National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Home affairs minister Lucia Ipumbu has urged parents and guardians in Karasburg and surrounding areas to register their children immediately after birth. She made the call on Monday during the official opening of a new subregional office for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. “These services are here at your doorstep, and please note that birth registration is free of charge. It is important to register your child immediately after birth to ensure, in addition to the obligations I mentioned earlier, access to essential services such as health, education and, where applicable, social grants,” said…

Niël Terblanché Five heavy-duty IVECO Astra trucks, each able to transport 30 tonnes of cattle across the country's rural roads, were handed over to the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform.  The trucks form part of the European Union's (EU) Livestock Support Programme. EU ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins said the handover was the result of months of coordination between the EU and the Namibian government.  “These trucks are part of the EU-Namibia Livestock Support Programme. They carry with them a powerful message of better market access, lower transport costs, improved animal welfare and stronger rural economies,” she said.…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states need to commission 2,885 megawatts of new power generation capacity to help reduce the region’s ongoing electricity shortfall. This was revealed by Angele N’tumba, the SADC deputy executive secretary for regional integration, during the 43rd joint meeting of ministers and senior officials responsible for water and energy held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Monday. She said the additional capacity would ease pressure on the region’s power supply, which remains strained despite recent progress in infrastructure development.  As of May 2025, SADC’s installed generation capacity reached 85,221 megawatts, including contributions from Oceanic…

Allexer Namundjembo The former members of the Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN) are challenging the authority of works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi over his decision to dissolve the Council. In a letter addressed to Nekundi over the weekend, the former board called the dismissal “unlawful”, “humiliating”, and “a threat to the country’s regulatory integrity”.  They said the decision was procedurally flawed and carried out through irregular channels. “The Council appointed in August 2022 was constituted in accordance with the Engineering Profession Act, and no legal ground for our removal has been invoked,” said ECN’s former president, Sophia Belete-Tekie. According…

Niël Terblanché The ministry of agriculture’s directorate of veterinary services (DVS) has quietly lifted a long-standing restriction on livestock products entering Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free zone. A public notice issued last week by acting chief veterinary officer Dr Johannes Shoopala stated that dried meat from cloven-hoofed animals can now cross the veterinary cordon fence, commonly known as the red line, without a permit.  This is allowed only if all portions of the meat are cooked and free of blood.  Shoopala said boiling the meat remains the safest method of preparation. “Raw meat that is not produced under Commodity-Based Trade…

Niël Terblanché Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has delivered on what he called a step towards rural economic independence by handing over four newly drilled boreholes that will supply safe drinking water to twenty-three villages in Epembe Constituency. Speaking at the Onamundindi installation on Saturday, Ngurare said the project reflects the 8th Administration’s commitment to extending essential services beyond urban areas. “Economic independence means that people in rural areas should have the same access to essential services as those in urban centres. That includes water, road infrastructure, and connectivity. We are witnessing progress toward that goal,” he said. He encouraged residents,…

Poco-Key Mberiuana Union membership is not just a legacy of Namibia’s past—it is a living force for jus:ce, dignity, and economic empowerment today. As Namibia continues to confront inequality, unemployment, and the pressures of a globalised economy, the role of trade unions remains as vital as ever. It can be argued that the founda:ons of the Namibian organised labour movements were the spark that ignited the flames of the libera:on movement in this country. The existence of labour movements, that were inclusive of black workers, can be traced back to as early as 1924, where the first recorded organised indigenous…

Justicia Shipena While tensions in the Middle East threaten global oil supply and price stability, Namibia’s fuel security is not under immediate threat.  This is according to Ben Nangombe, executive director of the ministry of industries, mines and energy, who said Namibia can still access petroleum products from alternative markets. “The Persian or Arab Gulf region is one of the most important sources of refined petroleum products,” Nangombe told the Windhoek Observer.  “However, other equally important markets for refined petroleum products exist elsewhere. The country remains able to source oil products from alternative international markets, although potentially at higher costs.”…

Allexer Namundjembo Works and transport minister Veiko Nekundi says renovations at the Karibib National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) centre are scheduled for completion by mid-August.  He told parliament on Thursday that the timeline is designed to reduce disruption while ensuring the upgraded facility meets national service standards. “In terms of alternative arrangements, the alternative arrangements have been implemented,” Nekundi said.  Nekundi stated that they have deployed a mobile Vehicle Testing Station since 19 May to conduct roadworthiness testing on specific days.  “The deployment schedule has been carefully coordinated between Karibib and Rehoboth to maximise service accessibility,” he said. Written learner’s…

Niël Terblanché Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare officially opened the 2025 Olufuko Annual Cultural Festival on Friday, pledging that the government will revitalise, preserve, and promote indigenous knowledge systems across Namibia. Speaking at the event in Outapi, Ngurare said Article 19 of the Constitution obliges the state to protect culture, and that commitment is now being reflected in national policy. “Through the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, and the National Heritage Council, we are documenting languages, guarding heritage sites, and empowering traditional leaders,” he said. Ngurare urged those in attendance to continue championing…