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Cholera cases surge in Grootfontein

Cholera cases surge in Grootfontein

Renthia Kaimbi Cholera cases in Grootfontein have more than tripled in three weeks as suspected infections rise to 50. The outbreak was first flagged on 18 November with one suspected case.  By 24 November, health authorities were investigating six cases, three of which were confirmed by the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP). As of yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is tracking 50 suspected cases in the Grootfontein district.  Laboratory testing by the NIP has confirmed 10 positive cases. Twenty-eight suspected cases tested negative.  Four samples have not yet been tested, one result is pending, and two patients…
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HSAN denies acting as homeschooling regulator

HSAN denies acting as homeschooling regulator

Allexer Namundjembo The Home-Schooling Association of Namibia (HSAN) says it has never presented itself as a regulatory body or a registering or approving authority. It also says it does not act as an oversight or inspection body, nor is it a school or private education institution. Responding to questions sent by the Windhoek Observer on Monday, HSAN said it has also never presented itself as a substitute for the Ministry of Education or as a school in any way, type or form. “The media release correctly states that only the Ministry has the legal mandate to regulate, approve, and oversee…
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Local authorities, SOEs owe NamPower N$557m

Local authorities, SOEs owe NamPower N$557m

Justicia Shipena  Local authorities and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) owe NamPower N$557 million after failing to meet repayment arrangements.  The Electricity Control Board (ECB) disclosed the figures following its board meeting on 9 December 2025.  The Mariental municipality owes the largest amount at N$233.29 million.  Meanwhile, Gobabis Municipality owes N$70.2 million, followed by Karasburg Municipality with N$59 million, Aranos Town Council with N$58 million, Maltahöhe Village Council with N$34 million, Gibeon Village Council with N$24 million and Bethanie Village Council with N$21 million. Local authorities on bulk prepayment arrangements owe a further N$210 million.  Rehoboth Town Council, which has been on…
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Zambezi warning bells ring again: Act now or risk repeating a national tragedy

Namibia is once again standing at a familiar and deeply uncomfortable crossroads. The renewed calls for Zambezi secession, now resurfacing in Katima Mulilo, should chill every Namibian who remembers the painful lessons of our past. We have been here before. We ignored the warning signs then, dismissed legitimate grievances as fringe agitation, and laughed off the danger until it erupted into a national crisis. To do so again would be reckless in the extreme. Let us be clear from the outset: there is no credible evidence that the majority of Zambezi residents support secession. Analysts are correct in pointing out…
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High Court judge: ‘Errors do not void election results automatically’

High Court judge: ‘Errors do not void election results automatically’

Justicia Shipena  Election results remain binding even when they contain errors, unless a court sets them aside, the High Court has ruled in a case that corrected a mistake in the allocation of a council seat in the Rundu local authority election. In a ruling delivered on 9 December 2025, High Court judge Thomas Masuku said administrative decisions, including election outcomes, remain valid and effective until set aside by a competent court. He stressed that this principle underscores the central role of legality in the electoral process. “It is now firmly settled that administrative decision-making remains valid and binding, however…
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Strong gold prices keep mining sector stable

Strong gold prices keep mining sector stable

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has released its monthly mining update for October, showing that the mining sector remained stable despite global economic uncertainty, weak industrial activity in key markets, and pressure on diamond and base-metal demand. The update shows that mining continues to play a central role in the national economy, supported by strong performance in gold and uranium. Global conditions in October reflected softer industrial output in China, ongoing trade tensions, and cautious investor sentiment.  Despite this, Namibia’s mining industry held steady, supported by record gold prices and continued growth in uranium production. Gold reached…
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Mobile internet use climbs in third quarter

Mobile internet use climbs in third quarter

Chamwe Kaira Namibia recorded an increase in mobile broadband usage and steady performance across the information and communication technology sector in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran). The total number of active SIM cards rose by 3% during the quarter, reversing the stability recorded in the previous period.  The growth was driven by a 3% increase in prepaid subscriptions, while postpaid subscriptions grew by 1%. “Mobile broadband usage rose by 6%, and dongle and router-based broadband subscriptions increased significantly by 30%, although from a relatively small base indicating renewed interest in fixed…
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Angola invites bids for rail line with Namibia link

Angola invites bids for rail line with Namibia link

Chamwe Kaira Angola’s Ministry of Transport has launched a public tender for the concession to operate, manage, and maintain the Namibe Corridor, which includes plans for a future railway connection with Namibia. The tender invites interested bidders to submit proposals by 4 May 2026.  The concession will run for an initial period of 30 years, with the option to extend it to 50 years. The concession covers the Moçâmedes–Menongue railway line and includes rolling stock, railway infrastructure, workshops, and a training centre.  It also allows for the design and construction of new sections, extensions, and branch lines, including a rail…
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Westair celebrates locally qualified maintenance engineers

Westair celebrates locally qualified maintenance engineers

Staff Writer  Westair Aviation, together with its aviation training subsidiary Signa Aviation, celebrated a historic milestone recently with the graduation of Namibia’s first group of Aviation Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) to complete both their trade test preparation and final assessments entirely within Namibia. The ceremony recognized 20 apprentices who completed 18 theory modules, and nine graduates who successfully completed the full skills test process and are now officially qualified AMEs. This marked the first time a Namibian Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) has delivered a complete trade test pathway locally. It is a breakthrough for the country’s aviation training landscape and an…
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AISOD sets out vision for Namibia’s AI future

AISOD sets out vision for Namibia’s AI future

Staff Writer Artificial Intelligence Service Optimisation for Development (AISOD), a Namibian-registered artificial intelligence innovation and training organisation, has outlined its plans to position Namibia and Africa as leaders in ethical and locally developed AI systems. AISOD was founded in 2023 by Namibian technologist Joel Tiago. The organisation focuses on using artificial intelligence to improve service delivery, develop digital systems, and equip Namibians with technological skills suited to a changing economy.  Its work aligns with Namibia’s National AI and Digital Strategies and responds to the need for African-driven AI solutions. “Artificial intelligence must not be something Africa merely consumes,” said Tiago. …
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