National News

Justicia Shipena Environment, Forestry and Tourism minister Indileni Daniel says her ministry will assess whether preventative measures can be taken along the Chobe River following the death of 90 buffaloes in a stampede. The incident happened on 23 September when a herd of buffaloes, chased by lions in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, tried to cross into Namibia.  At the steep riverbank, the animals fell on each other and drowned. Fishermen discovered the carcasses in the early morning. Daniel said the assessment will focus on the riverside where the incident occurred but warned against altering the landscape.  “Our intention is not…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for the establishment of a sister city agreement between Philadelphia and a Namibian city or town to strengthen cooperation in education, trade, health, urban development, and cultural exchange. She made the call at Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday, where she was honoured citations from the City Council.  “It would allow our municipalities to learn from one another’s experiences, share innovative practices, and promote grassroots diplomacy that connects our citizens directly,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted opportunities for cooperation through maritime connectivity between the ports of Philadelphia and Walvis Bay, direct air links between the…

Allexer Namundjembo  The late liberation hero, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, was honoured with a statue at Robben Island during the second reunion of political ex-prisoners on Saturday.  The event brought together former political prisoners from Namibia and South Africa and marked the unveiling of six statues, including Toivo ya Toivo's, as well as the awarding of commemorative medals to ex-Robben Island prisoners. Namibia’s delegation included speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp, and veteran politician Jerry Ekandjo. Delivering a message on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Steenkamp described the…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for the responsible use of nuclear energy. She urged that safeguards be implemented to ensure transparency and safety in the development of nuclear technology. Speaking on Friday in the United States at the United Nations high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia supports the peaceful use of atomic energy while strongly opposing nuclear weapons.  “Namibia calls for the accountable use of nuclear energy and ensures that comprehensive safeguards are in place to remove any limitations and restrictions on the use of nuclear material,…

Allexer Namundjembo The Otjozondjupa governor, John Khamuseb, has been accused of interfering in Okahandja Municipality’s land allocation activities.  The accusation was made by Okahandja deputy mayor Asser Aupindi in a letter to Khamuseb last week. In the letter seen by the Windhoek Observer, Aupindi alleged that Khamuseb personally contacted the municipality’s chief executive officer and instructed him to halt all land allocation activities within the town’s jurisdiction. “Such interference is not only unwarranted but also hampers the efforts to ensure service delivery to the residents,” the letter reads. “Taking into consideration that you were not elected.” The letter stressed that…

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has called for the implementation of the Namib Declaration on the United Nations (UN) Convention to combat desertification. The call was made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as she delivered her maiden speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Nandi-Ndaitwah asserted that this is crucial for achieving a world free from land-degradation. The declaration aims to reverse land degradation and to mitigate the impacts of drought.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said climate change continues to harm livelihoods and ecosystems.  “Climate change is scorching our lands and drying up our rivers. Global instability is…

Allexer Namundjembo The chief executive officer of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa), Kenneth Matomola, says favourable market conditions, lower interest rates, and moderate inflation helped push the value of the non-banking financial sector to N$474.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.  This figure represents growth of 14.3% compared to the previous year’s 4.2% decline. “Our regulated entities continue to demonstrate financial stability and resilience, underscoring the effectiveness of our oversight and operational efficiency initiatives,” Matomola said on Thursday at the launch of the 2025 annual report in Windhoek. The report shows that NAMFISA’s regulatory portfolio has expanded to…

Renthia Kaimbi Delegates at the eighth session of the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners have passed a resolution calling for urgent support and empowerment of the boy child, describing him as increasingly vulnerable and left behind. The session, held under the theme “Breaking Barriers”, addressed issues ranging from infrastructure to healthcare.  The resolution on the boy child, however, became one of the most pressing points of discussion.  It highlighted a shift toward recognising that rural youth face complex challenges that require a balanced approach. The chairperson of the National Council, Maria Mwala, said the gathering had “confronted the…

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Winnie Moongo has asked the minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Indileni Daniel, to explain how the Gambling Trust Fund is being monitored to ensure transparency and accountability.  The fund was created under section 25 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act of 2018 to reduce the social and economic effects of gambling. It is used to support rehabilitation programmes and public education. The Gambling Board of Namibia manages the fund in trust. In a notice of questions in parliament on Thursday, Moongo said that despite the objectives of the act, concerns remain…

Justicia Shipena  Former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune has allegedly resigned from the party. Sources within PDM claim Katjimune tendered his resignation this week, and that the party is withholding the confirmation.  His alleged departure follows a wave of recent resignations, including former shadow minister of education Charmaine Tjirare and former National Assembly members Yvette Araes, Esmeralda !Aebes, Vakamuina Kamutuezu and Shonena Nathaniel. Reports last week also suggested that Katjimune and PDM leader McHenry Venaani disagreed on the reasons behind the resignations. PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that he has not received…