Desert FM 95.3

Next Wednesday has officially been declared a public holiday to allow Namibians to vote in the regional council and local authority elections. While the government says this will support voter turnout, Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters has raised concerns about the economic impact, while the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has highlighted deeper issues within the Electoral Commission of Namibia itself.

LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa speaks to Desert FM about these concerns.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia will publish the full application on 28 November, after which the government will decide whether Elon Musk’s satellite-internet operator will be licensed. 

At the centre of the debate is the 51% local ownership rule, questions about competition with state-owned providers, and concerns that rejecting Starlink could slow Namibia’s digital growth, especially in rural areas.

To help unpack this, Desert FM speaks to digital and tech expert Nrupesh Soni.

Parliament ended the year without passing a single bill besides the national budget and its amendment, the lowest legislative output in 35 years. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah accused parliamentarians of using prolonged debates and questions to delay the passing of laws.

To respond to this, Desert Fm speaks to the leader of the official opposition in parliament Immanuel Nashinge.

Ben Schernick, Director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia, discusses alarming findings by Public Eye and IBFAN showing Nestlé’s baby food products sold in Africa contain high added sugar, unlike the same products in Europe. He highlights the risks for Namibian children and the urgent need for stronger regulations and nutrition education.

Clemens Karuaihe says civil servants are anxious about the ongoing payroll deduction dispute, stressing the need for a reformed system that ensures financial stability and protects employees during the transition. He highlights concerns over loan repayments, debt dependency, and the importance of proper consultation before changes are implemented.

Namibia is experiencing a sharp drop in entrepreneurial activity, with the number of people identifying as employers falling from about 45 000 in 2018 to just 15 000 in 2023. The loss of 30 000 small and medium businesses threatens the stability of an economy already struggling with high joblessness.

Youth unemployment stands at 44.4% and rises to over 61% when discouraged jobseekers are counted. Yet only 19% of young Namibians say they would consider starting a business, raising concerns about the country’s future economic resilience.

Economist Rodney Hoaeb shares insight on what’s driving this decline and what it means for Namibia’s growth prospects.

The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) is set to make its first-ever leather export under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), sending two containers of wet-blue hides from the Okapuka Tannery to Mombasa, Kenya.

The shipment marks a key milestone for both Meatco and Namibia’s push to strengthen its presence in Africa’s US$3.4-trillion (N$58.4 trillion) market. Trading under AfCFTA’s non-tariff provisions, the move is expected to boost intra-African trade and open more competitive regional opportunities.

Meatco’s interim chief executive, ambassador Albertus Aochamub, weighs in on the significance of this step, the opportunities it creates, and the challenges ahead for Namibia’s leather industry.

A new report shows that the 29 babies have lived behind bars at the Windhoek Correctional Facility with their mothers between 2019 and October 2025. Ten of these babies were born inside the facility, while 19 arrived with their mothers.

To understand the legality, and limits of this practice, Desert FM speaks to lawyer Wesele Chikwililwa.

A full bench of the High Court ruled that Germany cannot be joined as a respondent in the genocide case brought by the Ovaherero and Nama traditional authorities and the Landless People’s Movement.

To dissect the political meaning, historical weight and future trajectory of this litigation, Desert FM speaks to political analyst Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro.

Gender equality and human rights activist Rosa Namises urges the president to declare gender-based violence a national crisis, citing the recent surge in femicide and violence against women and children.