Desert FM 95.3

by Desert FM 95.3

Manuel Ngarigombe: PDM Gears up for November local elections

Namibia’s Regional Council and Local Authority elections are just months away, and political parties are gearing up to convince voters they have what it takes to deliver. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) is no stranger to the electoral arena, but how prepared are they for November’s contest, and how do they plan to win the trust of communities across the country? PDM Secretary-General, Manuel Ngaringombe, joins Desert FM as he discusses the party’s plan for the regional elections.

Akser Aupinidi: Red-force should remain operative

Minister James Sankwasa’s recent directive ordering local authorities not to renew contracts with RedForce Debt Management has sparked controversy, with Okahandja’s Deputy Mayor, Akser Aupindi, calling the move illegal. Deputy Mayor Aupindi joins Desert FM to unpack this bold claim and explore its implications.

Ohangwena Regional Commander Ottilie Kashuupulwa talks about stepping up safety in the Ohangwena region

A total of 154 rape cases and 235 incidents of domestic violence have been reported in the Ohangwena Region over the past year. Ohangwena Governor, Kadiva Hamutumwa, says police presence must be strengthened in the region, particularly in rural areas. Desert FM spoke to the Ohangwena Regional Commander, Ottilie Kashuupulwa, who shared the measures being implemented to curb such crimes.

Tenders, Truth and the Price of Panado

Namibia’s public procurement systems, particularly in the oil and health sectors, have come under scrutiny amid media reports and ACC investigations. In an exclusive conversation with Desert FM, former prime minister Nahas Angula unpacks the country’s tender processes, the state of the health system, and offers his assessment of the eighth administration’s performance.

‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa Set for WBO Global Title Fight.

Namibia’s boxing star Fillipus ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa is set to take on undefeated South African fighter Mxolisi Zuma in a much-anticipated WBO Global title clash. The showdown takes place this weekend at the Windhoek Country Club & Resort. We caught up with veteran promoter Nestor Tobias to talk about the upcoming bout, Nghitumbwa’s preparations, and why this fight matters for Namibian boxing.

City of Windhoek Cracks Down on Public Smoking: All Forms Banned Outside Designated Zones

The City of Windhoek has issued a firm reminder to all residents and visitors that smoking in public areas is strictly prohibited, and that includes vapes, cigars, pipes, hubbly-bubbly, and cigarettes. Whether you’re at a mall, on public transport, or in a restaurant, if it’s not a designated smoking zone, lighting up is against the law. With growing concern about public health and second-hand smoke exposure, the city says it’s time to get serious about enforcement. But what does this mean for smokers? For businesses? And what are the consequences of ignoring these rules? To walk us through the details and what’s expected of all of us, we were joined by Nevia Kwenani from the City of Windhoek.

Beauties FC Urgently Calls for Support Ahead of CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers

Beauties Football Club owner Salome Iyambo makes a heartfelt appeal for sponsorship as the Namibian champions prepare to face giants like Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers. With no sponsor and drawn in the tournament’s toughest group, the team is relying on national support to fly the flag for Namibia in Johannesburg from 22–31 August. Desert FM Sports spoke to veteran sports journalist Julien Garises on this.

Shaun Gariseb on Minister Sankwasa's instruction to local authorities to cease renewing contracts with RedForce

We turn our attention to a long-standing issue that has affected households across the country the aggressive and often controversial debt collection practices by RedForce Debt Management. In a bold move, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has issued a directive instructing all local authorities to cease renewing contracts with RedForce. This decision follows years of public complaints, particularly from communities like Katutura, where many residents say they’ve suffered financially and emotionally under RedForce’s collection tactics. Joining us now is Shaun Gariseb, spokesperson for the Katutura Residents Committee, to unpack the implications of this directive, how communities have responded, and what accountability might look like moving forward.

Dr. Matuikuani Dax: Will Namibia be ready when the next pandemic hits?

Next, we take a critical look at Namibia’s public health preparedness and ask a sobering question: Will Namibia be ready when the next pandemic hits? From rising cholera cases to the ongoing malaria threat, Namibia continues to face overlapping health emergencies all while still lacking a centralised public health body that can effectively coordinate prevention, response, and research. Joining us for this vital conversation is Dr. Matuikuani Dax, a global health specialist and advocate for a resilient, well-coordinated public health system.

Martin Lukato on the readiness of the NDP for the 2025 Local Authority and Regional Council Elections

The countdown is on. With just three months to go before Namibians head to the polls for the Local Authority and Regional Council Elections, political parties across the spectrum are gearing up. Today, we’re joined by Martin Lukato, president of the Namibia Democratic Party (NDP), one of the country’s older yet smaller but steadily growing political outfits. We’ll find out how ready the NDP is from candidate selection to voter engagement and their views on how the Electoral Commission of Namibia is running the show.

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