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President to launch delayed NDP6 this month

President to launch delayed NDP6 this month

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) is complete and will be launched soon. Although she did not give an exact date, Nandi-Ndaitwah hinted that the plan will be launched this month.  “I will launch it soon because all the work is done. I expect you to be familiar with the seven priorities of our government. Similarly, I expect you to be familiar with the eight critical economic enablers to effectively champion development in your respective regions,” she said during the appointment ceremony of regional governors at State House on Tuesday. The launch comes after…
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World Bank downgrades only Namibia in latest global review

World Bank downgrades only Namibia in latest global review

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has been downgraded from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country, according to the World Bank’s latest income classification update released this week. Namibia is the only country whose classification moved downward in the 2024 update.  The downgrade follows changes in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which the World Bank uses to group countries into four categories, low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income.  Every year on July 1, the World Bank makes these updates using the previous year's GNI data and the Atlas method, which smooths exchange rate fluctuations. The World Bank said Namibia’s GNI per capita…
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Grootfontein municipality promises crackdown on disorderly bars

Grootfontein municipality promises crackdown on disorderly bars

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality says it will take firm action against shebeen and bar owners who violate noise regulations and public order laws.  This follows complaints from residents about growing lawlessness in the town. “We are concerned about the bars and loud music from bars. In fact, on Monday, we had a very serious meeting and we are going to take strict measures against shebeen owners and other places of entertainment that are not adhering to the laws,” said acting chief executive officer of the municipality, Indileni Lungameni. Lungameni said the municipality has approached the Namibian Police Force to…
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Luvindao urges scholarship recipients to avoid distractions

Luvindao urges scholarship recipients to avoid distractions

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Minister of health and social services Esperance Luvindao has urged 52 health scholarship recipients to remain focused and disciplined as they begin their academic studies. Speaking at the pre-service scholarship award ceremony on Wednesday, Luvindao stressed the importance of staying committed, especially as many students will be far from home and familiar support systems. “You are embarking on a journey in a new environment, potentially far from home and far from familiar family and friends support systems. It is vital that you remain focused on your primary objective,” she said. Luvindao warned students against falling into negative social…
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Call for SADC Parliamentarians to put children at heart of climate action

Call for SADC Parliamentarians to put children at heart of climate action

Moses Magadza  A SADC regional seminar on children’s rights and climate change got underway in Cape Town on 2 July 2025 with the deputy speaker of the parliament of Botswana, Helen Manyeneng, challenging SADC parliamentarians to reimagine climate governance through the eyes of the region’s most vulnerable - its children. Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Manyeneng, a member of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, made a call to action, warning that “the storm is already upon us” and children are bearing the brunt. “We meet here not out of routine,” told delegates gathered at the School of Public Health at the University…
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New Zurich-Windhoek route to boost tourism and trade

New Zurich-Windhoek route to boost tourism and trade

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Air Connect Namibia has announced the launch of a new nonstop flight route between Zurich and Windhoek, set to begin in June 2026. The route will operate twice weekly and will be serviced by Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure airline. “This is more than just a new flight, it’s a strategic bridge between Europe and Namibia. We are thrilled to welcome Edelweiss to Namibia. This connection elevates our country’s status as a global tourism and investment destination, and we are committed to ensuring the route’s long-term success,” said Bisey /Uirab, chief executive officer of the Namibia Airports Company and…
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Namibia, Angola sign MoU to combat financial crimes

Namibia, Angola sign MoU to combat financial crimes

Justicia Shipena Namibia and Angola have agreed to work together to recover proceeds from money laundering and step up efforts to fight financial crimes.  The two countries’ Financial Intelligence Units signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the third Meeting of the SADC AML-CFT Committee held recently in Luanda, Angola. The agreement focuses on cooperation in tackling money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of weapons of mass destruction. It also enables both institutions to collaborate more closely on tracking cross-border financial flows. The MoU outlines joint capacity-building initiatives and aims to align financial intelligence analysis and investigative techniques . …
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Ohangwena and Omusati governors push for water security

Ohangwena and Omusati governors push for water security

Allexer Namundjembo The newly appointed governors of Ohangwena and Omusati regions have placed water access and sustainable agriculture at the top of their development agendas.  They have pledged to address water challenges and improve food production. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer at State House on Tuesday, Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said her previous experience at NamWater would help secure a stable water supply from the Ohangwena Aquifer. “With the necessary support from government parastatals, we can begin tapping water from the aquifer,” she said.  “We must ensure the entire region has access to water.” She said improved water access would…
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Youth games part of Namibia’s road to LA 2028 Olympics

Youth games part of Namibia’s road to LA 2028 Olympics

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, Dino Ballotti, says upcoming African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games will serve as platform to prepare athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games. Ballotti made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday while providing an update on Namibia’s readiness for the youth games, which start Friday in Windhoek and Swakopmund. He said the games will help identify elite athletes for the government's long-term talent development programme and prepare them for international events, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  The preparation programme is called “The Road…
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Wild Dogs FC wins Henties Bay Harambe Charity Cup

Wild Dogs FC wins Henties Bay Harambe Charity Cup

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Wild Dogs Football Club from Karibib were crowned champions of the Henties Bay Harambe Charity Cup over the weekend in Henties Bay. The team walked away with N$15 000 in prize money, a new soccer kit, 20 gold medals, and a trophy.  The runners-up, Amatuks, also from Karibib, received N$8,000, a new soccer kit, and 20 silver medals. Semifinalists Henties Bay United Football Club and Jomo Coastal Football Club from Swakopmund each received N$3 500. Tournament organiser Alderman Skini said the event was a success, bringing teams and communities together through sport and charity. He thanked all 16…
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