On 20 March 2025, members of Namibia’s 8th Parliament were sworn in at Tintenpalast in Windhoek. They vowed to respect and defend Namibia’s Constitution and to be loyal to the country and its citizens. But will they truly deliver on their promise to serve the interests of the people? Hence, what contributions will they bring to the Namibian house? ...
Silent crisis: Mining dependency hinders financial independence
Vincent Shimutwikeni The mining sector has been a cornerstone of Namibia’s socio-economic development, driving job creation and contributing to the growth of both new and existing towns. With key industries in diamonds, uranium, zinc, copper, and other metal ores, mining has long provided stability and opportunities across the country. Historically, both before and after independence, mining towns have offered miners...
Goraseb on Usakos’ voyage …vision, challenges, development
The chief executive officer of the Usakos Town Council Lesley Goraseb (LG), was appointed to the position, on a five-year contract, in August last year. Before his appointment, Goraseb was the chief executive of the Karibib Town Council, where he held the position for nearly two consecutive five-year terms. He answers questions from Limba Mupetami (NE) on his vision for...
Namibia’s education system should be inclusive
Tendee Ritjaeree Kandando gained enthusiasm for inclusive education from lecturers like Pamela February and Karii Haihambo Ya Otto during her honours’ programme at university, Kandando (32)’s research delves into inclusive education by analysing policies designed to foster supportive learning environments for students with disabilities. “Nobody pays attention to learners or community members with intellectual impairments. When I attended university for...
Miss World Namibia Beauty with a purpose
Marco Coetzee, National Director of the Miss Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) pageant, acquired the Miss World Namibia licence from the Miss World Organisation, following last year’s announcement that runner-ups would no longer be eligible to compete in the beauty pageant. In an interview with VIBEZ!, Coetzee expressed his excitement and commitment to shaping the future of Miss World Namibia. “Miss World...
Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth accelerates as global debt rises
The World Bank’s most recent figures indicate that sub-Saharan African growth is expected to reach 3.5% in 2025, and further accelerate to 4.3% in 2026-2027. This is while global public debt continues to rise to historic levels, amidst intensifying fiscal pressures. The World Bank (WB) has attributed Africa’s economic persistence to increased private consumption and investments as inflation cools down...
Financial system remains stable despite global headwinds
Despite ongoing global economic uncertainty, Namibia’s financial system remains stable and sound, director of financial stability and macro-prudential oversight at the Bank of Namibia Florette Nakusera said. Speaking at the Financial Stability report’s launch yesterday, she gave the assurance that the domestic financial system has weathered recent global shocks, and continues to demonstrate resilience. “Domestically, we have seen that the...
ICT ministry, Telecom align digital inclusion strategy
Recent changes in government and the reconfiguration of administrative responsibilities, had resulted in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) resuming its oversight of Telecom Namibia. Given this, Telecom Namibia’s board of directors and executive management, joined by its subsidiary’s (Powercom) board and executive team, met ICT minister Emma Theofelus, on Wednesday at the Telecom Namibia head office in...
No plans to reduce water tariffs … as input costs impact distribution of resource
Even though the country received the best rains in decades, there are no immediate plans by either the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) nor the City of Windhoek (CoW) to reduce the price of water. The reasoning is that the water price is determined by economic factors comprised of treating, conveyance and distributing the resource. Responding to queries, CoW spokesperson, Harold...
Political bickering ‘crippling service delivery’
SWAKOPMUND – Deputy urban and rural development minister, Eveline !Nawases-Taeyele, says rampant financial mismanagement and political interference are crippling basic service delivery across the country. This, she says, has left ordinary Namibians at the receiving end. “Regional and local authorities have become a haven for personal enrichment and nepotism, all under the guise of affirmative action appointments,” she said. The...