National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Regional government officials anticipate challenges as the Conditional Basic Income Grant (CBIG) programme, aimed at providing cash support to vulnerable households, extends to additional towns and regions, including Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Arandis, Omaruru, Rehoboth, Karasburg, and Ongwediva. The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, was originally piloted in Windhoek under the Harambee Prosperity Plan, replacing food parcels with cash transfers for low-income households. The governor of the Oshana region, Elia Irimari, expressed concerns about documentation requirements that could exclude some eligible households. "The challenge we anticipate is when those who…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is actively adopting the principles of a circular economy to enhance resource efficiency and stimulate economic growth. At a recent meeting in Walvis Bay, Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Namibia National Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption Centre (NNCPC), called for the nation's commitment to this transformative economic model. He said a circular economy focuses on the continuous use of resources by promoting sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products. This approach contrasts with the traditional linear economy, which follows a 'take-make-dispose' pattern, leading to significant waste…

Stefanus Nashama Opposition parties such as the All Peoples’ Party (APP), the Body of Christ Party (BCP), the Congress of Democrats (CoD) and the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC) raised concerns about obsolete water and sewage infrastructure in the country. This comes after much of the country’s water and sewage infrastructure has been reported outdated. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday, APP’s president Ambrosius Kumbwa said the issue has been ongoing for a long time and needs serious intervention. “Much of these water and sewage infrastructure were constructed during colonial times, and as time goes they are getting old,”…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Members of Namibia’s uniformed forces, diplomatic missions, and seagoing personnel will cast their votes on 13 November ahead of the national election date of 27 November. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) anticipates approximately 8 000 registered voters to cast their votes on Wednesday, the special vote day. ECN Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua announced on Monday. “During general registration of voters, the Commission registered 2 159 eligible voters at all 35 Namibia diplomatic missions. However, I should mention that there could be slight variations to this figure because Namibians who registered inside the country but find themselves outside the…

Martin Endjala Nangula Uaandja, the chief executive officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), has defended the government over claims of a lack of transparency around the government-driven green hydrogen (GH2) initiative. Uaandja recently used the X social media platform to address what she sees as public misunderstandings, particularly with regard to the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, which James Mnyupe is the commissioner of. “The fact is that many people are initiating their projects and then aligning them with government strategy,” she explained. According to Uaandja, the government only initiated the Hyphen project, which it also allocated…

Niël Terblanché Jonathan Beukes, the former managing editor of the state-owned New Era newspaper, has announced his departure from the organisation, citing concerns over the state of media freedom in Namibia. In a statement distributed on social media, Beukes clarified that his exit was the result of a mutual separation agreement with New Era, stressing that he did not resign but agreed to part ways amicably. “In exercising my right to freedom of expression and thought, as enshrined in the supreme law of the land, I am duty-bound to express my fear for the deterioration of media freedom and expression…

Allexer Namundjembo The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced that the by-election in the Guinas constituency will be held in January. The by-elections follow the death of former councillor Elias Barney Martinus, who passed away last month at the age of 51. The supplementary registration of voters was facilitated from 10 to 12 November. This will be followed by the publication of the Provisional Voters' Register in the Government Gazette on 19 November. The Provisional Voters' Register will be displayed on 21 November to allow for objections against the inclusion of names of people who do not reside in…

Niël Terblanché The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) has announced an escalation in its offshore exploration activities, aiming to capitalise on recent substantial oil discoveries in the Orange Basin. In collaboration with joint venture partners, Namcor plans to drill four exploration and appraisal wells in Petroleum Exploration Licence areas (PELs) 56, 83, 85, and 90 between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. According to the spokesperson of Namcor, Paulo Coelho, the initiative follows a series of successful discoveries since 2022, which have positioned Namibia as a growing player in the global oil industry. In…

The printing of ballot papers has once again become a politically explosive issue, but this time the stakes could be much higher. Following is a brief overview of what unfolded in October 2024 The printing of ballot papers for Namibian elections has always proven to be a matter fraught with controversy and political tensions. True to form, the procurement of a service provider to produce and print the ballot papers for the 27 November 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections has once again unleashed a dispute that has refused to die down and cast suspicions over the integrity of the Electoral…