National News

The Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge got off to a tremendous start this weekend, blessed with beautiful weather and an enthusiastic crowd of athletes.A flurry of late entries contributed to a fantastic turnout, setting the tone for the two-day endurance event.The first day was marked by palpable energy, determination, and widespread smiles as competitors gave their all in the initial cycling and running disciplines.Over 700 athletes descended upon Walvis Bay for the prestigious event, with a field comprising approximately 119 cyclists and 631 runners. The first day culminated in a prize-giving ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the participants, capping off…

Justicia Shipena Windhoek residents earned about N$1 million in a year and six months selling recyclable waste to the City of Windhoek through its first waste buy-back centre.  According to the municipality, the centre helped divert more than 120 tonnes of waste from landfill sites. The Windhoek municipality opened its first buyback centre in Katutura in April 2024, located at the corner of Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Bondel streets.  By December last year, residents had received over N$164 000 for waste sold to the centre, which was developed with support from the European Union (EU). According to city records, at that…

Renthia Kaimbi Organised gangs operating freely inside correctional facilities are instilling a culture of fear and violence, a parliamentary investigation has found. The report by the standing committee on home affairs, security, and constitutional and legal affairs revealed that gangs, such as the notorious 'Gang 28', known for their violent and sodomy-related practices, operate with impunity.  The gang’s presence highlights the vulnerability of LGBTQI inmates and the state’s struggle to protect them. The findings come from the committee’s oversight visits between January and March 2025.  The investigation found that gangs operating in correctional facilities and police cells recruit new members…

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the Zambezi Region still needs 73 vehicles to meet its transport requirements for the upcoming regional and local authority elections. This comes as last month, the ECN announced plans to hire more than 5 000 privately owned vehicles for use during the 26 November election.  The highest number of vehicles, 716, will be needed in the Ohangwena region, followed by Omusati with 689 and Oshikoto with 520. In the other eleven regions, the ECN plans to hire 174 vehicles in Hardap, 276 in Khomas, 277 in Omaheke, 326 in Otjozondjupa, 327…

Allexer Namundjembo A Gift of Hope Association has donated scientific calculators, Oxford English dictionaries, and mathematical sets to Oshilulu Combined School in the Oshikoto region.  The donation, made on Monday, marked the association’s second community drive aimed at supporting education and empowering rural learners. The event was led by coordinators Tim Martins and Dr Oskar Mbango. They represented the association founded by Sofia Mbango and Thomas Hasselberger. “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone as we continue giving back and working tirelessly to close the educational gap. It gives us immense purpose and joy to know that our efforts are…

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…

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…

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…

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…