National News

Patience Makwele Livestock farmers in the Zambezi region have questioned what they describe as an unequal government response to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), saying their longstanding concerns about the disease and difficulties selling cattle have yet to be adequately addressed. Several farmers who spoke to Windhoek Observer raised concerns of “unfair treatment from the government.”  Among the farmers were Caphus Nyambe of Ngoma and Mabengano Sifwa who demanded explanations from authorities to explain why the outbreak in the //Kharas region prompted nationwide restrictions, while farmers in Zambezi say they have struggled for years with FMD and limited access to markets. Their…

Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned that it would be “so unfortunate” if her administration fails to deliver 50 000 houses by 2030, as she personally financed two N$200 000 homes to test whether prefabricated construction can help accelerate Namibia’s response to its housing crisis. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks on Friday during the handover of two houses built by Namibian-owned Yambuka Housing, saying she wanted to establish whether the company’s construction model could deliver on its promises before it was considered as part of a wider housing response. “It will be so unfortunate if 2030 comes and I have…

Sostenus Wilherm The High Court has set aside a decision by the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) to reject Econo Investments (Pty) Ltd’s application to supply 140 000 vials of an injectable antibiotic to the ministry of health and social services’ Central Medical Stores (CMS). The order, issued by Judge Orben Sibeya on 15 October 2026, follows a settlement between Econo Investments and the respondents, bringing an urgent legal dispute over the supply of Ceftriaxone Sodium for Injection BP 1g to an end. The court order states that the NMRC’s decision of 15 September 2026, rejecting Econo Investments’ application for…

Sostenus Wilherm The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called for disciplinary action against officials responsible for financial irregularities at the ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security. This followed an Auditor-General’s report that flagged N$14.11 million in stock discrepancies. In a media release issued on Wednesday, IPC deputy shadow minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Vilho Ihemba, said the findings exposed serious weaknesses in financial management and accountability within the ministry and the Namibian Police Force (NamPol). The reported discrepancies comprise N$10.09 million in the ministry and N$4.02 million in NamPol. The party called for outstanding…

Patience Makwele Learners with disabilities need more than specialized equipment to access quality education, with education minister Sanet Steenkamp warning that resources must reach classrooms and be backed by trained personnel to make a meaningful difference. Steenkamp made the remarks in Windhoek on Thursday during the commemoration of International White Cane Day and the handover of educational equipment donated by UNESCO and other partners. UNESCO donated equipment valued at N$340 000, including Braille materials, tactile graphics paper, audiovisual equipment and software intended to improve access to learning for learners with visual, hearing and intellectual impairments. Bank BIC donated white canes…

Renthia Kaimbi The ministry of works and transport has disputed an audit finding that 53 newly acquired government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were “missing” or not recorded in the pool vehicle register. In its response to the Auditor-General’s report for the financial year ended 31 March 2025, executive director Jonas Sheelongo said the vehicles were recorded in the Permanent Allocated Vehicle Register and were therefore not required to appear in the Pool Vehicle Register, because they had been permanently allocated to various government offices. “The ministry wishes to place on record that the audit finding is incorrect, as vehicles permanently…

Sostenus Wilherm More than 100 Namibians with visual impairments have received remedial and medical massage training through Nomad Wellness Academy. Vice President Lucia Witbooi says skills development must translate into employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods. Witbooi made the call during a site visit to the academy in Kleine Kuppe, Windhoek, urging employers, the private sector and development partners to remove barriers preventing persons with disabilities from participating meaningfully in the economy. “I therefore call upon employers, the private sector and development partners to remove barriers and create inclusive economic opportunities for persons with disabilities,” she said. The academy, founded in…

Patience Makwele Members of parliament (MPs) have called for greater pay transparency, better support for working mothers and tougher enforcement of employment equity requirements, saying women must have fair opportunities to advance and take up leadership positions. The calls were made during the National Assembly debate on the appointment of additional and replacement members of the 8th Employment Equity Commission, with MPs urging the incoming commissioners to address workplace inequalities beyond recruitment. Deputy shadow minister for gender equality and child welfare Lucia Mbuti said young women and women living with disabilities continued to face barriers that could leave them in…