Cabinet has extended the moratorium on all state and official funerals until March next year, pending a comprehensive review of the criteria and processes followed when granting such state-sponsored funerals to various individuals. At its 11th meeting on Tuesday, Cabinet approved for the moratorium to officially run from 16 June until 31 March 2026. A new seven-member review committee will...
Sankwasa wants regional council wings clipped
Rudolf Gaiseb Urban and Rural Development minister James Sankwasa has proposed amendments to the Regional Councils Act, to allow for power sharing between regional councils and governors. He wants the Regional Councils Act to sanction regional councils to consult with regional governors on issues relating to the government’s executive functions. It is Sankwasa’s fervent view that the Act, in its...
Observer: We’re a watchdog, not police
WALVIS BAY – The Fisheries Observer Agency (FOA) CEO Stanley Ndara says they do not have the legal authority to arrest or prosecute anyone found violating Namibia’s fishing laws. Ndara was responding after the agency found itself caught in the crossfire last week, when horse mackerel vessels reportedly landed pilchards estimated to be worth over N$23 million. The incident raised...
N$25m secured for green hydrogen scholarships
KEETMANSHOOP – Around N$25 million was secured for the third call for applications for the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship programme, Vice President Lucia Witbooi announced. Witbooi officially launched the third call for Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship fund for TVET programmes in Gibeon on Wednesday, targeting youth from the Hardap and //Kharas regions. The programme is funded by the...
IPC agitates for value addition
Rudolf Gaiseb Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete wants Namibia’s next African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) shipment to feature diversified product categories beyond raw commodities. This is to reflect economic diversification. In his notice of questions on Wednesday to trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Cloete questioned the specific, time-bound commitments the minister will provide to ensure subsequent exports include...
Nkurenkuru Expo grows in leaps and bounds
RUNDU – Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and patron of the Nkurenkuru Expo says the event has become a key platform for Kavango West’s residents to showcase their products, innovations, culture and entrepreneurial spirit. The expo that started last Friday concludes on Sunday. Pohamba, in a statement read on his behalf, urged all stakeholders to continue supporting the Nkurenkuru. “To the...
SADC told to introspect on climate change
Moses Magadza CAPE TOWN – A SADC regional seminar on the impacts of climate change on children began here on Wednesday, and participants were urged to confront the deep inequities and blind spots in climate action and to imagine a continent “fit for children”. The call was made by Professor Benyam Dawit Mezmur, the deputy dean of the postgraduate studies...
Siblings sentenced for assaulting nephew
The Eenhana Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a sister and brother to five years imprisonment for the brutal assault and chaining of their 13-year-old nephew. The accused, Sakaria Shimbili and Susan Nghipitwako, were found guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The offence, committed in 2020 near Epembe village, was carried out against their nephew, who is now...
Ongwediva’s bold dream
Taimi Haihambo ONGWEDIVA – Ongwediva mayor Taarah Shalyefu this week delivered a comprehensive development report, highlighting key achievements made by the town council over the past four years and six months. At the same time, he also shared a bold vision of what lies ahead. “Despite financial constraints and national challenges, Ongwediva has pushed forward with visible development, community projects...
On the spot with Steven Klukowski – NTA eyes //Kharas energy projects
Considering the Namibia’s emerging energy, particularly oil, gas and green hydrogen in the //Kharas region, all eyes are on Namibia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to prepare the youth to grab these future employment opportunities. To unpack this, New Era’s regional reporter, Steven Klukowski (SK), engaged the Namibia Training Authority’s (NTA) CEO, Erick Nenghwanya (EN). SK: What...