Windhoek Observer

Justicia Shipena The government needs an estimated N$1.5 billion to protect Namibia’s livestock sector from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani said the amount is required in addition to the N$57.5 million already approved by Cabinet.  She said the funding is needed to protect a livestock sector valued at about N$15 billion and to safeguard Namibia’s access to export markets. “Preliminary estimates indicate that an investment of approximately N$1.5 billion will be required over and above the already approved N$57 million in order to adequately protect a livestock sector valued at N$15 billion…

Justicia Shipena The High Court on Tuesday ruled that prominent lawyer and former Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) board chairperson Dirk Conradie attempted to divert the awarding of an advertising tender away from the highest-rated bidder. High Court judge Thomas Masuku said evidence indicated that the MTC board meeting held in Lisbon, Portugal, was convened for one purpose only: to award the advertising contract to the bidder that had emerged top after the evaluation process. The court found that the evaluation had already been completed.  The meeting agenda, according to Masuku, confirmed the board's expectation to award the contract based on…

Justicia Shipena There is nothing wrong with a toast during formal diplomatic engagements between a president and foreign envoys, international relations analyst Marius Kudumo has said. This comes as, on Tuesday in the National Assembly, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader and member of parliament Job Amupanda questioned whether it was appropriate for the president to be seen drinking alcohol during official duties. On Monday, ambassadors from various countries presented their letters of credence to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House. A ceremonial toast followed, but the contents in the glass were not confirmed as alcoholic or non-alcoholic. “It is not fair…

Renthia Kaimbi Degazetted Dâuredaman chief Zacharias Seibeb has approached the High Court to challenge his removal as the leader of the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority. Seibeb was dethroned in November last year through a decision carried out by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah under Section 8(4) of the Traditional Authorities Act. Seibeb is seeking a judicial review to set aside the decision taken by the President and the minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa.  He also wants to be re-gazetted and recognised as chief in all official records. “I am the duly recognised traditional chief of the Dâuredaman Traditional Authority,"…

Justicia Shipena Namibia has officially submitted a nomination to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to have the Dâures/Brandberg National Monument Area listed as a World Heritage Site. The submission was announced in Parliament on Tuesday by minister of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp.  She said the nomination dossier was submitted on 29 January 2026, ahead of Unesco’s 1 February deadline. “I am pleased to announce that we have officially submitted a comprehensive nomination dossier to Unesco for the Dâures/Brandberg National Monument Area to be inscribed on the World Heritage List,” Steenkamp told…

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Health and Social Services has refuted allegations that Onandjokwe Hospital in the Oshikoto region subjected expecting mothers to forced labour.  This is after a video showing pregnant women cleaning circulated on social media. Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya said the women are staying at the hospital’s maternity shelter and are not forced to work.  He said they are encouraged to stay active through light daily activities. Kamaya told Windhoek Observer in a telephonic interview last week that the women cook for themselves and clean their sleeping areas as part of routine self-care during pregnancy. “For the…

Renthia Kaimbi Aasha, a cheetah translocated from Namibia to India under Project Cheetah, gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park on 7 February. This is her second successful litter in India. The birth brings the number of Indian-born surviving cubs to 24 and marks the eighth litter since the project began in 2022. India’s minister for environment, forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav, announced the development on social media and described it as “a moment of immense pride and joy.” “Aasha’s legacy leaps forward… This joyous achievement stands as a shining testimony to the unwavering dedication, skill, and…

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Winnie Moongo says the shortages of doctors and specialist clinicians continue to strain public hospitals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.  Moongo said the public health system operates with too few doctors, most of whom are based in urban centres, leaving rural communities without adequate care. “It is unacceptable that rural populations continue to struggle to access basic medical care while doctors and specialists remain concentrated in a few areas,” Moongo said in parliament on Tuesday.  “This imbalance threatens the effectiveness of public healthcare and the wellbeing of our people.” She…