National News

Niël Terblanché Residents of the Kap-en-Bou informal settlement in Grootfontein are pressing the local municipality to expedite the provision of essential services like water and electricity. The settlement, which sprang up following a land grab incident in 2017, has seen its population swell, intensifying the demand for basic amenities. Currently, residents have to purchase water from the nearby Blikkiesdorp settlement, paying their neighbours up to N$20 per container. The origins of Kap-en-Bou trace back to 2017 when residents, led by activists, occupied municipal land, leading to significant community and political upheaval. The actions were part of broader land allocation protests…

Stefanus Nashama The high demand for hostel capacity is causing overcrowding in school hostels in the Ohangwena region. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development discovered the dire situation during a recent visit to the region. A member of the committee, Utaara Mootu said they found that despite the average hostel capacity of 500 learners, schools in the region were compelled to accommodate up to 1,200 learners. She stated that the current situation has compelled learners to rent unsupervised accommodation, leaving them vulnerable to various social challenges. “Four schools have been consolidated to accommodate Grades 10 and…

Niël Terblanché The Rundu Town Council has embarked on a series of strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering local capacities and addressing crucial municipal challenges across various sectors. Last week, the Rundu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ruacana Town Council, emphasising a shared commitment to sustainable development, environmental management, and infrastructural advancement, among others. The alliance is set to leverage internal expertise, reducing reliance on costly external consultancies. Mayor Gabriel Kanyanga stressed the strategic shift towards utilising in-house capabilities to foster economic development and manage public health initiatives more efficiently. "Our approach is to harness the existing skills…

Niël Terblanché The National Assembly of Namibia has re-introduced an innovative approach to enhance civic education, engagement and transparency through the "Parliament on Wheels" initiative. Relaunched in Rehoboth last week, the new program is designed to bring parliamentary proceedings closer to the citizens, allowing them direct participation and a firsthand experience of the legislative processes. The programme will run while Parliament is in recess. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, hailed the initiative as a landmark in the Parliament's commitment to fostering inclusivity and civic participation. According to Katjavivi, the Parliament Bus symbolizes the Parliament’s dedication to…

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Health and Social Services has urged media houses to report factual information on patients' health conditions. This comes after several media outlets reported on a patient's death at Katutura Health Care Centre in Windhoek on Monday. The reports said that the patient died while waiting for health services. Nangombe stated that the sequence of events and observations from healthcare workers do not align with the claim that the individual passed away while waiting for medical attention. The ministry said in a statement that a private vehicle brought an adult male to the health centre on…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Financial mismanagement and infrastructural challenges are currently plaguing the Naute Irrigation Project, hindering its potential for growth and development. These issues were brought to light during an oversight visit to ||Kharas by the standing committee on public accounts and economy, specifically in relation to agro-processing development projects. The committee discovered that the project, which exports grapes to Europe and dates to the Middle East, has been grappling with financial difficulties for the past three years. “The project has experienced financial challenges over the past three years, which has led to the delay in the delivery of much-needed input.…

Martin Endjala The Namibia Institute of Education Development (NIED) held its first-ever graduation ceremony for learners with special needs at Okahandja last week. The ceremony marked the culmination of the Certification in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills (CBPVS) programme, a pioneering initiative by NIED in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture (MoEAC). Sixty learners graduated from the CBPVS programme, which equips learners with essential pre-vocational skills to prepare them for the transition from school to the workforce. The deputy minister of disability affairs, Alexia Manombe-Ncube, who is officiating at the event, asserts that people with special needs have abilities…

Ester Mbathera On Sunday, Founding President Sam Nujoma celebrated his 95th birthday. This year's gathering was attended by close friends, including former parliamentarian, Pendukeni Ithana, businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, and former Swapo Party Youth League leader, Elijah Ngurare. Despite spending a few days in the hospital, Nujoma seemed to be in a cheerful mood. The Sam Nujoma Foundation emphasised that this birthday is a significant milestone worth celebrating. "As we honour his legacy, let us not only rejoice in his achievements but also heed his timeless call for unity and action for the sake of Namibia. Let our deeds be candles…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund has recently made strides towards addressing its critical housing shortage through a new agreement signed with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE). The innovative plan was revealed last week and aims to build 805 affordable homes within the DRC informal settlement, offering approximately 22 000 residents who currently live in shacks the hope of owning a house. Dina Namubes, the mayor of Swakopmund, while revealing the new plan, pointed to the acute need for housing solutions. Namubes indicated that the project will prioritise vulnerable groups, including the disabled, elderly, security personnel, media practitioners, and street vendors. "This initiative…