National News

Renthia Kaimbi Magistrates have defied a return-to-work directive issued by justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel.  Immanuel, on Sunday, in a letter to Magistrates’ Commission chairperson Boas Uusiku, acknowledged the frustrations of magistrates over the delayed housing and vehicle allowances but maintained that the nationwide strike had no legal basis.  He then instructed all magistrates to return to their duty stations and resume work, warning that failure to comply would lead to serious consequences. Despite his [Immanuel's] order, magistrates have continued their 'go-slow' industrial action, bringing civil trials, criminal proceedings and bail applications to a halt.  The magistrates…

Renthia Kaimbi Electricity costs take up about 35% of the total revenue of Namibia’s green scheme projects.  The executive director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, revealed this during a national workshop on green schemes in Rundu on Monday.  She said each project spends close to N$1 million per month on electricity. “Each green scheme project spends close to N$1 million per month on electricity alone, representing roughly 35% of its total revenue, a burden that severely impacts profitability and long-term operational viability,” she said. Nghituwamata said high power tariffs have become a major…

Justicia Shipena The official opposition party wants to create an independent Public Enterprises Governance Commission (PEGC) to stop politics from interfering with how state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are run under the new Public Enterprises Governance Amendment (PEGA) Bill. The leader of the official opposition in parliament, Immanuel Nashinge, said the bill risks recentralizing power and undermining professional governance.  “The Bill, presented as reform, in reality takes power away from professionals and places it back into political hands,” he said during the parliamentary debate last week.  Nashinge said SOEs have collapsed under the weight of political interference, with the same individuals being…

Allexer Namundjembo An Aviator player has accused BetZilla, a betting company based in Okahandja, of failing to pay out his winnings of N$1 040. Kudumo Sikongo said he played the game Aviator and, after winning, tried to request his payout but was sent from one contact number to another before his calls were blocked.  “I won at BetZilla, and after calling them, they blocked my number,” he told the Windhoek Observer on Monday. He said he reported the matter to the Okahandja Police Station.  "I was told they knew where the office was and would go there, but I haven't…

Renthia Kaimbi Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has declared the ongoing strike by magistrates illegal.  He ordered them to return to work immediately. In a letter dated 9 November 2025 to Magistrates’ Commission chairperson Boas Uusiku, Immanuel acknowledged the magistrates’ frustration over delayed housing and vehicle allowances but stated that there was no legal basis for the nationwide strike. Immanuel instructed the commission to provide a legal justification for the industrial action, warning that the strike would be considered unlawful without valid grounds.  "As minister of justice and labour relations, I could not find a legal basis…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia will require about US$15 billion, or roughly N$270 billion, to achieve its climate mitigation and adaptation goals by 2030. She noted that most of this funding will rely on international support. Speaking at the COP30 Heads of State Summit in Belém, Brazil, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the country's adaptation efforts in agriculture, water, health, biodiversity and infrastructure will require about US$6 billion (around N$108 billion), with 90% expected to come from external sources. She said mitigation measures are estimated to cost about US$9 billion (roughly N$162 billion), with 10% expected to be financed locally. “In…

Renthia Kaimbi The resignation of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) candidate Ndalikutya Arkeleus Shonena has left the Ogongo Constituency in the Omusati region without a contested race.  This might clear the way for Swapo's Daniel Iilende to secure the council seat unopposed. In his resignation letter dated Friday, Shonena wrote, “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down and discontinue my membership with the IPC in order to pursue new personal and political directions.”  Shortly after resigning from the IPC, Shonena joined the Swapo Party. His withdrawal, though politically surprising, is allowed under Namibia’s electoral law.  Corporate governance expert…

Justicia Shipena The executive director in the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, Audrin Mathe, has called on the legal fraternity to help clear over 475 pending labour arbitration cases.  He said the backlog represents delayed justice for both workers and employers. He was speaking at the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) Gala Dinner held in Windhoek on Friday.  “We are currently facing a backlog of over 475 unresolved labour arbitration cases. This is not just a number; it represents over four hundred and seventy-five instances of delayed justice for workers and employers alike. Justice itself is crying out for…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the new Ankit Gems Namibia Diamond Cutting and Polishing Factory will strengthen the country’s manufacturing base. She added that it will also promote resource diversification and create jobs for young people. Her remarks were delivered on her behalf by the acting minister of industries, mines and energy, Frans Kapofi, during the factory’s inauguration in Windhoek on Friday. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the project aligns with the country's priority of adding value to natural resources. “This plant will not only strengthen our manufacturing base but will also be instrumental for the diversification of our natural resources and…

Allexer Namundjembo The people of Onamatanga in the Omusati region no longer have to drink salty water after the official commissioning of the Onamatanga Water Supply Scheme on Friday. The N$15 million project by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform was officially launched by minister Inge Zaamwani. She said the new system would bring lasting relief to residents who have struggled for years with unreliable and saline water sources. “For too long, the people of Onamatanga had access only to salty water,” Zaamwani said.  She added that the project provides a long-term and sustainable solution…