National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Martin Lukato, the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said his party is advocating for the construction of a railway line from Grootfontein to Katima Mulilo that would pass through the two Kavango regions. Lukato said this during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday while explaining the party’s plans for the November elections. He said the rail services are affordable to ordinary people, and also that it is a safe mode of transport considering the number of road accidents the country has been experiencing over the years, so travelling by train can help reduce road…

Stefanus Nashama The Governor of the Otjozondjupa Region, James Uerikua, will initiate procedures to investigate the dispute over land ownership at Okamuru Farm located in the Omatako constituency near Waterberg. This follows a situation where the owner of the farm, Joachim Rust, threatened to demolish the houses of the fifth generation of descendants of farmworkers residing on the farm. According to reports, Rust plans to evict the descendants and sell the farm to a German national for use as a game reserve or lodge. The initial eviction notice was given in 2019. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, Uerikua…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Office of the Prime Minister has urged regional councils to continuously update drought relief beneficiary lists to ensure that only eligible individuals receive aid. The Executive Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, I-Ben Nashandi, stressed the importance of regularly identifying new beneficiaries and updating the current list to reflect those who meet the criteria. He said that some individuals registered since 2022 may no longer be eligible due to changes in their circumstances, such as relocating or finding employment. "A lot of people don’t know the true meaning of the drought programme. It is a…

Niël Terblanché Despite its critical role, the pharmaceutical sector in Namibia faces numerous challenges, including limited resources, a lack of local manufacturing capacity, medication shortages, and the need for better integration of pharmacy services into the broader healthcare system. The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Ester Muinjangue, said this during the launch of the Annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum on Wednesday. “Despite these challenges, there are numerous examples of innovative solutions and best practices that we can learn from and adapt to our context,” she said. The Annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum serves as a platform for addressing…

Martin Endjala A former diplomatic representative of Namibia, Ambassador Pius Dunaiski urged the government to exercise caution when accepting financial support from countries outside Africa, as this could compromise the country’s ability to remain independent. Dunaiski said this on Wednesday during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer when asked about the possible implications of accepting financial support for the country's policy-making processes. The National Planning Commission (NPC), in a notice, invited the government, and other interested parties to provide input to the draft of the new Government-Civil Society Partnership and Engagement Policy. The notice was published in local newspapers…

Niël Terblanché PowerCom has announced a series of measures to enhance connectivity and bridge the digital divide across Namibia. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Beatus Amadhila, highlighted these initiatives at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new network tower in Ikumwe village, located in the Zambezi Region. Amadhila outlined PowerCom’s plans to roll out network towers nationwide, reflecting the company’s commitment to ensuring that all Namibians, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, have access to reliable, high-speed internet. “This initiative represents our dedication to bridging the digital divide and bringing every individual into the digital fold,” Amadhila said. PowerCom has…

Niël Terblanché The Heroes' Day commemoration preparatory committee met on Monday to discuss and plan for this year's event, which will take place in Omuthiya. The committee, under the leadership of Oshikoto Regional Governor Penda Ya Ndakolo, is focused on organising a memorable event to honour Namibia's heroes and heroines. Heroes Day, celebrated annually on 26 August, is a national holiday in Namibia that commemorates the country's struggle for independence and honours those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. The day marks the start of the armed struggle against the South African occupation in 1966 when members of the South…

Niël Terblanché The secretary to the Cabinet, George Simataa, has issued a call to action, highlighting significant challenges in public service delivery within the country's institutions of higher education. In a statement, Simataa said that these challenges require collaborative efforts from all Namibians, not just the institutions themselves. Simataa addressed concerns about the quality and appropriateness of courses offered by various higher education institutions. He stressed that resolving these issues demands a collective approach, involving all stakeholders in the education sector. Simataa's response follows a public debate regarding the roles and course offerings of the International University of Management (IUM)…