National News

Sostenus Wilherm Namibia has launched its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), setting an estimated US$14.07 billion which is about N$241.52 billion price tag on the country’s climate ambitions. The country warns that the real test will be turning plans into projects and measurable results. Environment, forestry and tourism minister Indileni Daniel launched NDC 3.0 in Windhoek on Friday, saying Namibia could no longer afford to treat climate action as a long term policy exercise while communities were already experiencing drought, floods, water scarcity, extreme heat and land degradation. “Today, we are not simply launching another climate document. We are…

Patience Makwele Health minister Esperance Luvindao has admitted that State hospitals cannot always attend to Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund patients because of limited clinical expertise, theatre space and intensive care beds. Luvindao made the admission in the National Assembly while responding to questions from member of parliament Fenny Nanyeni, who questioned why accident victims covered by the MVA are sometimes referred to or admitted to private hospitals instead of being treated at State facilities. “Due to limited capacity, State facilities are not always able to attend to all MVA Fund patients,” Luvindao said. Nanyeni questioned whether the MVA Fund,…

Sostenus Wilherm Parents have been urged to take a more active role in their children’s education, with education minister Sanet Steenkamp saying stronger cooperation between families, schools, communities and government is essential to improving learners’ chances of success. Steenkamp made the remarks in a statement delivered on her behalf by Edda Bohn, deputy executive director in the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture, during the official national launch of the National Organisation of Parents in Education (NAOPE) in Windhoek on Friday. Launched under the theme “Parents United for Equitable Quality Education for All”, NAOPE seeks to strengthen…

Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on traditional authorities to work with government in advancing the country’s development agenda, including making communal land available for agricultural ventures and ecotourism. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the call in a speech delivered on her behalf by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa at the 45th Lusata Cultural Festival at Chinchimane in the Zambezi Region on Sunday. She said traditional authorities remained important institutions in Namibia and had a role to play in ensuring that development reaches communities. “Traditional authorities are not relics of a bygone era, nor are they sentimental remnants preserved for…

Patience Makwele Members of parliament have called for tighter financial and administrative oversight of Namibia’s land reform programme, warning that longstanding weaknesses in the management of land-reform resources could undermine the work of the Land Reform Advisory Commission. The call was made during debate on the appointment of four members to the commission, with lawmakers raising concerns over financial reporting, land-tax accounting, land acquisition, the allocation of resettlement farms and support for beneficiaries after resettlement. Member of parliament Inna Hengari said the commission’s responsibilities could not be separated from the financial management of the Land Acquisition and Development Fund. “Proper…

Sostenus Wilherm The government is preparing tougher measures against littering, illegal dumping and pollution, however, enforcement of the new penalties will only begin once new waste management regulations are approved, environment, forestry and tourism minister Indileni Daniel has told parliament. Daniel was responding to questions from Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of environment, forestry and tourism Rodrick Likando on the government’s plans to strengthen measures against poor waste management and environmental pollution. She said the ministry was developing specific waste management regulations under the Environmental Management Act of 2007, which are expected to strengthen the country’s legal framework for…

Sostenus Wilherm Vice President Lucia Witbooi has pledged to seek financial support for two volunteer educators and mobilise sponsorship for a proper learning structure at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre serving 102 children in Otjimanangombe Village, Omusati Region. Witbooi made the commitment on Wednesday during a site visit to the Lucia Witbooi Early Childhood Development Centre in the Ruacana Constituency, where she highlighted the need for greater investment in early childhood education, particularly for children from marginalised communities. The centre, established in June 2025, caters mainly for children from the Ovatwe and Ovatjimba communities and is currently operated by…

Sostenus Wilherm The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU) and the Automobile Association of Namibia (AA Namibia) have joined forces to tackle road crashes through defensive driving training targeting truck drivers. The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday aimed at improving driver competency, road-user awareness and the ability of professional drivers to respond to hazardous situations on Namibia’s roads. Speaking at the signing event, NARETU commander in chief Petersen Kambinda said the partnership was intended to move beyond discussions about road safety by equipping drivers with practical skills that could help prevent crashes and save…

Patience Makwele The long-running Masubia chieftaincy dispute returns to the High Court on 1 October, with Princess Sehwe Maiba’s side challenging the process that led to the designation and recognition of Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa as Chief Munitenge Moraliswani III. The review application seeks to set aside urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s decision of 7 April 2025 approving Mutwa’s designation, as well as the subsequent recognition of Mutwa under Proclamation No. 29 of 2025. Sehwe and members of the Masubia Royal Council contend that the process bypassed the traditional succession order, royal lineage and institutions responsible for determining the…