Windhoek Observer – Page 384 – Windhoek Observer

31 Mar

Media urged to challenge bias GBV, mental health reporting

National News

Niël Terblanché The media's role in covering gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and mental health issues was interrogated during the second media summit and awards in Windhoek last week. The event hosted by the One Economy Foundation brought together journalists, editors, social workers, and subject experts to interrogate and was held under the banner of encouraging more responsible, ethical, and trauma-informed reporting. The event included panel discussions, speeches, and workshops designed to promote dialogue, reflection and the sharing of practical strategies. Josina Ziyaya Machel, a survivor of GBV and founder of the Kuhluka Movement, offered a harrowing…

31 Mar

Bridge collapse forces detour for NamPower mobile substations

National News

Niël Terblanché The collapse of a bridge between Windhoek and Rehoboth almost two weeks ago forced NamPower to reroute the transport of its latest mobile substations, named Rhino and Buffalo. The rerouting of the very heavy equipment affected its scheduled deployment. The national power utility said in a statement on Monday that the original route to Windhoek for the substations, which departed from Benoni, South Africa, on 25 March, had to be changed to ensure that the substations could arrive safely in Namibia. The two 20 MVA substations, which are designed with voltage ratios of 132/66kV to 33/11kV and 132/66kV…

31 Mar

SADC PF one step from becoming full parliament

Featured, National News

Moses Magadza The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Elias Magosi, has welcomed the signing of the agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a regional parliament. The agreement was signed by Botswana’s president, Advocate Duma Boko, in Gaborone on Wednesday. Magosi described the signing as a “momentous occasion” and a critical step toward regional integration, enhanced governance, and democratic accountability. He commended President Boko, the government of Botswana, and all leaders who contributed to achieving this milestone. “We did not despair,” Mr Magosi said. “There have been layers…

31 Mar

EFN extends Media Ombudsman’s term for three months

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) has extended the term of media ombudsman John Nakuta by three months, from 1 April to 30 June. The EFN said the extension will allow time for a proper call for nominations in line with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast, and Online Media. Nakuta’s term ended on 31 March. The nomination process was meant to start in February but was delayed due to the national mourning period following the death of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, on 8 February. “This extension also provides Nakuta the opportunity to…

31 Mar

BoN embraces AI to predict loan defaults

Observer Money

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) embraced the collection of data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to build forecasting models for predicting non-performing loans and improving board pack assessments. This was revealed by the central bank’s governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, during the launch of the 2022-2024 annual report on Monday. “In addition to the broader use of digital tools, local and foreign government payments were digitised, removing paper and enhancing the visibility of processing for government transactions,” said !Gawaxab. The report outlines key developments under the bank’s 2022-2024 strategy, including automation, digitalisation and strong financial performance. According to !Gawaxab, the…

31 Mar

Namport and Nedbank partner to host cycling event at Crayfish Festival

Sports

Niël Terblanché A new addition to Namibia’s sporting calendar has been unveiled, with the official launch of the Namport Nedbank PH Challenge, in collaboration with the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival. The event, which aims to promote cycling and wellness, was announced in Lüderitz earlier in March, where stakeholders gathered to endorse the inaugural challenge. The initiative is a joint effort by Namport, Nedbank Namibia, and the Powerhouse Cycling Club. It will be held in Lüderitz from 2 to 3 May 2025 and in Walvis Bay from 1 to 2 November 2025. The event will feature mountain bike and road races, as…

31 Mar

Importers owe NamRA more than N$1 billion in taxes

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) issued an urgent call for taxpayers to settle deferred import Value Added Tax (VAT) accounts, revealing that more than 5 000 entities owe the state more than N$1 billion. NamRa’s spokesperson, Yarukeekuro Ndorogaze, in the notice issued on Monday, said that the February 2025 review by NamRA found that 5 182 taxpayers had outstanding VAT on imports. Of these, 187 accounts with debt ranging between zero- and 90-days total N$30 million, while the remainder – involving 4 995 accounts – have been outstanding for more than 90 days. Ndorokaze cautioned that continued non-payment…

31 Mar

Paralympic funding frozen over governance issues

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Funding for the Namibian National Paralympic Committee (NNPC) from the Ministry of Sport is on hold due to non-compliance with governance requirements. The Namibia Sports Commission’s (NSC) chief administrator, Fredy Mwiya, informed the committee’s secretary general, Michael Hamukwaya, of the decision during a consultative meeting held two weeks ago. “The current board term of office has expired. Hence their involvement to run the affairs has ceased, and funding from the ministry has been put on hold as the federation is non-compliant,” reads the minutes of the meeting seen by the Windhoek Observer. The meeting was also attended by…

30 Mar

Reimagining Brand Namibia

Opinions

Lazarus Jacobs In his farewell speech at the inauguration of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba reflected on Namibia’s long journey: "It has been a long journey filled with trials and tribulations, but just as our struggle for independence… has paid dividends, likewise the struggle for gender justice, spearheaded by the brave women of Namibia and their allies across the international community." Shortly after, President Nandi-Ndaitwah made history as Namibia’s first female head of state. Recognizing the significance of this moment, she appointed Lucia Witbooi as the nation’s first female vice president—making Namibia the only country in…

30 Mar

Poor road conditions delay emergency medical services in Omusati

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Emergency medical services in the Omusati region have been severely affected by the poor condition of the Okahao-Amwaanda gravel road, especially the 15-kilometre stretch between Okahao and the Indira Gandhi Clinic. Health officials have confirmed that ambulance response times are significantly delayed. In some cases, pregnant women have been forced to deliver at home due to the impassable state of the road. Senior medical officer Okahao district hospital Nghishikushitya Mutilifa, confirmed that the road’s condition has caused dangerous delays in emergency response efforts. “The ambulance cannot go there, and other off-road vehicles have to move at a very…