National News

Allexer Namundjembo  The City of Windhoek has denied claims that it paid South African artist Kelly Khumalo N$650,000 to perform at the Windhoek Jazz Festival.  However, it did not reveal how much was paid to the artist.  Khumalo has been accused in connection with the murder of her former boyfriend, football star Senzo Meyiwa. Testimonies presented in a South African court last year alleged that she ordered Meyiwa’s killing. The Windhoek Jazz Festival took place this weekend.  In an official statement, through the office of the executive officer Moses Matyayi, the municipality said the total budget for all performers at…

Justicia Shipena United Nations resident coordinator to Namibia, Hopolang Phororo, says institutionalising employment impact assessments will help policymakers measure how public spending influences job creation.  She said the process will help them prioritise sectors with the highest potential to create jobs. Phororo was speaking at the awareness-raising event on the employment impact assessment (EmpIA) held at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek on Friday.  The event brought together government officials, development partners, and experts to discuss ways to integrate employment impact studies into national policymaking. She commended Namibia for taking steps to include employment assessments in planning and budgeting processes.  Phororo…

Staff Writer  IdeaCandy has released the official trailer for Unspoken War, a Showmax Original documentary series that premieres on Showmax and M-Net on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. The five-part series looks at South Africa’s covert war between 1966 and 1989, fought across Angola, Namibia, and within South Africa. The conflict, known as the South African Border War, the Angolan Bush War, or the Namibian War of Independence, was never formally declared. Soldiers were ordered to remain silent, and families were left in the dark about what their loved ones experienced. Using rare archival footage and personal testimonies, Unspoken War features…

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of justice and labour relations Fillemon Wise Immanuel says he has not yet seen the letter of demand from Namibia’s magistrates threatening to strike over unpaid benefits. The magistrates, represented by Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, have issued a final ultimatum to the ministry, demanding that it stop plans to gazette what they describe as an incorrect benefits schedule.  “I have not seen it yet because I’m travelling, but I will follow up and get back to you,” Immanuel told the Windhoek Observer. They are calling for the implementation of a fair proposal approved by the judiciary executive director…

Renthia Kaimbi Mining claims holder Timoteus Mashuna has been spared from losing his Goantagab mining claims after the mine settled N$52 950 in legal costs sought by Ultimate Safaris.  The payment, which covered taxed costs and interest, stopped the deputy sheriff of Windhoek from auctioning off eight of Mashuna’s mining claims following a court-issued warrant. The warrant, dated 22 October 2025, had authorised the deputy sheriff to attach and auction the claims registered under Mashuna’s name.  The execution proceedings followed a recent legal defeat for Ultimate Safaris, which had been ordered to pay Mashuna’s legal costs after its failed attempt…

Allexer Namundjembo Road safety expert Felix Tjozongoro has proposed a road safety Christmas amnesty. He said during this time, police should write off traffic fines older than three years to promote voluntary compliance and improve road discipline. “These are not ambitious or costly reforms; they are practical, evidence-based interventions that can be implemented immediately. If we start now, we can save hundreds of lives this festive season,” Tjozongoro said. He called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to strengthen the country's highway monitoring systems and make better use of the existing CCTV network along the Arandis.  Tjozongoro said the…

Allexer Namundjembo South Africa has reopened its borders to Namibian fresh produce after a two-month suspension that disrupted exports and threatened thousands of jobs.  The move comes as the Zambezi Region battles a new outbreak of African migratory locusts, posing a fresh challenge to farmers. Agriculture, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani confirmed both developments in Parliament this week, describing them as a relief and a renewed challenge for Namibia’s farming community. South Africa halted imports of Namibian tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, watermelons and squash in August.  The suspension disrupted trade, caused financial strain, and endangered over 20 000 jobs.…

Allexer Namundjembo Wilderness Air Namibia (Pty) Ltd has applied to amend and renew its non-scheduled air services licence, according to a notice published in the latest government gazette.  Wilderness' application includes updates to its aircraft fleet, tariff rates and services offered under its current licence, which was first issued in 1997 under the Air Services Act of 1949.  Wilderness Air Namibia is requesting that its licence reflect its current fleet of five Cessna 210 aircraft and four Cessna 208 aircraft. The company proposes new tariffs of N$13 413.60 per hour for the Cessna 210 and N$27 615.44 per hour for…

Public healthcare is one of those topics that touches everyone at some point in life. Whether you have visited a clinic for a minor flu or accompanied a family member to a hospital, the experience stays with you. For many young Namibians, the state of public healthcare is a reflection of the broader challenges the nation faces — from inequality to resource shortages to the quiet heroism of health workers who keep showing up. It is a system filled with contradictions: frustration and hope, neglect and compassion, struggle and survival. Healthcare does not exist in isolation. It often mirrors the…