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Kunene
Nekundi assesses Kunene roads
Kaviveterue Virere OPUWO – Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi on Wednesday assessed the Opuwo-Oruvandjei road in the Kunene region following complaints from communities over poor road conditions affecting motorists and access to essential services. Oruvandjei is located about 55 kilometres from Opuwo, with the affected section of the road passing through Kaoko-Otavi towards Oruvandjei, extending further... The post Nekundi assesses Kunene roads appeared first on New Era .
Kunene Regional Council rejects second court order to remove acting CRO …minister questions why council is appealing Kamseb’s removal …chairperson ridicules default judgment, says council was denied day in court
Renthia Kaimbi The Kunene Regional Council is refusing to remove acting chief regional officer George Kamseb despite a second High Court ruling declaring his appointment unlawful. The standoff with urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa now threatens a complete administrative shutdown. Sankwasa has frozen government funding to the council, demanding the appointment of an […]
Dagga muffins land six Khorixas learners in hot water
Six Grade 10 learners from Cornelius Goreseb High School in Khorixas were questioned by police last Thursday after muffins allegedly laced with dagga were found in their possession...
Wildlife relocation boosts Kunene conservation areas
Namibia has translocated 575 wild animals from Etosha National Park to conservation areas across the country, including communal conservancies in the Kunene region. The translocation, led by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, was supported by conservation partners. Conservation Travel Foundation (CTF) founder Tristan Cowley says the initiative demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the […] The post Wildlife relocation boosts Kunene conservation areas appeared first on The Nam
Close to 600 wild animals translocated from Etosha
Staff Reporter A TOTAL of 575 animals were translocated from Etosha National Park to conservation areas in Namibia, including communal conservancies in the Kunene Region. These movements form part of Namibia’s ongoing efforts to restore wildlife populations, improve ecological balance and strengthen the foundation for community-based conservation and the benefits derived from this for communities. ... The post Close to 600 wild animals translocated from Etosha appeared first on Informanté .
Kunene wildfire extinguished as ministry urges greater fire vigilance
Staff Reporter THE Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has extinguished a wildfire in the Khorixas area of the Kunene Region, while urging the public to exercise greater caution to help prevent fire-related incidents. The ministry confirmed that staff brought the Khorixas wildfire under control on Tuesday morning following several days of firefighting operations. According ... The post Kunene wildfire extinguished as ministry urges greater fire vigilance appeared first on Informanté .
Lions terrorise Kunene …farmers cry foul over payouts
Auleria Wakudumo Communal farmers in the Kunene region are calling for an urgent review of the government’s human-wildlife conflict offset payment scheme. Farmers say the current payments for livestock killed by predators do not reflect the true value of their animals or the financial hardship they endure. The appeal comes as communities in the villages... The post Lions terrorise Kunene …farmers cry foul over payouts appeared first on New Era .
Kunene conservancies court Chinese investors
BEIJING – Namibia’s communal conservancies are looking to China for new tourism investors after decades of struggling to generate sustainable income. Conservation leaders say President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s State visit has opened a rare opportunity to attract investment into one of the country’s biggest untapped sectors. Executive director of the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation... The post Kunene conservancies court Chinese investors appeared first on New Era .
Pupkewitz Toyota donates N$40,000 worth of equipment to Namibia’s rhino rangers
Allexer Namundjembo Pupkewitz Toyota, in partnership with Wilderness and Children in the Wilderness (CITW), has donated conservation equipment worth N$40,000 to rhino rangers protecting Namibia’s endangered desert-adapted black rhinos in the Kunene Region. The equipment was handed over to rangers from the Torra, Sesfontein and Anabeb conservancies, where frontline conservation teams patrol vast and rugged […]
‘No water, no education’
Kunene school without water for five weeks A Five-week water shortage at Orumana Combined School in the Kunene region has triggered a sanitation crisis, disrupting classes and sparking pupil protests. The school has been relying on a community borehole after its own borehole stopped pumping water, but has allegedly been denied access to the borehole. […] The post ‘No water, no education’ appeared first on The Namibian .
Kunene mining rights climb to 2 438
Namibia’s Kunene region has recorded 2 438 mining rights, highlighting a sharp rise in exploration activity as investors target one of Namibia’s least explored but most prospective mineral provinces, governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has said. According to Muharukua, the region had 1 827 mining claims as of 24 June, comprising 486 granted claims and 1 341 […] The post Kunene mining rights climb to 2 438 appeared first on The Namibian .
Chieftaincy based on lineage, not politics – Sankwasa
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has warned that political affiliation will not influence recognition of traditional leaders, saying chieftaincy applications must meet customary law and hereditary succession requirements. Speaking during a public engagement at Opuwo on Wednesday, Sankwasa said people should not expect to be recognised as chiefs simply because they belong to […] The post Chieftaincy based on lineage, not politics – Sankwasa appeared first on The Namibian .
Kunene council salaries dispute resolved
The dispute that delayed salary payments at the Kunene Regional Council has been resolved, with employees expected to receive their salaries yesterday. Speaking during a public engagement in Opuwo on Wednesday, Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa announced that the government and the regional council had agreed to appoint an acting chief regional... The post Kunene council salaries dispute resolved appeared first on New Era .
Ongwe raises N$310 million for Namibia gold hunt
Canadian-ownedOngwe Minerals has raised about N$310.5 million to accelerate gold exploration at its Khorixas and Omatjete projects in Namibia. The company is doing mining activities in the Damara Gold Belt. Ongwe chief executive Dave Underwood says following its recent dual listing on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX), Ongwe was able to reserve a significant portion […] The post Ongwe raises N$310 million for Namibia gold hunt appeared first on The Namibian .
Sankwasa resolves Kunene salary dispute
Staff Reporter THE Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, says the salary dispute at the Kunene Regional Council has been resolved after an agreement was reached to relieve Chief Regional Officer George Kamseb of his duties and appoint an acting chief regional officer, allowing the release of funds to pay employees their outstanding ... The post Sankwasa resolves Kunene salary dispute appeared first on Informanté .
Kunene records 15% decline in crime
OPUWO – The Governor of the Kunene region, Vipuakuje Muharukua, says the region has recorded a significant decline in crime, with reported cases decreasing by 15%, a trend he attributed to strengthened policing strategies and improved cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities. He made the remarks during the State of the Region Address... The post Kunene records 15% decline in crime appeared first on New Era .
Govt makes progress in Kunene
OPUWO – The Governor of the Kunene region, Vipuakuje Muharukua, said the Division of Marginalised Communities continued to support vulnerable and destitute households, particularly among the Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities. He said that through the Special Feeding Programme, monthly food rations are provided to 2 354 beneficiaries in the Outjo, Kamanjab and Epupa constituencies. He... The post Govt makes progress in Kunene appeared first on New Era .
Kunene Regional Council bows to Sankwasa’s demands…agrees to remove Kamseb as CRO …minister will only release withheld funds to an acting CRO
Renthia Kaimbi The Kunene Regional Council has bowed to the demands of the urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa. The council agreed to immediately remove George Kamseb as acting chief regional officer (CRO), appoint a legally recognised accounting officer and pave the way for the release of withheld employee salaries. The breakthrough ends weeks […]
Kunene crime rate drops by 15%
Staff Reporter THE crime rate in the Kunene Region decreased by 15% between 2024 and 2025. “The Namibian Police Force in Kunene recorded a positive downward trend in reported crimes during the period under review. Total reported crime decreased from 2,683 in 2024 to 2,282 cases in 2025, representing a reduction of 401 cases, approximately ... The post Kunene crime rate drops by 15% appeared first on Informanté .
Kunene governor calls for urgent action on social ills facing region
Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has urged regional leaders to address growing social challenges, warning that unresolved issues could undermine development efforts in the region. Speaking during his state of the region address in Opuwo on Tuesday, Muharukua said the region recorded 1 793 cases involving socially vulnerable individuals, as well as 129 substance abuse cases, […] The post Kunene governor calls for urgent action on social ills facing region appeared first on The Namibian .
Opuwo cobalt project sold to Chinese company
Celsius Resources will sell its copper-cobalt project at Opuwo to a Chinese mining company for N$250 million. Australian-listed Celsius announced the sale of the Opuwo project in the Kunene region to Chinalco (Xiong’an) Mining yesterday. “Celsius is delighted to have concluded an agreement with an entity of Chinalco (Xiong’an) Mining’s international standing and reputation. We […] The post Opuwo cobalt project sold to Chinese company appeared first on The Namibian .
Kunene salary delays blamed on technical issue
Staff Reporter PRIME Minister Elijah Ngurare has apologised to public servants in the Kunene Region over delayed salary payments, rejecting claims by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani that the delay was politically motivated. Venaani accused the government and the ruling Swapo Party of targeting the PDM following the suspension of salary payments to ... The post Kunene salary delays blamed on technical issue appeared first on Informanté .
Muharukua concerned over rising social challenges in Kunene
Staff Reporter THE Governor of the Kunene Region, Vipuakuje Muharukua, has expressed concern over the growing social challenges affecting the region, citing substance abuse, attempted suicide and gender-based violence (GBV) as major concerns. “Regrettably, a total of 1,793 individual cases of social ills were reported to the Division of Gender and Social Welfare. A total ... The post Muharukua concerned over rising social challenges in Kunene appeared first on Informanté .
Venaani accuses Swapo of punishing PDM over Kunene salary delays
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has accused Swapo of politically targeting his party following delays in salary payments to employees of the Kunene Regional Council. Venaani raised the matter in the National Assembly on Tuesday during an oral question directed to prime minister Elijah Ngurare. He linked the delayed salaries to what he […] The post Venaani accuses Swapo of punishing PDM over Kunene salary delays appeared first on The Namibian .
Kunene address in limbo
The fate of the Kunene region’s state of the region address remains uncertain after governor Vipuaakuje Muharukua insisted he will proceed with the address on Tuesday despite the regional council announcing its postponement. Speaking to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday, Muharukua dismissed claims that the address could not go ahead due to a lack […] The post Kunene address in limbo appeared first on The Namibian .
Mining vs Tourism – Is this conflict manufactured?
As the Chairperson of the Small Miners Association in Khorixas, and on behalf of concerned community members, I write to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing narrative that pits mining against tourism.
Kunene governor blames council dispute for unpaid salaries
Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has accused the Kunene Regional Council of using its employees as a “human shield” to protect what he describes as the illegal occupation of the chief regional officer’s office by George Kamseb. Muharukua made the remarks in a written response to a petition submitted by employees of the Kunene Regional Council […] The post Kunene governor blames council dispute for unpaid salaries appeared first on The Namibian .
Conservation and development must not become enemies
The dispute unfolding in the Kunene Region between the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority and tourism operator Ultimate Safaris is far more than a local disagreement over mining permits or conservation fees. It is a defining test of Namibia’s ability to balance environmental stewardship, economic development, traditional governance and the rule of law. At its heart […]
Daure Daman TA objects ultimate.earth’s leasehold application
By Renthia Kaimbi The Daure Daman Traditional Authority has formally objected to the leasehold application submitted by ultimate.earth, formerly known as Ultimate Safaris, for a vast tract of communal land in the Kunene Region. In a letter dated 23 June 2026 to the Kunene Communal Land Board, the traditional authority maintained its opposition to the […]
Kunene youth secure N$2.2m
Auleria Wakudumo The Kunene region has emerged as the country’s leading beneficiary of the National Youth Development Fund. The region secured N$2.2 million for youth-led business ventures aimed at creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The funding, awarded through the government’s flagship youth empowerment initiative, will support three enterprises in the region: Kunene Youth Gemstone... The post Kunene youth secure N$2.2m appeared first on New Era .
Ohangwena, Kunene experience critical shortages of medicine
The governors of the Ohangwena and Kunene regions have expressed concern over ongoing medicine shortages at public health facilities in their regions. Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua says the region is no exception to the ongoing medicine shortages affecting the country. Muharukua says he was briefed by the regional health director that hospitals at Opuwo, Khorixas […] The post Ohangwena, Kunene experience critical shortages of medicine appeared first on The Namibian .
Sesfontein’s development potential untapped – councillor
Despite its rich tourism attractions, mining prospects and natural beauty, Sesfontein constituency’s development potential remains untapped due to infrastructure deficits, water shortages and limited investment. Home to more than 8 000 inhabitants, Sesfontein constituency in the Kunene region is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, desert-adapted wildlife and growing tourism industry, attracting visitors from across Namibia […] The post Sesfontein’s development potential untapped – councillor a
Kuuoko: Thirst, hunger grip Epupa
Kaviveterue Virere OPUWO – Perennial water supply shortages and food insecurity remain a persistent thorn in the flesh of residents in Kunene’s Epupa constituency, with prolonged drought conditions continuing to affect livelihoods and agricultural production. Epupa constituency councillor Tjimutambo Kuuoko told Nampa in an interview that access to water remains a major concern for residents... The post Kuuoko: Thirst, hunger grip Epupa appeared first on New Era .
Eyewear programme brings sight to hundreds in Kunene Region
Staff Reporter A VISION screening and eyewear initiative by ultimate.earth, in partnership with T-UP Vision and the Conservation Travel Foundation, has provided life-changing corrective glasses to nearly 500 residents and conservancy members in Namibia’s Kunene Region, restoring sight and improving daily livelihoods in some of the country’s most remote communities. In a region where access ... The post Eyewear programme brings sight to hundreds in Kunene Region appeared first on Informanté .
Discipline And Respect: Pillars Of Namibia’s Schools
I am deeply concerned about the state of discipline in some of our schools and the growing challenges facing Namibia’s education system. Recent incidents highlight rising misconduct and question the effectiveness of current disciplinary measures. On 16 January 2025, The Namibian reported that drugs and alcohol were blamed for Kunene’s struggling schools. The regional director […] The post Discipline And Respect: Pillars Of Namibia’s Schools appeared first on The Namibian .
Germany gives N$1.9m for sexual health project
The German government has committed about N$1.9 million towards a project aimed at promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights among young people in Namibia’s Kavango, Kunene and Omusati regions. The German embassy and the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (Nappa) announced this in a joint statement yesterday. German ambassador to Namibia Thorsten Hutter and representatives […] The post Germany gives N$1.9m for sexual health project appeared first on The Namibian .
NNN picks booze fest over genocide event
The president attended the following events in May:Today: Etunda irrigation scheme – Omusati27 May: Omaludi Agricultural Festival – Ohangwena23 May: Omagongo Festival – Omusati4 May: Cassinga Day – Omusati1 May: Workers’ Day – Kunene President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s absence from yesterday’s national Genocide Remembrance Day events has drawn sharp criticism from political and community leaders despite […] The post NNN picks booze fest over genocide event appeared first on The Namibian .
Kunene launches N$28-million Otjirongondo Secondary School project
The Kunene Regional Council on Tuesday launched the construction of the Otjorungondo Secondary School at Opuwo, a N$28.2-million development project. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, director of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture in the Kunene region Sophia Frederick said the project forms part of phase two of the education ministry’s decongestion plan under […] The post Kunene launches N$28-million Otjirongondo Secondary School project appeared first on The Namibi
Kunene genocide descendants call for healing, truth ahead of remembrance day
Descendants of genocide victims in the Kunene region have called for stronger historical truth-telling, intergenerational dialogue and meaningful healing ahead of Genocide Remembrance Day, saying remembrance must lead to lasting national reconciliation. The remarks were made during a Government Information Centre engagement at Opuwo on Wednesday with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology ahead […] The post Kunene genocide descendants call for healing, truth ahead of remembranc
Namibia in Numbers: Electricity Sources Feb ‘26
Namibia consumed 440GWh of electricity in February, up 13% from 390GWh in the same month a year earlier. Imports accounted for 56% of supply, with the balance generated domestically. Ruacana, the Namibia Power Corporation’s (NamPower’s) hydroelectric station on the Kunene River and the country’s largest domestic generator, produced 156GWh during the month. That compares to […] The post Namibia in Numbers: Electricity Sources Feb ‘26 appeared first on The Namibian .