The Chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Lazarus Kanelombe has called on mining companies and private sector players to channel more resources into community development, warning that the region's mineral wealth must translate into tangible improvements in people's livelihoods. Kanelombe, made the call during an engagement with mining companies and service providers, where he outlined plans to establish the Erongo Development Programme as a vehicle for pooling resources and accelerating development across the region's seven constituencies. Erongo's mining industry is being challenged to move beyond its contribution to economic growth and play a more direct role in addressing the region's pressing social and developmental needs. Kanelombe stated that the Regional Council cannot continue relying predominantly on government funding to meet growing community needs, stressing that meaningful development will require stronger partnerships with the private sector. The proposed programme is expected to mobilise resources towards building and rehabilitating schools, upgrading healthcare facilities, expanding access to clean water, supporting small and medium enterprises and improving housing opportunities, particularly in under-served communities. The initiative also seeks to address infrastructure challenges, including rural feeder roads, sanitation and the growing demand for services, land and affordable housing. “Our meeting paves the way for a restart in reshaping our developmental trajectory, as we strive hard to meet the demands of the NDP6 and, obviously, our own strategic framework. On this note, we remain indebted to you, our key stakeholder, to make this a reality. This Council will endeavour to advance transparent consultation and regular communication with you to ensure that we are all in alignment, we can account and you can introspect our programmes.” Also speaking at the meeting was Walvis Bay Urban Constituencies Council Albertina Nkoshi. “It is therefore important that the benefits derived from the resources within our region extend beyond mining operations and reach the communities whose livelihoods and futures are closely connected to this industry. Today's engagement presents an opportunity for us to understand one another's priorities, identify areas of common interest and explore how the mining sector and regional leadership can work together more effectively.” Meanwhile, Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Councillor Ruben Shikongo expected from the engagement to produce more than commitments.

Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo says President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah plans to hold more town hall meetings with communities across the country to hear their concerns and challenges. This follows Friday’s engagement with residents of Swakopmund, where the President discussed various issues affecting the Erongo Region. Nandi-Ndaitwah has been criticised for not [...] The post President Plans More Community Town Hall Meetings appeared first on Future Media News.

The Chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Lazarus Kanelombe, has called for greater accountability in public service delivery and more inclusive economic development, warning that investment and economic growth must translate into tangible benefits for communities across the region. Kanelombe said unemployment, poverty, infrastructure backlog, and unequal access to economic opportunities remain major challenges that require coordinated and practical interventions. Speaking at the Council's 371st Ordinary Regional Council meeting held at Swakopmund, Kanelombe emphasised that development must extend beyond major economic centres to rural constituencies and underserved communities. He highlighted concerns raised by residents of Katorab, Okatjio, and Ondundu over mining activities, particularly proposed relocations, land rights, compensation, and access to local procurement opportunities. Kanelombe said that mining investments must respect community rights and ensure that residents affected by development projects also benefit from the economic opportunities created. He also wants infrastructure investment accelerated, pointing to the rehabilitation of the Karibib/Usakos road, which generated 593 employment opportunities during construction, as an example of how public investment can stimulate local economic activity. “Humanitarian assistance provides important immediate relief, but sustainable development requires us to confront the underlying challenges of unemployment, inadequate household income, and limited access to economic opportunities. The dignity and welfare of our people must remain central to our developmental priorities.” Meanwhile, the council's first Education Infrastructure Investment Conference identified projects worth approximately N$230 million, targeting classrooms, hostels, teacher accommodation, and other essential learning facilities. “The work of the Regional Development Coordinating Committee and Constituency Development Committees remains important in strengthening coordination and ensuring that development priorities are informed by the needs of our communities. However, coordination must ultimately lead to implementation. Council resolutions must be acted upon, institutional responsibilities must be respected, and administrative processes should support rather than delay service delivery.” He also reported skills development initiatives that benefited 60 people in Walvis Bay Urban, while 265 residents in Henties Bay, Uis, and Okombahe received financial literacy training. However, Kanelombe stressed that training programmes must increasingly translate into employment and sustainable income generation opportunities.

Core Energy Minerals will start diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling imminently at the Barking Gecko uranium prospect in Namibia. The company began mobilising its geological team and drilling contractor on 2 November, marking its maiden drilling campaign at the Nova Joint Venture (JV) Project in the Erongo Region. Drilling

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is engaging residents of the Erongo Region during a Presidential Community Town Hall Meeting at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Mondesa, Swakopmund. The engagement is being held under the theme “Bringing Government Closer to the People: Strengthening Dialogue, Accountability and Inclusive Development in the Erongo Region”. The meeting aims to provide a platform for direct interaction between the Head of State and community members, allowing residents to raise concerns, share their views and engage with the government on issues affecting their communities and the region. A question-and-answer session will give residents an opportunity to seek clarity on government policies, programmes and development initiatives.

Gaob Justus ||Garoëb has noted that the ǂNūkhoen people cannot celebrate while mourning the death of veteran politician Simson Tjongarero, the man he described as his right hand. The annual Gaob Fees, also known as the Damara Festival, scheduled to take place in November at Okombahe in the Erongo Region, have been put on hold. In a voice note, Gaob ||Garoëb said it would be inappropriate to celebrate the festival. “We cannot celebrate while we are mourning, so I just want to express my condolences to his wife and the whole tribe for strength from above. That's why we will not have the festival during this time.” The festival, held approximately 60 kilometres north of Omaruru, brought together various ǂNūkhoen sub-tribes to promote unity, preserve Damara culture and traditions, and pass the community's heritage on to younger generations. The annual gathering traditionally features cultural processions, street marches, traditional attire, speeches, and performances, with traditional leaders playing a central role in the celebrations.

Thunderstorms and rain have been reported in several parts of Namibia, with more widespread rainfall expected across most regions. The forecast covers central, northern, north-eastern and eastern areas, including the Khomas Region. Moderate to severe thunderstorms are expected to continue tomorrow, extending to the Kunene and Erongo regions. Meanwhile, extreme [...] The post Thunderstorms Forecast as Extreme Heat Persists in the South appeared first on Future Media News.

Canadian-listed Skeleton Coast Uranium has raised approximately N$40.8 million through the first tranche of a private placement to fund exploration across its licenses in the Erongo Region. The company issued over 18.6 million units to finance its ongoing operations and working capital, marking the first step in a larger placement targeting up [...] The post Skeleton Coast Uranium raises N$40.8 million appeared first on Future Media News.

Namibia's economy has remained virtually stagnant for more than five years. This is owing to a combination of factors that continue to add pressure on households, businesses, and government finances, and warnings are that recovery would take time. Economic Advisor to the President, Shali Shindume painted a difficult picture of the country's economic position during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's townhall engagement with residents of the Erongo region at Swakopmund. He listed the weak growth, international geopolitical tensions, and domestic challenges affecting the overall economic activity. Consequently, the rising fuel prices are eroding household purchasing power, and businesses are struggling to maintain profits for expansion and reinvestment into the local economy. Shindume added that these put the government revenue under pressure. “I think the truth must be told: our economy is not performing well, and it is not growing at the pace we would like it to. In fact, it has remained largely stagnant over the past five years or more. This situation has been influenced by domestic challenges as well as external factors unfolding around the world. Global geopolitical developments, in particular, have had an impact on fuel prices, and we are feeling the effects here at home.” The diamond industry is among the sectors that are not spared from the economic squeeze. Shindume explained that the steep decline in diamond revenue is a classic illustration of the challenges confronting government finances. “We used to generate over N$5 million as a country, but today, we are receiving N$300 million. You can see the pressures mounting and the impact they are having on the country. Economic recovery is therefore not a sprint.” The Presidential Economic Advisor also responded to the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and the relief measures proposed by the Bank of Namibia to cushion the impact. “FMD is not only affecting farmers; it is affecting the entire agricultural value chain. It is also impacting businesses such as butcheries and meat vendors. That is why these relief measures have been put in place. We encourage everyone affected to make use of them.” Namibia, like other countries in SADC, is also preparing for the potential effects of El Niño on agricultural production. Shindume said the government is monitoring for possible relief where it can.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah engaged residents of the Erongo Region during a Presidential Community Town Hall Meeting at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Mondesa, Swakopmund. During the engagement, President Nandi-Ndaitwah again urged Namibians to play an active role in the country’s development, reiterating that “Namibians are too few to be poor.” However, [...] The post President Nandi-Ndaitwah challenges Namibians to fight poverty appeared first on Future Media News.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on municipalities to expand water supply and sanitation infrastructure alongside new housing developments, warning that existing bulk infrastructure in many Namibian towns and cities is nearing capacity. Speaking at a community town hall meeting in Swakopmund, Erongo Region, on Friday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said growing urban populations were placing increasing pressure on […] The post New housing projects must be matched by expanded water and sewerage infrastructure first appeared on The Brief | Namibia's Leading Business & Financial News.

The Swakopmund town hall meeting, facilitated by Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, is a timely demonstration of responsive leadership. Its success, however, will ultimately be measured by whether the concerns raised translate into decisions, accountability and tangible improvements in people’s lives. There are few more important demonstrations of democratic leadership than a President who is willing […]

Paladin Energy’s Langer Heinrich Mine in the Erongo Region produced one million pounds of uranium oxide during the quarter ended 30 September 2026, while sales reached 1.16 million pounds at an average realised price of US$79.40 per pound.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has questioned why foreign nationals continue to be employed in positions that qualified Namibians can fill, citing failures by officials to enforce the country’s employment and immigration laws. Speaking during a community town hall meeting in Swakopmund, Erongo Region, on Friday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia already had laws regulating the employment of foreign […] The post Nandi-Ndaitwah questions hiring of foreigners for jobs Namibians can do first appeared on The Brief | Namibia's Leading Business & Financial News.

The Swakopmund town hall meeting, facilitated by Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, is a timely demonstration of responsive leadership. Its success, however, will ultimately be measured by whether the concerns raised translate into decisions, accountability and tangible improvements in people’s lives. There are few more important demonstrations of democratic leadership than a President who is willing to listen to ordinary citizens. Not merely to those who occupy positions of influence, sit in boardrooms or enjoy direct access to the corridors of power, but to the people whose daily experiences often provide the most honest assessment of how the government is performing. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s decision to engage residents of Swakopmund and surrounding communities through a town hall meeting on Friday is therefore a welcome development. Indeed, it could hardly have come at a better time. Namibia is navigating difficult economic circumstances, persistent unemployment, growing expectations around the country’s emerging oil and gas industry and longstanding concerns about housing, land, public services and economic opportunity. Against this backdrop, direct engagement between the Head of State and citizens is not simply good public relations. It is an important instrument of responsive governance. The initiative also deserves recognition of Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, whose office has facilitated the engagement and extended the invitation to residents. Governors should be more than ceremonial representatives of the national government. They should serve as active bridges between national leadership and the communities they represent, ensuring that local concerns find their way into national decision-making. By bringing the President directly into conversation with the people of Erongo, Governor /Goagoses is demonstrating the kind of provincial leadership that makes decentralisation meaningful. The timing is particularly significant for President Nandi-Ndaitwah. As Namibia’s first female Head of State, she assumed office with considerable expectations and the opportunity to shape a distinct leadership legacy. Her presidency will ultimately be judged not by the promises made at its beginning, but by its ability to respond to the aspirations and frustrations of ordinary Namibians. A town hall meeting provides an opportunity to demonstrate that the government is accessible and that the President is interested in understanding the realities beyond the State House. Swakopmund and its surrounding communities occupy an important position in Namibia’s economic landscape. Erongo is central to the country’s mining, tourism, fishing, logistics and emerging energy ambitions. Yet economic activity and major investment announcements do not automatically translate into prosperity for surrounding communities. The President should therefore expect frank conversations about unemployment, housing, land delivery, municipal services, the future of the fishing industry, opportunities for young people, education, healthcare and the distribution of economic benefits arising from investment. These are not peripheral issues. They go to the heart of the social contract between government and citizens. Former President Hage Geingob understood the importance of direct citizen engagement and held town hall meetings during his presidency. These engagements provided platforms for citizens to question leadership, express frustrations and communicate their expectations. However, the experience also offers an important lesson: the success of public engagements cannot be measured by attendance, the quality of speeches or the number of questions answered. The real test is what happens after the meeting. There is a danger that town halls become ceremonial political events, generating headlines and creating an impression of accessibility without establishing a mechanism for addressing the concerns raised. Citizens have grown accustomed to making representations, receiving assurances and subsequently hearing very little about what became of their concerns.

Namibia’s annual inflation rate increased to 5.6% in October, up from 5.4% in September, according to the latest figures from the Namibia Statistics Agency. The agency’s food price data also shows differences in meat prices across the country. Beef stew was most expensive in the southern regions, Omaheke and Erongo, [...] The post Inflation edges higher as food prices remain uneven appeared first on Future Media News.

CHAMWE KAIRA Paladin Energy’s Langer Heinrich Mine in the Erongo Region produced one million pounds of uranium oxide during the quarter ended 30 September 2026, while sales reached 1.16 million pounds at an average realised price of US$79.40 per pound. The production was affected by a planned maintenance shutdown, ore characteristics associated with the mining sequence and low in-circuit inventory levels at the processing plant at the beginning of the quarter. Paladin said these factors affected processing performance, resulting in lower production and an average recovery rate of 85%, which was at the lower end of the target range. The lower production volumes contributed to an increase in the cost of production to US$61.60 per pound compared with the previous quarter. Mining activities recorded 7.73 million tonnes of total material mined during the quarter, exceeding the volumes achieved in the preceding quarter. All mining operations were concentrated in the J Pit, where development continued towards the main orebody, alongside the removal of topsoil and waste material to open access to primary ore. Crusher throughput reached 1.17 million tonnes at an average ore feed grade of 486 parts per million of uranium oxide, broadly in line with the previous quarter. Paladin reported an improvement in production during September as mining advanced in the J Pit and processing plant performance strengthened, with throughput increasing during the month. The company expects higher production and lower unit costs during the 2027 financial year as mining progresses into the lower southern benches of the J Pit, where improved ore grades and metallurgical recovery are anticipated. Paladin reaffirmed its production guidance for the 2027 financial year, forecasting output of between 5.1 million and 5.6 million pounds of uranium oxide at a cost of production of between US$44 and US$48 per pound. Higher production is expected in the second half of the financial year as higher-grade ore feed to the processing plant increases. The company said its guidance was based on current operating conditions and assumptions and could be affected by disruptions arising from geopolitical developments. Paladin reported no supply disruptions during the quarter resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. The company said it continued to monitor operating input stock levels and incoming shipments. On the sales front, Langer Heinrich sold 1.16 million pounds of uranium oxide at an average realised price of US$79.40 per pound, reflecting increasing uranium prices and a higher proportion of market-related sales during the quarter. As at 30 September 2026, Paladin had 400 000 pounds of uranium oxide outstanding under its uranium product loan facilities. The company said the facilities provided flexibility in sales logistics, enabling it to meet customer delivery commitments. It added that quarterly sales volumes and realised prices depended on contract pricing mechanisms, payment terms, customer delivery nominations and shipping schedules. Meanwhile, Paladin completed 15 222 metres of resource definition and extension drilling during the quarter using two drilling rigs within Mining Licence 140. The drilling programme focused on infill drilling to improve resource definition in areas scheduled for near-term mining, as well as exploration drilling targeting extensions to known mineralisation.

The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into alleged Grade 11 and 12 History examination leaks, along with claims of nepotism in appointing exam markers. The allegations involve History Papers 1 and 2, with claims that select schools in the Erongo, Khomas, and Zambezi regions were given access to exam [...] The post Education launches probe after possible paper leak appeared first on Future Media News.

Namibia officially launches the Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline Project at Farm 58 in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region. The development is expected to strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure and regional petroleum supply capacity. The tank farm is a large-scale petroleum storage facility with a capacity of more than 1.6 million barrels of petrol and diesel. It features two main storage tanks and two dispensing tanks. The pipeline project will run from Walvis Bay through Botswana to Zimbabwe and Zambia, with possible extensions towards South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The launch will be officiated by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, alongside Nigerian industrialist and President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.