National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is hosting the first African Preparatory Meeting (APM26-1) for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) and the second African Preparatory Meeting for the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25). The meeting organised by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) started on Monday in Windhoek. Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), at the opening of the meeting, stressed the significance of these preparatory meetings. Theofelus highlighted that the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and the World Telecommunication Development Conference are crucial for setting strategic goals and priorities in telecommunications and ICT development, especially for…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) recently concluded a four-day performance review workshop in Oshakati, culminating in a visit to the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project. This visit aimed to familiarise the ministry’s management with various projects within the northern communal areas. Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the MAWLR’s executive director, emphasised the importance of exposing management to these projects. “It was important to bring the managers here, most of them who are sitting in other regions, to see how other regions are faring and also those who are sitting in Windhoek, so that they know the impact…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) issued a public notification on Friday to clarify the status of exporting weaners (young cattle) to South Africa and the importation of livestock feed from the same country. According to John Shoopala, acting chief veterinary officer, the exportation of live cattle to South Africa has not been halted, as per rumours circulating on social media. “Anyone who wishes to export live cattle to SA should apply for the South African veterinary permit,” he said in the notice. Shoopala added that Namibia continues to allow the importation of fully processed…

Niël Terblanché The Diaz wind farm near Luderitz has a total capacity of 44 megawatts (MW) and is scheduled for commissioning in July 2025. Construction of the farm started in 2023 and is being developed by InnoVent, a company specialising in the installation and operation of wind and solar farms in France and Africa. According to a statement issued by the company, the Diaz wind farm, with its eleven turbines, will boost Namibia’s renewable energy capacity. “With an annual production of over 230 GWh of green electricity, the Diaz wind farm will represent 5 to 6% of Namibia’s electricity consumption…

Martin Endjala The Otjiwarongo municipality intends to name several streets in Orwetoveni Extension 4 after renowned medical doctors and sports personalities. The list includes health and social services minister, Kalumbi Shangula, former health minister Richard Kamwi, ophthalmologist Helena Ndume, late national forensics expert Paul Ludik, and Moderatha Finken. Another street will be named after Anne Heyman, who created the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village that shelters orphans of the Rwanda genocide. Last week, the town’s chief executive officer, Mberipura Hifitikeko, issued a notice of objection proposing new names for unnamed streets. “Any person objecting to the proposed names may lodge written motivational…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Students Financial Assistance Fund's (NSFAF) funding policy is under review to address the financial challenges faced by students whose parents' income previously disqualified them from receiving aid. This policy review is aimed at providing relief to families who, despite having a combined income of N$500,000 per year, struggle to support more than three students in tertiary institutions. Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Itah Kandjii-Murangi, was responding to questions from Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) member of parliament Kennedy Shekupakela in parliament last week. Shekupakela highlighted the unrealistic assumption that parents earning above the…

Ester Mbathera The former first lady, Monica Geingos, last week attended the 2024 Global First Ladies Academy in New York. At the three-day event, Geingos presented at the Legacy Workshop, where she will share insights on building a lasting legacy. She used her One Economy Foundation to illustrate how strategic foresight can sustain first ladies' initiatives. One Economy Foundation was launched in 2016 to facilitate the full social and economic participation of communities to break aspects of the poverty cycle, maximise the potential of as many people as possible, and strengthen those who are already on track to become better.…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) called off its elective congress, which was due to elect the party’s new leadership on Saturday at Ramatex in Windhoek. Outgoing party president, Esther Muinjangue announced on Sunday morning that the party’s national executive committee convened an urgent meeting late on Saturday night to discuss the scenario of ‘’chaos and anarchy’’ that prevailed at the venue. ‘’After careful consideration of all facts and issues at our disposal, we as leaders have decided to call off our elective congress until further notice. This is to avert possible loss of lives and unnecessary harm…

Stefanus Nashama On Saturday, police in Outapi arrested two men suspected to be Swapo members for attempted murder after hitting members of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) with a car. The victims were some of the IPC members who were preparing to attend the opening of the party office in Outapi. One of the victims, Hendrick Shekundja, confirmed the incident, saying he and another party were standing next to the road near Marura Tree Station Bar when the suspect drove into a crowd of IPC members. “I heard a sound, and the next moment, I saw myself on the…