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Allexer Namundjembo The Engineering Council of Namibia's (ECN) new board members have not yet started their work, a memo issued by the council’s registrar, Charles Mukwaso, revealed on Wednesday.  The members were appointed in August by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi.  In the memo, Mukwaso said key functions are still being handled by Nekundi.  “The registrar is inundated with queries and enquiries into applications, particularly full registration, among other matters. I have waited long in hope that these pending matters would be expeditiously resolved, but the accumulating queries have led me to issue this,” the memo reads. Mukwaso asserted…

Chamwe Kaira The minister of finance, Ericah Shafudah, says the redemption of Namibia’s US$750 million Eurobond marks a milestone in the country’s economic journey. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia (BoN) announced that Namibia had successfully redeemed its second eurobond, valued at US$750 million (approximately N$13.9 billion).  The bond represents the largest single debt maturity in the country's history. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic foresight, and prudent debt management,” Shafudah said. Namibia first issued a eurobond in 2011 under former president Hifikepunye Pohamba at an interest rate of…

Justicia Shipena  The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues. This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete.  She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals.  The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s takeover of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has sparked a debate over whether she overstepped constitutional limits by appointing herself to the position. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula accused Nandi-Ndaitwah of violating the Namibian Constitution and the Assignment of Powers Act 4 of 1990.  He said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s move to take charge of the ministry after firing Natangue Ithete was “a gross violation” of her oath of office and the law. “The president must seriously consider whether she acted within the law by appointing herself as minister for mines and energy,…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has taken charge of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy after firing Minister Natangue Ithete with immediate effect. The president's office announced the decision yesterday. The presidency stated that the decision was made in accordance with Article 32(6) of the Constitution.  The presidency thanked Ithete for his service and confirmed he will remain a member of parliament. It stated that the move reinforces its commitment to “sound governance, accountability, and the effective implementation of national priorities.” While the official statement did not explain the reasons for the dismissal, the decision has stirred debate in…

By Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed her administration’s ambitious goal of creating 500,000 jobs within five years, despite the government’s ongoing freeze on public service vacancies, a policy that continues to draw sharp criticism from the public and political commentators. Speaking at the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum in Windhoek on Thursday, the President said her government was determined to drive “a new era of decisive, efficient, and results-driven governance” focused on economic growth, inclusivity, and employment.  The job creation pledge is anchored in the recently launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), themed “Fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness, and Resilience…

Renthia Kaimbi Health and Social Services Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao’s threat to sue the Windhoek Observer for defamation, both personally and through her brother’s law firm, has drawn sharp criticism from legal and governance experts. They say the move raises concerns about ethics, conflicts of interest, and possible misuse of office. Through Dr Weder, Kruger & Haikali Incorporated, Luvindao issued an undated letter of demand to the Windhoek Observer threatening legal action over an article published on 17 October. The report stated that she had urgently reached out to foreign diplomatic missions for emergency anti-malarial supplies amid low national stock…

Chamwe Kaira Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has cautioned that if Namibia does not fix its current spending and debt path, the country’s financial stability measures could be badly affected. She presented the 2025/26 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Tuesday, maintaining the total budget at N$89.4 billion despite slower growth and fiscal pressure. “The baseline scenario, if left unattended, is highly undesirable and will lead to a serious deterioration of key fiscal anchors,” Shafudah said.  “Urgent actions under economic policy measures and expenditure restraint in the medium term will create a more viable and manageable fiscal path.” She said by…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) says the Red Mountain Joint Management Area (JMA) in the Red Mountain area still constitutes anti-competitive conduct.  NaCC reaffirmed its earlier position despite extending the deadline for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) to resolve the issue. In a letter dated 17 October 2025, the NaCC told mining claimant Timoteus Mashuna that its view on the matter remains unchanged. The Red Mountain Joint Management Area (JMA) is a conservation zone established in 2018 through a partnership between the Uibasen Twyfelfontein, Nawas and Sorris Sorris conservancies, sharing a mutual boundary. Earlier this…

Justicia Shipena Namibia has confirmed its first mpox case, linked to recent cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.  The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) declared an outbreak on Sunday after a case was confirmed in Swakopmund over the weekend.  Health minister Esperance Luvindao said the patient is receiving care in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital and remains in stable condition.  “In line with World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols, one confirmed case of Mpox constitutes an outbreak,” she said.  She said the ministry's team in the Erongo region are tracing contacts and monitoring potential…