Desert FM 95.3

The Directorate of Veterinary Services has warned that cattle illegally vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) south of the redline will be culled to protect Namibia’s FMD-free status.

Speaking to Desert FM, Jane Kuhanga, chairperson of the Previously Disadvantaged Namibian Commercial Farmers Union, discusses the potential implications for farmers.

Debate has intensified after it emerged that the government paid N$38 million for former president Nangolo Mbumba’s Windhoek residence, bringing total spending over the past decade on retirement homes for Sam Nujoma, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Hage Geingob and Mbumba to N$152 million.

Speaking on Desert FM, Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula weighs in as reports suggest president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah may consider reviewing or scrapping the retirement benefits.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has launched a report titled ‘Closing the Gaps: Strengthening Political Finance Transparency and Oversight in Namibia’, examining how political parties are funded and whether current laws adequately safeguard accountability and public trust. Speaking on Desert FM, IPPR research associate Frederico Links outlines the report’s key findings and recommendations aimed at tightening oversight and improving transparency in Namibia’s political finance system.

Education has again received the largest share of Namibia’s national budget, with N$24.8 billion allocated for 2025/26. However, economist Salomo Hei warns that increased funding alone will not solve unemployment and may continue producing graduates who are not aligned with labour market demands.

Speaking on Desert FM ahead of the tabling of the appropriation bill, Hei questions whether the current education model supports economic needs, particularly as Namibia prepares for a potential oil and gas boom.

Mining Indaba 2026 concluded with record attendance and strong calls for African nations to prioritise beneficiation and regional partnerships. South Africa’s mineral and petroleum resources minister, Gwede Mantashe, highlighted projects such as the Lobito Corridor to ensure infrastructure drives industrialisation instead of merely accelerating raw mineral exports.

Speaking on Desert FM, Namibian geologist Zenzi Awases unpacks what this means for Namibia, particularly for Walvis Bay’s growing ambitions in mining and logistics.

The government plans to require members of the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme to use designated state health facilities from 1 April as part of Swapo’s N$85.7-billion development plan. prime minister Elijah Ngurare has confirmed that president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed senior officials to use public healthcare from April.

Speaking on Desert FM, parliamentarian Utaara Mootu weighs in as unions, including the Namibia National Teachers' Union and the Namibia Nurses Union, warned of legal concerns, a lack of consultation, and added pressure on an already strained public health system.

Local food manufacturer Namib Mills has warned of possible retrenchments as a six-week strike continues, saying it will begin formal consultations if workers reject its latest wage offer. Speaking on Desert FM, general manager ST Ackerman says the company must act in line with labour laws and sustainability concerns, while the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union insists negotiations are ongoing and rejects what it calls deadline pressure.

Debate over in-situ leaching in the Stampriet aquifer has intensified, with Calle Schlettwein and the Namibian Chamber of Environment raising concerns about groundwater risks linked to the proposed project by Headspring Investments.

Speaking on Desert FM, company representatives Abel Nghifitikeko and Kirill Egorov-Kirillov respond to questions about environmental safeguards, water permits, and the economic trade-offs involved.

Namibia-based wildlife biologist Kelsey Prediger and founder of the Pangolin Conservation & Research Foundation (PCRF) joins Desert FM to highlight urgent efforts to protect the threatened Temminck’s ground pangolin from poaching and illegal trade.

She also discusses PCRF’s ongoing research, an upcoming charity event at Am Weinberg, and a new collaboration with Wild Africa to boost wildlife awareness across the continent.

The six-week strike at Namib Mills has intensified, with the company warning that it may begin formal retrenchment consultations under the Labour Act if workers reject its latest offer amid ongoing wage disputes with the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu).

Speaking on Desert FM, Naretu leader Petersen Kambinda says the union is standing firm on its demand for 100% of the December bonus and seven months’ backpay, as tensions grow over business sustainability and workers’ rights.