National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Angola have announced the commencement of key components of the bi-national Baynes hydroelectric power project. This development follows recent decisions by the Namibian Cabinet, which approved measures to mobilize funding and expedite the construction of critical infrastructure for the project. This project is expected to be a game-changer in the region, reducing reliance on electricity imports and fostering greater cooperation between Namibia and Angola. The Cabinet in its latest decisions, published on Thursday, directed the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises to commence mobilizing funding for Namibia's obligation in constructing the Baynes regulating dam as well…

Niël Terblanché The United States government-funded Reach Namibia project has recently launched the Adolescent and Youth Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Accelerator (ALIVE) Hub in Rundu, the capital of the Kavango East Region. This initiative aims to equip young Namibians with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to establish sustainable businesses, thereby addressing the high unemployment rates among the youth. In collaboration with the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Services (MSYNS), regional and local governments, and private sector partners, an additional ALIVE Hub will be established in Nkurenkuru, Kavango West Region. These hubs will provide entrepreneurial starter packs and help youth ventures scale.…

Stefanus Nashama Prominent South African legal practitioner, Advocate Dali Mpofu and his colleague Advocate Lerato Moela were denied work permits this week by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. The two arrived in Namibia to represent the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) in a deregistration hearing in the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday. The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, said on Tuesday the lawyers were denied work visas after failing to submit all required documents in their applications as required under Section 85, Subsection 2, of the Legal Practitioners Act (Act No. 15 of 1995). “The decision…

Martin Endjala NamWater has initiated various projects across the country to address increasing water demands, including a second desalination plant in partnership with the Swakopmund Uranium at the coast. On Wednesday, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia, during an information-sharing session at the Government Information Centre (GIC) in Windhoek, said the project is a joint venture with NamWater on Wednesday. “They have the funds to complete the project. As NamWater, we were going to mobilise these funds elsewhere, which are in the region of N$2.5 to N$3 billion, in order to complete this project, but the mine has availed funds…

Martin Endjala Construction of the long-awaited new office building of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) will begin this year and will be completed at an estimated cost of N$236 million. This was revealed by Namfisa's chief executive officer, Kenneth Matomola, during the groundbreaking ceremony on the premises of the new building in Windhoek on Wednesday. “We are not merely beginning the construction of a project. But we are embarking on a journey towards a future of enhanced service delivery and a greater impact on the financial landscape of Namibia,” he said. The new building will be located in…

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipality has gazetted comprehensive regulations to govern the use and management of the town’s parks, the jetty, the mole, and various beach areas. Dina Namubes, the mayor of Swakopmund, stressed the importance of these regulations in preserving the town’s natural beauty and ensuring the responsible enjoyment of public spaces. She urged residents and visitors to familiarise themselves with the new rules and cooperate fully with the municipal authorities. “The set of regulations not only aims to maintain order and cleanliness but also addresses issues related to public safety and environmental protection,” she said. They stipulate strict…

Niël Terblanché In response to a recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the Otjituuo and Eiseb Block communal farming areas, the Namibian Directorate of Veterinary Services has announced a state-funded vaccination campaign aimed at controlling the spread of the disease. Dr. Johannes Shoopala, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, made the announcement and called on all farmers in the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions to present all healthy cattle aged six months and above for vaccination. He reiterated the importance of farmer cooperation with veterinary officials during the vaccination campaigns to ensure swift control of the disease and a return to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Nangolo Mbumba urged all eligible voters, especially the youth in the Omusati Region and nationwide, to register for the presidential and national assembly elections before the cutoff date of 1 August. Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Ehao Cultural Expo 2024 on Wednesday, Mbumba addressed issues affecting Namibia. “Exercise your democratic right and patriotic duty by voting for the party and presidential candidate of your choice, and thereby ensure that you enable Namibia to continue traversing the path towards further growth as a peaceful, stable, and prosperous country,” he said. Voter educators on…