National News

Renthia Kaimbi Prime minister Elijah Ngurare says the new Kaisosi Medical Centre must serve all Namibians and not only those with medical aid.  He stressed that health care must remain a right and not a privilege. “Health is a human right, not a luxury commodity… I challenge you to structure your services to assist the wider access and delivery of primary health services to all people… not just those with medical aid cards,” Ngurare said at the official opening of the facility on Friday in Rundu. Ngurare officially opened the Kaisosi Medical Centre, describing it as a key milestone in…

Allexer Namundjebo The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism says the Sossusvlei shuttle concession only restricts access for certain vehicles and unregistered operators and does not block self-drive visitors or Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)-registered tour operators and lodges from entering Sossusvlei at no cost. The ministry issued the clarification on Saturday following growing concern from tourism operators and the public about how the concession works and whether it limits access to the iconic site. According to the ministry, the restrictions apply only to unregistered operators, environmentally risky vehicles such as buses and trucks, and unsuitable 2×4 vehicles, especially on the…

Renthia Kaimbi Novo Security Services has started approaching companies that lost the N$40 million Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) security tender, asking them to help provide and manage the required services.  This comes after Novo told the review panel it had the capacity to carry out the contract on its own. On 2 December 2025, Herman Nekomba contacted Namibia Protection Services (NPS) chief executive officer Fanie Horn with a request for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to manage security services at Nust for three years.  He wrote that the anticipated start date was 1 January 2026 and asked…

Justicia Shipena QKR Navachab Gold Mine has won a limited victory in the High Court in a case where it tried to recover more than N$1.4 million paid to former employee Petrus Nambondi under an arbitration award that was later set aside.  The court ruled that Nambondi must repay only N$149 838, plus interest.  He does not have to return the rest of the money he received during his reinstatement period. The matter began when Nambondi was dismissed and later won an arbitration case in May 2020.  The arbitrator ordered Navachab to reinstate him with full benefits and to pay…

Justicia Shipena The Supreme Court has ruled that Dr Rudie van Vuuren’s irregularity claim in a lawsuit where he is being sued for N$2.6 million could not be considered because it fell outside the approved grounds of appeal.  The court said hearing that claim would have been unfair to Expedite Aviation CC. Van Vuuren, a medical doctor, conservationist and co-founder of the N/a'an ku sê Foundation, was challenging a High Court decision that removed his attempt to force the Expedite Aviation CC to hand over documents needed for the case.  This process is known as discovery, and it requires each…

Staff Writer  Presidential advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, Kornelia Shilunga, has warned that Namibia’s growing oil and gas opportunity comes with a responsibility to ensure citizens are prepared to participate in the sector.  She delivered this message at the launch of the Petroleum Training and Education Fund's (Petrofund) new brand and refurbished head office in Windhoek this week.  Shilunga said recent discoveries in the Orange Basin and the announcement from ReconAfrica on the Kavango West 1X well have repositioned Namibia as an emerging petroleum player.  She said the sector carries the potential to reshape the economy for…

December has gradually become the most financially demanding month in many societies, and Namibia is no exception. The end of the year is a period marked by celebration, travel, gifting, relaxation, social gatherings, and elevated expectations of generosity.  While there is nothing inherently harmful about participating in the festivities of the season, the financial behaviours that accompany the month of December often produce long-term effects that continue to haunt young people well into January and February.  This article examines the deeper economic, social, and psychological factors that contribute to the January and February poverty cycle, with a particular emphasis on…

The festive season in Namibia is often associated with travel to rural areas, coastal holidays, and highly social events. However, a significant number of young people remain in Windhoek during December for work, financial reasons, or personal preference.  Contrary to common assumptions, staying in Windhoek does not have to be dull or expensive. The city offers a wide range of affordable and meaningful activities that allow young people to enjoy the festive season without placing financial strain on their already stretched budgets.  This article explores the reasons why many youth remain in the capital during December and provides a detailed…

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, unity, and renewal. For many people, however, December intensifies feelings of grief, loneliness, exhaustion, and emotional heaviness.  Young people who have experienced the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a sense of stability, or even a part of their identity often find the festive season challenging.  This article examines the experience of grief during the holidays, the psychological and social factors that may worsen it, and the strategies that young people can adopt to navigate this emotionally complex period. Grief is not a single emotion. It is…

Renthia Kaimbi The municipality of Okahandja is in an administrative deadlock, as the swearing-in of its newly elected council has been delayed due to the unavailability of the local magistrate.  The delay has frozen all municipal decision-making, leaving the town without a mayor or a legally constituted management committee. Outgoing mayor Beatrice Katungondo said the council wrote to the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on 10 November to schedule the ceremony.  Although the law requires councillors to be sworn in seven days after elections, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa postponed all swearing-in ceremonies from 3 December to 5 December 2025.…