Windhoek Observer – Windhoek Observer

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Opinions

As we look toward Parliament next week, the air in Namibia is thick with anticipation. A new budget, a reformed healthcare system, and a rising tide of entrepreneurship in our regions all point to a single truth. The New Namibia is no longer a distant promise because it is currently under construction by those willing to do the work. We are witnessing a moment where policy and possibility are finally converging, demanding a response from every citizen who has ever hoped for a more equitable society. Leading without a title is a concept we must now put into practice with…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | Fuelling the high performer

Featured, Opinions

Physical health is the primary engine of cognitive performance, yet the link between nutrition and daily productivity is often overlooked in the rush of a demanding professional schedule. To maintain high levels of focus and energy throughout the day, it is essential to view food as more than just a source of satiety because nutrition is the biological foundation that dictates mental clarity, decision-making capacity, and the ability to sustain effort over long periods. Whether managing a complex technical project, studying for advanced professional qualifications, or navigating a fast-paced corporate environment, your output is intrinsically tied to your metabolic input.…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | The N$100 billion conversation

Featured, Opinions

This week, the minister of finance stepped up to the podium in Parliament to table the 2026/27 national budget. For many young Namibians, this moment often feels like a distant exercise in accounting—a series of dry numbers and complex fiscal terms that belong to the world of politicians and economists. However, in a year defined by shifting energy landscapes and a total transformation in how we access education and healthcare, this budget is the most important document you will not read. It is the blueprint for your economic survival and the primary tool that will determine whether the "New Namibia"…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | From Ohangwena to the world

Featured, Latest

The ecosystem of opportunity in Namibia is undergoing a radical shift as the traditional focus on the central administrative hub of Windhoek begins to give way to a more decentralised and inclusive model of economic empowerment. At the heart of this transformation is the Ohangwena Regional Governor’s Office, which has recently secured a landmark partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to launch a dedicated entrepreneurship programme for the 2026 cycle. This collaboration is not merely a regional win but a national milestone that demonstrates the power of local government acting as a sophisticated bridge to global philanthropic capital. For the…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | The health pill: Reclaiming the standard of care

Opinions

Following a directive from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, senior government officials, including executive directors, the deputy auditor general, the secretary to the National Assembly and the President herself, will begin the transition from private medical suites to the corridors of our state hospitals. This is not merely a policy change or a budget-saving exercise because it is a profound reclamation of the public standard. For the youth of Namibia, this shift represents the end of a two-tier reality where the quality of a citizen’s healthcare was determined by the colour of their medical aid card. To understand the youthful urgency of…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | The strength of second acts

Opinions

A child does not mark the end of a young woman's potential, yet for decades, the social narrative in Namibia has often treated young motherhood as a definitive full stop to personal and professional ambition. As we navigate the early months of 2026, it is time to dismantle this outdated stigma and recognise that the resilience required to raise a child while pursuing a future is one of the highest forms of leadership. Following the implementation of the latest national strategies for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition, we are seeing a shift in how the state and…

27 Feb

A budget that stabilises but does not transform

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When minister Ericah Shafudah tabled the N$104 billion national budget this week, she presented it as a careful balancing act between fiscal discipline and developmental necessity. On paper, it is a responsible document. In substance, however, it raises a more difficult question: is Namibia managing decline cautiously or building growth boldly? The answer, at least for now, leans toward caution. The numbers are instructive. Of the N$104 billion, a staggering N$81.3 billion is directed toward operational expenditure, salaries, administration, recurrent costs and the machinery of government. Only N$6.5 billion is earmarked for development spending. That ratio should concern anyone serious…

27 Feb

Shafudah’s N$87.9bn rainy day budget

Main, National News

Chamwe Kaira Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah tabled Namibia’s N$87.9 billion national budget for the 2026/27 financial year in Parliament on Thursday under the theme “People, Productivity and Prudence”. The total budget, excluding statutory payments, amounts to N$87.9 billion under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. Shafudah said the budget focuses on macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability and value for money while protecting key social and economic investments. She said the plan seeks to restore balance in public finances. “The choices before us are difficult, but they are necessary,” she said. The overall budget deficit is projected to decline to 5.5% of GDP…

27 Feb

Rundu residents raise alarm over new municipal fees

National News

Allexer Namundjembo New tariffs and fines by the Kavango East Regional Council have drawn criticism from a Rundu community activist, who says the charges will add pressure on low-income households and informal traders. Community activist Ndemba Kayone told the Windhoek Observer that the new fee structure does not reflect the realities faced by many residents. “We understand that the council must recover costs and maintain services, but these new tariffs place a heavier burden on people who are already struggling to survive,” Kayone said. The new charges were published in the government gazette No. 123 of 2026 and apply to…

27 Feb

Pensioners to receive N$100 increase

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Pensioners will receive a N$100 increase in their monthly state pension from 1 April. This would raise the grant from N$1 600 to N$1 700. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah announced the increase while delivering the 2026/27 national budget in the National Assembly on Thursday. She said N$447 million has been set aside to fund the adjustment. “The Ministry of Finance received a N$12.9 billion allocation for the 2026/2027 financial year, of which N$447 million is to cater for a N$100 increase in pension (funding) for the elderly,” said Shafudah. The increase falls short of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election…