Contributing to the budget allocation for the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME), members of the National Council (NC) called on the ministry to expand electrification in rural areas.

The vote has been allocated a budget of about N$826 million.

The budget allocation of N$134 million towards the National Council (NC) has been approved for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Despite the approval, MPs stated that the budget is not adequate considering the oversight and outreach efforts carried out by the institution.

The #BeFree Movement hosted its #BeFree Ballers, a youth-centred initiative bringing together young men, mentors and service providers to engage in conversations on masculinity and sexual reproductive health amongst others.

The programme drew over a hundred young men who engaged with these topics. 

Members of the National Council (NC) have raised concerns regarding challenges affecting different regions, such as access to health facilities, shortage of medical staff and the need for improved services in rural and remote areas.

The MPs were contributing to the Health and Social Services budget.

Foreign Affairs ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are expected to convene a retreat at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga to chart a unified regional response to global geopolitical shifts.

The retreat will run from May 22nd to the 24th.