not involved in investigating the matter at this stage,” said Deputy Commissioner Zachariah Amakali, head of investigations in the Omusati Region. The fire, which wiped out one of the boys' hostel blocks, has left 52 Grade 10 learners without textbooks, school uniforms, shoes, bedding, and other personal belongings.  Immanuel Angula, the school’s hostel superintendent, explained that the fire has put…
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Ruacana school hostel food supplies may run out soon

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Ruacana High School hostel superintendent Immanuel Angula says learners have not yet experienced food shortages at the school, but warned that the situation could quickly change if the education ministry does not intervene. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Angula said the current food situation remains stable at his school for now and that it is the responsibility of the education ministry to act if the situation deteriorates. “For now, we have not experienced that situation at the school level here. If such a situation arises, it will be up to the ministry to respond. But for now, we…
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Kagcuva FC referee complaint dismissed on procedure

Kagcuva FC referee complaint dismissed on procedure

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namport Kavango East Football Association (KEFA) Chairperson Patrick Mukoya says Kagcuva Football Club’s call for an investigation into a referee’s conduct does not follow the proper complaint procedures outlined in the Namibia Football Association (NFA) regulations. Mukoya made the remarks on Friday in a written response to Kagcuva FC Secretary Frans Muhembo, who had lodged an official complaint requesting disciplinary action against the referee who officiated the match between Kagcuva FC and Divayi Football Club. During the game, 14 yellow and red cards were issued to Kagcuva players and officials. Players and officials questioned the referee's decisions, which…
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Namibia Civil Aviation Authority honoured as Africa’s top regulator

Namibia Civil Aviation Authority honoured as Africa’s top regulator

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been named the Best Civil Aviation Authority in Africa at the Aviation Week Africa (AWA) Gala Night, held recently in Livingstone, Zambia. This award recognises the NCAA's role in fostering safe, secure, and efficient air transport across the continent. Toska Sem, the NCAA’s Executive Director, accepted the award from Captain Gabriel Luembe, Director General of the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority. Sem attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of the NCAA team, the guidance of the Board of Directors, support from stakeholders, and strategic direction from the Ministry of Works and…
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Namibia shines at Para Championships

Namibia shines at Para Championships

Erasmus Shalihaxwe  Namibian athletes delivered strong performances at regional para sports events over the weekend, claiming multiple medals in both triathlon and archery. Paralympic athlete Jerome Rooi took top honours by winning the PTS2 African Triathlon Championship held in South Africa on Saturday. His achievement placed Namibia at the top in his category. Fellow athlete Mateus Angula, competing in only his second triathlon event, secured third place, adding to Namibia’s medal tally. In para archery, Namibian archers also made their mark.  De-Villiers Visser and teammate Jan-Lotz du Toit earned a bronze medal in the team category at the Southern African…
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GBV, road deaths mark violent weekend

GBV, road deaths mark violent weekend

Ester Mbathera  The country experienced a wave of violent incidents over the weekend, with reports of gender-based violence (GBV), murder, rape, fatal road accidents, and drownings recorded across multiple regions. In Usakos, six people were allegedly murdered by an 18-year-old boy at the Hakhaseb location. Nampol reported that the suspect entered the house and allegedly first killed an elderly woman and five children with an axe and knob kierrie. He subsequently set their bodies on fire. “Victims are: Elisabeth Naruses (90) female, Fenny Naruses (18) female, Ibra Naruses (6) female, Raunisha Boer (6) female, Rachel Boer (3) female, and Emi…
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HUSAB, Rössing mines withstand heavy rains

HUSAB, Rössing mines withstand heavy rains

Allexer Namundjembo As rains continue to cause destruction in large parts of the country, flooding roads and damaging infrastructure, two of the country’s major open-pit uranium mines, HUSAB and Rössing, have remained largely unaffected. Irvinne Simataa, the Executive Vice President of HUSAB Mine, said the mine experienced minimal impacts. According to him, the effects were no different from the usual weather challenges. “There are no significant impacts on our operations. Our mine has always been resilient in responding to the challenges posed by the weather,” he said. Simataa added that the mine's infrastructure, including a well-constructed bridge over major river…
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Trump hits Namibia with 21% trade tariffs

Trump hits Namibia with 21% trade tariffs

CHAMWE KAIRA  The United States has imposed a 21% import tariff on Namibian goods, a move expected to affect key exports such as diamonds, uranium, fish, and beef.  U.S. President Donald Trump, in his announcement, cited the long-term decline in U.S. manufacturing as justification. “From 1997 to 2024, the United States lost around five million manufacturing jobs and experienced one of the largest drops in manufacturing employment in history,” he said. Namibia joins a list of African countries now facing higher tariffs on exports to the U.S. These include Lesotho at 50%, Madagascar 47%, Mauritius 40%, Botswana 37%, South Africa…
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Northern regions face widespread power outages

Northern regions face widespread power outages

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Namibia’s northern regions are experiencing widespread power outages, with residents in parts of the Omusati and Oshikoto regions reporting prolonged blackouts that have disrupted daily life and essential services. The entire Onemanya area, along with neighbouring villages such as Uukuvu, Ilambo, and Onadjila, has been without electricity since Wednesday. The outage has affected households, small businesses, and schools, with many residents raising concerns over the lack of communication and response. Getrud Simeon from Onemanya village said the continued blackout was causing mounting frustration. "The power is still off, and it’s becoming frustrating. We depend on electricity for everything.…
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Are these just early  signs of early days?

Are these just early  signs of early days?

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Is it early days? Yours Truly, Ideologically, I cannot but ask but at the same time also answer that it is by no means early days. Simply because for someone determined that it is “business unusual”, it cannot be early days at all. Since the message has been loud and clear, the media seem to be having a field day with the new administration “hitting the ground running” in their respective spaces. What does the new administration mean by "hitting the ground running"? One may be prompted to ask. Given that the president has only had three months…
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