LUGERETZIA KOOPER

RESIDENTS of the far north-eastern regions have described this year’s presidential and National Assembly elections as a much needed wake-up call for the ruling party.

Swapo president Hage Geingob was elected as the president of Namibia after garnering 464 703 of the total 826 198 votes in the presidential election.

Independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula received 29,4% of the votes in the presidential election, ending in second place after Geingob.

A total of 820 227 votes were cast in this year’s National Assembly election, according to results announced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

Read more … Read More

By Ester Mbathera

TWO members of the ruling Swapo Party have submitted their nominations this month to partake in the Walvis Bay Urban by-elections, set for January next year, as independent candidates.

One such candidate is the former boxing promoter, Knowledge Ipinge and the other is community activist Kenneth Iilonga. They both handed in their nominations as independent candidates for the regional council by-elections.

“I submitted my name [as an independent-candidate nominee] on Friday morning, two days prior to the public seating. I managed to get over 200 signatures,” Impinge said.

Iilonga is trying his luck at the regional councillor … Read More

CHARMAINE NGATJIHEUE

THE Congress of Democrats and the National Patriotic Front, whose support base waned severely in last week’s polls, have refused to accept defeat.

The two parties failed to garner enough votes to secure a seat in the National Assembly when Namibians voted last Wednesday.

Other parties which failed to gain any seats are the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP).

CoD and NPF said they are seeking audience with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to raise their grievances, as well as investigating the results from polling stations countrywide.

So bad was the performance … Read More

RUTH KAMWI

THE Namibia Defence Force (NDF) announced today that it was happy that peace and stability prevailed before, during and after the national elections that took place last week Wednesday.

In a media statement issued by the acting chief of NDF, air vice marshal Martin Pinehas, the NDF is “happy to announce with appreciation that the citizens of the Land of the Brave ensured that peace … Read More

TUYEIMO HAIDULA and ESTER MBATHERA

THE Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters’ national coordinator Kalimbo Iipumbu hailed the party’s showing in last week’s National Assembly elections, in which the party secured two seats.

This, he said, marks the beginning of hard work.

“It has been difficult taking part in national issues and reaching marginalised communities without any funds from the state. We are going to concentrate on the agenda to liberate our people economically,” he … Read More

ESTER MBATHERA

WOMEN activists have described National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) president Esther Muinjangue’s participation in the presidential race as a sign of political maturity among parties.

Muinjangue was elected the first female leader of a Namibian political party at the party’s third elective congress, which took place towards the end of March this year.

She also became the first women to contest the country’s top position after the just-ended presidential and National Assembly elections.

“I think for Esther to go for the presidency – she was brave, she was alone among the men, and she … Read More

CHARMAINE NGATJIHEUE

A CROSS section of election observers monitoring the pre-and post-election environment in Namibia have called for the Electoral Commission of Namibia to create a broad-based engagement with civil society in the future to give more credence to the electoral process.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observer Mission (SEOM), African Union Election Observer Mission (AUEOM), Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries (ECF-SADC), as well as the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob was re-elected for a second term by a sharply reduced majority in a hotly contested general election, marred by technical failures and a slow vote collating and verification process.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) proclaimed the elections free and fair, despite numerous complaints and allegations of manipulation by opposition parties and candidates.

The electoral management body did little to dispel these allegations.

Namibia’s electorate, which endured standing in long queues and going through a slow voting process at polling stations on Wednesday, was frustrated at having to wait another … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE ruling Swapo Party has lost its overwhelming parliamentary dominance after gaining 63 seats in the National Assembly election – just short of a two-thirds majority that would have enabled the party to push through constitutional changes despite opposition from other parties.

President Hage Geingob won re-election with 56,3% of the votes cast in the presidential election – a fall of more than a third from his 87% share of the vote in 2014. Independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula received 29,4% of the votes in the presidential election, ending in second place after Geingob.

The ruling party enjoyed … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia says it will officially announce the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections at 21h00 tonight at the commission’s headquarters in Windhoek.

Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) spokesperson Victoria Hango made the announcement today.

Information on the ECN’s online platforms show that the commission is yet to collate results from seven constituencies for the National Assembly and four constituencies for the presidential elections.

ECN chairperson Notemba Tjipueja earlier on Saturday told the media that the delay in the collation of results was caused by the failure of some returning officers to send … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

OFFICIALS of the Electoral Commission of Namibia refused to answer media questions at a press conference called to brief the public on the progress of announcing election results.

ECN chairperson Notemba Tjipueja who announced the preliminary results for the presidential and National Assembly elections said the commission was experiencing delays with the process of collating the results from some constituencies due to the non-submission of all documentary proof required.

“Typically, the challenge being experienced relates to the failure of some … Read More

ARLANA SHIKONGO

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob preemptively posted a victory announcement on social media on Saturday afternoon, following an update from the Electoral Commission of Namibia indicating that the incumbent is in the lead.

“I wish to thank Namibians for re-electing me as their president. I am humbled and commit to serve the Namibian nation with more passion and utmost dedication, to bring tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens. I have heard you,” Geingob wrote.

Geingob’s announcement is, however, premature as the provisional results read by ECN chairperson Notemba Tjipueja on Saturday afternoon only … Read More

ESTER MBATHERA

An urgent electoral crisis meeting called by the independent presidential candidate, Panduleni Itula is underway at an unknown location.

In an invitation to stakeholders, Itula sited the safety and security issues as the reasons for not announcing the venue of the meeting.  

The meeting was called for stakeholders to seek amicable solutions relating to the delay in the announcement of the final elcetion results.

Read more: https://bit.ly/2rIxpXK… Read More

ESTHER MBATHERA

THE leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Martin Lukato Lukato vowed that his party will return more energised and reformed in the next elections.

Lukato thanked those who voted for his party in the National Assembly race.

“I love you so much. In general, thank you very much for your support shown and given to me and NDP party,” he said in a post on Facebook this morning.

The charismatic Lukato announced that he “will temporarily close this (political) chapter for now and focus on … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE Popular Democratic Movement has gained over 100 000 votes for the National Assembly elections with 100 constituencies confirmed.

The latest results confirmed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) show the ruling Swapo party in the lead with over 425 000 votes (66%) followed by the PDM with slightly over 100 000 votes (15%).

The party got about 43 000 votes, gaining five parliamentary seats, when it became the official opposition status in 2014.

The PDM is in second place, followed by the Landless People’s … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi has accused the Electoral Commission of Namibia and Swapo of rigging the outcome of the national polls.

Swartbooi made these claims at an LPM media briefing in Windhoek on Friday.

He claimed he has been reliably informed that there were foreign nationals who were brought into the country to manipulate the outcome of the elections.

Swartbooi also claimed the LPM uncovered a plot by the ruling party and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) to allocate National Assembly seats to political parties.

“Votes are being increased in favor of Swapo and Geingob … Read More

By Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE African Union Electoral Observation Mission has declared that the Namibian elections met international, regional and national standards.
Namibians on Wednesday, 27 November, cast their vote to choose the next leader.

The AU also observed that the elections were conducted in a peaceful manner.

Heading the AU Electoral Observation Mission, former Sierra Leone president Ernest Bai Koroma at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday commended Namibia for maintaining maturity … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi says the alleged ‘Fishrot Files’ culprits must be put under strict VIP protection until all investigations into the fishing quotas scandal is concluded.

Swartbooi said former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala and his former fisheries counterpart Bernhard Esau must be kept under strict police watch until they reveal all public officials who were their alleged accomplices in the fishing quota scheme in which they are claimed to have enriched themselves.

Swartbooi said if Esau, Shanghala and other accused are released from custody, he feared their lives could be under threat … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

THE final results for the presidential and National Assembly elections will be officially announced on Saturday, 30th November.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in a statement issued at around 23:30 stated that the results will be delayed as a result of “ongoing collation of constituency results which could not be finalized as expected”.

The statement said the ECN experienced unexpected connectivity challenges in certain constituencies relating to the transmission of election results.

Affected constituencies according to the statement are Opuwo rural, Etayi, Ogongo, Ondobe, Eengodi, Moses Garoeb, Windhoek West and Windhoek East. The ECN is working … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has finished preparing the hall in which the final results for the presidential and National Assembly elections are to be announced today.

Incumbent president Hage Geingob and all presidential candidates will be expected to attend the announcement of the final results.

About 65% of the votes cast in the elections, equivalent to 501 395 votes, have been confirmed.

The confirmed results so far show Geingob in the lead followed by independent candidate Panduleni Itula, with results in 78 constituencies confirmed.… Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

WITH 60% of presidential votes counted, president Hage Geingob is in the lead with more than 225 000 votes (55.34%), followed by independent candidate Panduleni Itula with 120 108 (29,52%).

Popular Democratic leader McHenry Venaani in third place with 21 038 votes.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said this morning it will announce the final election results later today. They did not give a time.

So far, results from 62 out of 121 constituencies have been confirmed.

The National Assembly election shows the ruling Swapo Party leading with 212 682 votes (65%), followed by the Popular … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela

PRESIDENTIAL results released at several constituencies yesterday show that president Hage Geingob was losing his grip on urban supporters.

Most urban voters opted for independent candidate Panduleni Itula rather than supporting a candidate [Geingob] they overwhelmingly voted for in 2014.

The final results for the presidential elections had not been officially announced by the time of going to print yesterday.

However, the results show a close contest between Geingob and Itula – who has chosen to remain a Swapo member despite contesting the elections independently.

Yesterday’s results show that the president won a substantially reduced number of … Read More

By Ester Mbathera and Ndanki Kahiurika

MOST voters patiently waited for their turn at the polling stations for hours on Wednesday, but others resorted to desperate measures, such as faking pregnancies and disabilities, to jump the long queues.

Most polling stations did not have the luxury of sitting or waiting areas. As a result, preferential treatment was given to pensioners, people living with disabilities, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

However, some … Read More

By Ester Mbathera
 
The president of the Republican Party of Namibia said in a statement this afternoon that he would not attend a SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) media conference scheduled for tomorrow.

The observation mission is expected to hold a media conference to release a preliminary statement on Namibia’s national elections that took place this week.

In the statement, Mudge accused the SEOM and the African Union (AU) of failing in all their previous missions. He also expressed unhappiness with the observation mission’s inclusion of Emmanuel Magada, the deputy chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, saying it “makes a … Read More

By Hileni Nembwaya

As Namibia awaits the announcement of the 2019 general election results, the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions are among the few regions that have completed the vote counting process.

According to Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) regional coordinator for the Oshikoto region, Helena Kapenda, all of the region’s 11 constituencies have completed the vote counting process and the results have been sent to Windhoek, where the announcement of results will take place.

Kapenda described the turnout of voters in Oshikoto as impressive, saying that long queues could be observed at most polling stations, with the youth making up … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

MANY Namibians endured long hours in queues as they patiently waited to cast their votes, with the national elections management body scrambling to set up properly for the conduct of the national elections yesterday.

Voting at several polling stations started an hour or so late, while at other stations, voting was stalled due to challenges associated with the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Some machines were reportedly broken yesterday.

Others had weak batteries, while some appeared to have malfunctioned.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)’s biometric voter verification system also experienced problems yesterday as some voters could not … Read More

Ester Mbathera

POLLING officials at the Municipal Hall in Naraville have wrapped up after yesterday’s National Assembly and presidential elections at Walvis Bay urban constituency.

The energy among the team members remained high throughout the election process as well as during the vote collation despite the long working hours.

The elections officials have been awake for over twenty hours, ensuring that eligible voters who were at the polling stations before 21H00 could cast their votes. 

The last vote in the constituency was cast at 01H30 early this morning.

By … Read More

Swakopmund constituency votes as per ECN’s Erongo regional coordinator Amos Nguaiko.

The following results include 16 fixed stations, 3 mobile stations and votes from the special elections:

National assembly election result: 18 113
Presidential election result: 18 201

Provisional results available from 13 of the 19 stations showed the top five parties:

Swapo 5881
PDM – 3225
LPM – 808
UDF – 729

Provisional results available from 13 of the 19 stations showed the top four candidates:

Panduleni Itula 6329
Hage Geingob 4628
McHenry Venaani 784
Apius Auchab 406
Bernadus Swartbooi 325… Read More

By Adam Hartman

USAKOS – SWAPO’S Erongo regional coordinator Moses Muhuura, said this year’s elections were a massive improvement from the previous elections.

“This proved that there was voter apathy in the past [among the voters]. And beside the large turnout this time around, many were the youth,” he told The Namibian.

“Namibia is now [almost] 30 years old and there are more people — even the youth —who want to exercise their democratic right,” Muhuura added.

He said the most “critical … Read More

By Tuyeimo Haidula

ALTHOUGH all the political parties partaking in the elections were invited to send officials to observe at every polling station during today’s elections, at most polling stations in Oshana, only the Swapo Party was fully represented.

Presiding officer at the Leo Shoopala polling station in the Oshakati West constituency, David Shikomba, said only the ruling party’s officials had turned up as well as those of … Read More

#NamElections2019: Have you voted? Share your voting experience. Send us a short text on 99902 or leave a comment below.

By Adam Hartman

OKOMBAHE – UNITED Democratic Front presidential candidate Apius Auchab said that election day should be “embraced as a celebration of democracy” and that, at the end of the day, “the best man – or woman – will win”.

“After this democratic process, we should take the win or the loss and be able to shake hands and pledge our support for one another,” he told The Namibian at Okombahe in the Daures constituency, which is a UDF stronghold.

He said that his expectations were that Geingob could win, although Itula is a “blessing” to prompt a fresh … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

ANOTHER strange incident was reported at the Khomasdal Community Hall polling station, where an electronic voting machine (EVM) gave out several beeping sounds without being touched. 

Election observers and political party agents at the Khomasdal Community Hall polling station confirmed the incident to The Namibian. 

The agents said they had raised the issue with the returning officer but were only told that it was a technical error. No further explanation was provided to that effect. EVMs were only supposed to make a beeping sound after a voter has registered their vote. 

The presiding officer found at that … Read More

By Khanyiswa Mogotsi and Terttu Newaka

SOME voters at the Okahandja Town Hall have left the polling station without voting due to a broken electronic voting machine. 

The voters told The Namibian that they left after waiting for close to four hours to cast their votes due to a technical error on one of the machines. 

Early this morning, voting at the Osona military base near Okahandja was also delayed … Read More

By Clemans Miyanicwe

King Justus Garoeb, the royal head of the Damaran, called upon Namibians, especially the youth, to go and vote.

During an interview with The Namibian after casting his vote at the Donkerhoek informal settlement at Khorixas, he urged the youth to engage with the voting process and take on the responsibility of deciding their own future.

“Rights without responsibility builds no future. It’s your right to exercise your right to vote but the right without responsibility to vote today does not build a future of a nation,” the royal said.

“Exercise your rights. … Read More

By Gabriel Erastus

RESIDENTS who flocked to various polling centres in the Otjiwarongo constituency were greeted with queues moving at a snail’s pace, as only one EVM was fully functioning for the presidential and National Assembly voting process currently underway.

The residents turned up in large numbers but have had to line up for several hours to cast their votes.

One potential voter stated that she came to the Swaneveld hall polling station at 05h00, but by 09h00 she still hadn’t been assisted.

The Swaneveld hall is one of several central fixed points in Otjiwarongo.

The long, slow queues have … Read More

By Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula walked the same path he walked 50 years ago as a learner to cast his vote, with the hope of getting the keys of the hilly house at Auasblick.
“This was my classroom in 1969,” Itula told journalists, before casting his vote.
The independent candidate was adamant not to jump the queue, stating he is for the people. Itula was confident that he will win with a landslide.

… Read More

By Gabriel Erastus

The manager of an old-age home at Otjiwarongo, where a polling station is situated, had a change of heart in the middle of the voting process.

According to regional election coordinator Laimi Onesmus, who was called in to deal with the situation at the polling station, the owner wanted to control who came in and voted, by claiming that is a private property.

Onesmus said that was surprising because the voting venue had been booked a long time ago.

Voting material was then moved from the old-age home … Read More

By Tuyeimo Haidula

VOTERS at Ompumpu polling station at Oshakati West are unhappy since the voting process started exactly an hour and five minutes late. 

Presiding officer John Lutaka said one of their EVMs had a flashing light, which means that it had a flat battery. He said they had to ask the returning officer to ask if they can use it like that, but … Read More

By Adam Hartman

THE widow of the late Daure-Daman chief Elias Thaniseb, Herta Thaniseb, says all she prays for is that Namibia’s elections will be peaceful and filled with love between all citizens.

“It does not matter who you vote for; we are all Namibians. We must love one another and be proud of our country,” she says.

Although she came late to the Uis community hall voting station, she was allowed to the front of … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

A strange occurrence was recorded at the IUM polling station in Windhoek, where an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) started beeping without being touched. EVMs are only supposed to make a beeping sound after a voter has registered their vote.

Peyavi Tjaverua, who is the presiding officer at the IUM polling station, assured party agents that the machine was not adding up votes.
A quick count of the votes to tally the number of voters up to that point was performed.

Election observers and political party agents, however, asked: “How do … Read More

By Ruth Kamwi

THE Namibian Defence Force says it has elevated the security level, and taken necessary measures to protect national key points and the citizens, a media statement issued this afternoon states.

The raising of the security level, the NDF says, follows its observations of “dangerous insinuations” published across social media ahead of tomorrow’s election.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Air Vice Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas.

“These dangerous insinuations are meant to intimidate voters, destroy national unity and cohesion, cause resentment towards leadership; particularly against the head of state and government, and instill fear … Read More

By Clemans Mwiyanicwe

SOME Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) led to a heated argument at the Khorixas Police Station this evening.

United Democratic Front (UDF) members were turfed out by police chief Theofilus Ipinge when they questioned why some EVM seals sported only the name of the ruling party on the back, whilst those of other political parties were absent.

“Please leave the yard. We are working,” Ipinge told the UDF supporters, who were demanding answers as to why the EVMs displayed only the Swapo party’s name.

UDF secretary for transport and work Pieter Kausona asked, “Are the boxes of EVMs … Read More

By Hileni Nembwaya

ON the eve of the 2019 elections, a number of San people at Eenhana in Ohangwena region will not participate in the elections as some of them do not have voters cards.

Several members of the San community who spoke to The Namibian earlier on Tuesday said they do not have national documents, hence, could not acquire voters cards to enable them to participate in the elections set for tomorrow.

Many of them are young people who have never participated in the elections due to a lack of documents.

Read more: https://buff.ly/33mTx6T… Read More

By Hileni Nembwaya

The residents of Okafululu informal settlement at Oshikango in the Ohangwena region say that they see no reason to vote as the leaders do not stick to their promises.

A number of residents told The Namibian that they would not vote on Wednesday because the national leaders do not care about their needs, and because they have not seen any sort of improvement in their circumstances since the formation of the settlement in the early 2000s.

The residents do not have access to water, electricity or … Read More

By Tuyeimo Haidula

THE setting up of the elections in Oshana region has started off slowly, with most polling stations still waiting for materials few hours to tomorrow’s polls.

Hesekiel Mbango, a polling officer at the Gabriel Taapopi Senior Secondary School polling station, this afternoon said they had put up the booths but were still waiting for more election materials to complete the setup. Mbango said this meant they would have to work throughout the night.

The officers at Leo Shoopala polling station in Oshakati West constituency were still busy putting up the lights in the polling station.

Read more: … Read More

By Ndanki Kahiurika

SOME polling stations at Tsumeb were still trying to set up their equipment for the presidential and National Assembly elections by late Tuesday afternoon.

Moses Awiseb, a manager at the old age home at Tsumeb, told The Namibian that they had just received a call that the necessary equipment would soon be on the way.

The Namibian found two staff members of the old age home clearing the hall area for use.

The hall is currently being used as a sleeping area for pensioners residing at the old age home, whilst renovations are underway on some of … Read More

By Ester Mbathera

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia’s regional office in Erongo is preparing to work until late today as hundreds of eligible voters have flocked to the office in an attempt to get their duplicate voter cards.

Today is the last date for the ECN to issue duplicate voter cards. The process will end at 22h00.

ECN education officer Gerhard Tjinotjiua told The Namibian that ECN officials were prepared to work until they had served everyone.

Read more: https://buff.ly/2ONpsYX… Read More

By Khanyiswa Mogotsi

KHOMAS regional elections coordinator, Hendrik Van Wyk ensured that preparations for tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections were on track and running smoothly in the region.

Speaking to The Namibian today, Van Wyk said they had already sent out the last batch of electronic voting machines to the final constituency.

“They go from here to the centre poll point in the constituencies and from there, they are deployed to various teams at different polling stations,” he said.

Read more: https://buff.ly/33k2Swb… Read More

THE Landless People’s Movement (LPM)’s leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, said his party focused on winning the hearts and minds of the electorates during the campaign period of tomorrow’s national elections.

He made these remarks during the LPM’s final star rally at Keetmanshoop on Sunday afternoon.

At the rally, that was well attended by the party’s supporters and sympathisers in the southern town, Swartbooi said the LPM campaign sought to … Read More

By Khanyiswa Mogotsi and Terttu Newaka

YOUTHS in Windhoek say they will vote in tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the hope of bringing positive changes to their lives.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, 22-year-old tourism entrepreneur Alfred Nakanyala said he will be voting to allow more youths to enter the political sphere and ascend to leadership.

“We need more youths to take over leadership. We need a country where there are brighter and fresher minds in charge with new ideas that could improve the country, especially with our infrastructure and our governance system,” he reasoned.

Nakanyala added that … Read More

By Charles Tjatindi

THE party anthems have waned. The chanting of party slogans has descended into an unfamiliar, deafening silence.

And so has the pandemonium that had been created around this year’s presidential and National Assembly elections, as D-Day descends.

Namibians will go to the polls tomorrow to elect leaders who will form part of government for the next five years, … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

INDEPENDENT presidential candidate Panduleni Itula failed to convince the Electoral Tribunal for the Windhoek District why he was opposing the use of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in tomorrow’s national polls, magistrate Uaatjo Uanivi ruled yesterday.

Itula’s urgent application in which he was challenging the use of the EVMs was dismissed, and he was also ordered to pay the legal costs for the three lawyers representing the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).

In his judgement, Uanivi found that Itula’s application was neither “extremely urgent nor is it urgent”.

He added that the Electoral Tribunal had no jurisdiction … Read More

By Luqman Cloete

The Hardap regional coordinator of the Election Commission of Namibia, Isak Witbooi, said on Tuesday morning the region was ready for tomorrow’s National Assembly and presidential elections.

By Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia has formally accredited the US embassy to observe the Namibian elections tomorrow.

This will be alongside other foreign missions and international and local organisations.

In a statement, US ambassador to Namibia Lisa Johnson said participating in the electoral observation mission is the embassy’s way to show support for Namibia’s election, and join Namibia in celebrating its commitment to participatory democracy.

According to the embassy, election observation is an integral part of the electoral process, enhancing transparency and credibility, as in the US. 

Johnson and other accredited observers attended a training … Read More

By Graham Hopwood

Ever since Namibia’s first post-independence elections in 1994, it has never been difficult to predict the outcome. Even with a lack of opinion polling, it has always been clear that the ruling SWAPO party would win a comfortable two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and that its … Read More

By Ester Mbathera

POLITICAL parties in Erongo region described the 2019 presidential and National Assembly election campaign as having been peaceful. 

First-time election participants Landless People’s Movement (LPM) said they are overwhelmed by the reception from communities in which they campaigned. 

“We did not encounter anything bad or being attacked, harassed or anything. So far, non of our posters were removed from vehicles,” said Aina Kodi, LPM national treasurer. 

Despite the unpredictable coastal weather, Kodi encouraged voters to maintain the same peace at the polls on Wednesday.… Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

ECN chairperson Notemba Tjipueja reiterated that the commission was well within the ambits of the law to use the electronic voting machines without the voters verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) technology in the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.

Tjipueja said the ECN has valid reasons why they opted not to introduce the VVPAT technology, saying that the technology at the moment “has a lot of irretrievable errors”.

She made these remarks in an interview with the media following the dismissal of an urgent application filed by independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula who challenged the use of … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani says even though the Electoral Tribunal dismissed an urgent application challenging the use of the EVMs on technicalities on Monday, political parties and candidates should not pull out of the elections, as it will allow the ruling Swapo party to get a freehand without a challenge.

He said political parties and candidates for the elections must meet to find ways of monitoring the elections.

“Yes, we are saying there is a big problem. We have told the observers about it, but we are going to participate in the elections knowing … Read More

By Khanyiswa Mogotsi

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has said voting in pencil is nothing new as it has been a practice used in the country since independence.

ECN chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro said this in response to concerns on social media and queries received by the commission.
Mujoro told The Namibian last week that voting by using pencils is an age-old practice, which is especially employed when the ballot voting system is used.

Namibians living abroad questioned the legitimacy of the recently conducted special voting, expressing concern about the fact that they cast their votes in pencil, … Read More

PDM leader McHenry Venaani arrives at the Katutura youth complex to address party members and sympathisers on the party’s promises ahead of Wednesday’s national polls.

A pastor at the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) star rally on Sunday prayed for the protection of the electronic voting machines to be used in Wednesday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

… Read More

Swapo members, supporters and sympathisers are gathered at the Sam Nujoma stadium today for the party’s final campaign rally ahead of Wednesday’s national polls.

The ruling party and its presidential candidate, incumbent president Hage Geingob, will make their final promises to the voters today to justify why they should be given the mandate to rule Namibia for another five years. … Read More

NDANKI KAHIURIKA

PEOPLE who are visually impaired have been sidelined when it comes to exercising their democratic right to cast their votes during elections due to a lack of guidance materials.

The chairperson of the Namibian Federation for the Visually Impaired, Moses Nghipandulwa, yesterday said this in a bid to urge the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to cater for all people on 27 November.

Nghipandulwa, whose federation has close to 16 000 members, explained that its members suffered at the polls during the last elections because the ECN could not cater for … Read More

LUQMAN CLOETE

INDEPENDENT candidate Panduleni Itula has pledged to implement a policy of equitable wealth redistribution, and to reform the health, education and housing systems.

“We have the power to change everything. Your determination will free us from party politics,” said Itula, addressing a huge crowd of supporters at a rally at Keetmanshoop on Monday.

Itula said president Hage Geingob, who is also the … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia this week assured Namibians that all was set for the national polls.

This is despite the pending verdict on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), set to be delivered on Monday.

About 1,3 million Namibians have been registered to vote on Wednesday to decide who leads the country for the next five years.

Briefing foreign and local election observer missions in Windhoek this week, the ECN said there will be 4 241 polling stations countrywide. Of these, 1 410 will be fixed polling stations, … Read More

HILENI NEMBWAYA

RECENT remarks by Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa to supporters to “beat the insect and hammer its head” has drawn wide-ranging condemnation.

Many on social media platforms regarded the remarks as a call for violence.

Shaningwa, who was addressing a Swapo rally at Mariental in the Hardap region on 1 November, can be heard in a widely circulated video speaking in Oshiwambo in an audio clip recorded on Kati FM, which is now circulating on social media.

Although she did not clarify who the ‘insect’ is, the remark was allegedly believed … Read More

… party leaders confident of survival

ESTER MBATHERA and CLEMENCE MIYANICWE

ONE OF Namibia’s longest surviving minority political parties, the United Democratic Front (UDF), has vowed to remain in parliament, despite what it terms an ‘uneven playing field’ regarding the distribution of election campaign resources.

The party’s president, Apius !Auchab, told The Namibian that the UDF is going nowhere.

“UDF will never die a natural death, like other small parties that have come and gone. All the parties that originated … Read More

President Hage Geingob told the crowd at a Swapo election campaign rally at Eenhana in the Ohangwena region on Sunday that those campaigning against him have seen that they would not win elections and are now disturbing the process by blocking roads.

He told the party’s supporters and sympathisers not to be misled and said he was confident that Swapo would win the national elections. Geingob was responding to a commotion caused by people supporting independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula when they blocked roads at Ondangwa and Oshakati on Saturday.

Video: Tuyeimo Haidula… Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE police will arrest people who disturb peace and incite violence during the run-up and after next week’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Police deputy inspector general for operations Oscar Embubulu made these remarks yesterday in Windhoek after briefing foreign and local election observers on the security of the country in the run-up to the national elections set for Wednesday, 27 November.

He said arresting unruly voters was part of the broader contingent plan the police had put in … Read More

ADAM HARTMAN

THE gains of independence have been tilted in favour of only a few individuals at the expense of the majority of the population.

This is according to Erongo coor- dinator for Nudo and candidate for parliament, Uahimisa Kaapehi.

Kaapehi added that state coffers are being looted, while the country is being ‘sold’ to foreigners, and its natural resources exploited by the elite.

Speaking at the party’s campaign rally at Swakopmund last weekend, he said the decline of the economy was due to … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE SADC Electoral Observation Mission will not interfere in the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections in Namibia.

The mission, which was introduced in Windhoek on Monday, also pledged not to favour any political party or candidate in the upcoming elections, saying they will report all events fairly and according to the laws governing the national elections.

During the launch, head of the SADC electoral observation mission (SEOM) in Namibia, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, said their job from this week until 30 November was to … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

THE Electoral Tribunal for the Windhoek district will on Monday decide whether to block the use of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.

Magistrate Uatjo Uanivi yesterday reserved his judgement in a case in which independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula is challenging the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)’s planned use of the EVMs in the upcoming elections after hearing oral arguments from both parties.

The judgement will be … Read More

By Mathias Haufiku, Tileni Mongudhi and Shinovene Immanuel

DENTIST Panduleni Itula aims to occupy the highest office in the land – the Presidency – but his ambitions have divided public opinion.

Some see him as a saviour from president Hage Geingob’s corruption-hit administration, which seemingly continues to treat government officials implicated in fraud with kid gloves.

Others view Itula, an independent presidential candidate, as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, fronting for the Team Swapo faction of the ruling party that has always wanted to see Geingob out of State House.

Read Dr Panduleni Itula’s political profile… Read More

The provisional results for the special voting for the Presidential and National Assembly in the Rehoboth Urban West Constituency are as follows:

Presidential election results:
Apius Auchab – 0
Hage Geingob – 24
Tangeni Iijambo – 0
Panduleni Itula – 22
Henry Mudge – 0
Ester Muinjangue – 0
Epafras Mukwiilongo – 0
Mike Kavekotora – 0
Ignatius Shixwameni – 1
Bernadus Swartbooi – 2
McHenry Venaani – 1

National Assembly election results:
All People’s Party (APP) – 1
Christian … Read More

The provisional results for the special voting for Namibia’s 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections in China are as follows:

Presidential election results:
Apius Auchab – 0
Hage Geingob – 16
Tangeni Iijambo – 0
Panduleni Itula – 11
Henry Mudge – 0
Esther Muinjangue – 0
Epafras Mukwiilongo – 0
Mike Kavekotora – 0
Ignatius Shixwameni – 0
Bernadus Swartbooi – 0
McHenry Venaani – 0

National Assembly results:
All People’s Party (APP) – 0
Christian Democratic Voice Party (CDV) – 0
Congress of Democrats (COD) – 0
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) – 0
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) … Read More

The provisional results for the special voting for the Presidential and National Assembly in the Gibeon Constituency are as follows:

Presidential election results:
Apius Auchab – 0
Hage Geingob – 5
Tangeni Iijambo – 0
Panduleni Itula – 2
Henry Mudge – 0
Ester Muinjangue – 0
Epafras Mukwiilongo – 0
Mike Kavekotora – 0
Ignatius Shixwameni – 0
Bernadus Swartbooi – 1
McHenry Venaani – 1

National Assembly election results:
All People’s Party (APP) – … Read More

The provisional results for the special voting for the Presidential and National Assembly in the Rehoboth Rural Constituency are as follows:

Presidential election results:
Apius Auchab – 0
Hage Geingob – 10
Tangeni Iijambo – 0
Panduleni Itula – 2
Henry Mudge – 0
Ester Muinjangue – 0
Epafras Mukwiilongo – 0
Mike Kavekotora – 0
Ignatius Shixwameni – 0
Bernadus Swartbooi – 0
McHenry Venaani – 4

National Assembly election results:
All People’s Party (APP) – 0
Christian Democratic … Read More

ARLANA SHIKONGO

FEED: As the results trickle in from the regions, independent candidate Panduleni Itula and Hage Geingob’s votes stand almost toe to toe. In Oranjemund, Itula led with 18 to Geingob’s 17 votes at the Zacharia Lewala polling station.

At the Oranjemund Airport polling station, Itula garnered 68 votes, while Geingob scored 8 votes there.

In Walvis Bay, a total of 615 votes were cast at the Kuiseb Community Hall for the presidential election. There, independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula led with 285 votes, followed by Hage Geingob with 238 votes. PDM’s McHenry Venaani scored 43 votes and UDF’s … Read More

SAKEUS IIKELA

INDEPENDENT presidential candidate Panduleni Itula on Wednesday filed an urgent application in the Electoral Tribunal to have the Electoral Commission of Namibia ordered not to use electronic voting machines in the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.

In an affidavit filed at the Electoral Tribunal of the Windhoek district, Itula said reports about missing EVMs cast doubts on the credibility of elections in which the machines are used in Namibia.

He said, as an alternative to the removal of the EVMs from the election process, the ECN must be ordered to implement a voter verifiable paper … Read More

CLEMANS MIYANICWE

THE returning officer of the Khorixas constituency, Timothues !Aebeb, said today that special voting at the Kunene region town was proceeding slowly.

“The officers are coming in numbers. In the morning the process of voting was going smoothly,” !Aebeb said. According to him, Ani#Chab, Fransfontein and Bergsig police officers also voted at Khorixas.

In total 55 police officers in the area are eligible to vote during the elections today.

!Aebeb said four political party agents were at the polling station, representing Swapo, the United … Read More

LUQMAN CLOETE

THE special voting underway in the //Kharas region is said to be running smoothly.

This was said by the Election Commission of Namibia (ECN)’s //Kharas regional coordinator, Augustines Ucham, this morning.

He said all voting stations across the region were opened on time and “everything is going well so far, there are no incidents of violence or intimidation reported.”

He described the turnout of special voters at the 14 special polling … Read More

HILENI NEMBWAYA

THE special voting got off to a slow start in the north as only a limited number of personnel got approval to vote on Wednesday.

Only 90 people cast their votes at a polling station in Oshakati East constituency on Wednesday.

According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) voting was very slow at most stations, and no major incidents have been reported.

David Shikomba, a presiding officer at Leo Shoopala polling station in Oshakati West constituency, said voters … Read More

THE Landless People’s Movement has promised to implement radical agrarian reform programmes to address past racial imbalances in land ownership, once elected into power this month.

In their election manifesto, the LPM – the youngest party contesting this year’s presidential and National Assembly elections – promises to address the country’s long-standing land problem.

The party has also promised to implement a fair land allocation programme to correct “present day government’s unfair land allocation, corruption in land acquisition, processing and resettlement”.

“LPM has consistently demanded radical land and … Read More

Erongo regional coordinator of the Electoral Commission of Namibia Nghipuilepo Kashindinge gives an update on the elections process in Walvis Bay urban and rural constituency.

Seagoing personnel and members of the Ministry of Safety and Security are casting their votes today. The voting process has been smooth thus far.

There are a few delays being experienced from the fishing companies who did not provide the electoral officers with their staff lists.… Read More

ADAM HARTMAN

ALL seagoing personnel at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz are casting their votes today.

In addition, the Namibian Defence Force members at the main army base at Rooikop, members of the naval headquarters and staff at the Erongo police headquarters are also voting today at Walvis Bay.

This makes Walvis Bay the focal point of the special elections today, which was specifically set aside for uniformed personnel and foreign … Read More

THE government forked out close to N$400 million from 2000 to 2016 to fund the operations of registered political parties represented in parliament.

However, a huge portion of the money allocated to political parties had not been accounted for after most of the parties receiving state funding failed to provide audited financial statements to parliament over the years.

IPPR research associate Rakkel Andreas unpacked public funding for political parties from 2000-2015.

“How well a party is funded is likely to also then influence how it will perform in … Read More

Voting got off to a calm start at all four polling stations for the special voting at Walvis bay rural and urban constituency.

Thousands of seagoing personnel, members of the police, Defence Force and Correctional Services are expected to cast their votes today.

Electronic voting machines will be used in this process with polling staff assisting voters who are using the EVMs for the first time.

Read more: http://bit.ly/2KgGhKt… Read More

By Ester Mbathera

TRIAL-AWAITING and serving prisoners will be able to vote with the rest of the country on 27 November 2019, the ECN has confirmed. Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) public relations officer Victoria Hango said there will be no special voting for inmates or trial-awaiting prisoners. “ECN will deploy a mobile team to the different correctional services facilities and police holding cells to ensure that anyone who qualifies to vote is able to do so,” she said. Hango added that trial-awaiting prisoners and serving inmates were afforded an opportunity to register during the supplementary voter’s registration exercise earlier this year. “Namibia will … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

THE Christian Democratic Voice party says politicians who will take over the government after this year’s election must prioritise religion in every governance structure to address the socio-economic challenges faced by the nation.

The party’s president, Gothard Kandume, said in an interview with The Namibian yesterday that the current economic woes and prevailing drought situation, as well as other social problems in Namibia, could all be things of the past if the leaders prioritise God before everything. He added that the current socio-economic problems were evidence … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela

MOST of the opposition parties contesting this month’s presidential and National Assembly elections have made it their mission to break the ruling Swapo Party’s dominance in the National Assembly.

Parties, including the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Swanu, RDP and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), believe that the ruling party’s control with their two-thirds majority was the reason “why the government has failed to address several socio-economic challenges in the country since independence”.

The ruling party has maintained its control with the two-thirds majority of parliament since 1994.

At the moment, they hold 77 of the 96 seats … Read More

By Hileni Nembwaya

JUSTICE minister Sacky Shanghala says independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula is a ghost that wants to force Swapo members to vote for him.

Shanghala, during a Swapo star rally held at Oshikuku in Omusati region earlier today, urged Swapo party members and sympathisers to desist from associating themselves with Itula because he is “a ghost”.

He further advised party members to run in the opposite direction if they see Itula approaching.

“Our party has only endorsed one candidate, who is Hage Geingob. Our candidate is a tall man, always smiling. Anyone who is short like me is … Read More

By Namibia Press Agency

Swanu leader Tangeni Iijambo says small political parties in Namibia find it difficult to meet the electorate because the country’s system favours rich, powerful political organisations.

He made these remarks during a Swanu electioneering meeting attended by some 200 supporters at Oshakati in the Oshana region on Saturday.

“In itself, it is most unfortunate and unfair,” stated Iijambo, referring to parties receiving more money the more seats it gets in parliament.

He said the system is “unlevel … Read More

By Namibia Press Agency

THE Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, has promised to make agriculture a cornerstone of the Zambezi region when elected into power, he said this during the party’s star rally held at Katima Mulilo yesterday.

“Our government is going to spend money in [the] Zambezi [region] to make sure that young people become farmers using new technologies and farming methods of aquaponics and hydroponics,” Venaani said.

He said Zambezi is the region with the most water resources, both underground and perennial of the Zambezi River, but is one of the poorest regions in … Read More

By Sakeus Iikela and Hileni Nembwaya

FOUNDING president Sam Nujoma on Saturday endorsed Swapo president Hage Geingob as the ruling party’s sole candidate in this month’s presidential election.

Nujoma, who spoke at a Swapo campaign rally at Oshikuku in the Omusati region, was reminded by justice minister Sacky Shanghala to officially endorse Geingob as the party’s presidential candidate after delivering his speech.

“To make it categorically clear, we have only one candidate, and that candidate is president Hage Geingob, for the Swapo Party and for the Republic of Namibia,” Nujoma stated.

His pronouncement thus quashed perceptions that he was backing … Read More

By Hileni Nembwaya

THE Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) and the Republican Party of Namibia (RP)’s presidential candidates have abandoned their presidential bids to support independent candidate Panduleni Itula.

The two political parties’ presidential candidates decided to join forces and unite behind Itula after their sudden withdrawal from the presidential race earlier today.

They said they are going to rally behind Itula in the presidential elections because he stands a very good chance of winning the presidential elections against Swapo’s president Hage Geingob.

Despite this, Itula remains rather positive…

By Garwin Beukes

Throughout Windhoek, political parties have swarmed street lights and poles with posters ahead of the elections. While PDM posters and billboards are some of those widely seen around the city, the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) is promoting its female candidate Utjiua Muinjangue, commonly referred to as ‘madam president’.

The Nudo posters were spotted along Independence Avenue in Katutura. The Rally for Democracy and Progress also recently put up posters for their presidential candidate, Mike Kavekotora, at a bus stop while the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters pasted their … Read More

By Khanyiswa Mogotsi and Sakeus Iikela

by Sakeus Iikela

THIRTY-EIGHT members of Popular Democratic Movement who are on the list of candidates for the National Assembly elections resigned from their jobs this week.

The resignations will make them eligible for parliamentary seats in the upcoming national elections. The names of those who resigned were, however, not made available.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)’s chief electoral officer, Theo Mujoro, yesterday confirmed the PDM resignations.

The resignations bring the party in compliance with a directive to all political parties by the ECN last week for all members nominated on the parliamentary lists not to hold … Read More

by Adam Hartman

POPULAR Democratic Movement (PDM) presidential candidate McHenry Venaani on Saturday accused Swapo of lying about the missing electronic voting machines (EVMs), and deceiving Namibians about its support base during a rally at Swakopmund.

Last Thursday, justice minister Sacky Shanghala said the four EVMs which reportedly went missing while in the hands of the ruling Swapo Party got lost after they “fell from the trailer” in which they were being transported.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) loaned the EVMs to Swapo in 2017 for the purpose of conducting … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela

INDEPENDENT presidential candidate Panduleni Itula says he will not allow the mining of seabed fertiliser from Namibia’s shores if he is elected as president next month.

Marine phosphate mining, a contentious issue worldwide, has become a major bone of contention in Namibia over the last few years.

The Namibian reported earlier this year how trade unions, civil society organisations, pressure groups and the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) condemned president Hage Geingob for pressuring Cabinet ministers to take a decision on the controversial marine phosphate mining plan, despite a government report warning that it would endanger Namibia’s … Read More

by Namibia Press Agency

DESPITE calls by political actors to do away with electronic voting machines (EVMs) amid suspicion that they can be tampered with, the Electoral Commission of Namibia says the machines are going nowhere as the commission has not formally been asked to remove them.

The commission’s chairperson, Notemba Tjipueja, said this in response to media queries at a briefing in Windhoek yesterday.

Her remarks come at a time when several EVMs, which were under the care of the ruling Swapo Party, have been reported missing.

The ECN maintained that the missing EVMs “cannot in any way affect … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela

POLITICAL parties and candidates participating in next month’s presidential and National Assembly elections have accused the Electoral Commission of Namibia of forcing them to comply with certain processes without proper consultations.

This follows a failed event held in Windhoek yesterday which called for the signing of the elections code of conduct by political parties and the independent presidential candidate.

The event ended in chaos after some representatives of political parties and independent presidential candidate, Panduleni Itula, failed to reach consensus over the conduct of ECN officials.

The bone of contention was the manner in which ECN commissioners … Read More

by Tileni Mongudhi and Mathias Haufiku

THE ruling party’s disciplinary committee (DC) says it cannot take action against Dr Panduleni Itula for breaking traditional party norms, unless party members lodge a complaint.

While the party’s campaign trail has seemingly been distracted by Itula, many have called on the party to discipline him for challenging the party’s presidential candidate Hage Geingob at the upcoming polls as an independent candidate.

“The committee cannot be the referee and player at the same time. But it seems party members do not understand the modus operandi of this committee, as many expect them to take … Read More

by Clemans Miyancwe

SWAPO presidential candidate Hage Geingob called for peaceful presidential and National Assembly elections when he addressed his party’s rally at Kamanjab on Sunday.

Swapo members and supporters thronged to the soccer field near the Daniel Okamaru Community Hall at the north-western village, where Geingob said elections must be held peacefully.

He declared that Swapo was the only party that can maintain peace and stability in the country, adding “We are not declaring war. We fought for internal elections; don’t be personal.”

He stated that Swapo is the party that brought peace and unity, and he will not … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

BOXING promoter Knowledge Ipinge has thrown his hat into the Walvis Bay Urban constituency race, where he intends to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming regional authority by-elections.

The by-elections are scheduled to take place in January next year. Ipinge is a bona fide Swapo Party member.

The position was left vacant following the resignation of former councillor Hafeni Ndemula.

Ndemula’s resignation was in compliance with the Electoral Act 47 of 2014 and the Constitution, which call on politicians to resign if they want to be on the political party lists of candidates for the … Read More

by Loise Uugwanga and Talishi Werner

NAMIBIA’S lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender representatives want the government to address their concerns, including building alternative toilet facilities specifically for them.

The community representatives, known as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus (LGBTQ+), listed their other concerns such as discrimination for being different, and the threat of violence.

They implored the politicians who would win the upcoming national elections on 27 November to address the concerns from the LGBTQ+ community. However, some politicians contesting the upcoming national elections have already said they do not have a stance on LGBTQ+ concerns, while others … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

SWAPO presidential candidate Hage Geingob says opposition parties are already predicting their loss at the ballot box by crying foul over the use of EVMs ahead of the 27 November national elections.

Opposition parties have been complaining about the lack of a voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The EVMs will be used in the presidential and National Assembly elections slated for this month.

Addressing the party’s election campaign star rally on Friday at Mariental in the Hardap region, Geingob said it seems there is a tendency of finding fault with … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela, Khanyiswa Mogotsi and Maria Hamutenya

ABOUT 3 500 pupils fell pregnant between 2017 and 2018, leading to more than 2 000 of them dropping out of school during the same period.

A recent report submitted to the National Assembly this week shows that about 1 440 fell pregnant in five northern regions in 2018, while about 2 000 pupils fell pregnant in 2017.

The report stated that the majority of the girls who fell pregnant either dropped out of school, or found it difficult to return to school.

The report was compiled by the parliamentary standing committee … Read More

• SAKEUS IIKELA

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has appointed former veteran affairs deputy minister Hilma Nicanor as an advisor on veterans’ affairs in the office of the vice president costing the government around N$48 000 a month.

State House press secretary Alfredo Hengari confirmed the appointment to The Namibian today, saying the former deputy minister will be tasked with overseeing the coordination and implementation of veterans related policies.

Nicanor’s appointment comes a few weeks after she resigned from her deputy ministerial position to contest for National Assembly position at this month’s national elections.

She could earn around N$300 000 … Read More