National News

Sostenus Wilherm The government has extended the deadline for farmers applying to acquire agricultural equipment to 16 October 2026 following an overwhelming response from farmers across the country, according to the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform (MAFWLR). The application process was initially scheduled to close at the end of September, but farmers from all 14 regions reportedly raised concerns that the original timeframe was too short. MAFWLR acting executive director Petrus Nangolo said the extension was agreed upon to give more farmers an opportunity to participate. “We are in agreement to extend to give people enough time,…

Patience Makwele More than 120 Namibian professionals who received training in India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme gathered in Windhoek to reflect on how skills gained abroad have continued to shape their careers. Among them was Martha Nghipandulwa, who underwent digital forensics training in India in 2017, a field she shared that has become increasingly relevant as criminal activity moves from the physical world into digital spaces. “Crimes are not happening in the physical world anymore. More crimes are committed through digital and electronics (platforms),” Nghipandulwa said. She said the training gave her practical skills that…

Patience Makwele The Namibia-Cuba solidarity campaign on Wednesday raised about N$2.6 million for medical supplies and solar energy equipment for Cuba, while a “mysterious donor” N$17 million contribution was announced during the fundraising gala in Windhoek. Prime minister Elijah Ngurare announced the N$17 million donation during the fundraising proceedings, saying the amount was either being given or was already on its way. “We have received a mysterious donor… The amount is as follows in terms of all added up which is being given or it’s on its way is N$17 million,” Ngurare said. However, the prime minister’s office has declined…

Patience Makwele Namibia’s ability to sustain its HIV gains after the United States phases out direct financial support will depend on more than keeping antiretroviral (ARV) medicines available, health experts and an economist have warned. The ministry of health and social services confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the government already funds 100% of the country’s ARVs, following the announcement that US financial assistance for Namibia’s HIV response will be phased out. Under the new arrangement, US support will transition over the next year from financial assistance to technical cooperation as Namibia integrates its HIV response into the national health…

Sostenus Wilherm Social activists Shaun Gariseb and Michael Amushelelo have called on the City of Windhoek to account for its delivery of serviced land, municipal infrastructure and public services, warning that residents need measurable results rather than further plans and presentations. In a joint statement on the alleged state of the City of Windhoek, the two said serviced land should be treated as an emergency municipal priority, arguing that access to land is closely linked to housing, sanitation, electricity, roads and security of tenure. “Serviced land delivery must become an emergency municipal priority,” they said. They cited a housing backlog…

Sostenus Wilherm Namibia remains heavily dependent on food imports, with more than half of the country’s requirements for key staple crops and most fruit consumed domestically sourced from outside the country, highlighting the gap between local production and the nation’s food security ambitions. During the 2025/26 season, approximately 64% of Namibia’s maize requirements, 87% of wheat and 64% of pearl millet requirements were imported, minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani said. The figures were contained in her keynote address delivered by agricultural deputy minister Ruthy Masake at the 2026 National Agronomy and Horticulture Awards (NAHA) in…

Sostenus Wilherm After 17 years of curriculum development, testing and review, the Namibian Police Force (Nampol) has secured accreditation for its basic police training programme. However, acting Inspector General Major General Anne-Marie Nainda said the achievement will have little meaning unless it translates into better policing and service delivery to the public. Nainda made the remarks during the official receipt of accreditation certificates at the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) headquarters in Windhoek, where the Nampol Certificate in Policing was formally recognised at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5. She described the accreditation as more than an administrative milestone, saying it…

Sostenus Wilherm Walvis Bay International Airport’s airspace has reportedly been downgraded to Class G uncontrolled airspace, triggering concerns from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) over air traffic control capacity, aviation safety and repeated failures in the provision of critical weather information. The concern was raised by IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula on Wednesday, following questions raised in parliament on Tuesday about delays and inaccuracies in Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs). Kalangula said the party had reviewed the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued in connection with the situation and was concerned that the airport’s airspace had been…