National News

Justicia Shipena  Chamber of Mines of Namibia chief executive officer Veston Malango says a government-funded exploration fund would not be the right approach for the country's mining sector because exploration is a high-risk activity that should be financed by private investors. Speaking during a stakeholder engagement by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and industry representatives on Thursday, Malango said exploration projects often fail and should not rely on public funds. “Every time I hear that we are establishing an exploration fund, I get depressed. It is a bad idea because exploration is high risk,” Malango said. He said government resources…

Allexer Namundjembo Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) researcher Frederico Links says preferential procurement rules in Namibia appear strong on paper but lack clear requirements for public disclosure. Links raised the concern in the latest Procurement Tracker Namibia bulletin released on Wednesday.  He said weak transparency, limited data and poor compliance could affect the government’s plan to prioritise local and historically disadvantaged suppliers. “While reporting, monitoring and assessment requirements are included in the code, it does not state that any part of this should or must be open to public scrutiny,” Links said. The government has signalled that preferential procurement…

Justicia Shipena  Namibia is ready to move from policy ambition to practical industrial implementation, the director general of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Kaire Mbuende, has said. He made the remarks during the industrial decarbonisation workshop, which examined opportunities under the Climate Investment Funds industrial decarbonisation programme. “Namibia now stands ready to move from policy ambition to industrial implementation. The Industrial Decarbonisation Programme offers a unique platform to build modern industries, strengthen infrastructure, create sustainable jobs, and accelerate inclusive economic growth,” Mbuende said. Mbuende said the programme gives Namibia access to up to US$250 million in concessional climate finance to…

Patience Makwele  Across Namibia, many young people are starting small side businesses as unemployment continues to limit formal job opportunities. From selling thrift clothing online to running small food stalls or offering services through social media, youth are finding ways to earn an income while searching for stable employment. Twenty-four-year-old Michael Amutenya runs a small phone repair service from his family home in Katutura. The business became his main source of income after months of unsuccessful job applications. “I applied for many jobs, but nothing came through,” he said. “At some point you stop waiting and start doing something for…

Young Namibians speak about the rising cost of relationships  Patience Makwele  Thirty-five-year-old Michael Amutenya pauses while typing a message on his phone before asking a woman he recently started seeing out on a date. “A simple date can easily cost N$400 or more if you include transport, food and drinks. So sometimes you think twice before asking someone out," he said.  For many young Namibians, dating now involves financial pressure, social expectations and influence from social media. Images shared on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok often show couples enjoying restaurant dinners, luxury gifts and holidays. While these posts reflect…

Patience Makwele  Young Namibians are entering the renewable energy sector as the country expands its focus on cleaner energy solutions. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions across the country are training young people in renewable energy technologies and preparing them for work in the growing sector. Kevin Kevanhu, a solar technician in training at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre, said renewable energy offers opportunities for both communities and young professionals. “Energy access is not just a technical issue. It affects education, healthcare and economic development in communities,” he said. Kevanhu said his interest in renewable energy started when…

Justicia Shipena  The government has spent N$6.48 million to restore the industrial electrical geyser water heating system at Windhoek Central Hospital. Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi announced the completion of the project during a handover ceremony at the hospital on Wednesday. The project was completed over seven months by Namibia Engineering Cooperation (NEC) and Pumps (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian-owned company. Nekundi said the upgrade restores reliable hot water across the hospital and improves conditions for patients and healthcare workers. “I am proud to provide that this project was undertaken and sincerely delivered at a cost of N$6.48 million…

Patience Makwele The arrest of three officials in the Omaheke region over the alleged diversion of community water tanks has raised concerns about accountability in public service and the protection of resources meant for vulnerable communities. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) this week arrested three officials from the directorate of rural water supply within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform following an investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving community water tanks. The suspects, Katjimune Lion, Tjaondo Festus and Mbingana Morbe Albert, are accused of submitting fraudulent requisitions to the Omaheke Regional Government Stores to obtain two 10 000-litre…

Allexer Namundjembo Accredited electricians with the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored) area say they are often overlooked when electrical tenders are allocated in their towns. The electricians told the Windhoek Observer that despite being registered and accredited to carry out electrical services, contractors from other towns are sometimes brought in to do work in areas where qualified local electricians are available. “Someone can be brought in from a different town to come do the wiring in Tsumeb. It is very bad considering that we also have qualified and professional electricians in Tsumeb or any other town that can do…