National News

Justicia Shipena  The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) aims to deliver 20 000 houses over the next five years.  This is part of its new integrated strategic business plan (ISBP) for 2024/25 to 2028/29, launched in Windhoek on Wednesday.  NHE chief executive officer Gisbertus Mukulu said the five-year plan comes as the enterprise realigns itself with national priorities.  “The success of this plan will require aligned efforts from leadership, management, and staff and collaboration from all our stakeholders," said Mukulu.  He said the ISBP serves as a roadmap built through reflection and collaboration, adding that strategy alone is not enough without…

Allexer Namundjembo Over 800 000 women have registered to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections set for 26 November 2025. The Electoral Commission of Namibia’s (ECN) final voters register shows that out of 1 499 449 registered voters, 808 419 are women and 691 080 are men.  This means women make up just over 54% of all registered voters. ECN chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said women have continued to show strong commitment to civic participation.  “Their dominance on the voters’ roll is not just a statistic; it’s a reflection of their leadership in community…

Justicia Shipena The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has ordered local authorities in the ||Kharas and Hardap regions to reverse their decisions to write off pensioners’ debts.  He said the move was carried out without ministerial approval and is therefore illegal. In a letter dated 24 October to Lüderitz mayor Ronnie McKay, Sankwasa said his ministry had learnt that several local authorities had written off pensioners’ debts without first seeking authorisation from his office, as required by law. Sankwasa’s order comes days after the ||Kharas and Hardap regional councils directed municipalities under their control to cancel pensioners’…

Justicia Shipena The Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) has filed a lawsuit against Christine Hoebes, special advisor to the president, for failing to repay two livestock loans dating back to 2015. Court documents show that Hoebes entered into two loan agreements with AgriBank on 3 March 2015.  The first loan of N$193 000 was for the purchase of 26 cows and one bull. It carried an annual interest rate of 4% over a 10-year repayment period.  The second loan of N$7 000 was meant for a goat ram and a sheep ram, repayable over eight years at the same interest…

Justicia Shipena Former Namcor supply and logistics manager Cornelius 'Cedric' Willemse has become the third accused to be granted bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday set his bail at N$200 000. Windhoek Magistrate Olga Muharukua ruled that Willemse’s continued detention was not in the interest of justice.  She said the state failed to present enough evidence showing that he was likely to interfere with investigations or witnesses.  “There is no evidence before this court to suggest a serious risk of interference with investigations or with witnesses,” she said.  “Further, the court is…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has confirmed that former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, was dismissed for violating a presidential moratorium on oil deals. On Sunday, she dismissed Ithete from the Cabinet, removing him from his roles as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy.  She then assumed control of the ministry until a replacement was appointed. Speaking in a video that surfaced from her closed-door address to ministry staff on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ithete went against her directive on upstream oil activities. “There seem to be things happening in…

Justicia Shipena  At least 80% of residents from Mix Settlement have been relocated to pave the way for the construction of essential services.  This is part of the area's ongoing formalisation and upgrade project. City of Windhoek councillor Fransina Kahungu reported that 68 out of 84 households have been moved to make way for roads, a sewer network, and residential plots outlined in the area’s layout plan.  She revealed this information during a public meeting held on Monday with the residents of the area.  She said the City of Windhoek has invested N$1.7 million in installing 25 toilets and N$1.3…

Renthia Kaimbi   Namibia has ranked among Africa’s top five countries for global mobility in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. It joins Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, and Botswana in offering citizens greater travel access. The latest index places Namibia 62nd globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 81 destinations.  The government attributes this progress to strong foreign policy and targeted diplomatic engagement that has improved the country’s global reputation. While Namibia’s access remains below Seychelles with 156 destinations and Mauritius with 151, its steady climb is notable.  The improvement reflects growing international confidence in Namibia’s political stability and regional cooperation. The…

Chamwe Kaira  Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo says President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first year in office has been about action with purpose. He said four areas stand out most in her first year: youth empowerment, health reform, infrastructure and agriculture, and international relations. “The first is youth empowerment. Through the establishment of the National Youth Empowerment Fund, she has created real opportunities for young Namibians to access finance and turn their ideas into something tangible,” Mbambo said. “In its first phase, 42 youth-led projects received about N$14 million in funding, and that’s just the beginning of a N$500 million initiative that…

Staff Writer  MultiChoice Namibia has premiered a documentary titled Netumbo: A Leader Beyond Politics, capturing the life and leadership of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the fifth and current President of Namibia. The premiere brought together Namibian and African dignitaries, including President of Botswana advocate Duma Boko and former president lieutenant general Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, along with high-level diplomats and invited guests. “As a brand that is built on premium entertainment and creativity, this documentary is a testament to our commitment to truthful, dignified, and locally rooted storytelling,” said David Mignot, Canal+ Africa CEO. “Netumbo: A Leader Beyond Politics will…