Adolf Kaure Over 23% of urban residents in Khomas do not have access to flushing toilets. This is according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) Khomas 2023 Census Regional Profile report, which was launched this week by Khomas region Governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma. The report’s data indicates that 16.9% of urban residents in the Khomas region...
Letter – Why Namibia must stop treating creativity as a side hustle
Popiwa Hauwanga Namibia often celebrates creative talent, but rarely treats creative work as serious work. Music, film, design, events, and digital media are praised publicly, yet quietly handled as hobbies rather than professions. Budgets for creative work are routinely cut. Timelines are compressed. Quality is expected without question. When results are delivered, people are surprised....
The SMEs’ conundrum
A group of vendors yesterday met officials from the ministries of urban and rural development to register their plight as they barely keep heads above stormy economic waters. The meeting was meant to address long-standing complaints about confiscated goods, fines and lack of proper trading spaces. Ester Andreas, a street vendor, did not hide her...
Editorial – When prisons create monsters
Two articles that appeared in New Era yesterday paint a troubling picture of our correctional system — one that cannot be solved by the police and judiciary alone. Severe staff shortages and overcrowding at the Namibia Correctional Service facilities, particularly in Windhoek, were laid bare. In a separate report, safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu...
N$2.1b desalination plant …NamWater 30%, Swakop Uranium 70%
SWAKOPMUND – The Sunam joint venture will need at least N$ 2.1 billion for the construction of the new desalination plant in Erongo. The government will hold a 30% stake through NamWater, while private partner Swakop Uranium will own the remaining 70%. The figure is based on a 2021 feasibility study, although the final cost...
On the spot with John Muyamba – Nathanael reaffirms commitment to Rundu
The Rundu Town Council (RTC) recently came under fire from its line ministry, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, over service delivery. In addition, the line minister James Sankasa rejected the Council’s proposed five-year contract extension for the current CEO, Olavi Nathanael (ON). He cited poor performance and recommended to the Council to advertise...
Magistracy, legal aid travel budgets depleted … budgetary constraints cripple Judiciary
Two separate internal communiques from the Office of the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations addressed to magistrates and the legal aid division bring to the fore the severity of the financial situation within the country’s judicial system. Dated 15 January 2026, the memos communicate the dire financial constraints facing the judicial...
Know Your Civil Servant – Serving with passion
SWAKOPMUND – Hilda Patricia van Nooten is no stranger to the Erongo Regional Council. Since 08 April 2002, she has served in public service and currently holds the position of senior administrative officer, public relations and meetings. What brought her into government was simple: unemployment and the urge to provide for her family. “First, it...
Stitching quality into existence …a glance into Veronica Haiputa’s upholstery
Monika Amunyela Windhoek entrepreneur Veronika Haiputa opened her small upholstery in the heart of Okurayangava, where she creates quality furniture and other goods. Everything here is made here – from seat covers, camping chairs, sofa repairs, office chairs, suitcases, school bags, travelling bags, laptop bags, headboards and more. Customers can also bring in old camping chairs...
Know your Regional Councillors – Erongo Region
Following last year’s Regional and Local Authorities elections, councillors across Namibia have taken office, including those in the Erongo region, which has over 240 206 residents across seven constituencies: Daures, Karibib, Omaruru, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay Rural, Walvis Bay Urban and Arandis. Erongo, one of Namibia’s key economic regions, specialises in port and logistics, mining, fishing,...









