National News

Renthia Kaimbi A dispute over shift changes at the Beifang Mining Technology Services (BMTS) Husab Project has escalated, leading to the suspension of 10 employees and growing tension between management and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN). The issue began on 24 January when the company’s human resources department issued a joint memorandum with the MUN branch executive committee.  The notice announced a mandatory shift from a reverse to a forward rotation, effective 27 January. The memorandum, signed by human resources head Abraham Christian and branch chairperson Gebhard Shikongo, said the change was “imperative” to comply with Section 20 of…

Justicia Shipena Namibia’s newly launched National Digital Health Policy 2026–2036 will lay the groundwork for a law to regulate digital health providers and protect patient data as the country expands the use of technology in healthcare. The policy was launched on Friday in Windhoek by the minister of health and social services, Esperance Luvindao.  Luvindao stated that the policy will serve as a guide for the drafting of a Digital Health Bill.  The planned law will provide legal certainty, safeguard patient privacy and regulate the digital health services operating in the country. Digital health involves the use of information and…

Renthia Kaimbi Shaama Combined School in the Ohangwena region has received a new perimeter fence as part of a N$500 000 donation from Ongete Fishing (Pty) Ltd, aimed at improving infrastructure at the school. The handover took place on Friday at the school in Onanghulo village.  Government officials, traditional leaders and community members attended the ceremony.  The donation also includes plans for a soup kitchen, an administration block and a library, which are still under review. School principal Toivo Shadjuuka said the fence ends years of operating without a secure boundary. “We held school in the presence of goats and…

Justicia Shipena  Japan has launched a new grant-funded project to strengthen the resilience of farming communities affected by drought in Namibia, with a focus on long-term food security and climate-smart agriculture. The project, titled 'Enhancing resilience of farming communities affected by drought through the promotion of adaptive agriculture', was launched on Saturday in Otjiwarongo.  It will be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform. Japan’s ambassador to Namibia, Shinichi Asazuma, said the project reflects Japan’s commitment to helping Namibia move from emergency drought…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she is concerned about rising criminal acts against tourists.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said the trend threatens the country's tourism sector and the country’s international standing. She raised the issue while addressing the opening of the Legal Year at the Supreme Court yesterday.  She said reports of crimes against visitors and tourists have led some countries to classify Namibia as an unsafe destination, placing jobs and economic growth at risk. Tourism, she said, remains a major contributor to gross domestic product and employment. "I am also concerned by recent reports of increasing criminal acts against visitors and…

Justicia Shipena  National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) interim managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende says corruption in the extractive sector is mostly driven by the private sector, not the government.  She warned that failing to address this could threaten Namibia’s future oil and gas development. Hinda-Mbuende made the remarks in Windhoek on Thursday during a high-level dialogue on Namibia’s possible participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). She said corruption in extractive industries often begins in the private sector, where most beneficiation takes place, yet public debate and reporting tend to place the burden on government alone. “It is important…

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula says Parliament should be judged by the quality of its work and its impact on people’s lives, not by how many bills it passes. He responded to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s address at this week's official opening of Parliament on Thursday.  Itula welcomed the President’s emphasis on participatory democracy, inclusive development and anti-corruption.  However, he said these goals can only be achieved if Parliament exercises strong oversight and operates transparently. He said Parliament’s role is not to rush legislation but to carefully examine bills, consider public input and ensure safeguards that…

Justicia Shipena  The High Court has ruled that the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust was properly served with procurement review papers by email and failed to prove that it did not receive them. The court this week dismissed a procurement review application by the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust.  The application relates to a procurement process for consultancy services advertised by the Trust.  In June 2025, the Review Panel selected Gamal Rifai Architects as the successful bidder.  Several unsuccessful bidders then applied for reconsideration, as allowed under the Public Procurement Act. The Trust dismissed those reconsideration applications on 27 June…

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek council is set to rename Rand street in Khomasdal after veteran liberation figure and diplomat Joshua //Hoebeb.  A proposal tabled before council on Thursday during its first meeting for the year recommends that the 2.06-kilometre road linking Khomasdal and Katutura be renamed ambassador Joshua //Hoebeb Street.  This is in recognition of his role in Namibia’s liberation struggle, diplomacy and public service. //Hoebeb served as Namibia’s first high commissioner to South Africa and took part in the negotiations that led to the reintegration of Walvis Bay into Namibia in 1994.  He later served as high…