National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Airports Company (NAC) has confirmed that Namibia’s two international airports, Hosea Kutako and Walvis Bay, were unaffected by the recent global information technology (IT) outage that disrupted airline operations worldwide. Dan Kamati, the NAC spokesperson, in a statement issued on Friday, reassured travellers that all scheduled flights to Namibia’s international airports continued without any issues. International media outlets reported that the global IT outage, which began early Friday, caused significant disruptions across numerous international airports. The incident, attributed to a software update issue with systems like Amadeus and Sabre, affected airlines' check-in and boarding processes, leading…

Martin Endjala Namibian procurement laws allow the state to use various procurement methods it deems necessary under various conditions, as long as they are soundly justified. Frederico Links, a researcher for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), made this statement in response to criticism about the government's awarding of tenders to August 26. “In the case of having to complete a job abandoned by a contractor, GRN is well within its rights and within the law to give the job to a state entity to complete,” he explained. Last week, the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that…

Stefanus Nashama Independent presidential candidate, Ally Angula has accused the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform of squandering taxpayer money on unused infrastructure in green schemes. Angula, who is on a campaign trail in the Kavango East region, accused the ministry of constructing a forestry office where no one is stationed or working. “The Ministry of Agriculture is a total failure. We cannot even grade them because they are wasting money on renovations when no people are utilising this infrastructure,” she said. Since its construction six years ago, the office has undergone several renovations. Angula demanded accountability for the…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Imms Nashinge, the spokesperson of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) said the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has not only breached the Electoral Act but also violated Article 10 and Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution. Nashinge said the ECN has discriminated against other political parties by meeting Swapo’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, President Nangolo Mbumba, and some other senior government officials at State House on Tuesday. The Presidency’s spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari defended Shaningwa's presence at the meeting, saying she was there in her capacity as a Cabinet member. Nashinge said Shaningwa is a member of parliament…

Niël Terblanché The government’s mass registration outreach programme, aimed at providing national documents to residents across the country, is nearing its conclusion. Over 94 317 individuals have already benefited from this initiative, which started on 5 February and will conclude on 31 July. The program provides a variety of services, including birth certificates, identity documents, duplicates, and citizenship applications, which target all 121 constituencies. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Witbooi, while discussing the matter in Parliament earlier this week, said no applicant would be turned away without their details being recorded. She said that this…

Niël Terblanché PowerCom held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new telecommunications tower in Mupini village in the Kavango West region on Thursday. Emma Theofelus, Namibia's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, who inaugurated the tower, explained the project's significance for the region and the nation. "This tower represents far more than just the construction of a physical structure; it is a giant leap forward in Namibia's digital journey, opening up a world of opportunity for the people of Rundu and the Kavango Region," she said. Theofelus stressed the ministry's commitment to transforming Namibia into a digitally inclusive nation. Initiatives such…

Martin Endjala The police plan to put up shade ports and roofs at all major police checkpoints. Ongwediva has become the latest police checkpoint with infrastructure that provides shade for officers and their equipment. The infrastructure at the Ongwediva police checkpoint will be inaugurated on Saturday, according to police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi. “The Namibian Police Force has been and will continue to construct and/or upgrade our facilities, depending on the available or allocated budget. The total cost is still unknown. Indeed, the Oshiko police checkpoint will be inaugurated on Saturday, 20 July 2024, and the cost implications and…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Businessman Shapwa Kanyama defended his company's medical supplies delivery record during court proceedings this week. He was refuting claims made by lawyers defending Mathilde Kadhikwa, who claimed that a Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) report had cited his company, Africure, for failing to deliver medical supplies on time. "It does not say it’s my company. We have no record of not delivering or not delivering on time," said Kanyama. Kadhikwa engaged Henry Shimutwikeni's legal services. Kanyama’s statement came in response to allegations presented by Shimutwikeni, suggesting that his company was part of those criticised in the GIZ…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba stressed the importance of a structured approach to development projects within the country. This statement followed a proposal by Austrian company Global Housing Solutions to address Namibia's housing backlog by offering innovative modular building solutions. During a visit to State House on Wednesday, former Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer presented the proposal, which includes a contract with a state-owned Austrian bank for a loan featuring a three-year grace period before repayments commence. Global Housing Solutions has proposed to build affordable houses in Namibia using a government-backed loan of N$1.4 billion (70 million euros). Gusenbauer, who introduced…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund is grappling with a severe housing crisis exacerbated by rapid urbanization and a burgeoning population in the sprawling DRC informal settlement. This settlement, established in 2001, has seen a continuous influx of Namibians from various regions seeking job opportunities, resulting in over 20 000 residents living below the poverty line. In response to this pressing issue, Swakopmund Mayor Dina Namubes has said the need for targeted approaches to affordable housing. "To make our town inclusive and spur economic growth, it is imperative to adopt new strategies that address the housing needs of low-income earners," Namubes said. Against…