National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has committed to improving accountability, transparency and service delivery under its new strategic plan for 2026 to 2030.  The plan was launched in Windhoek on Thursday and will guide the ministry’s work over the next five years. The ministry's executive director, Ben Nangombe, said the plan focuses on delivering accessible and efficient legal and labour services. “I implore you to hold us accountable for our service delivery by gauging our actual performance against the promises outlined in this Strategic Plan,” Nangombe said. He said the ministry aims to provide “quality, timely…

Staff Writer  The directorate of veterinary services says Namibia is making progress in the fight against rabies.  However, the directorate said vaccination levels remain below the target needed to fully control the disease. Chief veterinary officer Kenneth Kennedy Shoombe said vaccination campaigns have reached thousands of dogs across the country.  His remarks were delivered on his behalf by Magrecia Hausiku, a representative from his office, at the rabies project review and planning meeting held in Ondangwa this week.  Shoombe said the meeting reviewed progress and identified areas that need improvement. He said Namibia vaccinated more than 157 000 dogs in…

Staff Writer  The University of Namibia (Unam) has launched Africa’s first international welding engineer programme at its José Eduardo dos Santos Campus in Ongwediva. The programme was introduced on 13 April under the framework of the International Institute of Welding.  It has enrolled its first group of 12 students and aims to build technical skills for sectors such as green hydrogen, oil and gas, mining, shipbuilding and steel construction. The qualification is the highest level in the global welding certification system. It is designed to prepare graduates to meet international standards for quality, safety, and performance. Unam vice chancellor Kenneth…

Patience Makwele Members of parliament have questioned the government’s ability to deliver on road infrastructure plans announced during the State of the Nation Address. The concerns were raised during a budget debate for the Ministry of Works and Transport this week. Lawmakers pointed to poor road conditions, delayed projects and funding challenges. They said ongoing projects alone may not be enough to address wider challenges in the road network. Swapo member of parliament Sebastiaan Karupu raised concerns about roads in the north. “We have observed that the pieces from Grootfontein to Rundu and from Divundu to Kongola are in the…

Allexer Namundjebo  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the responsibility to advance the late Swapo member of parliament James Uerikua’s vision for Namibia’s cattle industry now rests with those he left behind. Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled James' position on the beef sector, especially his opposition to the export of cattle on the hoof. “At a consultative meeting between the government, the governors and farmers, I recall his strong argument against the exportation of cattle on the hoof; he went further to suggest that the practice should be brought to an end incrementally. Now that he is no more, that is the responsibility he left…

Allexer Namundjebo  Three health projects aimed at improving emergency preparedness, disease response and diagnostic services were launched in Windhoek on Thursday by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The three projects are funded under the Japanese supplementary budget project and are valued at more than US$1.1 million (approximately N$18 million).  They will run until February 2027. The launch brought together government officials, international partners and members of the diplomatic community. United Nations (UN) resident coordinator in Namibia Hopolang Phororo said the projects show the importance of working together to address health challenges. “These projects demonstrate the power of collaboration…