New Erahighlightedthe family's extreme living conditions
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“Stuurman died on Sunday at Gobabis District Hospital after falling ill last week, bringing a tragic end to a story that had transformed from despair to hope after New Era highlighted the family's extreme living conditions.”
New Erareported onthe family's desperate circumstances
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“Her passing comes only days after the Capricorn Foundation donated food, blankets, winter clothing, toiletries, nappies, cooking utensils and financial assistance towards a shelter after New Era reported on the family's desperate circumstances.”
New Eradescribed Windhoek's parks ashotspots for criminal activities and no longer safe for children and adults alike
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“In the 2024 New Era article, Windhoek's parks were described as "hotspots for criminal activities" and "no longer safe for children and adults alike".”
New Erahighlightedthe plight of 37-year-old Elizabeth Stuurman
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“Days after New Era highlighted the plight of 37-year-old Elizabeth Stuurman, joy arrived last week when the Capricorn Foundation donated food, blankets, clothing, nappies and other essentials worth N$25 000.”
New ErainterviewedMutonga Matali about NHE housing plans
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“In an interview with New Era, Matali stated that since NHE's establishment in 1993, it has constructed more than 21 545 housing units nationwide, positioning the institution as one of the country's biggest providers of affordable housing.”
New Eraconductedan interview with Selma Ashipala-Musavyi
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“This position was ventilated by Namibia's chief diplomat, trade and international relations minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during an interview with New Era, shortly after attending a ministerial meeting on peace and security with foreign ministers and the African Union Council Security Council.”
Engela District Hospital has experienced a three-month condom shortage affecting sexual and reproductive health services in the Ohangwena region, while also facing challenges with hypertension medications and lacks dedicated adolescent and men's health corners.
Engela District Hospital has experienced a three-month condom shortage affecting sexual and reproductive health services in the Ohangwena region, while also facing challenges with hypertension medications and lacks dedicated adolescent and men's health corners.
101 learners from Witkop Primary School were clinically assessed at St Mary's District Hospital in Rehoboth after developing gastrointestinal symptoms following consumption of fish cakes at GoodHope Hostel on 9 July 2026; 19 required admissions due to dehydration. Preliminary laboratory results indicated Salmonella bacteria, with investigations ongoing into the cause.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah completed a seven-day state visit to China aimed at persuading the country to help Namibia build manufacturing and processing industries rather than exporting raw minerals. The visit culminated in nine cooperation instruments and elevation of bilateral ties to a Namibia-China Community with a shared future, focusing on long-term development and strategic cooperation.
The City of Windhoek has acknowledged that dedicated municipal security services have not yet been deployed at Groot Aub Cemetery following the vandalism of Joseph Willem Modise's grave. The cemetery remains in a transitional phase after its incorporation into the City and has not yet been fully integrated into formal cemetery operations.
Samson Kaulinge has resigned as president of the Namibia Tennis Association after more than nine years in the role, closing a leadership chapter spanning more than three decades of service to Namibian tennis. Kaulinge discovered tennis in Swakopmund after high school and went on to serve in various roles at club level before his national leadership.
A City of Windhoek employee, Doreen Zullnola Zamuee, was arrested and appeared in court on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering in connection with a scheme involving fake death certificates and fraudulent insurance claims worth millions. According to court documents, she allegedly induced Old Mutual to pay out N$5 182 391 between October 2020 and August 2025, and sources allege she is a cousin of the alleged mastermind who remains on the run.
The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor incurs N$4.5 million annually to repair sabotaged networks and replace stolen copper cables, with the worst-affected areas in Oshana, Omusati, Kavango East and Kavango West. CEO Sylvester Wayiti said the figure excludes revenue losses from power outages and broader costs including customer dissatisfaction, reputational damage, and business losses.
Outstanding municipal debt owed by government institutions to the City of Windhoek fell from approximately N$67 million in May to N$27 million in June, a 60% decline attributed to government's crackdown on unpaid accounts. The City's overall debtors' book also improved over the same period, declining from N$912 million in May to N$845 million in June.
Minister Veikko Nekundi said Namibia is pursuing advanced Chinese road safety technology to reduce crashes at accident hotspots, following discussions during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's State Visit to China. The government aims to introduce systems capable of preventing accidents at blind spots and complement existing enforcement measures such as speed cameras.
Elizabeth Stuurman, 37, of Drimiopsis died at Gobabis District Hospital on Sunday, days after New Era highlighted her family's extreme living conditions and Namibians responded with help. She had not fully recovered from giving birth to twins and was unable to afford transport for a required hospital follow-up appointment.
Namibian children have limited access to safe outdoor spaces for play despite Windhoek having 32 city park facilities. Residents report that some parks are unsafe, under-maintained, or unfit for different age groups, limiting their use.
Over 470 fishing vessels operating under African flags are secretly controlled by foreign owners, with profits channelled through shell companies and offshore accounts, according to data compiled by Oceana. Namibia has 30 such foreign-beneficially owned vessels; the African Defence Forum reports the continent loses at least N$212.8 billion annually in its fishing trade, primarily through illegal and unreported fishing.
Satotwa Primary School in Kavango West has been without reliable water supply since February after its borehole broke down, affecting about 278 learners and teachers. The school board chairperson says the Rural Water Supply department has recommended drilling a new borehole, but the school is waiting for the regional council's response to their request.
After New Era reported on 37-year-old Elizabeth Stuurman's struggle to raise seven children in a makeshift shack with little food and inadequate winter shelter, the Capricorn Foundation donated N$25,000 in food, blankets, clothing, nappies, and construction support. The donation also included Genesis nutritious shakes for the mother breastfeeding three-month-old twins, and portions of the supplies were distributed to local soup kitchens and other vulnerable families in Omaheke.
The Ministry of Home Affairs says Angolan nationals, including children on Namibian streets, do not qualify for refugee status under Namibian law and international conventions, as they left Angola seeking socio-economic opportunities rather than fleeing persecution.
The National Housing Enterprise plans to construct 905 houses across Namibia during the 2025/2026 financial year as part of efforts to reduce the country's housing backlog. Since its establishment in 1993, NHE has constructed more than 21 545 housing units nationwide.
Epako Cemetery in Gobabis, which has served the community for almost 60 years, has deteriorated into a dumping ground with trash, broken tombstones, and litter, with residents using the unfenced gravesite as a shortcut and dumping site for household waste.
Namibia has four finalists announced for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Regional Annual Sports Awards, a prestigious ceremony scheduled for 23 May in Luanda, Angola, honouring athletes, journalists and sports personalities across Southern Africa.
Namibia's trade and international relations minister, attending a ministerial meeting in Nairobi, reaffirmed Africa's demand for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, together with additional non-permanent seats, as part of the Committee of Ten's push for UN system reform.
Ohangwena region aims to install desalination plants at least 10 boreholes to treat saline water that has made many government-drilled boreholes unusable. Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said a contractor was appointed in April by NamPower, with implementation expected within four months, as part of broader interventions to improve water security across the region.
Members of the public report condoms are out of stock at public hospitals and clinics across Namibia, raising concerns about potential increases in HIV infections, STDs, and teenage pregnancies. The health ministry acknowledged the shortage's importance but stated that HIV prevention relies on multiple interventions beyond condoms, and reassured the public that efforts are underway to stabilise supply chains.
A New Era lifestyle columnist shares her observation of her mother's endless demands as a caregiver and explains her own decision not to have children, citing lack of patience and a desire to give mothers like her own the space to rest and feel valued.
Ondangwa Town Council CEO Isamel Namugongo told New Era that the long-delayed Ondangwa State Hospital is back on track with central government support and environmental studies underway, while the council has doubled residential areas, upgraded roads to tar in several extensions, and is preparing to modernise the town's struggling sewerage infrastructure. Key challenges include high unemployment affecting residents' ability to pay municipal bills and ageing infrastructure designed for a much smaller population.
16-year-old Junior Marenga from Okomumbonde village aims to become a professional footballer and represent Namibia internationally, having joined Juninho Athletic Academy in 2023 to develop his skills as a versatile defender and midfielder. The grade 10 student at Centaurus High School has already played for Epukiro All-Stars and won a league title in the MTC Hopsol Youth league.
Catherine Mayumbelo, an 18-year-old from Aus, was diagnosed with leukaemia in May and must travel to Cape Town for a bone marrow transplant. Her family is financially strained by monthly medical visits to Windhoek and appeals for public assistance to cover the estimated N$210,000 cost of the transplant journey.
Lüderitz mayor Brigitte Fredericks says central government budget cuts have slowed capital projects but the town remains committed to infrastructure expansion, including water systems, wastewater treatment, and land servicing to address a housing backlog of nearly 6,000 residents. The municipality has also prioritised social housing and is calling for investor interest.
Otumbonde Sport Club, known as Red Fire, is focused on developing players for local and international football competition. The Omaheke-based club has produced players who now compete in the Namibian Premier League and South African professional leagues, and plans to participate in major tournaments this year.
Parents at Sam Nujoma Junior Primary School have withdrawn their children following the drowning of a pre-grade pupil in a nearby well on 10 March, and are demanding the removal of school principal Betty Munashimwe. They allege the principal failed to notify police or the child's parents and did not respond to the incident, and cite additional concerns about her conduct towards teachers and pupils.
The City of Windhoek's plan to build apartments instead of freestanding houses is pragmatic given land and funding constraints, but developers risk sacrificing community spaces and livability. The editorial warns that apartment living requires planning for recreation areas and social infrastructure, drawing lessons from Singapore's approach, and calls on the municipality to address internal corruption and executive salaries before expanding housing.