Windhoek Observer – Page 31 – Windhoek Observer

23 Oct

MP says learners being used for teachers’ online fame

National News

Justicia Shipena Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo has raised concern over teachers recording and posting videos of learners on social media during school hours without consent from parents. She said the practice violates the Child Care and Protection Act of 2015 and the constitutional rights of children to privacy and dignity. Mbinge-Tjeundo warned that exposing learners on platforms like TikTok and Facebook puts them at risk of cyberbullying, exploitation, and permanent digital footprints that could affect their future. “Such practices not only violate the rights of children but also divert attention from the primary mandate of schools, which…

23 Oct

Luvindao Threatens to Sue Windhoek Observer, Sparks Legal and Ethical Backlash…Conflict of interest and misuse of office allegations emerge

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Health and Social Services Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao’s threat to sue the Windhoek Observer for defamation, both personally and through her brother’s law firm, has drawn sharp criticism from legal and governance experts. They say the move raises concerns about ethics, conflicts of interest, and possible misuse of office. Through Dr Weder, Kruger & Haikali Incorporated, Luvindao issued an undated letter of demand to the Windhoek Observer threatening legal action over an article published on 17 October. The report stated that she had urgently reached out to foreign diplomatic missions for emergency anti-malarial supplies amid low national stock…

23 Oct

Usakos man sues police, state for N$2.9 million

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A Usakos resident, Melvin Areseb, is suing the Namibian Police, including the inspector general Joseph Shikongo and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, along with three police officers, for more than N$2.9 million following his alleged unlawful arrest and assault in August this year. Court documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that Areseb is claiming N$2 million for disability, loss of amenities of life and insult to dignity. He is also seeking N$500 000 for shock and trauma, N$300 000 for future medical expenses, and N$10 000 for destruction of property. Through his lawyer,…

23 Oct

Election season rekindles debate on delayed Omuthiya VTC

National News

Allexer Namundjembo As local authority elections draw near, new discussions about the long-delayed Omuthiya Vocational Training Centre (VTC) have caused mixed feelings among residents. This follows a post by the Omuthiya Town Council on its official Facebook page announcing that a team from the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) visited the site earmarked for the project. The council stated that construction of the centre is expected to begin soon to help reduce the strain on vocational training opportunities in the Oshikoto region. During the visit, Omuthiya Town Council chief executive officer Petrus Shuuya noted that…

23 Oct

CPBN awards N$535m in security contracts over three years

National News

Justicia Shipena The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has awarded 39 security service contracts worth N$535 million over the past three years. The contracts, CPBN said, aimed to promote local empowerment, job creation, and SME development. CPBN chairperson Mary Shiimi revealed these facts during her presentation on “The Bidding Process of the CPBN” at the first Namibia Private Security Conference and 33rd annual general meeting held this week at the Mövenpick Hotel in Windhoek. According to Shiimi, the board prioritised Namibian products, workers, and services by awarding the contracts under the Public Procurement Act of 2015. She emphasised fairness…

23 Oct

Pensioners’ water debts to be wiped clean in the south

National News

Justicia Shipena The ||Kharas and Hardap regional councils have directed all municipalities under their control to cancel outstanding debts owed by pensioners before the end of the year. The move aims to promote social justice and protect the dignity of elderly citizens. In a circular dated 16 October 2025, ||Kharas Regional Council chairperson Joseph Isaack instructed local authorities to write off water debts accumulated by pensioners, both living and deceased. He said the decision aligns with the constitutional principles of social welfare and compassion. Isaack explained that the directive is based on the Local Authorities Act of 1992, which allows…

23 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | The Dark Side of Likes: When Teachers Turn Learners into Social Media Content

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The warning by PDM member of parliament Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo could not have come at a more crucial time. Her call for greater scrutiny of how some teachers are using learners to create social media content must serve as a national wake-up call. Namibia is fast catching up with the global trend where schools, classrooms, and even children’s private moments are turned into digital entertainment, often without consent, without understanding the consequences, and without any protection for the minors involved. What was once a space for learning and mentorship, the classroom, is now becoming a stage for online fame. Teachers who…

23 Oct

Election spending to test Govt’s financial discipline

National News, Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Projections made by Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah rest on assumptions that require careful interpretation. Economic analyst Almandro Jansen said maintaining GDP growth above 3% depends on how quickly investments in energy, logistics, and housing move forward, as well as on continued private-sector confidence. He noted that SACU inflows, which still make up about a third of total revenue, remain exposed to regional trade performance and South Africa’s fiscal outlook. Jansen said election-year spending in the 2026/27 financial year could test the government’s commitment to spending cuts. He said Simonis Storm’s assessment is that the fiscal outlook is credible…

23 Oct

NaCC pays N$9m in penalties to state coffers

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has paid N$9 million in penalties into the state revenue fund after the audit of its 2024/25 financial year by the auditor general. This fulfils its obligation under the Competition Act, which requires all collected penalties to be transferred to the fund. NaCC corporate communication practitioner Dina //Gowases said the commission collected the penalties through settlement and consent agreements with companies in several sectors, including non-financial services (N$1 million), cement (N$5 million) and fuel and air transportation (N$3 million). She said investigations found that some companies violated chapters 3 and 4 of the…

23 Oct

Economy slowed during Q2

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) have released the October 2025 Financial Stability Report, assessing the strength of the country’s financial system and its ability to withstand internal and external shocks. According to the report, the domestic economy slowed sharply in the second quarter of 2025, mainly due to weak performance in the manufacturing, fishing, and agriculture sectors. The economy grew by 1.6% during the quarter, compared to 3.3% recorded in the same period last year. The contraction was driven by declines in manufacturing, fishing and fish processing on board, and…