Desert FM 95.3

Institute for Public Policy Research executive director Graham Hopwood is calling for greater transparency in Namibia’s fishing sector, including the publication of fishing rights, quotas and beneficial ownership information. Hopwood says the government must move beyond discussions and take concrete action to improve accountability in the industry.

The Namibia Meteorological Services confirms that a strong El Niño pattern has been established over the Pacific Ocean and is expected to remain active through early 2027, bringing sea surface temperatures up to 2°C to 3°C above normal. Given the heightened risk of dry conditions and potential water scarcity, agricultural producers – particularly livestock farmers – are advised to prepare proactive risk management strategies.

Addressing the potential $700 million funding gap left by the transition, Vetaruhe Kandorozu expresses confidence in Namibia’s internal capacity, provided the state addresses tax collection and resource management inefficiencies.

Rundu-based activist Frans Moyo says the Rundu Town Council depends heavily on basic water tariffs and service fees rather than capitalising on alternative, higher-yielding revenue streams such as land administration, housing development and tourism.

Economist Almandro Jansen says Namibia’s housing market is increasingly pushing ordinary Namibians out, with a person now needing about N$44,000 a month to afford the national average house. Jansen says government needs to increase the supply of serviced land, improve access to housing finance and introduce a clear multi-year plan to tackle the housing shortage.

As Namibia commemorates Heroes’ Day, social justice activist Herbert Jauch says the country’s liberation remains incomplete without economic and social justice. He is calling for fundamental changes to economic ownership structures to address inequality, unemployment and poverty.

Ovaherero leader Hoze Riruako says Namibia must do more to teach young people about the country’s liberation history and the sacrifices of people who fought for independence. Speaking to Desert FM ahead of Heroes Day on 26 August, Riruako says the history of Namibia’s heroes and heroines must be given greater prominence in the education system and be preserved for future generations.

Namibia is preparing to give liberation struggle veterans a final resting place at Heroes’ Acre as their remains return home from South Africa. Melinda Linda Aipinge-Nakale says the repatriation, which also includes 84 ancestral remains, restores dignity and brings an important part of Namibia’s history back home.

Modestus Amutse on the Oil and Gas Conference, local content, as well as the delay of the Petroleum Amendment Bill.

Following the controversial granting of an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for its Sandpiper project, the Swapo Party Youth League is calling for Cabinet to hold greater oversight over major environmental decisions. However, political analyst Sakaria Johannes warns that shifting authority from technical experts to Cabinet risks heavily politicising environmental governance.