Omusati Times

15/08/2025

Hawala honoured with national hero status, state funeral

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred national hero status on the late Namibian Defence Force head lieutenant general (Rtd) Dumeni Solomon Hawala (photo).

Hawala passed on Monday this week. He was 89.

The former chief of defence who will be laid to rest on 6 September at Ongwediva, would have turned 90 years this Sunday.

In said a statement on Thursday night, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged Hawala’s “distinguished military service, steadfast leadership, and unwavering dedication” to the ideals of freedom and independence.

“His legacy remains a symbol of courage, patriotism, and commitment to the ideals of freedom and independence,” the president stated.

Hawala, a veteran of the liberation movement, served as a senior commander in the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) before independence.

15/08/2025

JUSTIN| Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu has accused the party’s political opponents of attempting to “destabilise, discredit and dismantle” its operations.

In a statement of Friday, Iipumbu claimed “enemies of economic liberation” were targeting NEFF’s files, desks and activities in a calculated move to weaken “the voice of the working class and the poor.”

He urged members and supporters to remain “vigilant, united and disciplined” in the face of what he described as political intimidation and “manufactured lies.”

“The NEFF has reached its adult stage, with maturity, resilience and clarity of purpose,” Iipumbu said, adding that the party would reject “baseless accusations” while welcoming any challenges backed by facts.

“Forward, Fighters! Our victory is certain because our cause is just,” he said.

His comments comes at a time when NEFF president Epafras Mukwiilongo is accused of physically attacked party secretary general, Festus Shaduva.

Mukwiilongo, a former member of parliament and businessman is accused of punching Shaduva while at his (Mukwiilongo) shebeen, The Site in Oshakati.

Media reports suggest that the incident happened on 31 July this year.

25/07/2025

Ngurare shares personal financial struggle after losing SPYL secretary position

Prime minister Elijah Ngurare (photo) has opened up about his past struggles with severe financial hardship and suicidal thoughts, urging Namibians facing similar challenges to hold on and seek support.

Ngurare shared his story on social media on Friday.

He revealed that between 2015 and 2019, he experienced “serious financial stress,” with both his house and car on the verge of repossession due to prolonged non-payment.

During this dark period, he confessed that suicidal thoughts crossed his mind, driven by the desperate hope that his family could benefit from his life cover to settle their debts.

“Thanks to the support of family, friends and comrades, I managed to ward off those thoughts,” Ngurare wrote.

He acknowledged that financial stress is a reality for "most of us," and said he is still in the process of paying off debts incurred during that time.

“To anyone who finds themselves on the verge of suicidal thoughts, please don’t go through with it. Fight on, the sun will shine again amidst all the hardships of life,” he said.

His post comes just days after three teachers from the Ohangwena Region committed su***de, some of them allegedly citing financial distress as a factor.

In July 2015, Ngurare lost his position as secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) and was expelled from Swapo alongside former youth leaders Job Amupanda, Dimbukeni Nauyoma and George Kambala, for what the party described as “incompatible conduct.”

At the time, he also lost several directorships in companies such as Kalahari Holdings, MultiChoice, Namdeb, and NamWater.

However, in 2016, the Windhoek High Court ordered Swapo to reinstate them.

In January 2016, Ngurare secured employment at the University of Namibia (UNAM) as a part-time lecturer.

In February 2020, he resigned from UNAM to join the Ministry of Agriculture as director of water affairs.

In March 2020, Ngurare was promoted to deputy executive director for water affairs in the same ministry.

In December last year, he resigned after being elected as a member of parliament, and in March this year, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed him as prime minister.

-Omusati reporters, photo: Nampa

23/07/2025

Meet the new Namibian currencies. Photo: Contributed

23/07/2025

JUSTIN| The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) says it will bring the nation to a standstill if any attempt is made to arrest its president, Epafras Mukwiilongo, over his recent remarks that he is mobilising weapons to start war in Namibia.

The party vowed to resist any move to arrest Mukwiilongo and called on its supporters to prepare for national mobilisation.

“Should there be any attempt to arrest him for telling the truth, we will take to the streets, we will mobilise our people across the country, and we will bring this nation to a standstill,” the party said in a statement issued by its deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu (photo). -Omusati reporters

23/07/2025

Mulunga tells court he fathered 10 children

Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) managing director Immanuel Mulunga told the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that he is a father of 10 children, eight of whom are minors, as he applied for bail in his ongoing corruption case.

Mulunga, who was born at Omutele village in the Oshikoto region on 4 November 1971, said he moved to Windhoek at the age of six and started school in Katutura.

He later completed his secondary education at Concordia College before enrolling at the University of Namibia (Unam) in 1993.

He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Stellenbosch University, which he obtained in 2000.

Mulunga informed the court that his children are aged 29, 26, 22, 18 (two), 13, 12, 11 and two younger than five years old.

He began his professional career at Unam as an employee from 1994 to 1995, before being appointed as a petroleum inspector in 1995.

Mulunga later worked for BP and went on to serve as Namibia’s petroleum commissioner for 12 and a half years.

His contract as Namcor managing director was terminated on 15 October 2023.

Mulunga is applying for bail after being charged in connection with alleged corrupt activities involving oil transactions and the reported purchase of a luxury vehicle.

He denies all wrongdoing.

23/07/2025

I did not get that vehicle – Mulunga

Former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga (photo) has denied claims by the State that he received a bribe in the form of an Audi vehicle worth N$3 million.

The State alleged last week that Mulunga received the luxury vehicle from fugitive businessman Victor Malima.

The vehicle is allegedly registered in the name of another individual, purportedly through Mulunga.

“Firstly, I do not own such a motor vehicle. Secondly, I was not given such a motor vehicle. I do not have ownership of that vehicle. I do not possess that vehicle. I was not offered that vehicle,” Mulunga said.

He made the statement today during his bail application at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

-Omusati reporter

10/05/2024

24/09/2023

NO MORE! Prominent musician Nakale yaNakale passed on today in Windhoek Central Hospital. The musician has been battling with cancer and was scheduled for an operation. He was 60 years old.

25/09/2022

19/09/2022

19/09/2022