National News

Justicia Shipena  Small embedded generation projects in Namibia could soon be capped at 2 MW or 5 MW under proposed simplified licence conditions presented during consultations in Windhoek. The Electricity Control Board (ECB) held a stakeholder workshop at the Avani Hotel on Tuesday to discuss new licence conditions and application forms for simplified generation projects. ECB chief executive officer Robert Kahimise said embedded generation is becoming more important in Namibia’s electricity supply industry and requires regulatory clarity and compliance to support sector growth.  He reminded stakeholders that under the Electricity Act of 2007, a licence or exemption is required for…

Justicia Shipena Mining Commissioner Isabella Chirchir says the formulation of the Minerals Bill is at an advanced stage.  Chirchir revealed this on Wednesday during the invest in Namibia session at the Africa Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.  “We do have a Minerals Bill in place, which is at an advanced stage, and it will modernise processes without disturbing existing rights,” she said. Six months ago, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for swift action to finalise the bill, modernise the sector and sustain growth. The proposed law adjusts application costs and relaxes exclusivity provisions for reconnaissance and exploration licences. …

Justicia Shipena Namibia has signed a headquarters agreement to host the Secretariat of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) in Windhoek. The agreement was signed on Wednesday.  The minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Inge Zaamwani, said the signing reflects confidence in Namibia and Africa. “This decision reflects confidence not only in Namibia as a country but also in Africa’s capacity to lead, convene, and deliver on one of the most pressing development challenges of our time: water security,” she said. Zaamwani said Namibia has invested in integrated water resources management, climate adaptation, groundwater development, desalination and water…

Allexer Namundjembo  The National Youth Service (NYS) has launched disciplinary action against staff members after an internal investigation found that an individual was allowed into the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) without meeting the required conditions. The matter came to light after social justice activist Johannes Johannes questioned how Lascow Salufu was admitted to an Instructional Skills Course at Omaruru in 2022 without completing the required civic training. Salufu is employed at NCS. The NYS confirmed that he completed only a short course in supervision and management. “He completed a short training course in supervision and management for the purpose of…

Staff Writer  Bank Windhoek has hosted its first Grade 8 and 9 mathematics teachers’ workshop for 2026 as part of an ongoing programme to improve mathematics teaching in Namibia. The workshop took place from 6 to 8 February 2026 at Rock Lodge outside Okahandja. It was organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture (ALI) and the African Leadership Institute. A total of 39 teachers attended the workshop. They came from the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa regions. Bank Windhoek’s executive officer of marketing and corporate communication services, Jacquiline Pack, said…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on members of the diplomatic corps to deepen cooperation with Namibia and strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships this year. She made the remarks during her New Year’s address to the diplomatic corps at State House on Tuesday. “I encourage you to continue working closely with us to deepen our bilateral and multilateral partnerships, to explore new opportunities for trade and investment, and to further nurture people-to-people relations that bind our nations together in friendship and shared purpose,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. She said Namibia enters 2026 with a clear foreign policy direction based on respect…

Renthia Kaimbi Ten years ago, Cool Cats Namibia started as a simple Facebook page sharing photos of shelter cats in the hope that someone would adopt them. Founder Barbara Wayrauch said the page began with no office, no staff and no budget. “Many cats found loving forever homes through Cool Cats because suddenly, people could see and fall in love with them online,” Wayrauch told Observer Coastal. “At that time, almost no rescue or adoption organisation in Namibia was using social media. Today most do.” As more people shared posts, cats that had waited months for homes began to be…

Renthia Kaimbi Nearly N$900 000 worth of narcotics were seized in three separate police operations carried out in Walvis Bay over four days. The first operation took place on Saturday afternoon after police received information that drugs were buried in the yard of a house on Theo Ben Gurirab Street.  The property was believed to be used as a base by a suspected dealer. When officers arrived, they found a 30-year-old man digging in the yard. Police said the suspect dropped two small ziplock bags of crack cocaine when he saw them.  A body search led to the discovery of…

Renthia Kaimbi A 20-year-old woman and her two-year-old niece died in a shack fire in the Tutaleni informal settlement in Walvis Bay early Wednesday morning. The fire broke out around 03h00 in Kilimanjaro Street in Kuisebmond. Beauty Guidao-oas and Gloria Guibes were inside the shack when it caught fire. According to the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region, neighbours woke up to the sound of screaming from a nearby structure. When they went outside, they found a shack already on fire with someone trapped inside. Residents tried to break through the hardboard walls to rescue the victims. The flames were…