National News

Alliance Media’s interest appeal against TransNamib crumbles 

Alliance Media’s interest appeal against TransNamib crumbles 

Allexer Namundjembo The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Alliance Media (Pty) Ltd against TransNamib Holdings Limited, ruling that the company’s claim for interest on money owed was made too early and had no legal grounds. The recent judgement followed a hearing held on June 11, 2025, before Supreme Court judges Sylvester Mainga, Elton Hoff and acting judge Rita Makarau. In 2013, a lease agreement gave Alliance Media exclusive rights to place outdoor advertisements on TransNamib premises.  The lease ran from 1 March 2013 to 29 February 2018 and an addendum later extended it to 28 February 2022. In…
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Only two political parties witness ballot printing

Only two political parties witness ballot printing

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said that only two political parties observed the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming regional councils and local authorities elections set for 26 November 2025. ECN chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama disclosed this during a media briefing at the ECN headquarters in Windhoek on Monday, following the official arrival of the ballot papers in the country. Shaama said the printing, packaging and sealing of the ballot papers took place under the supervision of two political parties and the Namibian Police before being transported to Namibia under secure conditions. Three…
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MP says mental health bill neglects health workers

MP says mental health bill neglects health workers

Justicia Shipena Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Lilani Brinkman says the Mental Health Bill ignores the rights and dignity of mental health workers and home-based caregivers. She said the bill focuses on protecting patients but fails to consider the health workers and family members who look after people with mental illness. Brinkman said the bill does not include measures to improve the training, working conditions, or emotional support of caregivers, which she described as a serious weakness in the proposed law. Last month, health minister Esperance Luvindao tabled the Mental Health Bill in Parliament.  If passed, the…
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Kastyle Ndonga Boy shares life lessons in new album

Kastyle Ndonga Boy shares life lessons in new album

Allexer Namundjembo Ananias Paulus, known as Kastyle Ndonga Boy, has released his sixth album, titled “The Message from an Underrated Man”. Born and raised in Oshigambo in the Oshikoto region, Paulus began his music journey in 2021 and has since become one of the country’s rising artists. He discovered his passion for music after realising he had a gift that could heal and share wisdom through songs. Since then, music has become his way of inspiring and teaching life lessons. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer in a telephonic interview, Paulus said his biggest inspiration came from the Namibian artist and…
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Govt to screen students for extra tertiary education financial support

Govt to screen students for extra tertiary education financial support

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the government will be strict in identifying students who qualify for financial support beyond tuition and registration fees under the free tertiary education programme. Speaking during an engagement with youth in Ondangwa over the weekend, Nandi-Ndaitwah clarified that the state will only cover tuition and registration costs for students entering universities and vocational training centres. Earlier this year, during her inaugural State of the Nation Address, she announced that the country will introduce free tertiary education at public institutions starting in the 2026 academic year. “Anyone who qualifies to go to vocational training or…
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NSX to operate as a profit-making public company

NSX to operate as a profit-making public company

Allexer Namundjembo  The government has approved a regulatory framework that allows the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) to change its structure and become a for-profit, publicly owned company. The amendment, published in the government gazette dated 31 October 2025, marks the end of years of discussion and sets the stage for the local bourse to become more competitive and growth-driven. The process, known as demutualisation, will see the NSX move from being a non-proprietary voluntary association or member-owned entity to a public company with share capital under the Companies Act of 2004.  “This strategic shift is a well-trodden path for major…
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Windhoek municipality mum on Kelly Khumalo’s performance payment

Windhoek municipality mum on Kelly Khumalo’s performance payment

Allexer Namundjembo  The City of Windhoek has denied claims that it paid South African artist Kelly Khumalo N$650,000 to perform at the Windhoek Jazz Festival.  However, it did not reveal how much was paid to the artist.  Khumalo has been accused in connection with the murder of her former boyfriend, football star Senzo Meyiwa. Testimonies presented in a South African court last year alleged that she ordered Meyiwa’s killing. The Windhoek Jazz Festival took place this weekend.  In an official statement, through the office of the executive officer Moses Matyayi, the municipality said the total budget for all performers at…
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UN pushes Namibia to link every policy to job creation

UN pushes Namibia to link every policy to job creation

Justicia Shipena United Nations resident coordinator to Namibia, Hopolang Phororo, says institutionalising employment impact assessments will help policymakers measure how public spending influences job creation.  She said the process will help them prioritise sectors with the highest potential to create jobs. Phororo was speaking at the awareness-raising event on the employment impact assessment (EmpIA) held at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek on Friday.  The event brought together government officials, development partners, and experts to discuss ways to integrate employment impact studies into national policymaking. She commended Namibia for taking steps to include employment assessments in planning and budgeting processes.  Phororo…
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New Showmax series revisits Namibia’s painful past

New Showmax series revisits Namibia’s painful past

Staff Writer  IdeaCandy has released the official trailer for Unspoken War, a Showmax Original documentary series that premieres on Showmax and M-Net on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. The five-part series looks at South Africa’s covert war between 1966 and 1989, fought across Angola, Namibia, and within South Africa. The conflict, known as the South African Border War, the Angolan Bush War, or the Namibian War of Independence, was never formally declared. Soldiers were ordered to remain silent, and families were left in the dark about what their loved ones experienced. Using rare archival footage and personal testimonies, Unspoken War features…
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Malawi leading SADC response to Tanzania unrest – Namibian Presidency

Malawi leading SADC response to Tanzania unrest – Namibian Presidency

Shelleygan Petersen The Namibian presidency says Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika is addressing the deadly protests in Tanzania on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Tanzania has been gripped by unrest following the 29 October general election.  The country remains under curfew, with internet and electricity restrictions still in place. The protests were sparked by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s decision to ban and jail opposition leaders who intended to contest the election. Many young Tanzanians have taken to the streets, calling for political change. Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo told the Windhoek Observer on Saturday morning that Malawi, as the…
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