National News

Niël Terblanché The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund donated three pieces of medical equipment, valued at N$1.1 million, to the Windhoek Central Hospital on Friday. According to Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, the MVA Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, the contribution is expected to enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide high-quality care to its patients. The donated equipment includes an intensive care unit (ICU) monitor, a diathermy unit, and a suction machine. Each piece of equipment plays a vital role in ensuring patient safety and improving the overall effectiveness of medical interventions at the hospital. The ICU Monitor is designed to enable healthcare professionals…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Council chairperson, Lukas Muha has urged his fellow lawmakers to consider prioritising the review and passage of four bills that have been passed and referred to them by the National Assembly. Muha made these remarks during the National Council opening session in Windhoek at Parliament on Monday. The bills are the Electoral Amendment Bill, the Marriage Bill, the Property Practitioners Bill and the Road Fund Administration Amendment Bill. He said the house should also consider eight National Council Standing Committee reports and two inter-parliamentary cluster reports in accordance with Article 74(2) read together with Article 59(3).…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The minister of environment, forestry and tourism (MEFT), Pohamba Shifeta, has urged the travel and tourism sector to improve its customer service. Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Annual Tourist Statistical Report, Shifeta highlighted the importance of trained staff to enhance service quality. "I have met some clients complaining about our service and that we need to look at our services. I call upon the industry players to train our staff, as these are the staff that can make it or break it," said Shifeta. He emphasised the need for better coaching, not just in public service…

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…