National News

Justicia Shipena The City of Windhoek and Rani Group International are still negotiating the rental prices for Grow More Investments to lease parts of the Ramatex Complex in Otjomuise. On Friday, the city council announced that it had approved the lease of portions seven and  eight of Farm 466 to Grow More Investments, a subsidiary of Rani Group, for logistics and manufacturing operations over 25 years.  The two plots measure 41 258 m² and 42 306 m² and house the Tai-Wah Warehouses.  While the initial proposal set a monthly rental of N$100 000 per portion, amounting to N$200 000 in…

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has accused works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi of influencing recent resignations within his party. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Sunday, Venaani claimed that some young PDM members were leaving after receiving job promises allegedly linked to Nekundi.  “The resignations are triggered by the ruling party’s shenanigans. Nekundi has been offering jobs to some of our youth league members who were in the Central Committee. They were invited to weddings in the north with Nekundi. For the last five months we have been noticing the mishaps of these young people,”…

Justicia Shipena Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping says China will soon work with Namibia to implement zero-tariff treatment for African countries soon. In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will remove tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. He made the announcement at a China–Africa cooperation meeting. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for the past 15 years. In 2023, African exports to China were valued at about US$170 billion, roughly N$3.15 trillion.  The announcement comes as the continent faces increased tariffs on products entering the United States. “We will work with…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda’s recent video of him cleaning a gun could harm his political image and weaken support for the AR.  Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the video, posted on Amupanda’s Facebook page showing him holding a firearm and asking how guns are cleaned, risks being used by opponents to paint him as reckless and unfit for leadership.  “Given the recent drama in Parliament, this video could be seen as adding fuel to the fire and may alienate some supporters,” Kamwanyah told the Windhoek Observer. He said the timing of the video compounds its impact. …

Justicia Shipena Over 2.2 million Namibians are set to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections scheduled for 26 November 2025, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has revealed.  The supplementary voter registration,  conducted between  4 and 19 August was aimed at ensuring all eligible Namibian citizens with the opportunity to register to vote and participate in local governance. According to ECN, the provisional register for regional councils shows 1.67 million eligible voters, with 1.5 million confirmed.  This represents a 90% national registration rate.  For local authorities, 949 890 voters were eligible, and 745 429 were confirmed, giving…

Justicia Shipena  The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia’s (EIF) proposal to establish a Green Industrial Zone is close to securing final approval.  The project is being considered for €25 million (approximately N$625 million) in funding under the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF). The proposal, submitted in July 2025, has advanced to the final stage after being shortlisted among the top 20 from more than 500 global submissions.  EIF spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the proposal underwent a virtual assessment in August, with a final board decision expected in October.  If approved, the funding will drive low-carbon industrialisation, create green jobs, and strengthen…

Allexer Namundjembo Renowned ophthalmologist Helena Ndume has called for investigations into the Central Medical Store (CMS), saying inefficiencies and corruption are blocking access to essential medicines. She made the call at Onandjokwe Hospital in Oniipa on Thursday, where she is leading a campaign to restore sight to 500 patients. CMS serves as Namibia’s main warehouse and distribution hub for medicines and related supplies to public health facilities across the country. “I am putting my head on the chopping board, but I have to say this. Something has to be done at the Central Medical Store. Investigations have to be done.…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Namibian authorities say police and military firearms are now tightly controlled, following past incidents of missing weapons and concerns over smuggling to neighbouring countries. This comes as the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime said Namibian firearms have been smuggled into South Africa and used by gangs. In November 2021, the police reported that 96 firearms, mainly AK47 rifles, were missing from the central depot in Windhoek. After a verification process, the number was revised to 83.  A criminal case led to the arrest of six police officers and two civilians. All six officers were working for the…

Justicia Shipena  Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has warned that Africa’s green hydrogen industry will face pressure points in the next three to five years, particularly in safety, electrolyser commissioning and maintenance, clean-fuel handling at ports, high-voltage grid integration, and certification for export standards. Speaking at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek this week, Alweendo said skills must be treated as core infrastructure.  “Skills are infrastructure. Without capable teams, megawatts and clean fuels do not move,” he said. He explained that Africa may have world-class resources, but the real challenge is building and keeping the people who…

Justicia Shipena  The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has urged companies to support local procurement as a way to grow industries and strengthen the economy.  NCCI chief executive officer Titus Nampala said value lies not only in exports but also in supply chains and participation. He was speaking at the China–Namibia Investment & Trade Fair at the Windhoek Country Club this week, which brought together government, industry, and business leaders for exhibitions, networking, and matchmaking sessions aimed at building partnerships across key sectors.  “Value is not found in exports alone; it is found in supply chains, in procurement,…