National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged citizens to pay their water bills on time, saying the sustainability of the country’s water services depends on it. Local authorities were found to owe NamWater about N$3.5 billion, according to urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa.  NamWater reported earlier in March that local authorities, municipalities, town councils, individuals, village councils and rural water communities owed N$2.4 billion. The figure marked a 16% increase from the N$2.1 billion recorded in June 2024, with local authorities carrying the biggest share of the debt at N$889 million.  “Moving forward, we must remember that water…

Justicia Shipena  The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has shut down UCOM Mobile Namibia and confiscated its radio equipment after repeated violations of the Communications Act. Cran said UCOM continued transmitting illegally even after its spectrum licences were cancelled in February and December 2023.  The cancellations were due to non-payment of fees and inefficient use of spectrum that resulted in hoarding. The regulator gave UCOM six months, until June 2024, to migrate its roughly 1 000 customers and close its operations.  According to Cran, all services were meant to stop after that deadline. Cran’s executive for communication and consumer…

Allexer Namundjembo  The City of Windhoek has approved a 20-year Integrated Water and Wastewater Master Plan.  The plan was adopted at the last municipal council meeting for the year, held last week.  The move comes as the capital faces rising water shortages and growing climate pressures. The council said the master plan outlines how it will source, use and manage water over the next two decades, with a focus on securing supply, protecting the environment and upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure. Windhoek continues to experience severe water stress.  Dam levels at Von Bach, Omatako and Swakoppoort have dropped sharply in recent…

Justicia Shipena Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel says the global trade and finance systems must reward countries that commit to low-carbon development.  She said developing nations need fairer market access and trade rules that support climate action. Daniel delivered this message during a UNCTAD side event at the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.  She told delegates that current systems often disadvantage countries that are pursuing green industrialisation. She said countries like Namibia are investing heavily in low-carbon production but face barriers created by outdated trade rules and unpredictable carbon border policies. She cautioned that developing nations…

Allexer Namundjembo  Namibia Air has been approved as the name for the country’s new national airline.  Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi said Cabinet has endorsed the name and that the airline will be established as Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd under the Companies Act. Nekundi said the airline will be fully owned by the Namibian government.  He said the decision follows a policy directive by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and that work to set up the airline is already underway. A technical committee of local aviation experts has been appointed to guide the process and ensure long-term sustainability and financial viability. …

Renthia Kaimbi  Trophy hunting pushed conservancy revenue up to N$30 million in the last financial year for communities in the Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West regions, a new parliamentary oversight report has found.  The report warns that the system is now too dependent on a single income source and calls for urgent changes to protect both communities and wildlife. The report, led by Tobie Aupindi, chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, environment and natural resources, follows the committee’s oversight visit in August 2025.  It states that while the community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programme has empowered rural…

Justicia Shipena  The European Union (EU), the Port of Rotterdam and the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) have signed a deal to advance the expansion of Lüderitz Port at Angra Point.  The agreement forms part of the EU–Namibia strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains and renewable hydrogen. Under the deal, the EU has committed N$13 million to support planning for the port’s expansion.  The agreement was signed during the closing session of its Africa regional workshop on Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors in Walvis Bay.  Maritime transport must undergo rapid change to cut emissions, European Union (EU) ambassador to…

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has defended the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), saying it was lawfully created to secure permanent jobs for retrenched fishermen.  The defence comes after criticism from Walu Fishing Investments (Pty) Ltd, which accused the programme of being a flawed system that misleads workers and undermines the country’s marine resources. Walu’s managing director, Erna Loch, argued that the initiative has been distorted for personal and political benefit rather than creating meaningful jobs. The ministry responded by stating that a Cabinet directive set up GERP and selected companies implemented it through…

Allexer Namundjembo  Infrastructure is central to building an inclusive economy that leaves no region behind, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said.  She spoke on Wednesday while at the groundbreaking of two projects in the Kunene region.  The projects that broke ground are the upgrade of the Opuwo–Otjivize–Okangwati–Omaseratundu road and the construction of the Oute Bridge at Etanga. “Infrastructure serves as a bridge, not just across rivers, but across divides of opportunity, access and development,” she said. The 280-kilometre Opuwo–Otjivize–Okangwati–Omaseratundu road is now under construction and will link Opuwo to the Baynes Hydro Power Project and Epupa.  The government will entirely fund…