National News

Renthia Kaimbi  Fishing industry stakeholders say a shortage of Namibian seafarers in the crab sector is putting operations at risk. The issue was raised during a meeting with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Wednesday at the Atlantic Hotel in Walvis Bay. Industry representatives said there is a growing gap in qualified local officers and engineers on crab vessels.  They said many trained Namibians are moving to jobs in oil and gas and cargo shipping. To address the shortage, stakeholders proposed closer coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. …

Renthia Kaimbi  Fishing industry stakeholders have urged the government not to restrict freezer vessel operations, warning that such a move could affect exports, jobs and competitiveness. The concerns were raised during an engagement with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Walvis Bay on Wednesday, where industry players met with the government to discuss the future of the sector under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).  Stakeholders said freezer operations are key to maintaining Namibia’s position in regional and international markets.  They said demand in Africa remains focused on whole round frozen horse mackerel. “Restricting freezer operations would have immediate consequences for Namibia’s export…

Allexer Namundjembo Outjo chief executive officer Tiofilia Jentzsch is demanding an apology over what she says are false corruption claims linked to the Outjo Fire Station tender. According to a letter of demand dated 20 April, Sisa Namandje & Co. Incorporated, acting on her behalf, instructed Outjo-based activist McKay Oswald Losper to retract statements made on social media. The letter states that Losper published claims accusing Jentzsch of being “implicated in the corruption of the Outjo Fire Station", which the firm says are false and defamatory. The letter asserts that Jentzsch has not faced any charges related to corruption and…

Patience Makwele  Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse has warned that Namibian businesses risk missing out on oil and gas opportunities if they do not prepare. He spoke at the upstream oil and gas local suppliers’ workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday, held by Petrofund.  Amutse said Namibia is nearing a final investment decision on offshore discoveries, and local firms must be ready. “Namibia is building this industry from the ground up. But participation will not happen by default. Our businesses must understand tendering processes, compliance requirements and operational standards if they are to compete," he said.  The workshop comes…

Justicia Shipena  More than 140 Namibian companies have submitted proposals for green industrialisation projects.  Green Hydrogen Programme interim head Joseph Mukendwa said the submissions followed a national call for proposals issued last year and closed earlier this year. “These proposals extend far beyond hydrogen production,” he said during the Climate Investment Funds Industry Decarbonisation Programme engagement in Walvis Bay on Tuesday.  Mukendwa said there were plans to decarbonise transport, produce green chemicals and fertilisers and support local manufacturing of renewable energy components. The call for proposals under the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa Green Hydrogen Programme closed…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) and the Road Fund Administration (RFA) have signed a research collaboration agreement to address funding and sustainability challenges in Namibia’s road sector. The agreement was signed on Monday in Windhoek. RFA chief executive officer Ali Ipinge said the road sector faces a funding gap of about N$3.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. “While this reflects an improvement from the previous year, it remains at a level that we must consider alarming,” Ipinge said. He said a temporary 50% fuel levy reduction will reduce RFA revenue by about N$300 million…

Patience Makwele Swapo leaders say growing divisions could affect unity and preparations for the 2027 elective congress. The warning comes as the party marked its 66th anniversary on Sunday.  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the party must focus on delivering results to meet public expectations. “The times have changed and so have the expectations of our people,” she said. She pointed to jobs, land, housing, healthcare and education as key priorities and urged the party to remain “alert, forward-looking and grounded in service delivery".  Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba urged unity and discipline within the party. “You must work in harmony and…