National News

Patience Makwele Residents of Baboon City, an informal settlement situated between Rocky Crest and Pioneers Park in Windhoek, say they have been forgotten by political leaders after elections, accusing the government of failing to address their most basic needs despite years of appeals for assistance. Their frustrations come as the City of Windhoek maintains that Baboon City is not a recognised informal settlement and has no plans to provide municipal services or formalise the area. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, several residents including community representative Mukambo Benonia Sihako said access to clean water remains the settlement’s biggest challenge, forcing some…

Sostenus Wilherm The Namibian government has approached the High Court seeking condonation for the late filing of its plea in a lawsuit brought by Swakopmund resident Joel Tjombe, who is suing the state over the alleged mishandling and decomposition of his mother’s body after she was declared dead on arrival at Okahandja State Hospital. The application will come before Managing Judge Justice Beatrix De Jager during a status hearing scheduled for 30 July 2026. In a founding affidavit, Penda Ithindi, acting on behalf of the government, asks the court to condone the late filing of the government's plea and allow…

Patience Makwele A new Namibian-owned housing company has entered the affordable housing market with prefabricated homes ranging between N$120,000 and N$190,000, saying the units can be installed within days once foundations have been prepared. Yambuka Housing says its model could provide an alternative solution to Namibia’s growing housing shortage and the expansion of informal settlements. However, the company’s financing mechanism is still being developed, with affordability remaining one of the key questions facing potential buyers. The initiative was unveiled during a media engagement in Windhoek on Wednesday, where the company showcased its housing models and outlined plans to expand access…

Allexer Namundjembo  Leaders from government, academia and regional institutions have called for stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers to address southern Africa's growing urban, economic and environmental challenges at the opening of the 4th Southern Africa Regional Science Association (SARSA) Conference in Windhoek. The three-day conference, hosted by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) at its Lower Campus, has brought together delegates from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to discuss this year's theme, "Reimagining Regional Development Futures: Pathways toInclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Growth in Southern Africa." At the conference opening, Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona said cities…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd has proposed one-way ticket prices of less than N$2 000 on key regional routes as the planned national carrier moves closer to securing approval to begin operations. The airline’s application for scheduled and non-scheduled air service licences indicates that a one-way ticket from Windhoek to Johannesburg could cost an estimated N$1,881.88, excluding airport taxes and security charges, while flights between Windhoek and Cape Town were projected at approximately N$1,939.08. For domestic travellers, Namibia Air has proposed lower fares on some routes, including an estimated one-way ticket price of N$535.86 between Windhoek and Walvis Bay,…

Patience Makwele  NamWater has defended its pricing model, insisting it should not be blamed for rising water bills faced by consumers, as concerns grow over the affordability of water and increasing municipal charges across the country. The state-owned water utility says its tariffs have remained unchanged since 2019 despite rising operational costs, arguing that increases reflected on household municipal accounts are largely the responsibility of local authorities rather than NamWater. The issue came under the spotlight during discussions at the 2026 Africa Public Service Day in Swakopmund, where government officials and stakeholders debated how Namibia can improve access to affordable…

Sostenus Wilherm The High Court has taken the next procedural step in a lawsuit in which the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) is seeking to recover more than N$4.3 million from its former chief executive, Hilya Nghiwete, following a Supreme Court judgment that upheld her dismissal. Judge Beatrix De Jager on Monday ordered the parties to file a joint case management report by 4 August 2026 before appearing for a case management conference on 11 August 2026. The report is expected to identify the issues in dispute, indicate the evidence to be presented and outline the readiness of the…

Allexer Namundjembo  Preparations for the 4th Namibia Oil & Gas Conference (NOGC) have gained momentum following an engagement between the conference delegation and the Upstream Petroleum Unit in Office of the President. The delegation, accompanied by strategic partners of the conference, paid a courtesy visit to Kornelia Shilunga, special advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the conference remains aligned with Namibia’s national priorities in the oil and gas sector. The delegation was led by Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) chairperson Jason Kasuto and included…

Sostenus Wilherm Namibia’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has commenced participation in the sittings of the Permanent Committees ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament, which is set to begin on 27 July 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. The delegation, led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly  Phillipus Katamelo, includes Rodney Cloete, Olivia Hanghuwo, Tjimutambo Kuuoko and Alpheus !Naruseb. The Permanent Committee sittings started today and will continue until 25 July 2026, as members prepare for the opening of the new parliamentary session. According to the National Assembly, the participation of the Namibian delegation demonstrates…