National News

Martin Endjala The town of Rundu, the capital of the Kavango East region, which is derived from its vernacular name, Ruuntu, meaning a place of many people, has for many years struggled to sustain city status.  This is despite it being the second-largest urban settlement after Windhoek. According to the 2023 census report, Rundu is Namibia’s second-largest urban area, with 118 632 inhabitants after Windhoek with 486 301 residents. By law, Rundu has already met the criteria for city status, as cities are governed by municipalities, while towns fall under town councils. Rundu Rural Constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu believes the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Richard Metcalfe the legal representative of Reinhold Shipwikineni, who is contesting the legality of Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's candidature in the November 2024 presidential elections, has withdrawn from the case for the second time.  The withdrawal was submitted to the High Court on Thursday.  Shipwikineni said he and his co-applicants were not consulted about the withdrawal. “I saw it. It’s the second time. He didn’t even consult us. He just withdrew. At this moment, we will see what we can do. We want the High Court to finalise the case,” Shipwikineni said. Despite Metcalfe's withdrawal, Shipwikineni maintains…

Stefanus Nashama The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) has called for a drastic reduction in registration fees at all tertiary education institutions across the country.  The student body has proposed that the cost be lowered to N$3 000 or less, citing concerns over the affordability of current fees, which are seen as particularly burdensome for vulnerable and needy students. In a statement released on Thursday, SUN’s president, Shikesho Natangwe, emphasized the urgent need to make higher education more accessible.  "We recommend that registration fees for all universities in Namibia be lowered to below N$3 000. Additionally, we demand that all…

Niël Terblanché More than a week after the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources announced a N$10 000 reward for information regarding the deliberate killing of Cape Cormorants near Henties Bay, no leads have emerged. The ministry's spokesperson, Uaripi Katjiukua, confirmed on Thursday that not a single member of the public has come forward with vital information. "We are, however, confident that some information will be forthcoming and that we will be able to initiate a criminal investigation soon," she said. The incident, which occurred on 17 January at Canopy in Dorob National Park, involved a driver in a four-wheel-drive…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), is considering a six-month pilot project aimed at optimising the retail water supply process. The initiative was unveiled at a stakeholder engagement session in Ondangwa on Wednesday and seeks to modernise Namibia’s water distribution system using smart technologies to address longstanding inefficiencies. During the discussions, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia, stressed the necessity of the project, citing persistent challenges in the sector. "Water supply in north-western Namibia has evolved significantly, but challenges such as non-payment, inefficient billing, and infrastructure constraints…

Martin Endjala The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) has criticised NamWater for its practices of empowering foreign companies over local contractors. It demanded a level playing field to suit local contractors. Last week, the Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA), released a statement in which the association accused NamWater of sidelining local contractors over foreign contractors. NamWter justified its decision by citing performance issues, such as alleged poor workmanship, non-completion, and project abandonment. About five projects valued at N$315 million are said to be incomplete. The chief executive officer of CIF, Barbel Kirchner, in response on Thursday, stated that NamWater…

Mallex Shipanga The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has announced that the country is closer to finalising its universal health coverage (UHC) policy. MoHSS spokesperson Walters Kamaya confirmed on Wednesday that the policy is ready for Cabinet review. “Cabinet submissions have been prepared, and the policy is ready to be presented to the Cabinet. The MoHSS is now awaiting the policy to be slotted on the Cabinet agenda for discussion and approval,” said Kamaya. He said the UHC Policy was presented to the health minister Kalumbi Shangula towards the end of 2024, which he reviewed and approved. Kamaya…

Allexer Namundjembo The residents of the Katima Mulilo Rural constituency have raised concerns over poor network coverage in their areas, despite network towers being erected in their villages last year. The towers, installed in Ikumwe, Nakabolelwa, and Mutikitila, were expected to be operational by September 2024 following a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Information Minister Emma Theofilus in June. Although completed, the towers have not been activated, leading to frustration among the communities, who feel the project was a political ploy by the ruling party to attract voters ahead of the November presidential and national assembly elections. “Powercom started with the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Workers at non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Namibia that receive funding from the government of the United States of America for various programs, including HIV prevention, LGBTQ support, and climate change initiatives, have been ordered to cease operations immediately.  The Windhoek Observer understands that the workers are still required to report for duty but cannot execute any duties.  IntraHealth Namibia (IHN), a non-profit organisation working to curb new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women under the DREAMS project, declined to comment on the matter.  Communications specialist, Selma Shiwaya, told Windhoek Observer that the organisation had no statement…

Allexer Namundjembo  Graham Hopwood, the director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), has warned that if an election rerun is ordered by the court, there will be insufficient time to organise new elections before the 21 March deadline for the new administration.  Hopwood made these remarks at the Election Fact Check Coalition review conference on Wednesday.  “We would be in uncharted territory. We have to be thinking about constitutional amendments to extend encumbrance offices until the election is organised. But I am not saying it would happen,” he said.  The Independent Patriots for Change have launched applications in…