National News

Patience Makwele Vice president Lucia Witbooi has called for stronger support for vocational education.  She said skills training remains one of Namibia’s most important tools in fighting unemployment and creating opportunities for young people with disabilities. Witbooi made the remarks on Wednesday during the graduation ceremony of 443 learners enrolled in the Certificate in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills programme at Augustineum Secondary School in Windhoek. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture through the National Institute for Educational Development and provides practical vocational and life skills training in areas such as bricklaying, plumbing,…

Allexer Namundjembo  Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has called on African governments to build ethical, technology-driven and people-centred public services capable of improving service delivery, creating jobs and driving economic growth across the continent. Ngurare made the remarks during the African Management Development Institutes Network (AMDIN) Conference hosted by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) in Windhoek under the theme “Transformative Public Service Leadership for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth in Africa". Ngurare said governments are operating in a rapidly changing environment shaped by climate pressures, economic uncertainty, technological change and growing public expectations. “We meet at a…

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has appointed a new Land Reform Advisory Commission as Namibia intensifies efforts to redistribute commercial agricultural land and address historical land inequalities. The ministry bid farewell to nine outgoing commissioners and welcomed a new team during an induction workshop held at the Windhoek Country Club Resort on Wednesday. Deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruthy Masake, speaking on behalf of minister Inge Zaamwani, said land reform remains one of Namibia’s most urgent national priorities. Masake thanked outgoing commissioners Aune Shipanga, Winnie Mwilima, Jacobina Amulungu, Maria Immanuel,…

Renthia Kaimbi The Erongo Regional Council has launched a five-day procurement training programme aimed at addressing delays and administrative problems affecting project implementation and service delivery. The training started on Monday at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism in Swakopmund, and it brought together members of the procurement management unit, bid evaluation committees and procurement committees. Senior officials said weak procurement capacity and procedural challenges have delayed projects and affected the implementation of the council’s annual budget. Erongo Regional Council chairperson and Karibib constituency councillor Lazarus Kanelombe, represented by Walvis Urban constituency councillor Albertina Nkoshi, said procurement remains one…

Renthia Kaimbi The Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor (Erongo Red) has urged customers to use electricity safely and responsibly.  Erongo Red warns that overloaded plugs, exposed cables, and faulty wiring can lead to serious injuries, fires, and deaths. The utility recently launched an electricity safety campaign aimed at preventing accidents in homes and communities. The campaign follows an electricity-saving initiative introduced in April to help customers manage monthly expenses and encourage sustainable energy use. Erongo Red advised customers not to overload plugs and sockets, saying this can cause electrical faults and fires.  The utility also encouraged the public to use quality…

Renthia Kaimbi Eight active Namibian police officers, including warrant officers and sergeants, were falsely presented as employees and managers of a security company that won a N$40 million tender to guard the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), according to court filings submitted to the High Court. The allegations form part of a review application lodged by PIS Security Services CC, the incumbent security provider that lost the three-year contract to Novo Security Services CC. The tender, valued at N$40 million, was awarded in October 2025 following a procurement process overseen by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN).…

Allexer Namundjembo  Otavi Constituency councillor George Garab has called on the government to declare road crash fatalities a national emergency.  He said the country can no longer treat fatal crashes as routine incidents. Garab recently tabled the motion during the first session of the seventh National Council.  “I rise with sincere gratitude for the opportunity to table this important motion, which speaks directly to a matter of urgent national concern affecting every household across Namibia,” Garab said.  He referred to figures from the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund newsletter dated 30 April 2026, which recorded 921 crashes, 1 467 injuries…

Allexer Namundjembo  Road Fund Administration (RFA) chief executive officer Ali Iipinge says the proposed toll gate system has not yet been approved by government.  He said it will not be implemented until that process is complete. Iipinge told the Windhoek Observer on Sunday that the toll gate project remains on hold. “The vehicle tolls initiative is not yet implemented, as it’s subject to approval by the government. Once approved, we will notify the public accordingly," he said.  The proposal was first introduced in 2021 and aims to install toll gates at between 21 and 23 points across the country's national…

Allexer Namundjembo  The City of Windhoek says it has resolved the matter involving a house built without municipal approval in Havana Informal Settlement earlier this year. City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said the homeowner approached the municipality after compliance directives were issued and requested that some of the conditions be relaxed. Amutenya said the city considered the request and revised some of the conditions, subject to strict compliance measures. “As part of the agreement reached, the owner committed through a sworn affidavit that the structure will primarily be used for residential purposes, while limited charitable activities such as Bible…