The Namibia Scientific Society just celebrated its 100th anniversary with a party on Thursday. Started in 1925, this organization helps scientists trade ideas and gives regular people cool science information. It also connects local researchers with international experts and anyone who loves learning about our world.
Vice chairperson Frank Wittenben made it clear at the celebration that you don't need fancy degrees to join. "The society is for the laymen; it's for people like you and me. You don't have to be a nuclear physicist," he explained. They welcome curious minds from all backgrounds who want to learn about science.
The group stays afloat thanks to generous supporters. Chairperson Michael Backes mentioned they receive money...
Namibia plans to set up a special court just for buying disputes. Finance boss Iipumbu Shiimi brought forward new rules called the "Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025." These changes fix problems with the older buying rules from 2015. Those first rules started working back in April 2017 and pushed for fair, clear, responsible, fast, and honest government buying.
"We need these changes right away to make sure people stay responsible and finish arguments faster," Shiimi said. This makes government buying more clear, quick, and fair throughout Namibia. The Swapo Party already marked this special court as very important in their plans for 2025 through 2030. Building this court moves that goal forward big time.
Current fights about...
Trade across southern Africa moves slowly because of long waits at the Trans-Kalahari border post. The SADC group released a study about these delays on Thursday. They checked how long everything takes from October 2023 through March 2024. The Namibia Revenue Agency worked with SADC on this project.
Head expert Paulinus Tiromwe points out that many different government offices work at the border, each doing their job separately. This makes everything cost more and take longer for businesses. After the goods arrive and finish the first steps, papers take one hour and three minutes to reach customs. Then comes a huge wait—twelve hours and eighteen minutes pass before the next step happens after agents get release papers.
Other...
The parliament changed student money rules in Namibia. They moved the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund directly under the Higher Education Ministry. What used to be the fund's board will become the Selection and Advisory Board. This group will share ideas with the minister about important decisions.
The ministry will set policies the fund must follow going forward. Board membership will increase from five to possibly nine people at maximum. Anyone serving cannot hold positions in parliament or any local government roles, and people convicted of dishonest crimes cannot join the board either.
These updates broaden what counts as "higher education" beyond just Grade 12. The new definition includes programs after the Namibia...
Police, military, and forestry teams received new equipment Thursday to clear bushes and remove mines near the border with Zambia at Kamenga. The Namibia Nature Foundation gave freezers, chainsaws, and safety gear worth N$257,000. These tools help officers stop illegal timber cutting, animal poaching, and forest fires that harm conservation work.
Teodor Kaambu from the Environment Ministry said the equipment makes their job easier and safer. The chainsaw helps create paths for mine removal, and protective gear keeps workers safe during dangerous tasks. Police leader Joseph Shikongo thanked everyone for the donation. He explained how thick bushes and old explosives cause problems for security, nature protection, and land use.
Shikongo...
Sackeus Nangula from Omuntele constituency praised the Agriculture, Water, and Forestry Ministry for giving free prepaid water meters to 3,000 farmers and families. These meters, worth N$1,200 each, came at no cost to local residents. The ministry started this program back in 2017 when it built a large concrete water tank in the area. Just last month, it handed out another 100 water meters to more farmers.
"We have plenty of water here because the big tank sends it to every part of our area," Nangula explained. He mentioned that the salty dirt makes it impossible to dig regular earth dams, leaving the concrete tank as their main water source. The three-million-cubic-meter tank also helps take pressure off the water pipe coming from...
Lawmakers stood against Agriculture Minister Calle Schlettwein for bringing the communal land bill forward at the last possible minute. Opposition leader McHenry Venaani directly challenged the minister about his timing. He asked why Schlettwein would put the bill forward when parliament had almost no time left. The bill faced strong rejection from both opposition parties and members within Schlettwein's party.
Swapo member Tjekero Tweya joined the criticism, saying they should refrain from rushing the process. He argued the bill needed more attention than just following standard procedures before it expired. The proposed law aims to create communal land boards and a special fund. It also plans to stop foreign nationals from buying...
The 2025 budget has hit average South Africans hard. The government plans to raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate, adding an extra R18 billion tax burden on incomes. They canceled all inflation adjustments that were originally planned, even for people with low incomes. Medical credits won't increase with inflation either. Taxes on alcohol and tobacco will jump higher than inflation rates.
These tax changes aim to collect R28 billion more in 2025/26 and R44.1 billion more the following year. Despite strong public opposition, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana increased VAT by 0.5 percent starting May 1 this year. Another 0.5 percent increase will happen in 2026. The government expects to collect R13.5 billion from the first VAT hike and...
Two people who ran Matrix Disciplinary and Training Centre went to court today. Tafadzwa Chidawa and Clara Manyapera stood before Harare Judge Rufaro Panavanhu. The court charged them with running their organization without proper papers and pretending to be child protection workers.
The judge let them go home after they each paid $300 bail. They must return to court on April 22 for their next hearing. The case against them says they started Matrix Disciplinary and Training Camp around December 2024 to help troubled kids change their behavior.
These directors brought children into their program even though their center lacked proper registration. The law requires all such groups to sign up under the Private Voluntary Organisation Act...
