National News

Renthia Kaimbi Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has declared the ongoing strike by magistrates illegal.  He ordered them to return to work immediately. In a letter dated 9 November 2025 to Magistrates’ Commission chairperson Boas Uusiku, Immanuel acknowledged the magistrates’ frustration over delayed housing and vehicle allowances but stated that there was no legal basis for the nationwide strike. Immanuel instructed the commission to provide a legal justification for the industrial action, warning that the strike would be considered unlawful without valid grounds.  "As minister of justice and labour relations, I could not find a legal basis…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia will require about US$15 billion, or roughly N$270 billion, to achieve its climate mitigation and adaptation goals by 2030. She noted that most of this funding will rely on international support. Speaking at the COP30 Heads of State Summit in Belém, Brazil, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the country's adaptation efforts in agriculture, water, health, biodiversity and infrastructure will require about US$6 billion (around N$108 billion), with 90% expected to come from external sources. She said mitigation measures are estimated to cost about US$9 billion (roughly N$162 billion), with 10% expected to be financed locally. “In…

Renthia Kaimbi The resignation of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) candidate Ndalikutya Arkeleus Shonena has left the Ogongo Constituency in the Omusati region without a contested race.  This might clear the way for Swapo's Daniel Iilende to secure the council seat unopposed. In his resignation letter dated Friday, Shonena wrote, “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down and discontinue my membership with the IPC in order to pursue new personal and political directions.”  Shortly after resigning from the IPC, Shonena joined the Swapo Party. His withdrawal, though politically surprising, is allowed under Namibia’s electoral law.  Corporate governance expert…

Justicia Shipena The executive director in the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, Audrin Mathe, has called on the legal fraternity to help clear over 475 pending labour arbitration cases.  He said the backlog represents delayed justice for both workers and employers. He was speaking at the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) Gala Dinner held in Windhoek on Friday.  “We are currently facing a backlog of over 475 unresolved labour arbitration cases. This is not just a number; it represents over four hundred and seventy-five instances of delayed justice for workers and employers alike. Justice itself is crying out for…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the new Ankit Gems Namibia Diamond Cutting and Polishing Factory will strengthen the country’s manufacturing base. She added that it will also promote resource diversification and create jobs for young people. Her remarks were delivered on her behalf by the acting minister of industries, mines and energy, Frans Kapofi, during the factory’s inauguration in Windhoek on Friday. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the project aligns with the country's priority of adding value to natural resources. “This plant will not only strengthen our manufacturing base but will also be instrumental for the diversification of our natural resources and…

Allexer Namundjembo The people of Onamatanga in the Omusati region no longer have to drink salty water after the official commissioning of the Onamatanga Water Supply Scheme on Friday. The N$15 million project by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform was officially launched by minister Inge Zaamwani. She said the new system would bring lasting relief to residents who have struggled for years with unreliable and saline water sources. “For too long, the people of Onamatanga had access only to salty water,” Zaamwani said.  She added that the project provides a long-term and sustainable solution…

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia and Nigeria want to create exchange programmes in the creative arts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The initiative will focus on music, film, fashion, and digital media to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural understanding among young people. This follows a visit by Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa to Lagos, Nigeria, where she met with Lagos deputy governor Karri Obafemi Hamzat and business leaders to discuss trade, investment and youth empowerment. During the meetings held last week, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors and boost intra-African trade and investment. Officials from both regions are…

Moses Magadza  A community liaison officer in the climate, environment and health department with CeSHHAR Zimbabwe has urged Zimbabwean lawmakers to ensure that the proposed Climate Change Management Bill explicitly addresses the intersection between climate change and health. Lloyd Pisa described this link as “the most critical and visible dimension of the climate crisis, because nearly every climate impact ultimately manifests as a health impact – whether through heat stress, food insecurity, malnutrition, or disease.” The call builds on pioneering work being led by Dr. Fortunate Machingura, the principal investigator of the climate, environment and health demonstration laboratories in Mount…

Renthia Kaimbi The National Council standing committee on home affairs, security, constitutional and legal affairs has called for the removal of corporate branding by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) from border facilities. It said the branding violates national and international display standards. This comes after a recent parliamentary assessment exposed severe problems at the country's border posts, including weak security systems, housing shortages, and poor infrastructure.  The committee’s report follows oversight visits to ten border posts between August and September 2025. Committee chairperson Ndjambula Philemon said the team was alarmed by the inconsistent branding at border facilities. “The border posts…

Justicia Shipena The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered an alleged education fraud scheme involving two senior officials from the directorate of education, arts and culture in the Erongo region. Deputy director for programmes and quality assurance, Natalia Guriras and administrative officer Betty Somses were arrested on Wednesday.  The duo employed by the Ministry of Education Innovation Youth Sport Arts and Culture have been charged with corruption are linked to the illegal admission of a staff member into a University of Namibia (Unam) teacher training programme. According to the ACC, the arrests follow an investigation into false information allegedly submitted to…