The ruling Swapo Party’s presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is leading in the preliminary presidential election results with 33 048 votes (48.31%) from 10 constituencies. She is followed by Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who has 19 857 votes, while Landless People’s Movement leader and chief change campaigner Bernadus Swartbooi has 5...
National
Mbumba’s 303 days in office
It was on 4 February 2024, slightly past midnight, when then-acting president Nangolo Mbumba, with hands shaking and watery eyes, delivered news that shook the country and the continent – the death of President Hage Geingob. Mbumba, an old ally and friend of the late Geingob, sat on a couch as he mumbled, with a...
ECN slammed over electoral conduct
The Forum of German-Speaking Namibians has registered its dismay in how the Presidential and National Assembly elections were conducted from last Wednesday to Saturday. In a statement issued yesterday, the Forum’s vice chairperson Benita Herma said they observed how Namibians watched the events unfold on 27 November. “Namibians are used to long queues, and are...
Alois Hashipara gets garden, school shoes
Sawi Hausiku RUNDU – Alois Hashipara Primary School in the Kavango East region received a garden, tools and seeds as well as school shoes valued at N$60 000 from Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) on Friday. Speaking at the official handover of the garden and shoes, NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said the initiative is part of...
FIBANA to address Walvis’ housing backlog
Isabel Bento SWAKOPMUND – Three housing federations have united under the newly-formed FIBANA Coastal United Federation with the aim to address the housing crisis affecting fishermen and backyard tenants association in the Erongo region. At a recent media briefing, FIBANA secretary general Immanuel Festus highlighted that the federation consists of three groups; Fishermen’s Association, Backyard...
Sorris Sorris wants mine fully operational
Rudolf Gaiseb Sorris Sorris community members want the Guantagab mine to be fully operational for the benefit of the unemployed youths living in the area. During New Era’s trip to the area, they expressed rage filled with exhaustion for the ongoing legal battle of Guantagab Tin Mine, indicating, it is causing a heavy delay in...
Shamaturu clinic commissioned 11 years later
SHAMATURU – The Shamaturu clinic in Mukwe constituency, whose construction commenced in 2012, and faced several delays over the years, has finally been commissioned to serve the community. “We gather in celebration of a promise kept and a dream transformed into a concrete reality right here at Shamaturu. The Andara district has one district hospital...
Curriculum blamed for youth unemployment
Rudolf Gaiseb The labour ministry has attributed the high levels of youth unemployment in the country to a mismatch between a lack of skills and qualifications among demographic groups to market demands. “There is a perception that there is a mismatch between what is taught in schools and at institutions of higher learning, and what...
Opposition take ECN on over vote conduct
Accusations of incompetence and unpreparedness levelled against the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) have sparked outrage among opposition political parties and citizens alike, with many questioning the integrity of Wednesday’s elections. By the time polling stations were set to close on that evening, the mood across Namibia was one of despair and frustration. While some...
Regulator stops Starlink’s illegal operations
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) earlier this week issued a cease-and-desist letter to Elon Musk’s low-earth orbiting satellite communications company Starlink to immediately cease all operations in Namibia. The directive was issued on Tuesday after a Cran investigation confirmed that Starlink is operating a network within Namibia without the required telecommunications licence. Cran has,...