By Staff Reporter

Windhoek’s streets and public spaces will once again be transformed into live stages and open-air galleries as the Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (OLAF) returns for its fifth edition from 31 October to 01 November 2025.
The festival, jointly hosted by the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) and the Goethe-Institut Namibia, has officially opened its Call for Pitches, inviting Namibian artists and creatives to submit proposals for innovative, small-scale projects that celebrate art in public spaces.

• By Hilja Shikongo

While Namibia’s sports and education sectors often grab the limelight, the country’s creative industries, which includes the arts, fashion design, filmmaking and dance, have been steadily laying the foundation for youth empowerment, in subtle ways. 
This is according to M’kariko Amagulu, the director of arts in the ministry responsible for arts and culture, who highlighted that Namibia’s arts sector is far from being dormant. 

Namibia this week mourns the passing of one of its steadfast sons, Philippus Tjerije, affectionately known as Philip, who passed away on 3 July 2025 at the age of 78. Born on 13 June 1947, Tjerije leaves behind a legacy woven into the very fabric of Namibia’s journey from colonial rule to independence and beyond.

More than 70 percent of Namibia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are led by women, according to First National Bank (FNB) Namibia, highlighting a shift towards more inclusive entrepreneurship in the country.
Connie-Marlene Theyse, head of enterprise banking high touch and mid corporate at FNB Namibia, said this figure reflects the growing impact of women in the country’s business landscape.

As Namibia’s cities expand and climate pressures mount, a new movement is taking root in urban agriculture. More than a way to grow food, it is a pathway to sustainable development, social equity, and economic opportunity. 
In Windhoek and beyond, families and communities are transforming vacant lots, rooftops and informal settlements into thriving gardens, chicken coops and micro-farms. T

The Urban Opportunity 

•By Renthia Kaimbi

The Arandis Town Council recently convened a high-level stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening intergovernmental and private sector collaboration on the future of green hydrogen. 

Speaking at the event, urban and rural development deputy minister Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele, described the gathering as an embodiment of Namibia’s great vision and strategic action towards a sustainable future.

By Hilja Shikongo

The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group has officially transitioned from the Pick n Pay brand to Model, a move that marks the end of a 27-year franchise agreement with Pick n Pay South Africa. 
The change took effect on 1 July 2025 and affects all 19 retail stores previously operating under the Pick n Pay Namibia name.
According to O&L, the decision to revive the Model brand first introduced by the company in 1965, was driven by the need for full operational independence. 

By Etuhole Amutenja

Grootfontein residents in the Otjozondjupa region are fuming over the growing and eyesore presence of a sea of uncollected garbage flooding the streets in certain suburbs which is further causing a health panic.

This, the Grootfontein Municipality maintains, is due to a complete breakdown of the town’s only two municipal refuse compactor trucks. In affected areas such as Omulunga, Kalenga, and parts of the town centre, bins are overflowing for than three weeks now, attracting flies, stray dogs and creating an unbearable.

By Staff Reporter

Namibia and India have strengthened their longstanding diplomatic relationship through the signing of multiple cooperation agreements during the recent State visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Namibia. 
The visit, which marked 35 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
During an official luncheon in honour of the visit prime minister, Nandi-Ndaitwah described the visit as reaffirming the enduring and strategic partnership between the two countries. 

• By Michael Uugwanga