National News

Patience Makwele Residents living in floodplain areas of the Zambezi region say they are worried as the Zambezi river continues to rise and floodwaters begin spreading into villages, fields and roads. Hydrological readings show the river at Katima Mulilo has reached about 6.7 metres. This is a sharp increase from just over two metres recorded during the same period last year. Floodwaters have begun spreading across parts of the eastern floodplains. Villages affected include Luhonono, Malindi, Namiyundu, Nsundwa, Nakuntwe and Muzii. On Monday residents say water has started entering homes and fields. “The water is rising very fast and we…

Patience Makwele  A Namibian initiative that documents inspirational words spoken by local leaders and citizens is gaining recognition for preserving voices that reflect the country’s experiences and identity. The platform, called NamInspiration, was founded by Meryam Nghidipo. The project was created to capture and archive motivational quotes spoken by Namibians working in areas such as politics, agriculture, education, finance, health and community development. Nghidipo said the idea began in 2015 after she noticed that most inspirational quotes shared online came from international figures. “I was searching online for quotes one day and I noticed that many of the inspirational words…

Allexer Namundjembo The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) has deregistered 24 companies and close corporations that have stopped operating. The deregistrations were published in the government gazette on Friday. Bipa chief executive officer Ainna Kaundu said the entities submitted written declarations confirming they had stopped operating and no longer had assets or liabilities. “A written statement to the effect that these companies and close corporations have ceased to carry on business and have no assets or liabilities has been received,” Kaundu said.  “We have therefore deregistered these entities under the relevant legal provisions. No guarantee is given regarding the…

Staff Writer  Namibia and Russia have agreed to push businesses from both countries to pursue joint ventures and investment partnerships.  The two counties held the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Windhoek.  The meeting, which concluded yesterday, brought together officials and business representatives to review progress in bilateral relations and identify new areas of cooperation. The session was chaired by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and co-chaired by Russian deputy prime minister Yury Trutnev. According to a joint communiqué, officials discussed expanding cooperation in sectors such as energy, mining and…

Justicia Shipena  Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader and member of parliament McHenry Venaani says Namibia must invest in irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing industries and modern agricultural value chains if it wants to promote rural development and economic diversification. He made the remarks in the National Assembly while contributing to the budget debate last week.  “If we are serious about rural development and economic diversification, we must invest aggressively in irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing industries and modern agricultural value chains,” Venaani said. Venaani said Namibia must move beyond gradual policy changes. “Our economy remains too small, unemployment remains too high, and inequality continues…

Justicia Shipena  Vice president Lucia Witbooi says the availability of serviced industrial land in Ondangwa creates opportunities for businesses to expand production and investment. She called on businesses and development partners to support the 2026 Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, adding that trade exhibitions help stimulate local economies. “Trade and industrial exhibitions are drivers of economic growth and help to accelerate the development of local economies,” she said during a fundraising gala dinner held in Ondangwa over the weekend ahead of the 2026 Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition. The exhibition will take place from 24 April to 2 May 2026.…

Justicia Shipena  The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, says Namibia wants to attract investment from Russia to support industrial development, technology transfer and job creation. She said this during the Namibia–Russia Business Forum in Windhoek on Friday.  The forum provides a platform for engagement between governments, businesses, financial institutions and research organisations from both countries. “These engagements are designed to promote technology transfer, strengthen value chain development and facilitate strategic investment matchmaking between companies and institutions from both countries,” she said. The forum was held alongside the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has formally intervened in the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The court confirmed that Namibia submitted a declaration of intervention last week under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute. The article allows states that are party to a treaty being interpreted in a case to take part in the proceedings. The case concerns the interpretation of the Genocide Convention. The United States, Hungary and Fiji also filed declarations of intervention on the same day. The ICJ said states that are party to a convention…