National News

Justicia Shipena  Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says he understands why President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration is gunning for a shift in oil powers as she is trying to find solutions for the oil sector. Debating the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill in Parliament, Swartbooi said the president is trying to confront serious concerns in the oil and energy sector. However he said the bill is misguided.  He said the challenges include trust, corruption, and what he described as "power and resource grabs” within the system. “There’s a problem there. It’s a problem of trust. There’s a problem…

Justicia Shipena  The vice chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), Jesaya Hano-Oshike, said the government must use procurement as a tool to build domestic manufacturing capacity. Hano-Oshike said government spending can play a key role in supporting manufacturers and creating jobs. “Right now Namibia is sitting at 44% youth unemployment, so government procurement perhaps is one of those levers that we can use to really help build our economy. We need more local procurement by the government in the manufacturing sector. Maybe looking at the preference for local manufacturers,” he said. He said prioritising locally produced goods would…

Renthia Kaimbi Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine has invested N$1 million to support 85 young entrepreneurs in Swakopmund through a municipal youth development programme. The funding supports the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Initiative, led by the Swakopmund municipality.  The programme provides business equipment and structured support to help young people start or grow their enterprises. The first handover of equipment will take place today at the Swakopmund fire station.  The 85 selected beneficiaries will receive starter packs that include tools and equipment for trades, catering and retail businesses. The programme also includes compulsory training in business management, financial literacy and customer service. …

Renthia Kaimbi Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses delivered a message of accountability and innovation, warning that internal sabotage and insubordination would no longer be tolerated as the region strives to reclaim its status as an economic powerhouse. Addressing a packed hall in the Swakopmund Municipality Chambers, the Governor used the annual staff meeting to outline a transformative vision for 2026, but not before issuing a rebuke to elements within the public service whom she accused of hindering progress. “The culture of ‘you found me here, and you will leave me here’, and sabotage is no longer going to be tolerated,” /Goagoses…

Renthia Kaimbi Erongo Regional Council chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe says the new council will focus on water access, youth unemployment and rural development during its term. He made the remarks during his maiden address at the first Ordinary Council Meeting of the year.  He said the council’s strategic plan for 2025 to 2031 will guide development and service delivery in the region. “This is an exciting time to serve our region,” Kanelombe said, referring to the mandate given to the new administration after the recent elections. He said census data shows the region’s population has grown to 240 000, an increase…

Justicia Shipena  European Union (EU) ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins says Namibia has every reason to be concerned about foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, as it remains Africa’s only exporter of fresh meat to the European market. Martins made the remarks on Wednesday, during the handover of nine livestock transport vehicles worth about N$10 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform in Windhoek. “As Africa’s only fresh meat exporter to Europe, Namibia has good reason to be alarmed by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks on its external borders,” she said. The fleet includes eight Land Cruiser 79 4.2D…

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia has proposed the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission with the United Arab Emirates(UAE) to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries. The proposal was presented during a Namibia/UAE Business Forum held at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) head office yesterday.  The forum brought together five Namibian cabinet ministers, heads of state-owned enterprises, local authorities and about 30 representatives from the UAE government and private sector. Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi hosted UAE minister of foreign trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who was on a one-day working visit leading…

Allexer Namundjembo Policy analyst Lazarus Kwedhi has questioned whether the proposed N$1.43 million salary package for the information commissioner is justified.  He said the role does not generate revenue.  In a telephonic interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, Kwedhi said the advertised remuneration package is excessive. “The position is not a monetary performance-based one. We should look at how much will be generated through the position. It must be measured. It is a waste of resources. In terms of revenue, what will it contribute? We already have the Minister of Information and the executive director in the ministry. It…