National News

Failed three of six regulatory criteria 1 164 vouched for Starlink 1 180 submissions received Allexer Namundjembo The rejection of Starlink’s licence application to operate in Namibia has been described as a setback for job creation. Some critics warn that it may limit opportunities in the digital economy. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the decision could have affected employment prospects.  “Imagine how many jobs and opportunities this could have created," he said, noting that Starlink has improved internet access in rural areas in other African countries.  “That kind of connectivity can change lives, especially in underserved areas.” He questioned whether…

Patience Makwele  Namibia is failing to detect more than a third of tuberculosis (TB) cases.  Health minister Esperance Luvindao said an estimated 34% of TB cases remain undiagnosed.  “While these numbers represent lives saved, our concern lies with the people we have not reached,” she said during World TB Day commemorations in Gobabis on Tuesday. She said the challenge is more severe in rural areas, especially in the Omaheke region, which has the highest TB notification rate despite its low population density.  She said long travel distances to health facilities delay diagnosis and increase the risk of spread. Hence, the…

Allexer Namundjembo Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says removing traditional authorities from land allocation may not solve the problem of illegal fencing in Kavango West. On Tuesday, during an outreach session led by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, residents of Casa Village in the region called for traditional leaders to be stripped of their powers to allocate communal land. Kamwanyah said concerns raised by residents of Casa Village under the Mbunza Traditional Authority are valid, but shifting power alone may not fix the issue. “The line ministry also has…

Justicia Shipena  The future of Africa’s utility sectors will depend on how regulators use technology to build inclusive systems, according to the minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse.  He spoke at the opening of the 22nd Annual Conference and General Assembly of the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) in Swakopmund on Monday. Amutse said new technologies must expand access to services and not increase inequality.  He said tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, digital platforms and automation are changing how services are delivered. He said Namibia is investing in renewable energy, including solar, wind…

Justicia Shipena  United Nations secretary general António Guterres has warned that racism remains widespread and continues to drive inequality, violence and division across the world. Guterres said racism is a direct violation of human rights.  “Racial discrimination is a violation of human rights and human dignity,” he said at a General Assembly event in New York on Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  He said racism remains deeply rooted and continues to shape economic, social and political inequalities.  “It feeds many of the problems we face today, including economic, social and political inequalities,” he…

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has rejected Starlink’s application to operate in Namibia.  The decision was published in the government gazette on Monday.  Starlink, a company under Elon Musk’s SpaceX, had applied for a telecommunications service licence and a spectrum licence to provide satellite internet services. “The authority resolved to decline the award of a class comprehensive telecommunications service licence (ECS and ECNS) for Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited,” Cran stated. Cran also rejected the request for radio frequency allocation.  “The authority resolved to decline the award of a spectrum licence to Starlink Internet Services…

Allexer Namundjembo Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament Eneas Emvula has called on Canadian authorities to review the conduct of suspended lawyer Jay Park over alleged conflicts of interest linked to Namibia’s petroleum sector. In a letter addressed to the Law Society of Alberta and copied to Canadian officials, including minister of justice and solicitor general of Alberta Mickey Amery and minister of international trade Mary Ng, Emvula raised concerns about Park’s role in Namibia’s petroleum legislation. The letter alleges that Park, a suspended Canadian lawyer, advised the Namibian government on drafting its petroleum legislation while simultaneously holding multiple…

Allexer Namundjembo Ride-hailing operator Yango says it is working with Namibian authorities to address regulatory concerns over the legality of its e-hailing services. The company made the remarks during a media engagement with independent fleet partners in Windhoek on Friday.  The session focused on compliance with public passenger transport permit requirements set by the Ministry of Works and Transport. Yango’s head of public policy for Africa, Zanyiwe Asare, said the company supports efforts to regulate the sector.  “We have heard the concerns raised regarding public passenger permits. We want to be clear; Yango supports the formalisation of the e-hailing sector,”…

Patience Makwele  A government-backed livestock project in the Erongo region is showing early results, with farmers increasing their herds within months of receiving support. More than 1 000 goats were handed over on Monday under Phase II of the Hope Farm Project at Farm Daweb.  The project is a joint initiative between the government and Swakop Uranium and has so far benefited 48 farmers, including 22 women, through organised cooperatives. Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform minister Inge Zaamwani said the project is beginning to show results.  “The progress we are seeing within just one production cycle is a clear…