Windhoek Observer – Page 390 – Windhoek Observer

25 Mar

Namibia Netball Association calls under-21 players to trials

Sports

Erasmus Shalihahwe The Namibia Netball Association has invited under-21 netball players to attend trials for a chance to join the national team ahead of the upcoming netball test tournament series in Windhoek. The association’s secretary general, Sofia Simon told the Windhoek Observer that the tournament will take place from 1 to 5 May 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds. The event will also serve as preparation for the Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for July. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our young players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the under-21 national team. The test series…

24 Mar

Presidency mum over Luvindao’s appointment

Main

Ester Mbathera President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has remained silent amid growing public outcry over the appointment of Dr Esperance Luvindao to parliament and subsequently as minister of health and social services. Allegations surfaced about irregularities in the vetting process and questions surrounding her nationality. Luvindao has been open about her parents' nationality on numerous occasions, of which proof is available on the internet. In 2023, at the Africa Women's Summit 2023 in Rwanda, Kigali, where she was a guest speaker, she again confirmed it. “My parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, so I speak Lingala, I speak Swahili and…

24 Mar

Opposition open to accepting governor roles

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Members of opposition parties have indicated their willingness to take up governor roles if appointed by the president. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to appoint new regional governors in the coming weeks as their terms come to an end. The current governors were appointed by late President Hage Geingob in 2020. Regional governors are direct representatives of the president in the regions and are accountable to the president through the minister in the presidency, as per Article 1 of the Constitution. Their mandate is to ensure effective service delivery and adhere to strong, honest and principled leadership. They…

24 Mar

NALAO renews call for urban road repair funding

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO) has renewed its call for increased funding to maintain urban road infrastructure, warning that current financial support is not enough to meet the growing needs of towns and cities across the country. NALAO president Moses Matyayi said the concerns raised in their 2022 submission to the Road Fund Administration (RFA) remain relevant, especially following recent heavy rains that have worsened road conditions. “Our 2022 submission to RFA as NALAO on road and street maintenance funding which content remains relevant, especially with the current torrential rains that exposed the fatigue of…

24 Mar

We should all be law reformers

Opinions

Mutindi Jacobs In today's complex and evolving society, the role of law reform is more crucial than ever. It is especially important in Namibia, a country that evolved from a colonial and apartheid dispensation and still carries the weight of outdated and unjust laws that hinder social progress and economic development. As we strive for a more equitable and just society, it is essential that we all become law reformers, advocating for changes that promote positive transformation in the legal system and benefit society as a whole. What is a law reformer? A law reformer is an individual or organization…

24 Mar

Namibia’s trial by twitter: youth politics, gender, and digital ghosts

Opinions

Nrupesh Soni Windhoek, Namibia – When 31-year-old Dr. Esperance Luvindao was appointed as Namibia’s Minister of Health, the country saw more than just a political announcement. It became an immediate flashpoint—a real-time test case in how societies today handle young leaders who carry with them the unavoidable baggage of their digital pasts. Within hours of her appointment, Namibian social media exploded. Conversations quickly moved from her professional credentials (impressive, by any standard) to her private life, digital history, and rumored political connections. Even former First Lady Monica Geingos had to publicly deny having any hand in Luvindao’s appointment—a denial, however,…

24 Mar

China’s unwavering stand: Navigating trade war strategies in the global order

Opinions

Josef Kefas Sheehama Given the current state of trade tensions, the executive orders imposed by the United States of America's (USA) new administration are a wake-up call for the global community because they serve as a clear reminder that maintaining economic stability and growth in today's interconnected world requires cooperation and respect for one another in trade policies. The United States' 20% tariff on Chinese imports, which was imposed under the pretext of the fentanyl problem, will lead to supply chain instability and disrupt international trade. The trade war, which challenged international economic standards and put pressure on ties with…

24 Mar

GRN set to use emergency procurement to rebuild damaged Rehoboth bridge

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The new minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi says the government will use emergency procurement to repair the damaged bridge between Windhoek and Rehoboth. He said this on Monday during a visit to the bridge, which was damaged by flooding in the aftermath of heavy rain last week. An emergency route was cleared overnight to allow traffic to pass. Nekundi said he instructed officials in the ministry and the Roads Authority to begin emergency procurement processes immediately, as the situation cannot follow the usual procurement timeline. “For national interest, we cannot go through the normal method of…

24 Mar

Health ministry enhances radiotherapy services

National News

Niël Terblanché Cancer patients will henceforth have access to a newly upgraded Cobalt-60 radiotherapy unit at Windhoek Central Hospital, following a N$16 million investment by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The modernised facility, which includes a new cobalt source and a simulator designed to improve the precision of cancer treatment, was officially inaugurated last week. According to the former health minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the revamped system marks a major step forward in Namibia’s cancer care capacity. “As the newly refurbished Cobalt-60 radiotherapy system is set into use, it represents a substantial leap forward in cancer radiotherapy treatment…

24 Mar

NamPol to expand force capacity with 2 000 recruits

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police will recruit 2 000 cadet constables during the 2025/2026 financial year, with the interview process for selected applicants already completed. This was confirmed by the inspector general of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, during a farewell ceremony for former minister of home affairs, immigration, safety, and security, Albert Kawana, held in Windhoek last week. Shikongo noted that NamPol has successfully secured funding from the central government for officer recruitment over three consecutive years. “In the financial year 2023/2024, a total of 1 063 officers were recruited, while 1 782 cadet constables are currently…