Windhoek Observer

Renthia Kaimbi The municipality of Okahandja is in an administrative deadlock, as the swearing-in of its newly elected council has been delayed due to the unavailability of the local magistrate.  The delay has frozen all municipal decision-making, leaving the town without a mayor or a legally constituted management committee. Outgoing mayor Beatrice Katungondo said the council wrote to the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on 10 November to schedule the ceremony.  Although the law requires councillors to be sworn in seven days after elections, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa postponed all swearing-in ceremonies from 3 December to 5 December 2025.…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said gender-based violence is a violation of human dignity and a betrayal of the nation’s liberation values.  She said the country can't claim to honour human rights while women continue to live in fear.  “Our nation cannot claim to honour human rights while its mothers, sisters, and daughters continue to live in fear,” she said, calling for safety, respect, and full legal protection for all women. She delivered her message as Namibia marked International Human Rights Day and Namibian Women’s Day, observed under the theme “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials.” She emphasised the close link…

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition councillors in the Outapi Town Council say they were excluded from a meeting held on Tuesday in Windhoek between council representatives and the management of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.  The councillor said the meeting was with the minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa, along with deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele.  The meeting also included the ministry’s executive directors, Wilhelmine Shivute and Petrus Sikongo Sindimba. According to the council’s official Facebook page, a delegation led by Outapi mayor Victorina Neingo attended the engagement.  The delegation included councillor Gerson Dumeni, chairperson of the management committee,…

Allexer Namundjebo  Rejection of Namibia’s proposals on rhino horn trade at the 20th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) effectively communicates that even countries with proven conservation records will not be supported.  This was the message from the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), which has criticised the outcomes of the conference which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. CITES rejected Namibia's proposals last week to lift the ban on the international trade in black and white rhino horns.  The conference adopted the voting results on Thursday. NAPHA's president, Hannes du Plessis, said the decisions…

Allexer Namundjembo The United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth League and Oshikuku community activists are calling for accountability and better service delivery from newly elected regional and local authority councillors.  Both say communities expect leaders to prioritise basic services, transparency and public welfare. UDF Youth League secretary Reinold #Goseb urged councillors to focus on clean water, proper roads, electricity, healthcare and education.  He said political theatrics should not overshadow service delivery and reminded office bearers that public institutions must work in the interest of citizens. #Goseb also questioned how public resources are managed, especially in the awarding of tenders and the…

Renthia Kaimbi The Capricorn Foundation is investing in strengthening school leadership through a renewed partnership with the African Leadership Institute (ALI). A N$480 000 donation will fund a two-year certificate in transformational leadership for a second cohort of 29 school principals and senior school leaders. The foundation made the same contribution in 2024, supporting 19 principals and department heads who have since completed the programme.  To date, the foundation has invested N$960 000 to train 48 school leaders. Marlize Horn,  The executive director of the Capricorn Foundation said leadership development is a key part of their education focus.  “The Capricorn…

Renthia Kaimbi NamWater and Swakop Uranium have signed a Joint Venture Agreement to establish the Erongo Sunam Desalination Project Joint Venture.  The agreement was concluded on Tuesday following negotiations aimed at strengthening the country's long-term water security. The public-private partnership will develop a major seawater desalination plant in the Erongo region.  The partners said the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement is a major step toward strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors to deliver essential water infrastructure. The initiative responds to growing pressure on freshwater resources in the arid region.  Erongo hosts major mining operations, growing industries and…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Police Force (Nampol) in the Erongo region has launched the 2025/2026 festive season roadblock at the Swakopmund checkpoint.  The operation runs from 9 December 2025 to 16 January 2026 under the theme “Do the Right Thing and Save Lives.” The launch outlined the policing strategies for the busy holiday period.  Erongo police regional commander, commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, said the roadblocks mark the start of intensified efforts to protect all roads as the region prepares for heavy travel.  “This launch marks the beginning of intensive efforts to safeguard all roads as the region prepares to receive thousands…