National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted President Nangolo Mbumba in Cape Town on Tuesday. The two heads of state engaged in bilateral discussions aimed at deepening relations and addressing issues of national concern for both nations. The Namibian Presidency announced that the visit is expected to focus on Namibia’s national interests and provide a platform for further collaboration. The working visit comes on the heels of a recent diplomatic engagement, with South Africa’s minister Ronald Lamola, who attended the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission in Swakopmund earlier this month. “This visit underlines our commitment to strengthening regional partnerships,” said…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police Force has issued a stern warning to young people to refrain from criminal activities, particularly armed robberies, which have seen a disturbing spike recently. The warning came from Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of NamPol’s public relations division after two violent robbery incidents that occurred on Monday, in Windhoek and Swakopmund, where substantial sums of money were stolen, and a security guard lost his life. In Swakopmund, a cash-in-transit heist at Platz am Meer Shopping Mall ended tragically when armed robbers shot and killed a 32-year-old security guard, identified as Ernest Araeb. Araeb, employed…

Niël Terblanché Residents of the Zambezi region celebrated the official handover of two newly constructed facilities at schools in Liselo and Masokotwani settlements. The initiative to enhance infrastructure for education, facilitated by the Chinese government, is part of a broader effort to improve educational infrastructure in rural areas, providing resources that offer long-term benefits for students, teachers, and the surrounding communities. During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, pointed to the transformative potential of the newly constructed facilities. She said that the donated infrastructure which includes dormitories for 336 students at each school,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Botswana have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing regional trade and economic cooperation through the development of the Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) project, with construction set to begin in January 2025. This was confirmed during a meeting between deputy prime minister and minister of works and transport, John Mutorwa and his counterpart from Botswana, Eric Molale, in Windhoek last week. The two ministers, joined by senior officials and representatives of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, discussed ongoing progress and the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC) and Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) projects. The TKC, operational since 2003, has simplified customs operations and established…

Niël Terblanché The South-South Cooperation Project between Namibia and China demonstrates the country’s commitment to building a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. The project aims to strengthen agriculture and diversify economic opportunities, and with shared efforts, this collaboration holds promise for a more resilient Namibia. The launch of the second phase of the South-South Cooperation Project in Windhoek on Wednesday took Namibia to take a step toward improved agricultural development. The initiative, which will be implemented under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), seeks to address Namibia’s agricultural challenges, enhance food security,…

Ester Mbathera Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is advocating for broader economic participation through targeted support for SMEs and industrial strategies to create sustainable jobs. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the call at the public discussion event of the party’s manifesto in Windhoek on Monday. “The days of relying on one or two key sectors must be behind us. Through targeted support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and focused industrial strategies, we can create sustainable jobs and ensure that wealth is spread across our society rather than being concentrated in the hands of just a few,” she said. According to her, the…

Allexer Namundjembo Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi was unable to present the mid-year budget review on Monday because not enough members of parliament attended to form a quorum. The mid-term budget review serves as an opportunity for the government to reassess its initial allocations that were made at the start of the year. Shiimi said that while the budget allocations will remain as they were initially set, resources will be focused on ministries facing urgent needs. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Loide Kasingo, adjourned the session. “The rule says we need to be 49 to proceed with house activities. Unfortunately,…

Allexer Namundjembo The National Council Standing Committee on Public Accounts has revealed that the financial situation of the Opuwo Town Council is in disarray. Peter Kazongominja, the committee chairperson, said the council’s financial records are not reconciling and that there is a lack of staff in the finance department to prepare the council’s statements. “If it is a matter of capacity, we need to find ways to provide training for those working in the finance department. They need a solution; the accounting officer cannot answer the queries as she was recently hired and still needs more time to familiarise herself…