Windhoek Observer – Page 378 – Windhoek Observer

30 Mar

City Police cracks down on child beggars

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek City Police, in partnership with social services and other stakeholders, are developing a plan to address the growing presence of child beggars at intersections in Windhoek. This follows a recent incident in which a young boy narrowly escaped serious injury while begging at a busy intersection in the central business district. City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo said the dangers posed by high-traffic areas and the ongoing efforts to tackle the issue. She said that while Windhoek municipal bylaws impose a N$500 fine for loitering, begging, or obstructing streets, the City Police are prioritising rehabilitation over punishment.…

30 Mar

Health minister vows direct action to eliminate TB

National News

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, has committed to intensifying the country’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), describing it as a national priority. Speaking at the World TB Day commemoration held in Tsandi on Friday, Luvindao said the country must act urgently to end the spread of what remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. “In 2024 alone, 8 360 people were diagnosed with drug-susceptible TB and 292 with drug-resistant TB. It is a public health concern that, according to WHO estimates, up to 33% of people with TB remain undiagnosed,” she said. She also…

30 Mar

MEFT struggles to locate crocodiles in Etaka Dam

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) are struggling to locate crocodiles in Etaka Dam following a recent attack on a man. The officials cited the reservoir’s size and thick vegetation as major obstacles. Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala said the dam, which stretches over 13 kilometres, is difficult to search due to heavy shrubbery in the water. “The Ministry of Environment is trying to locate the crocodiles, but identifying their exact location is very difficult because the reservoir stretches over 13km and has a lot of shrubs in the water. At this point, all…

30 Mar

The nationalists’ voice

Opinions

"Namibian nationality is a national treasure – it is not for sale" Lazarus Kwedhi Namibian nationality is not for sale at any price. It cannot be tampered with or handed out indiscriminately to satisfy or protect any individual or group at the expense of native Namibians. Any action that compromises Namibia’s sovereignty is, fundamentally, an act of treason. Nationalists are conservative and deeply patriotic. They are not surprised—though they are troubled—by those who argue that an offspring born in Namibia to foreign parents is a Namibian citizen, as stipulated in Article 4 of the Namibian Constitution. This provision grants such…

30 Mar

E-invoicing system set to modernise tax administration

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has pledged its continued support in ensuring that the government’s fiscal agenda is adequately resourced, following the recent tabling of the national budget by the Minister of Finance and Social Grants Management, Ericah Shafudah. NamRA’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, commended the Minister’s presentation of the N$106.3 billion national budget for the 2025/2026 financial year and reaffirmed the agency’s role in securing the funds necessary for delivering on the country’s policy objectives. He said that NamRA remains fully aligned with the government’s drive to mobilise domestic revenue in a manner that strengthens the national economy.…

30 Mar

New Deputy Judges-President appointed at High Court

National News

Niël Terblanche President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, last week, appointed two Deputy Judges-President of the High Court while acting on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). According to a statement by the Judiciary, Justice Shafimana Ueitele and Justice Johanna Sophia (Hannelie) Prinsloo will assume their new roles on 1 April 2025. Justice Ueitele has served as a High Court Judge since 1 July 2012 and is currently acting on the Supreme Court Bench, where he has served since January 2021. Justice Prinsloo has been a High Court Judge since July 2017 and was appointed as an acting Judge of the…

30 Mar

Drop in fuel prices offers relief for consumers

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Motorists, along with consumers across the country, will breathe a little easier at the pumps in April following the government’s announcement of a reduction in fuel prices. Effective Wednesday, 2 April, the price of petrol will drop by 50 cents per litre, while both 50ppm diesel and 10ppm diesel will be reduced by 80 cents per litre. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the lower prices are the result of over-recoveries recorded during March. “The fuel pricing model recorded over-recoveries of 58.77 cents per litre for petrol, 82.88 cents per litre for…

30 Mar

NAMCOR appoints new acting MD

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) has appointed Victoria Sibeya as acting managing director, following the conclusion of Ebson Uanguta’s interim tenure. Uanguta, who served NAMCOR in an acting capacity for over a year, will return to his former position at the Bank of Namibia. In a statement on Friday, Florentia Amuenje, the chairperson of the NAMCOR board of directors acknowledged Uanguta’s contribution during what it described as a critical period for the organisation. “Mr Uanguta provided steadfast leadership, guiding the organisation through a critical phase and playing an instrumental role in steering NAMCOR towards the continued…

30 Mar

Nangolo crowned new WBO Africa champion

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Flame "The Special One" Nangolo was crowned the new World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa super featherweight champion on Saturday night after defeating Ghanaian boxer Felix Ajom via a third-round knockout. The fight took place at the Roman Catholic Hospital hall, where Nangolo extended his professional record to 13 unbeaten fights. This record of victories includes five knockouts. The 23-year-old's victory came against Ajom, who also entered the ring with an undefeated record of 20 fights—17 of them won by knockout. Ajom had never been knocked out before. The boxing event also marked the return of veteran fighter Walter…

27 Mar

Shafudah targets youth, food security in 2025/26 budget

Main

Chamwe Kaira and Allexer Namundjembo Finance Minister Erica Shafudah has placed youth empowerment and food security at the centre of the country’s N$106.3 billion 2025/26 national budget, unveiled in Parliament on Thursday. Presenting the budget under the theme “Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future”, Shafudah said the government is prioritising development spending that directly addresses economic challenges facing young people and vulnerable communities. “We have also made specific provisions to address youth empowerment programmes and capacity enhancement activities,” Shafudah told Members of Parliament. She added that the budget made allocations to various initiatives to promote food production and stimulate agricultural…