… The RA also reports that road 27 (the C16) between Keetmanshoop and Aroab, as well as road 29 (the C17) between Keetmanshoop and Vaalgras remain open to traffic but have slippery road surfaces due to recent rainfall. …
… The Namibian Police have deployed two teams from Keetmanshoop, including members of the Special Reserve Force, to Hobas and Ai-Ais to assist with the rescue efforts. …
KEETMANSHOOP -//Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze has raised concern over the sluggish procurement processes within municipalities and village councils that are locking up millions of dollars that could have been used to actively upgrade roads in the region. …
Staff Reporter TWO suspects have been arrested and a third remains at large after an incident of theft in Keetmanshoop escalated into attempted murder when a security officer fired rubber bullets to stop a getaway vehicle on Saturday. …
… Gertze made these remarks during his State of the Region Address in Keetmanshoop, where he stressed that he has been given a mandate to foster unity among traditional communities in the region. …
Iuze Mukube High Court Judge Thomas Masuku has suspended the implementation of a vote of no confidence that led to the removal of two Keetmanshoop councillors on the Landless People’s Movement ticket in May. …
… Several places in the //Kharas Region recorded notable rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday morning, including Keetmanshoop (24 mm), Oranjemund (13 mm), Rosh-Pinah (13 mm), Lüderitz (8 mm), Koes (14 mm), Bremen (14 mm) and Karub (10 mm). …
A String of derogatory messages Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi sent to ousted Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi and two councillors before her dismissal have revealed the irreparable relationship between the two. …
… Several other areas, particularly in the south, experienced rain showers between Tuesday night and Wednesday, including Keetmanshoop, Rosh Pinah, Alte Kalköfen Lodge, Tranetal near Aroab, and Mariental. …
Former mayor of Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas region Melody Swartbooi says she remains a ‘proud’ member of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) despite being sacked as mayor and recalled from the town council by the party. …
An editorial argues that while Namibia's upgraded highways efficiently move traffic between destinations, they may unintentionally harm towns along the routes by redirecting economic opportunity away from them. The piece uses Okahandja's experience with the upgraded Windhoek–Okahandja route to illustrate how bypasses can negatively impact local economies despite improving journey times.
An editorial argues that while Namibia's upgraded highways efficiently move traffic between destinations, they may unintentionally harm towns along the routes by redirecting economic opportunity away from them. The piece uses Okahandja's experience with the upgraded Windhoek–Okahandja route to illustrate how bypasses can negatively impact local economies despite improving journey times.
Jan-Hendrik 'Johnny' Hanekom (69), a farmer in Maltahöhe and owner of Johnny's Auto at Keetmanshoop, died on Sunday when an aircraft he was flying crashed on his farm Sandrucken. Police have opened an inquest docket; witnesses reported the aircraft's flaps folded due to wind pressure before it descended to the ground.
As spring arrives, clouds are gathering over parts of Namibia, with the Meteorological Service forecasting rain showers and thunderstorms in central, eastern and north-eastern areas. Places including Windhoek, Aroab, Ariamsvlei and Keetmanshoop are experiencing intermittent cloud cover.
A gender-based violence facility in Keetmanshoop is struggling to remain operational due to delayed government payments, staff shortages, and a lack of dedicated drivers.
Namibia has secured a place as a founding member of the AI for Good Global Commission, launched in July by the International Telecommunication Union and chaired by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. ICT minister Emma Theofelus said the membership gives Namibia a seat at the global table where AI governance norms and standards are being shaped.
Police arrested five suspects — one female and four males — over the weekend in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay on attempted murder charges. Three of four victims are in hospital in critical condition; incidents include a security guard's negligent rubber-bullet discharge in Walvis Bay, a knife stabbing in Windhoek, and a domestic violence attack in Keetmanshoop.
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure has highlighted roaming livestock and inadequate traffic capacity as major contributors to road accidents, with livestock accounting for nearly 51% of accidents in Kavango West. The B1 road, particularly between Mariental and Keetmanshoop, was identified as a major fatality corridor, with the Committee recommending stronger controls over livestock and enhanced enforcement measures.
Mohammed Austin, a Grade 3 pupil at Don Bosco Primary School, was run over by a municipal water truck at Paradise informal settlement in Keetmanshoop on Sunday. Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw says the municipality is cooperating with law enforcement in investigating the death, and no arrest has been made.
Three drug users from Keetmanshoop told New Era that emotional distress, feelings of isolation, abandonment and loneliness drove them to substance abuse. Users attributed their addiction to home situations and lack of parental attention that pushed them to the streets, where they encountered drugs and felt unable to see a future beyond using them.
The ministry of works and transport will conduct nationwide stakeholder consultations from August 2026 to March 2027 on proposed regulations for driving schools and instructors aimed at improving driver training quality and road safety. The framework will address instructor certification and competence, standardised training, consumer protection, and requirements for training vehicles and facilities.
Governor Eugenia Moche launched a regional tour beginning in Ariamsvlei on 10 August 2026 to strengthen government and community engagement, monitor development projects, and ensure accountability in service delivery. The delegation met with residents to address concerns including sewer networks, waste management, land allocation, and border issues, while also inspecting infrastructure and observing veterinary control measures for Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The Namibia Learning Passport, launched by the ministry of education in partnership with UNICEF, provides digital and offline access to learning materials for young people in rural and underserved communities to develop skills relevant to education, employment and entrepreneurship.
During International Youth Day commemorations in Keetmanshoop, youth leaders called on young people to take active roles in shaping their communities and preparing for opportunities in technology, innovation and new industries. Officials emphasised that youth outside major centres should have access to platforms for participating in Namibia's development.
Governor Eugenia Moche and officials launched a regional tour in //Kharas starting in Ariamsvlei on 10 August 2026 to strengthen government and community engagement, monitor development projects, and address community concerns ranging from sewer networks and waste management to land allocation. The delegation also visited the Ariamsvlei Border Post and Location 64, and observed veterinary services demonstrations on Foot-and-Mouth Disease control.
The Ministry of Education, in partnership with UNICEF, has officially launched the Namibia Learning Passport, a digital learning platform aimed at expanding access to educational resources, particularly for young people in rural, remote and underserved communities with limited connectivity.
The government clinic at Aus in the ||Kharas region lacks diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma medications in stock and has no dedicated ambulance for emergency patients. A resident reports having to forgo medication due to cost when prescriptions cannot be filled at the clinic pharmacy.
The ninth leg of the 2026 Bank Windhoek Grand Prix Series drew 89 players to the Oshana Open at Ongwediva, making it the largest Bank Windhoek Grand Prix event to date and reflecting growing appeal of chess across the country, particularly in northern Namibia.
The article argues that affordable workspace is essential for small business growth and enterprise migration from the informal sector. Government-built business incubation centres and SME parks across Namibia are intended as practical stepping stones for entrepreneurs, but their neglected state undermines this policy objective.
Two separate truck crashes on Windhoek's Western Bypass near the University of Namibia killed one driver and 21 cattle, left two others seriously injured, with one losing a leg. Construction is underway in the area, and the road is described as hazardous due to sharp curves and steep descent.
An editorial in the Windhoek Observer argues that Namibia's sewerage infrastructure, built decades ago for much smaller populations, is reaching capacity limits across municipalities and town councils, as illustrated by Katima Mulilo's recurring sewage crisis.
The Office of the Judiciary has announced a nationwide amnesty period from 3 August to 30 September for motorists with outstanding traffic admission of guilt fines. Payments can be made in person at the relevant district court or via EFT, with motorists required to use their summons number and place of trial as reference.
One person died and two others were injured after two trucks overturned in separate crashes minutes apart on Windhoek's Western Bypass early Monday morning, with a cattle truck carrying more than 90 animals overturned in the fatal crash.
Namibia has launched a public consultation on its Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan, inviting businesses, investors, researchers, communities and citizens to shape the country's position in the global green economy. The country has emerged over four years as a major destination for green hydrogen and renewable energy investment, with strong natural advantages including high solar irradiation and coastal wind resources.
Namibia's tourism prospects are improving, with rising hospitality occupancy rates and increased international airline routes to Windhoek, though the country has historically been overshadowed by South Africa's commercial dominance and Botswana's exclusive safari brand. The article suggests Namibia possesses distinctive natural attractions and faces both opportunity and the need for strategic decisions to capitalise on current momentum.
With offshore oil discoveries and green hydrogen projects attracting investment, Namibia's education system needs to equip citizens with the skills required across multiple sectors—from engineering to logistics—to ensure locals benefit from the coming energy economy rather than ceding jobs to foreigners.
SuperSpar Keetmanshoop staff will receive their July salaries in two instalments about 10 days apart due to a shortfall caused by alleged internal theft.
The ||Kharas governor's youth desk, established in 2025, has assisted young people through leadership and financial literacy training, tertiary applications, scholarships to the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology, school uniforms, and international exchange opportunities. The desk provides information on development funds and employment opportunities and serves the entire region through local networks.
The Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor, with Beata Set as deputy mayor. The election follows the recall of LPM mayor Melody Swartbooi in June.
The Independent Patriots for Change has withdrawn councillor Pieter Skeyer from the Keetmanshoop Town Council, citing alleged violations of party directives. Skeyer, who served six months, said his decisions were based on personal conviction and will now focus on his role as school principal.