Rudolf Gaiseb Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said with the new directive to fully subsidise public universities as well as technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, they will ensure that private tertiary institutions are not impacted. Financial provision has been made for private tertiary institutions, and a funding model will be developed, she revealed. The minister said this initiative...
Traditional leaders oppose cannabis
Auleria Wakudumo While cannabis activists and users continue to rally for its legalisation in Namibia, traditional leaders have made it clear that they will never support its decriminalisation. Uukwambi Traditional Authority Chief and the Northern Traditional Authorities’ chairperson, Ndilimani Iipumbu, stated that the legalisation of cannabis will destroy the nation and bring madness to the people. “If people cannot behave...
Hengari charged, denied bail
Iuze Mukube Former fisheries, land reform and agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari (59) and his 30-year-old co-accused made their first court appearance yesterday in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. The duo, who appeared before Magistrate Monica Andjaba, each face a charge of attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice. It is alleged that on 26 April 2025 in the district...
Seven-seaters’ bread is minibuses’ poison
KEETMANSHOOP – Long-distance public transport operators using minibuses yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration against a decision to allow seven-seaters to also transport passengers on long-distance routes in the country. Transport minister Veikko Nekundi recently announced that the limitation of the distance of a 250km radius regime for seven-seaters is now in the rear-view mirror, and no longer going to be...
State wants conviction for brother ‘killer’
State Advocate Anna Amukugo on Thursday asked Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen to find a 24-year-old Lüderitz resident guilty of the murder of his biological brother. Brenton Hendricks allegedly stabbed his elder brother Joslin Sagaria Hendricks at least seven times on 25 September 2022 at the Spokiesdorp location in Lüderitz. He pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defence. During his testimony...
Bank records admissible in Ponzi scheme trial
Windhoek High Court Judge Naomi Shivute last week declared the bank records of Sakaria Megameno Namwandi, obtained by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Namibian Police Force, admissible as evidence during the fraud trial. Namwandi allegedly operated a Ponzi scheme, and is accused of defrauding 79 persons to the tune of N$4.3 million during 2019. He cried foul about financial...
Leaders welcome Genocide Remembrance Day
Traditional leaders in the //Kharas and Hardap regions have expressed strong support for the upcoming commemoration of the first Genocide Remembrance Day. The commemoration is slated for 28 May. Charles Eiseb, the team leader of the affected communities at the negotiating table, revealed this to New Era in an interview last week, saying the leaders accepted 100% of the plans...
Youth reject Genocide Remembrance Day meeting
GOBABIS – The Nama Youth of Namibia rejected the Genocide Remembrance Day meeting held in Keetmanshoop in the //Kharas region last week. The meetings, spearheaded by Vice President Lucia Witbooi, form part of her engagement with traditional leaders from the affected communities on the commemoration of the day, in the Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Hardap, //Kharas, Erongo, Kunene and Khomas regions. The...
Govt can’t afford Lukato’s wish …N$5 000 old-age pension dream farfetched
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has poured cold water on proposals to increase the old age pension to N$5000 per month. She cited fiscal constraints and the need for sustainable spending. Speaking in the National Assembly last Wednesday, Shafudah responded to National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato. Lukato in his maiden parliamentary address last week called for a significant increase...
Kaaronda: Quotas must benefit ex-fishermen
Rudolf Gaiseb Fishing quotas could benefit former fishermen by providing employment and shares in fishing companies, Swanu leader Evilastus Kaaronda said last week. He made this submission in the National Assembly while enquiring whether the government can ensure that fishermen leverage the quotas and obtain shares in fishing companies. This is so that even after they have left employment, they...