The most recent Swakop Shell V-Power/M+Z Motors Rally attracted 31 competitors, marking the strongest participation level in 11 years for the motorsport discipline. Organizers noted steady, systematic progress in reviving local rallying after years when entries rarely surpassed 30 vehicles, though the record remains 37 cars from a previous competition that included South African teams.
Competitors tackled 10 stages across two racing periods, with varying surfaces testing driver adaptability from paved sections through industrial zones to technical gravel courses in open terrain. Zachary Martin experienced engine failure meters from a stage finish line but coasted across to remain eligible, while his mechanics installed replacement...
Economic analysts have raised concerns about Namibia's contracting employer population, which dropped from approximately 45,000 to just 15,000 between 2018 and 2023, threatening fiscal stability as government spending continues climbing. Cirrus Capital head of research Robert McGregor noted that under 4 percent of citizens pay personal income tax, while merely half a percent classify themselves as employers, forcing authorities to increasingly tap pension funds that already hold 49 percent of investments domestically above the 45 percent legal requirement.
Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu attributed the workforce reduction to weak consumer demand, limited export opportunities, and heavy dependence on primary commodities with minimal...
Rodney Gariseb has made his directorial debut with a provocative theater production examining the deterioration of a romantic relationship through parallel timelines at the National Theatre of Namibia. The work follows characters Aili and Sem across different periods, exploring mental health struggles, abuse dynamics and unresolved trauma through dialogue-driven scenes that intensify as their partnership unravels.
Odile Gertze delivers a commanding performance as the older Aili, capturing the anguish of a woman trapped in a failing marriage, while Rodelio Lewis creates a haunting presence as The Spook, described as healing darkness personified. Gariseb, who developed the semi-autobiographical piece through the New Makers Programme...
Two judges have withdrawn from the Miss Universe panel ahead of the competition in Thailand, with one alleging the selection process has been compromised. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch claimed on Instagram that an unauthorized panel with potential conflicts of interest had chosen 30 finalists from 136 contestants without involvement from the official eight-member jury.
The Miss Universe Organisation rejected the accusations, stating no external group holds authority to evaluate participants or determine finalists. Officials suggested Harfouch may have confused the Beyond the Crown social impact initiative, which operates separately with its own selection committee, with the main competition jury. Former French footballer...
The chairperson of Zambezi Regional Council has issued a stern warning to Namibia's urban and rural development minister over proposed legislation that would strip regional councils of key administrative powers. Matengu Simushi, who also serves as president of the Association of Regional Councils, accused James Sankwasa of bypassing required consultations before tabling amendments that would transfer authority to appoint chief executive and chief regional officers from councils to the ministry.
Sankwasa defended the bill by asserting that regional councils should concentrate on community concerns rather than administrative functions, while accusing Simushi of mismanaging the Zambezi region and tolerating corruption. The minister...
Namibia's central bank has endorsed South Africa's decision to tighten its inflation objective from a 3% to 6% band down to a 3% center point with a one percentage point tolerance range. The Bank of Namibia expects the adjustment to deliver lower inflation and reduced interest rates domestically over the coming years, as the country's currency remains pegged to the rand through the Common Monetary Area arrangement that includes Lesotho and Eswatini.
Governor Johannes !Gawaxab stated the recalibrated target will bolster economic expansion by cutting borrowing expenses and enhancing investor sentiment. However, the monetary authority cautioned that Namibia's significant proportion of government-regulated pricing for utilities and...
Namibia's finance minister has challenged a court filing by Avril Payroll Deduction Management that seeks to justify its government payroll services operations amid legal proceedings over the ministry's deductions system. Government attorneys argue the company cannot support relief requested by microlender Entrépo Finance while simultaneously defending itself as a respondent in the case.
Avril maintains that its submission remains necessary to counter ministerial claims that its business violates the Payment Systems Management Act. The firm insists its two-decade relationship with the ministry involves only payroll management functions, with First National Bank of Namibia handling actual payment processing under agency arrangements...
A charter aircraft carrying seven people made an emergency landing in the Namib Desert after experiencing catastrophic engine failure during a flight from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund. The GippsAero GA8 Airvan operated by Namibia Aviation Services crashed near Charlottenfelder Southern Diamond Camp, resulting in severe aircraft damage but no passenger injuries. Preliminary findings from the Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations indicate the pilot detected unusual engine sounds before losing all control over power settings approximately 12 nautical miles from the diamond camp.
Investigators noted that oil leaked from the engine cowling, while visible deformation appeared on the cover during the emergency. The aircraft...
Johannes !Gawaxab will depart his position as Bank of Namibia governor one year ahead of schedule, according to an announcement from the central bank's board of directors. His service concludes at year-end, cutting short a five-year appointment that began after former president Hage Geingob selected him for the role.
The governor initially filled the remaining portion of Iipumbu Shiimi's term when the latter moved to lead the finance ministry. Geingob subsequently confirmed !Gawaxab for a full five-year period extending through 2026. Before joining the central bank, he chaired private equity firm Eos Capital and served as managing director for Old Mutual Africa.
