Namibia's health ministry just scored an extra N$184 million from the government, and they're using it to hire more than 2,000 healthcare workers. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the cash is meant to ease up crowding at hospitals around the country. Earlier this year, they figured out they needed over N$800 million total to bring on 2,035 people, but they only got N$150 million at first.
Most of the new money is going toward filling 1,713 clinical positions this year. Katatura Intermediate Hospital is getting 184 new staff members, and Windhoek Central Hospital is adding 98 more. Different regions are also getting nurses and doctors, with some hospitals bringing on specialists to beef up care.
The ministry said the hiring push...
The Hangala family dropped Otavi Golden Maize into Namibian stores after spending over two decades growing corn at their Ombanje Farm near Otavi. Founder Leake Hangala says the whole point is keeping food production local so the country does not have to rely on imports while prices stay stable and jobs get created.
Their milling plant cost N$35 million to build and gave 120 people work during the 18-month construction phase. The facility cranks out 50 tonnes daily across two shifts and locked down 38 permanent positions for people in the area. Storage capacity hits 1,000 tonnes between two silos.
Shoppers can grab three versions of the product: Super Maize Meal, Special Sifted Maize Meal, and Unsifted Maize Meal. Hangala pitched the...
Insurance companies in Namibia had to cut refund checks worth N$4.4 million after customers filed complaints about sketchy practices like delayed death payouts and policies that supposedly lapsed but kept getting charged anyway. The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority dropped an annual report saying the main problems stem from terrible communication and companies hiding how interest rates work or just straight-up not explaining contract terms properly. Long-term insurance shelled out N$3.1 million while short-term insurance paid N$1.3 million.
The report called out poor customer service and misinterpreting facts when claims roll in as major reasons why people keep getting screwed over. Funeral benefit claims getting...
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tapped Modestus Amutse to run the industries, mines, and energy ministry after Natangwe Ithete got booted from the job back in October. Defence minister Frans Kapofi held things down temporarily while the spot sat empty for a couple of months.
Amutse used to handle deputy minister duties for information and communication technology, and he racked up experience in parliament and regional leadership gigs that supposedly make him ready for the energy portfolio. The president thanked Kapofi for covering the position during the interim stretch before handing the reins over to Amutse.
Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja wrapped up her five-year run by saying the council took office right when COVID-19 hit and had to stabilize city finances while keeping services running during absolute chaos. She said the team worked through unprecedented pressure to restore operational discipline even though it sucked, and city chief executive Moses Matyayi backed her up by crediting the council's policy moves for letting administrators push through financial turnaround strategies and infrastructure projects.
Deputy mayor Clemencia Hanases thanked residents and staff before passing things off to whoever takes over next. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development pushed back the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected councillors...
Namibian activist Bernhard Kamatoto says the Trump administration's decision to ditch World AIDS Day observance this year pushes harmful stereotypes and makes it harder to fight stigma around HIV. The White House told government workers and federally funded groups to skip marking the event, which Kamatoto called discriminatory since it reinforces outdated ideas that HIV only affects specific communities when the virus actually impacts people everywhere.
Kamatoto has been positive since 1999 and went public with his status two years later, after staying silent through what he described as the toughest stretch of his life. He pointed out that America only lifted its HIV travel ban during the Obama years, showing how policy decisions...
Malawian director Brian Magombo grabbed two major wins after finishing at the top of his MultiChoice Talent Factory class and scoring an eight-week internship at the New York Film Academy. The guy behind Pa Mango Lodge on Zambezi Magic says his year at MTF prepped him for the intense NYFA grind where he picked up skills with Avid Media Composer and ARRI lighting setups.
Magombo grew up watching his dad shoot video and says he wants to make films that connect different worlds while turning his production company into a creative hub for Malawian filmmakers. His series just landed a Best Film Series nomination at the MASO Awards, and he plans to keep pushing African stories while mentoring people coming up behind him.
Malawi authorities kicked off a nationwide sweep targeting cars without plates after officials linked the trend to rising crime rates and public safety concerns. The Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services teamed up with police to seize unregistered vehicles, whether they are fresh off the lot or older rides whose owners skipped the 14-day registration window. Spokesperson Angellina Makwambe said criminals have been using plateless cars to dodge identification during robberies and hit-and-runs, which makes tracking suspects basically impossible.
Cops started impounding vehicles in Blantyre and Lilongwe, and more checkpoints are rolling out on major roads soon. Owners can only reclaim seized cars after paying fines and finishing...
Malawian soccer legend Esau Kanyenda died in the UK, and President Arthur Peter Mutharika put out a statement calling it a massive loss for the country. Kanyenda played across Africa and Europe before making waves at Russian club FC Rostov, and he helped the Flames qualify for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, which was basically one of the biggest moments in Malawian football history.
After retiring, Kanyenda kept showing up for local football development by mentoring admins and helping young players get better at the game. Mutharika said the guy stayed committed to growing the sport even after his playing days ended. The president and first lady sent condolences to the family while the nation mourns the loss of someone who...
