National News

Justicia Shipena  The Presidency, through its Upstream Petroleum Unit, has launched public consultations on the draft National Upstream Local Content Policy in Lüderitz.  The first session was held on Monday.  The consultations, which will run until 17 September, will cover all 14 regions.  The Presidency has urged the public, including  business represented, youth, and local authorities, to participate in shaping the policy. The next meeting is scheduled for Mariental on Friday. In 2022, Cabinet approved the drafting of the policy to increase local participation in the oil and gas sector.  The following year, the ministry of mines and energy announced…

Allexer Namundjembo Student leaders have demanded the immediate provision of classrooms for more than 550 learners at Ndama East Primary School in Rundu.  The learners are being taught under trees by only 14 teachers. The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) national secretary for information and publicity, Johannes Malapi, said the lack of classrooms is a blatant violation of Article 20 of the Namibian Constitution.  "It also amounts to discrimination under Article 10, as rural learners are denied the same quality education afforded to their urban peers," Malapi told the  Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. He accused teachers’ unions for failing to…

Justicia Shipena The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) shareholders have seconded Ambassador Albertus !Aochamub to serve as interim chief executive officer. On Tuesday, Meatco confirmed the start of his six-month term, as endorsed by the board of directors.Meatco is yet to appoint a substantive CEO after the contract of former chief executive Mwilima Mushokabanji was not renewed. In July, acting CEO Patrick Liebenberg was suspended pending an investigation, weeks before his term was due to end.Last month, the board endorsed !Aochamub as interim CEO.At the time, Meatco board’s deputy chairperson Stephanie de Klerk said the board was seeking someone with…

Allexer Namundjembo Twenty two  learners from Maria Mwengere Secondary School in Rundu were discharged from hospital after suspected food poisoning at the school’s hostel.  11 others remain in Rundu Hospital, receiving fluids and medical support. The ministry of education said in a press statement on Tuesday.  “Among them, 22 of them were discharged after receiving treatment, while 11 remains under the medical care receiving necessary fluids and support," the executive director in the ministry of education Erastus Haitengela said,  Haitengela noted that early feedback from learners pointed to several food items served at the hostel as possible causes.  He said…

Justicia Shipena A total of 6 000 condoms were distributed during a recent sexual and reproductive health outreach in the Oshana region.  The initiative reached close to 950 students and community members. The outreach was organised by the #BeFree Cares Clinic in partnership with the ministry of health and social services, Ongwediva MediPark Hospital, Walvis Bay Corridor Group, the University of Namibia (Unam), the International University of Management (IUM), Valombola Vocational Training Centre, and the Society for Family Health.  Services were offered at five tertiary institutions, including Unam Oshakati, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos campuses, IUM Ongwediva, and Valombola…

Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend a mass memorial service in Mariental today to honour the 16 people who died in a head-on collision near the town on Saturday, the presidency said on Tuesday. The service will be held at the Mariental sports field.  The ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security said that the event will start at 11h00, with activities beginning at 10h00.  Minister Lucia Iipumbu said wellness officers and investigators have been sent to Mariental to provide psycho-social support to survivors, families, and colleagues affected by the crash. The car crash that happened in the…

Allexer Namundjembo Motorists who have fallen behind on vehicle licence payments now have a path to relief.  The Road Fund Administration amendment act, 2024, came into force with new regulations gazetted on 22 August 2025.  The law allows exemptions and waivers for license fees, penalties, and interest. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said in the notice of the gazetted regulations that the aim is to ease financial strain while protecting the Road Fund’s sustainability.  “With this law now in effect, we are introducing a fair and transparent process through which vehicle owners can seek relief on certain fees and penalties. Our…

Allexer Namundjembo Urban  and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s recent comment about “married people running to unmarried social workers” has been described as ignorant and misleading.  Sankwasa made the remarks on Saturday during the official designation of chief Eugene Kudumo of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority in Nkurenkuru.  He said the best social workers did not graduate from the University of Namibia (Unam). "Our best social workers in this world were our grandparents and uncles, and not graduates from Unam," he said.  Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah criticised the statement, saying it undermined a profession central to Namibia’s social welfare system.  “There…

Justicia Shipena Preparations are underway for the next EU–Namibia Business Forum, scheduled for 24–25 March 2026.  The announcement was made during the 2025 EU–Namibia Partnership Dialogue held in Windhoek on Monday. The dialogue was co-chaired by Namibia’s minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, and the European Union (EU) ambassador to Namibia, Ana Beatriz Martins.  It brought together senior Namibian government officials, EU representatives, and member states, including France, Finland, Germany, Portugal, and Spain. Talks focused on strengthening economic and trade ties, with emphasis on the EU–SADC Economic Partnership Agreement and the African Continental Free Trade Area.  The meeting…

Allexer Namundjembo After more than a decade of legal battles, Eugene Siwombe Kudumo has officially been designated as chief of the Vakwangali people, succeeding the late chief Sitentu Mpasi, who died 11 years ago. The ceremony drew traditional leaders from across the country and neighbouring Angola, including chief Sofia Mujembwe of Sambyu, chief Alfons Kaundu of Mbunza, and chief May Kasamane of Mangondo. The path to Kudumo’s recognition was long and contested. In February 2017, the Windhoek High Court set aside the minister of urban and rural development's decision to designate him, citing irregularities in the nomination process.  The challenge…