National News

Justicia Shipena  Ambassador Wilfried Emvula will continue as chairperson of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism following the appointment of a new council in Namibia. The third National Governing Council was inaugurated at State House on Monday by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.  The council will serve a four-year term from February 2026 to January 2030. The council includes ambassador Elia Kaiyamo, Dr Betty Schroder, Professor Esau Kaakunga, Dr Roseta Nawases, Naita Hishoono, Rosemary Nalisa, Uhuru Dempers, Hakusembe Hakusembe and Salomo Hei. It will oversee governance processes, monitor standards and coordinate national programmes under the APRM.  It will also…

Allexer Namundjembo Telecom Namibia will work with the police to curb copper cable theft.  Telecom said copper theft has disrupted services across the country. Telecom chief executive officer Stanley Shanapinda said on Monday the company has launched the Penduka Project to increase patrols in high-risk areas such as Dorado and Wanaheda in Windhoek.  “We have received full commitment from the Office of the Inspector General in this regard. The root cause of copper theft is the scrap yards that are buying illegal copper and it must stop,” Shanapinda said. He said Telecom Namibia will support law enforcement efforts. “We know…

Staff Writer  South African advocate and senior counsel Muzi Sikhakhane has questioned whether ordinary Namibians are benefiting from the country’s legal and economic systems. Speaking at a public lecture in Windhoek last week, Sikhakhane said law cannot be treated as neutral or separate from politics, history and society.  He said justice must be understood within Africa’s history, especially the legacy of colonialism and apartheid. “A lawyer or judge emerges from a particular political history of the territory in which he or she practices,” Sikhakhane said. He said colonialism shaped legal systems across Africa and influenced how law is taught and…

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has dismissed social media claims that it plans to recruit foreign truck drivers.  On Friday, the ministry's executive director, Nghidinua Daniel, in a notice rejected a WhatsApp voice message claiming the ministry intended to hire 39 truck drivers from Zimbabwe and invite applications from Namibians. “The ministry categorically states that these allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and without any official basis,” said Daniel.  “At no point now or in the future does the ministry intend to recruit foreign nationals as truck drivers.” Daniel said the message is misleading and…

Allexer Namundjembo  United Nations (UN) climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell says global reliance on fossil fuels is driving rising costs and economic instability. He said dependence on oil and gas is exposing economies to repeated shocks. “Fossil fuels are driving a cost crisis for households, businesses and nations. Clean energy is the cure,” Stiell said on Monday.  He pointed to conflict in the Middle East as an example of the risks, saying it is disrupting energy markets and pushing up prices. “War in the Middle East has exposed a brutal truth: fossil fuel dependency undermines countries’ sovereignty and security,…

Patience Makwele Presidential advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit Kornelia Shilunga says placing the upstream petroleum unit under the Presidency is meant to build public confidence that the oil and gas sector is managed with seriousness, integrity and transparency. Shilunga said the structure creates direct oversight and accountability. “By anchoring the unit in the presidency, there is a direct line of oversight and accountability. It is our hope that this measure enhances public confidence that the sector is being managed with the seriousness, integrity and transparency that it demands,” she said at a media training on the upstream…

Allexer Namundjebo  Mixed reactions have emerged over the government’s decision not to grant a state funeral to former member of parliament and former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the issue is sensitive and complex.  He said state and official funerals follow set rules and are not based only on positions held. “While the late James Uerikua served in important roles, including as governor and in a key parliamentary position, the final decision depends on set criteria and the discretion of the President,” he told the Windhoek Observer.  Kamwanyah said public opinion is likely to differ. “Some…

Allexer Namundjembo  Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula has called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to prioritise the development of Mpacha Airport. Kabula stated that the budget had allocated funds for the airport, but work had yet to commence.  She said its location makes it suitable to be upgraded to an international airport. “This airport was budgeted, but up to now nothing has happened. This airport was supposed to cut the distance. Instead of one going to Windhoek to access the international airport, that can cut the distance,” she said during a debriefing on the government’s response to flooding in…

Renthia Kaimbi The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has concluded a weeklong working visit to China. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen economic ties and promote Namibia as an investment destination. Ashipala-Musavyi held talks and business forums in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing. She met Chinese government officials, including ministers of commerce and foreign affairs, and engaged with potential investors. At roundtable events in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Ashipala-Musavyi outlined trade and investment opportunities in Namibia. Chinese enterprises showed interest during the engagements. “Bilateral trade reached approximately 132.68 billion Chinese yuan (about N$342.3 billion) in 2025,” she…