National News

Stefanus Nashama Panduleni Itula, the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), said he has no time to waste responding to fabrications and unsubstantiated allegations. He shared this information with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. “I don't respond to lies, fabrications, and unsubstantiated allegations,” said Itula. This statement follows accusations made by former and founding IPC member Josua “Ketu 2000” Mwetupunga. Mwetupunga claimed that Itula threatened to block his phone number while he was attempting to advise the party leadership regarding the processes for the national conference where parliamentary representatives were elected. Mwetupunga, who resigned from IPC on Wednesday,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s journey towards integrating technology into education received a major boost with Huawei Technologies Namibia donating classroom digital equipment to President Nangolo Mbumba at State House worth N$900 000 on Thursday. The equipment will benefit two high schools - Oshigambo High School in the Oshikoto region and Dr Alpho Mauno Mbamba School in the Kavango East region. The donation aims to address the acute need for IT teaching aids in these regions, which have long struggled with limited access to technological resources. President Nangolo Mbumba hailed the donation as a substantial step toward transforming Namibia’s education system. Drawing…

Niël Terblanché In the face of the worst drought to hit Southern Africa in decades, the government of the United States of America, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided 14 tons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to Namibia. This vital nutritional aid, distributed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and UNICEF, aims to address the alarming malnutrition rates among children under five years old, exacerbated by the ongoing food insecurity crisis. According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Namibia, the country is currently in the grip of a…

Niël Terblanché Gondwana Collection Namibia has unveiled its state-of-the-art Namibia2Go car rental facility at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), setting a new benchmark in car rental services and redefining travel experiences in Namibia. The grand opening of the facility on Wednesday is a new milestone in Gondwana’s journey to deliver not just a service, but an unparalleled travel experience for both local and international visitors. Gys Joubert, the managing director of Gondwana Collection Namibia, said at the vent that the Namibia2Go facility is not just another car rental hub; it embodies Gondwana’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and Namibian hospitality. “At…

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) has denied allegations that soldiers were coerced to vote for a particular political party during the special voting day held on 13 November. Responding to claims made by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, MODVA executive director Wilhelmine Shivute on Wednesday refuted the accusations, emphasizing that soldiers exercise their civil rights independently. “The soldiers participate in an election to exercise their civil rights and are not in any way mobilized or coerced to vote for a particular political party or movement,” Shivute explained. Amupanda alleged that senior military officials pressured soldiers…

Martin Endjala The United People’s Movement (UPM) president, Jan van Wyk, has called for amendments to legislation regulating Namibia's public transport sector, citing concerns over illegal operators. He said many public transport operators evade taxes, reducing the sector’s contribution to the economy. Van Wyk was responding to questions sent to him by the Windhoek Observer, on the current status quo of public transport in the country and how to address it. “We have realised that the industry has been flooded with illegal operators, which makes it difficult to regulate the industry, especially between local authority boundaries. Therefore, the UPM’s position…

Allexer Namundjembo Rundu Rural Councillor and National Council member, Paulus Mbangu has raised concerns over the accuracy of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)'s recent census report, which estimates the VaMbunza population at only 5 000. Mbangu described the figure as “highly questionable,” arguing that it does not reflect historical and demographic realities. “In Kavango East and West, the "VaKavango NEC" grouping stands out as another example of such problematic classifications. With over 81 000 people who reportedly ‘did not disclose their dialect,’ this category ends up larger than established communities like the VaMbunza, VaGciriku, HaMbukushu, VaSambyu and Nyembas,” he said.…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has reiterated its commitment to enforcing municipal by-laws that regulate street vending, following a recent incident involving law enforcement’s intervention in Katutura. The city insists that its actions aim to balance public order, safety, and the needs of vendors. The CoW’s spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, explained that the city operates under specific by-laws to govern street vending. “The city is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations, which are in place to maintain public health and safety, as well as urban aesthetics. Areas around shopping centres like Balck Chain in Katutura are subject to these…

Mallex Shipanga The Omaheke Region is experiencing a surge in vehicle accessory theft, with ten cases reported between September and November, according to the Namibian Police’s regional head of community policing, Chief Inspector Fina Sakajengenga. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with these crimes. “Criminals are stealing wheels and other accessories from vehicles by using special tools to unlock universal lock nuts on wheels. They target vehicles where the house fence or boundary wall is low as well as houses without garages and dogs. Vehicles owned by females and motor mechanic garages without security guards and CCTV cameras are…