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The Sound of Silence: Are we serious about local democracy?

The Sound of Silence: Are we serious about local democracy?

Gillian Kalf Is the silence across the country two months away from elections a sign of voter disengagement in local politics?  The loud silence says a lot about our democracy and enforcing our decentralisation efforts in our governance and body politics of the nation. Last year this time, the nation's political landscape was a hive of activity. From political leaders outlining visions for the future to citizens passionately debating succession, the country was alive with political discourse.  What is the silence all about then? Stakeholders – political parties, civil society organisations, the electorate and, most importantly, the politicians. The Electoral…
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When life takes a detour: The value of having an income you can rely on

When life takes a detour: The value of having an income you can rely on

Nikanor Ruben Most people don’t wake up thinking about what would happen if they couldn’t work tomorrow. We tend to assume that the ability to earn a living is a constant, as dependable as the sun rising. But the truth is, life has a way of reminding us just how fragile that assumption can be.  Whether you're in your 20s just starting your career or well into your 50s with responsibilities stacked high, the ability to earn a monthly income is central to almost everything: paying the bills, covering school fees, sending money home, and keeping food on the table.…
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CAF raises funding for preliminary participants

CAF raises funding for preliminary participants

Erasmus Shalihaxwe African Stars FC and Young African FC will each receive N$1.7 million from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their participation in the 2025/26 inter-club competitions. CAF recently  announced that the financial support for teams in the preliminary round has increased from N$850 000 to N$1.7 million.  The funds will cover expenses such as travel and accommodation. African Stars will face Vipers FC from Uganda in the Champions League preliminary round, while Young African from Gobabis will play Royal Leopards from Eswatini in the Confederations Cup.  The first leg for both ties will take place from 19…
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Malima deposited N$900k for Mulunga’s alleged Audi

Malima deposited N$900k for Mulunga’s alleged Audi

Justicia Shipena Fugitive Victor Malima paid a deposit of just over N$900,000 in 2023 for the luxury Audi Q8 he allegedly bought for former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) managing director Immanuel Mulunga, the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.  The payment was made before the vehicle was collected in August 2023, months after Mulunga was suspended in April 2023. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chief investigator Oberty Inambao revealed this information.   Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Francois Bangamwabo, Inambao said the car was financed through a hire purchase agreement in Malima’s name.  He confirmed that in such arrangements, the bank…
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City mayor accused of emotionally manipulating councillors

City mayor accused of emotionally manipulating councillors

Allexer Namundjembo A formal complaint has been lodged  against City of Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja.  She is accused of persistent unethical and disruptive conduct that allegedly undermines council unity and service delivery. In a recent letter to the city's chief executive officer, Moses Matyayi, former mayor and councillor Sade Gawanas expressed “great concern regarding the continued unethical and disruptive conduct” of Larandja.  She warned that her [Larandja’s] behaviour “severely undermines not only the effectiveness and professionalism of council proceedings but also the integrity and public trust vested in this institution.” Gawanas alleged that while Larandja presents a professional image in…
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IPC threatens to take Swapo to court over Walvis Bay takeover

IPC threatens to take Swapo to court over Walvis Bay takeover

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has threatened legal action against Swapo, accusing the ruling party of dictatorship and a power grab in Walvis Bay. The threat follows a meeting of the Walvis Bay business community on Saturday, led by Cobus van Schalkwyk, which called on the urban and rural development ministry to take over the town’s municipality.  The group asked the urban and rural development ministry to take over the town, saying the municipality is failing to manage it. The meeting was attended by Swapo party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, former fisheries minister Derek Klazen, and other…
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Phosphate industry could create 50 000 jobs

Chamwe Kaira Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd estimates that an integrated phosphate industry in Namibia could create up to 50 000 jobs in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. The company projects a gross domestic product (GDP) contribution of N$14.8 billion, tax revenue of N$3.5 billion, and export earnings of N$18.7 billion.  These figures were presented during the just ended 2025 Mining Expo and Conference held recently in Windhoek. Namibian Marine Phosphate is leading the Sandpiper project, which aims to mine marine phosphate in Namibia.  The company holds a valid Mining License (ML170) issued in 2011 for 20 years. However, commercial dredging…
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Public backs San community in jobs row

Public backs San community in jobs row

Allexer Namundjembo Namibians on social media and residents of the Zambezi region have backed calls to include the San community in job opportunities at the Ndoro Memorial Combined School hostel.  The school is located in Omega Three, Kongola Constituency, Zambezi region. The protest began after no one from the San community was appointed to the 12 advertised hostel positions.  The hostel was scheduled to open two weeks, coinciding with the start of the school term, but following the recruitment results, parents withdrew their children from classes. Some pupils have not attended school for the past two days. Activist and Zambezi…
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SA police convoy gets Nampol escort from Ariamsvlei to Swakopmund

SA police convoy gets Nampol escort from Ariamsvlei to Swakopmund

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian Police (Nampol) have confirmed that a South African delegation of police officials and public service employees began travelling through Namibia on 10 August 2025. Commissioner Johanna Ngondo told the Windhoek Observer yesterday her team is escorting the delegation from the Ariamsvlei border post to Windhoek.  From Windhoek, another police unit will take over the escort for the convoy’s onwards journey to Swakopmund. “The exact number of vehicles in the convoy has not been confirmed, but all vehicles will travel together,” Ngondo said. She added that no roads have been closed during the convoy’s passage, but motorists…
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Namibia eyes nuclear suppliers group

Namibia eyes nuclear suppliers group

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The cabinet has approved the application for Namibia to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The decision was made at the 16th cabinet meeting held last week.  Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus said the cabinet has directed the ministry of international relations and trade to coordinate technical updates to the application dossier. “To act as a focal point and to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with implementing the NSG Guidelines,” said Theofelus. She added that the Cabinet further approved a ministerial-level delegation to lobby the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency…
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