National News

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…

Allexer Namundjebo  New rules introducing a cargo levy on cross-border road transport have been gazetted. Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi issued the regulations, published in the government gazette on 1 April.  They give effect to levy provisions under the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor agreement. Transport operators must now pay a levy of U$0.90 (about N$14.75) per tonne of cargo when passing through border posts such as Katima Mulilo and Ngoma. “Payment must be made either on entry into or departure from the country,” the gazette states. The rules also say operators cannot enter or leave Namibia without paying the…