Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, once remarked “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters”. His message reverberates in Namibia today at a crucial juncture as we...
Author: Correspondent (Correspondent )
Letter – Gender diversity essential in political commentary
I have worked in most of the major newsrooms in Namibia, serving in roles as both an editor and a journalist. Editors and journalists are regularly involved in the ongoing debate – occasionally intense – concerning the dependence on a select group of commentators. News consumers have grown accustomed to political and social pundits, such...
PDM ‘signs’ ballot samples while picketing …. as ECN opens printing room
Lahja Nashuuta Rudolf Gaiseb The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) late yesterday provided an update on the observation, verification and commencement of final ballot production ahead of next month’s national elections. “On Monday, 21 October 2024, authorised representatives of the 18 political parties verified and signed off the designed sample ballot papers in Johannesburg. Three...
San graduate’s legal dream realised
Zebaldt Ngaruka EPUKIRO – Tjiveripo Mbahepa moved closer to his long-cherished dream of becoming a lawyer after recently graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Namibia. Hailing from Okavangua village in Omaheke’s Otjinene constituency, he could not say what exactly motivated him to succeed, but remembered that since the age of...
City honours firefighter Khama
Lahja Nashuuta The Windhoek municipal council has approved a motion to rename Sheffield Street to FF. M.S. Khama Street, in honour of the late Methuselah Simataa Khama, who tragically lost his life while on duty. Windhoek mayor Queen Kamati made the announcement this week during a council meeting. The late Khama was a firefighter, known...
Ex-cop sentenced to five years in prison
Iuze Mukube Windhoek High Court Judge Philanda Christiaan sentenced former police officer Ricardo Nestor (35) on charges of theft and money laundering to effective five years in prison yesterday. The sentencing was handed down after Nestor was found guilty of theft and money laundering of an amount of N$720 000, which he transferred to his...
Election coverage favours Swapo – Report
The ruling party Swapo has received the most media coverage both on television and radio, between August and September 2024. This is according to the third Election Media Monitoring Report released on Tuesday by media ombudsman John Nakuta. The project aims to serve as a critical tool in assessing how both legacy and online media...
Local Bibles running low
Rudolf Gaiseb The chairperson of the Bible Society of Namibia, Schalk Botha, said they are facing a shortage of Bibles translated into indigenous languages. In a recent interview with New Era, he stated that due to low funds, they are unable to make bulk orders of the printed books from overseas. “We are printing in...
On the spot – Law reform from Josua’s vantage
In terms of the Law Reform and Development Commission Act, the commission is mandated to consolidate or codify any branch of the law or to introduce other measures aimed at making the law more readily accessible. New Era’s Lahja Nashuuta this week sat down with new Law, Reform and Development chairperson Etuna Josua for an...
Mozambique: Cigars 100% made in Africa
MAPUTO – In a small neon-lit factory in Maputo, a dozen workers are hand-rolling premium cigars intended for the global market, seemingly undisturbed by the pungent tobacco smell. Sitting on wooden benches, men and women stack tobacco leaves in one hand — the components must be dry but soft, like the velvety texture of leather....









