Stakeholders in ||Kharas Region have voiced diverse views of the draft National Upstream Petroleum Policy aimed at shaping the future of the emerging oil and gas industry. 

The Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Office of the President held the consultation in Keetmanshoop. 

Affirmative Repositioning MP Hidipo Kambala has expressed support for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's commitment to uplifting widows and helping them reclaim their place in society, referring to this week’s Widows Summit. 

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has appointed former Member of Parliament Marina Kandumbu as administrator of the Katima Mulilo Town Council following the dissolution of the Council last month.

Given that many Namibians continue to face socio-economic challenges, the introduction of a Basic Income Grant (BIG) remains urgent.

The Namibian government spends around N$7 billion yearly on social grants, with old-age pensions accounting for nearly half of the total. 

Michael Humavindu, the Executive Director in the Ministry of Finance, cautions that raising the pension to a mere N$2,000 could push the bill close to N$9 billion.