Rudolf Gaiseb If guns or bombs are your go-to weapon in this age, you are old school. Today, all a person needs is a keyboard, Wi-Fi connection, and someone they disagree with. Yes, a war of words that kills more painfully than bullets. Social media is the arena, and like every soldier, the comrades chant...
National
Editorial – Shun tribalism in all its forms
Innuendos and comments laced with strong tribal undertones have been flooding social media and the public discourse for some time. The arrest of former minister of agriculture, fisheries and land reform, Mac Albert Hengari appears to have attracted divided public opinion on the merits of the case. This divided opinion has degenerated into an exchange...
On the spot with Edward Mumbuu – Pension paradox: Unpacking retirement with Vincent Shimutwikeni
“Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway.” These words rang true as New Era’s Edward Mumbuu (EM) sat down with lawyer and pension industry expert Vincent Shimutwikeni (VS) for a conversation. Our discussion offered a panoramic view of Namibia’s retirement and pension landscape. The sector not...
Rising cost of toilet paper bites
David Matheus Toilet paper is a basic commodity for every household, yet in recent years, prices have soared — prompting calls from consumers for its regulation. The price of toilet paper has jumped from as little as N$5 per roll in 2020 to N$12 per roll at some retail outlets in 2025. For some Namibians,...
Katima Mulilo dares Sankwasa … promises progress amid political storms
Aron Mushaukwa Albertina Nakale KATIMA MULILO – The Katima Mulilo Town Council has come out blazing against Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa, accusing him of having gone on a “personal campaign of deceit”. The council issued a robust response to Sankwasa, with mayor John Ntemwa reaffirming the council’s constitutional mandate, developmental achievements, and...
/Goagoses warns against social grant abuse
SWAKOPMUND – Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has warned against the abuse of social grants by beneficiaries. She said those misusing grants are at risk of losing the financial aid, as she will not hesitate to recommend the withdrawal of such grants if not used for their intended purpose. /Goagoses made it clear during her recent...
Ongwediva to get N$15m oncology centre
ONGWEDIVA – Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has hailed the construction of a N$15 million oncology and medical imaging centre in Ongwediva as a major step towards decentralising healthcare in northern Namibia. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony this week, Iipinge said the facility will serve more than 850,000 residents across the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Oshana...
Govt allots N$75m for Farm 37 houses
WALVIS BAY – The government’s ambitious drive to address the national housing shortage has officially commenced in Walvis Bay, where the construction of 200 houses at Farm 37 is underway. The government has allocated N$75 million for the first phase, while the Walvis Bay council has budgeted another another N$6 million for the initiative. The...
Namibia’s reading crisis …7 in 10 children can’t read – Steenkamp
Lahja Nashuuta Namibia’s education system is under strain, with recent data showing that 70% of Grade 3 pupils struggle with basic reading and numeracy skills. This alarming revelation was confirmed by education minister Sanet Steenkamp, when she addressed Parliament recently. She described the situation as a “foundational literacy and numeracy emergency.” “This is not just...
I delivered on promises – Katjaimo
Lahja Nashuuta As the campaign season picks up, Katutura Central constituency councillor Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo wants to be given another mandate, saying he delivered on his 2020 campaign vows. Katjaimo, in an interview this week, revealed his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming Regional Councils and Local Authority elections scheduled for November. The interview...