The UK aims to make its visa process more convenient for Namibian travelers, outgoing British High Commissioner Charles Moore told President Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House on Wednesday. The UK started requiring visas from Namibians in July 2023 after more than 1,000 Namibians had sought asylum there since 2016. This visa requirement has almost completely stopped asylum seekers but created problems for legitimate travelers, including business people, officials, ministers, and tourists.
"We recognized it has an impact on genuine Namibian travelers, and it is just unfortunate," Moore said. "We are trying to make the visa process user-friendly, quicker and less inconvenient for Namibian travelers, and hopefully it won't put people off as...
Money linked to a classroom construction tender in the Kharas region reportedly ended up in a two-year-old child's bank account. The child happens to be the daughter of Ralph Sachika, the acting chief regional officer of Kharas Regional Town Council.
AR leader Job Amupanda revealed these details yesterday during National Assembly proceedings. He questioned Defence Minister Frans Kapofi about August 26 Construction, a subsidiary company of August 26 Holdings. Amupanda claimed this company serves as a middleman for state tenders, often awarding contracts to associates of defense officials.
The case involves a N$255 million tender for building 510 classrooms. Ultimate Traders CC, allegedly subcontracted by August 26 Construction...
A High Court judge told activist Michael Amushelelo to take down social media comments about police chief Joseph Shikongo. Judge Boas Usiku ordered him to remove Facebook posts about a deadly car crash involving Shikongo from December 2022. The temporary order stops Amushelelo from making more statements about the accident until a contempt case finishes.
Amushelelo appeared without a lawyer yesterday. He first asked for free legal help but later agreed to the temporary order. He plans to fight the contempt claims later. The court also made him pay legal costs for Shikongo.
The police chief says Amushelelo broke an earlier court agreement from October. That deal ended a million-dollar lawsuit where Amushelelo promised not to repeat...
Denga Ndaitwah says his wife placed oil and gas projects under her direct control to fight corruption. The first gentleman made these comments at Triumphant College when speaking to students in Windhoek. He explained that the sector attracts dishonest dealings because large amounts of money flow through it. Critics worry that President Nandi-Ndaitwah might lack time to manage these industries alongside her other duties properly. Some people wanted these important resources handled through regular government departments instead.
Mr. Ndaitwah addressed student concerns about the unusual arrangement during the workshop session. He believes keeping petroleum matters close helps prevent wrongdoing that happens in other countries. The...
Few people showed up for TotalEnergies' community meetings in Lüderitz on Wednesday. One venue attracted about 50 visitors; another had just 15 attendees. The poor turnout raised questions among locals about whether these events make any difference.
Deputy Mayor Brigitte Fredericks blamed inadequate publicity. She said social media posts aren't enough because many residents lack smartphones or internet access. She suggested returning to older methods like church announcements that worked better in the past.
People who did attend were left disappointed with the presentations. Some wanted information about community benefits but heard only technical details about drilling processes instead. One participant, Jody Coetzee, left early...
Namibian anti-corruption officials looked into former Wildlife Resorts director Zelna Hengari about giving contracts to her husband, Mac Hengari. He recently became agriculture minister as people ask if President Nandi-Ndaitwah checked backgrounds before making Cabinet picks. Mac faces separate rape claims which he denies.
ACC deputy director Erna van der Merwe said they finished investigating the case last year. She found nothing showing that Zelna gave contracts directly to her husband. The investigation examined whether Zelna awarded deals to companies that passed work to businesses connected with Mac. Officials could reopen the case if new evidence appears.
The president reportedly skipped normal security checks when selecting...
Namibian information minister Emma Theofelus says AI technology has created more scams targeting citizens. She told parliament yesterday that officials need fast action against these tech dangers. People face growing risks from deepfakes that trick them with fake videos or messages.
The minister explained that these AI-generated materials help scammers create convincing fakes cheaply. Such content threatens public trust when it appears to come from government agencies or leaders. Her ministry plans several responses, including a system to verify information sources. Officials also want to launch awareness campaigns about misinformation dangers.
Theofelus stressed government cannot solve these problems alone. She asked all Namibians to...
Ecobrick Namibia transforms plastic waste into building materials in Swakopmund. Founder Robyn Röhm wants locals to address the growing problem of plastic pollution. She notices people burn plastic daily, releasing harmful dioxins into the air. These toxins harm wildlife and create microplastics that enter human bodies through food, water, and breathing.
The project packs used plastic from PET bottles to create building blocks for furniture and structures. A single 1.5-liter bottle holds about three bags of waste. Working with the Global Ecobrick Alliance ensures these bricks meet safety standards for construction. Röhm personally converts all her household plastic into ecobricks instead of sending it to landfills.
The initiative...
President Mnangagwa signed the Private Voluntary Organizations Bill into law right before opening a market for informal traders in Mbare. The European Union responded harshly through its ambassador, Jobst von Kirchmann. He called the president insincere as the EU canceled planned funding for good governance in Zimbabwe for 2025. The new law gives authorities broad powers to monitor civic groups despite international warnings about human rights concerns.
Zimbabwe has about $21 billion in debt to various creditors. The government started a process to clear these arrears, which the EU supported. But officials turned away from promises they made during this process about expanding civic freedoms. The EU said they might reconsider support...
