馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Drikus Coetzee wins inaugural Race Across South Africa
via The Namibian3 min read
Drikus Coetzee made history by winning the inaugural Race Across South Africa, completing the 1,969km race in seven days, 12 hours, 2 minutes, and 47 seconds. This victory adds to Coetzee's achievements, which include two wins and a record time in the Big Munga over 1,000km. The Race Across South Africa started in Byrne, Kwazulu Natal, and traversed through KZN, the Eastern Cape, and the Klein Karoo, concluding in Wellington in the Western Cape. The route featured mostly gravel roads, farm tracks, and mountain passes, with 25,000m of vertical climbs. Participants faced challenging conditions, including rain, mud, and strong headwinds. Coetzee described the race as brutal, noting that five out of the seven days experienced rain, making the roads muddy and wet. He adopted a new strategy for this race, prioritizing more sleep鈥攕ix to seven hours per night鈥攖o manage his body and maintain pace. Coetzee expressed pride in his accomplishment, stating that he was glad to make his nation proud and thanked his supporters. He plans to compete again this weekend in the Windhoek Pedal Power time trial.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has declared that the era of 'business as usual' for rural development is over, urging regional councils to enhance project implementation and ensure public resources yield measurable community benefits. This message was delivered by deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele at the 2026 Annual Rural Development Progress Review and Planning Workshop in Swakopmund. Sankwasa expressed concern over incomplete projects, unspent development funds, and idle rural development centers, viewing these as missed opportunities that erode public trust. He emphasized that future resource allocation will prioritize regional councils demonstrating sound planning, innovation, and effective implementation. Infrastructure projects, including schools, community facilities, and water schemes, must be durable and provide lasting benefits, with public servants upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency. Regional councils are responsible for timely project completion and full utilization of allocated funds to improve Namibian lives. Sankwasa noted the ministry's N$10 million allocation for food-for-work and cash-for-work initiatives this financial year, aimed at providing temporary income support and strengthening vulnerable households' resilience. The workshop coincides with the government's review of the national rural development policy and strategy, offering stakeholders a platform to exchange ideas and
Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is experiencing significant pressure on its housing market due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and a limited housing supply. The shortage is particularly acute in the residential rental market, where demand for affordable and middle-income housing far exceeds availability. This has led to increased competition among tenants and rising rental prices, making housing less affordable for many Namibians. Challenges include limited serviced land, high development costs, and slow expansion of housing. An example is the Otjomuise Extension 10 Mass Housing Development Project, where 362 units remained unoccupied due to delays and disputes, highlighting issues with traditional government-led housing models. A potential solution lies in developing a stronger market for residential-real estate investment trusts R-reits. R-reits pool capital from investors to fund income-generating real estate assets, offering a way to expand housing supply and create investment opportunities. While Reits are established globally, Namibia's market is underdeveloped and primarily focused on commercial properties. Expanding into residential-focused R-reits could mobilize capital from institutional investors, pension funds, and private investors for rental housing development. South Africa's Reit market, one of Africa's largest, demonstrates how a well-regulated framework can support property market development. Namibia currently has only two listed Reits, presenting an
Paratus Namibia is providing satellite internet to the Desert Lion Conservation Trust's DLCT research station at M枚we Bay, located in the Skeleton Coast area, to aid in monitoring Namibia's desert-adapted lions. The DLCT has been tracking these lions in north-western Namibia for two decades, with fewer than 100 believed to remain. These lions traverse extensive areas, including communal farming land, occasionally leading to conflicts with people and livestock. The trust collaborates with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and local partners to mitigate these conflicts and safeguard both the lions and farming communities. The satellite connection at M枚we Bay enables researchers to communicate with field teams, share information, and coordinate conservation efforts. At the base camp, researchers process tracking data from collared lions and maintain contact with lion rangers in areas like Purros and Sesfontein. The tracking system issues alerts when collared lions enter areas where they might encounter livestock, allowing rangers to respond swiftly and prevent conflict. Paratus Group chief development officer Barney Harmse stated that this initiative is about enabling conservation and ensuring the DLCT's work remains vital and effective. DLCT founder Flip Stander emphasized the importance of reliable communication for researchers working in remote areas, stating it allows for coordinated work, effective data management, and support for rangers.