National News

Allexer Namundjembo National Council chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha has urged members of the seventh National Council to embrace continuous learning. He said capacity building is central to effective lawmaking and oversight. Muha made the call on Monday in Windhoek when he opened the first orientation seminar for members of the council. “Capacity building is not a one-time event but a continuous process of learning, adaptation, and professional development,” he said. He said regular training is needed, especially given the high turnover of members, to ensure that lawmakers can review bills properly and carry out oversight with care and integrity. Muha…

Staff Writer  MTC Care and the Rössing Foundation on Friday donated assistive devices to the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN).  MTC Care handed over ten wheelchairs valued at N$80 000. The beneficiaries come from different regions, widening the reach of the initiative. MTC Care is an employee-driven initiative where staff members contribute monthly to social causes.  The donation forms part of the NDCN Community Assistive Device Drive, a national programme that collects and distributes assistive devices and protective equipment to persons with disabilities across Namibia. Lawreance Kaimu, chairperson of the NDCN research and development committee, praised MTC and the…

Allexer Namundjembo  The High Court has ordered a Katima Mulilo resident and others to leave a disputed property after ruling that they had no legal right to occupy the land.  The court found they were not entitled to compensation because they failed to prove they had made lawful improvements to the property. Balwizi Lorraine Mubonenwa, the registered owner of Erf 1049, Katima Mulilo Extension 5, brought the case.  Balwizi Lorraine Mubonenwa approached the court to evict Mavis Mulite Muyakale and all other occupants.  High Court judge Beatrix de Jager, in her judgement dated 16 January, explained that once ownership and…

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has revised entrance and conservation fees for national parks. This follows a public consultation process. The new fees will start applying from 1 April 2026. The ministry's deputy executive director, Colgar Sikopo, thanked stakeholders who participated in the review and said the changes are aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability of the country’s conservation efforts. The revised fees introduce a tiered system based on nationality, age and vehicle type.  The largest increases apply to visitors from outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The new charges will apply to major parks,…

Staff Writer  The National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) has approved N$8.6 million in funding for youth-owned businesses.  The latest funding round, which took place from 1 November 2025 to 30 January 2026 and has been channeled to 30 businesses.  This followed an earlier approval of N$5.3 million for 16 businesses announced at the official launch of the NYDF. The funded enterprises operate in sectors that include auto mechanics, construction, tourism, catering, car wash services, mobile food trading, legal services, fashion and cosmetics, transport and shuttle services, media, health, education, ICT, welding and metal fabrication, accounting, event management, restaurants, guesthouses, funeral…

Allexer Namundjebo Rundu councillor Patrick Kufuna has plans to expand the Kavango Kickstart Tour.  This is an initiative he launched to support learners with life-skills education and motivation beyond the classroom and has called on sponsors to support the programme. Kufuna said he started the tour in 2023 after noticing that many learners need guidance on issues not covered in textbooks. The programme brings together nurses, social workers, police officers and youth activists to speak to learners about crime prevention, mental health, road safety and hygiene. Kufuna said the tour uses music and performance to deliver these messages in a…

Renthia Kaimbi The deputy minister of agriculture, Ruthy Masake, encouraged Namibians to use holidays and free time to work in agricultural fields instead of staying in towns.  She said practical farming work is important to help secure the country’s food supply. Working the land, according to Masake, is a national responsibility that not only supports households but also strengthens food production. “Fellow Namibians, instead of spending our holidays in towns, we should enjoy our time in the field. Let’s get dirty for some time. In the process, we’re going to become one of the producers of food,” she said over…

…Immanuel set to meet Namib Mills and union today Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) has called on the government to urgently intervene in a labour dispute at Namib Mills. Naretu has formally asked the minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, to mediate the dispute between the union and the company. The appeal follows a strike by Namib Mill workers, which began earlier this month.  In a letter dated 29 January and addressed to Immanuel, Naretu general secretary Petersen Kambinda said wage negotiations had broken down, resulting in a full strike and a…