National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Pijoo Nganate, the Governor of Omaheke Region has highlighted a rise in malnutrition cases among children, with recent reports revealing an increase. According to Nganate, the region recorded 300 cases of malnutrition from January to June 2024 which led to 263 hospitalisations, 26 deaths, and 9 readmissions. Malnutrition claimed the lives of 45 children last year, with 132 cases reported. Speaking at a high-level meeting addressing uranium mining impacts in the Stampriet transboundary aquifer system on Monday, Nganate stressed the urgency of addressing malnutrition in Namibia. “More needs to be done to address malnutrition issues. For an independent…

Niël Terblanché Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, handed over 119 new houses to residents of Swakopmund. This marks the final phase of the completion of 319 houses that had been left unfinished for years due to a legal dispute. The housing project, which saw 505 units stand uncompleted for several years, was revitalised following a legal resolution between the main contractor and its sub-contractors. In October 2022, the ground was broken again to resume work on the 319 commenced-but-uncompleted houses. The newly appointed contractor, New Era Investments, along with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is set to host the prestigious Aviation Development (AviaDev) Africa Conference next week in Windhoek. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has announced that the event is set to boost tourism and the aviation sector and will take place from 19 to 21 June. Dan Kamati, the NAC's spokesperson indicated that the vent will be drawing global aviation industry leaders to Windhoek and that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa is set to inaugurate the conference. "Over 35 airlines and 400 participants, the highest number ever for an AviaDev conference, have confirmed…

Niël Terblanché A petition demanding the immediate implementation of a Universal Basic Income Grant (BIG) has been submitted to the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, Doreen Sioka. The petition was handed over to Sioka on Saturday in Windhoek to highlight a universal, unconditional basic income grant of N$500 per month for all Namibians up to the age of 59. The group sees this as a possible solution to redressing the high poverty, unemployment and inequality rates in Namibia. The petition, which has garnered 3 589 signatures. The handover was preceded by a demonstration where petitioners, predominantly…

Niël Terblamché South Africa's parliament has re-elected Cyril Ramaphosa as the country's president after a groundbreaking coalition agreement between the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties. The coalition deal, reached on Friday, is an important shift in South Africa's political landscape, reflecting the changing dynamics of South Africa's democracy. Namibia's President Nangolo Mbumba extended congratulations to Ramaphosa. President Mbumba in his congratulatory message stressed the shared history between Namibia and South Africa, emphasising their common struggle against apartheid and the ongoing commitment to nation-building and development. "I look forward to a continued fruitful working relationship and strengthening the…

Ester Mbathera The Prosecutor-General is pushing for a restraint order against Samherji employees suspected to be implicated in the Fishrot case under the provisions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2004. Martha Imalwa on Thursday asked the High Court to secure and restrain the realisable properties of the Icelandic companies Esja Holding, Mermaria Seafood Namibia, Saga Seafood, Heinaste Investment, Saga Investment, and Esja Investment. The companies are represented by Samherji executives Ingvar Juliusson, Egill Helgi Arnason, and Adelsteinn Helgason, whom Imalwa also wants to have extradited to Namibia. Imalwa argues in her application that there are strong…

Martin Endjala The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has called on the government to find a sustainable way of creating permanent jobs. George Kambala, the spokesperson for the movement, was responding to an announcement made by the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. The announcement called for the recruitment of 30 casual labourers for the 2024/25 mass annual animal vaccination campaign and the maintenance of Okongo quarantine in the Ohangwena region. The vaccination campaign aims to mitigate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). “Even though they are going to hire in all 14 regions, it's…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Social commentators have criticised politicians who are promising to increase the old age grant. Ben Mulongeni, in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, said it is immoral and unethical to give the elders hope that is never going to materialise. ‘’Those are intentional lies, they are doing it to gain votes, and they should know that they are abusing old people by promising to increase the old age pension. They should know that it is immoral and unethical to lie to the elders. The finance minister already said that there is no money for increments, so why are…

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has announced the rollout of the 2024–25 drought support intervention for livestock farmers. The project has an estimated budget of N$130 million. This was announced by the ministry's executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, in a document shared with titled Drought Support Interventions 2024/25 implementation modalities, seen by this publication, dated 31 May. Programmes such as livestock marketing incentives, subsidies for grazing leases, animal transportation to and from grazing, and animal feed purchasing will run from April 1 until 31 March 2025. Subsidy for fodder for farmers through ADCs and seed and…