Namibia’s long-running proposals for international trade agencies and organisations to reduce and, in some instances, entirely lift trade barriers for black and white rhino horns were overwhelmingly rejected at the recent 20th UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meeting in Uzbekistan. In its proposals, Namibia has for years been calling for amendment to the current rules and trade...
Water woes besiege Otjimbingwe
Rudolf Gaiseb Families in Okarundu 2, near Otjimbingwe, may spend another Christmas without water amid the ongoing water crisis at the settlement. The water shortage in Otjimbingwe and its surrounding settlements is so dire that residents use water from the Swakop River to carry out their daily utilities. Okarundu 2 and other settlements are not connected to Namibia Water Corporation...
RFA disburses N$109m for Rundu roads
Adolf Kaure The Rundu Town Council has received N$109 million from the Road Fund Administration (RFA) since the 2022/2023 financial, to rehabilitate roads. This is through a three-year tripartite agreement signed in November 2022 between the RFA, the Roads Authority (RA) and local authorities countrywide. The funds made available were used to rehabilitate five roads in Rundu. This included the...
‘No special treatment for those born in exile’
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi has dismissed suggestions by the Association of Dependents of Veterans of Namibia (ADVN) that children of living and deceased war veterans should get special recognition, access to welfare benefits and monthly stipends. Members of ADVN last Tuesday took to the streets to demand an official response from Kapofi, who they said was yet...
Swapo’s Ndengu new Khomas chairperson
Adolf Kaure Swapo Party’s Moses Garoeb constituency councillor Stefanus Ndengu has been elected as the new chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council (KRC) during a swearing-in ceremony presided over by Windhoek district magistrate Ndapewa Celma Amadhila. During his inaugural speech, Ndengu vowed to address the growing unemployment rate in the region, mainly caused by urbanisation. “Despite the progress we made,...
Kavango regions install councils
NKURENKURU – The Kavango West Regional Council have installed Nkurenkuru regional councillor Filipus Tenga as its chairperson at a swearing-in ceremony held at Nkurenkuru on Friday. Tenga will replace former chairperson Joseph Sikongo (Tondoro constituency councillor), who will now represent the region at the National Council. Mankumpi constituency councillor Lukas Muha was also elected to the National Council along with...
N$3.5b fraud case gets trial dates
Iuze Mukube The trial of a group of businessmen accused of allegedly defrauding the finance ministry of N$3.5 billion in revenue, has been accorded trial dates. This follows an order of Deputy Judge President Hannelie Prinsloo last Friday for the accused’ trial to begin on 20 January 2026. The accused are Namibian national Laurensius Julius and Chinese businessmen Tao Huizhong,...
Stolen ID leaves fisherman in debt
WALVIS BAY – A stolen identity card has turned into a financial nightmare for a Walvis Bay fisherman, who now finds himself burdened with debt and battling to clear his name. The fisherman, whose identity is known to New Era but withheld due to the financial implications of the fraud, says his ordeal began years ago when he lost his...
Ohangwena ushers in new leadership
Joseph Kaula EENHANA -The Ohangwena region ushered in a new era of political leadership last week as newly elected regional and local authority councillors took their oaths of office, marking the official start of their new term. The swearing-in ceremony brought together leaders from across the region’s constituencies, reaffirming their commitment to service delivery and development. Twelve councillors were...
Early Christmas lunch for DRC children
SWAKOPMUND – More than 170 children from the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund were treated to an early Christmas party over the weekend. The Cradle of Hope Foundation treated the children to a warm meal, gift packs and ice cream. The foundation is led by Francis Godenschweig, with the help of her family and a few volunteers who made it...