National News

Justicia Shipena  The future of Africa’s utility sectors will depend on how regulators use technology to build inclusive systems, according to the minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse.  He spoke at the opening of the 22nd Annual Conference and General Assembly of the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) in Swakopmund on Monday. Amutse said new technologies must expand access to services and not increase inequality.  He said tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, digital platforms and automation are changing how services are delivered. He said Namibia is investing in renewable energy, including solar, wind…

Justicia Shipena  United Nations secretary general António Guterres has warned that racism remains widespread and continues to drive inequality, violence and division across the world. Guterres said racism is a direct violation of human rights.  “Racial discrimination is a violation of human rights and human dignity,” he said at a General Assembly event in New York on Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  He said racism remains deeply rooted and continues to shape economic, social and political inequalities.  “It feeds many of the problems we face today, including economic, social and political inequalities,” he…

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has rejected Starlink’s application to operate in Namibia.  The decision was published in the government gazette on Monday.  Starlink, a company under Elon Musk’s SpaceX, had applied for a telecommunications service licence and a spectrum licence to provide satellite internet services. “The authority resolved to decline the award of a class comprehensive telecommunications service licence (ECS and ECNS) for Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited,” Cran stated. Cran also rejected the request for radio frequency allocation.  “The authority resolved to decline the award of a spectrum licence to Starlink Internet Services…

Allexer Namundjembo Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament Eneas Emvula has called on Canadian authorities to review the conduct of suspended lawyer Jay Park over alleged conflicts of interest linked to Namibia’s petroleum sector. In a letter addressed to the Law Society of Alberta and copied to Canadian officials, including minister of justice and solicitor general of Alberta Mickey Amery and minister of international trade Mary Ng, Emvula raised concerns about Park’s role in Namibia’s petroleum legislation. The letter alleges that Park, a suspended Canadian lawyer, advised the Namibian government on drafting its petroleum legislation while simultaneously holding multiple…

Allexer Namundjembo Ride-hailing operator Yango says it is working with Namibian authorities to address regulatory concerns over the legality of its e-hailing services. The company made the remarks during a media engagement with independent fleet partners in Windhoek on Friday.  The session focused on compliance with public passenger transport permit requirements set by the Ministry of Works and Transport. Yango’s head of public policy for Africa, Zanyiwe Asare, said the company supports efforts to regulate the sector.  “We have heard the concerns raised regarding public passenger permits. We want to be clear; Yango supports the formalisation of the e-hailing sector,”…

Patience Makwele  A government-backed livestock project in the Erongo region is showing early results, with farmers increasing their herds within months of receiving support. More than 1 000 goats were handed over on Monday under Phase II of the Hope Farm Project at Farm Daweb.  The project is a joint initiative between the government and Swakop Uranium and has so far benefited 48 farmers, including 22 women, through organised cooperatives. Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform minister Inge Zaamwani said the project is beginning to show results.  “The progress we are seeing within just one production cycle is a clear…

Patience Makwele  Namibia is rolling out a digital system to improve birth registration and close gaps that have left some citizens without formal records. The reforms focus on expanding electronic birth and death notification systems to ensure every birth is recorded in real time and linked to civil registration. Health and social services minister Esperance Luvindao said the move marks a shift in how services are delivered.  “This is about ensuring that every Namibian is seen, counted, and able to access the services they are entitled to,” she said at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) learning…

Allexer Namundjembo Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo says civilians are allowed to assist people injured in road accidents and that doing so is lawful. Amoomo said assisting victims is lawful. He said section 78 of the Road Transportation Act 22 of 1999 requires drivers involved in an accident to render assistance to injured people. “This thing of stating that you can’t assist is a terrible lie that continues to cost us lives. You will stand there waiting for an ambulance for two hours because you fear the law while you could drive to the hospital,” Amoomo said while responding to questions from…