Windhoek Observer

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The country’s 50/50 gender policy has been praised as a model for representation in governance, but questions persist about its impact beyond numerical achievements. Speaking at the #GapZero Manifesto on Gender Equality in Public Leadership event in Monrovia on Saturday, former First Lady Monica Geingos acknowledged the policy’s success in placing women in leadership roles but highlighted the ongoing challenge of achieving real influence.  “When women break barriers to assume leadership roles, they often face a surprising challenge—a lack of support from their female counterparts,” Geingos said, underscoring the need for solidarity in the fight for gender parity.…

Allexer Namundjembo Walvis Bay residents and holidaymakers have expressed growing concerns over the neglect of Independence Beach, particularly the unusable toilets, which they say pose an environmental hazard. Simon Paulus, a resident, voiced his frustration, urging the Walvis Bay Municipality to take immediate action. “The existing toilets are extremely dirty and now completely unused. This was supposed to be one of the best leisure spots, but it's disgusting to use the facilities here. We've even had to drive to Swakopmund to find cleaner options," Paulus said. Paulus pointed out that Independence Beach is becoming a hotspot for criminal activity. “For…

Allexer Namundjembo Walvis Bay residents and holidaymakers have expressed growing concerns over the neglect of Independence Beach, particularly the unusable toilets, which they say pose an environmental hazard. Simon Paulus, a resident, voiced his frustration, urging the Walvis Bay Municipality to take immediate action. “The existing toilets are extremely dirty and now completely unused. This was supposed to be one of the best leisure spots, but it's disgusting to use the facilities here. We've even had to drive to Swakopmund to find cleaner options," Paulus said. Paulus pointed out that Independence Beach is becoming a hotspot for criminal activity. “For…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The minister of agriculture, water, and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, inaugurated the Namibia Council for Property Valuers Profession on Thursday.  The new council will regulate property valuers and ensure registered practitioners adhere to high ethical standards.  Schlettwein highlighted the rise in malpractices within unregulated valuation services and emphasised the government’s commitment to protecting the public and restoring the profession’s reputation. This was achieved by amending the Property Valuers Profession Act and establishing the council to oversee the regulation of valuers. ‘’There was a need to close some of the loopholes in the principal Act, and the required amendments…

Niël Terblanché Entrepreneurs and innovators face significant challenges in commercialising their ideas and expanding beyond local markets, with limited commercialisation platforms, restricted access to funding, and a lack of structured support for startups. Recognising these challenges, the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and other stakeholders have launched ScaleUp Namibia (SUN), an initiative designed to accelerate startup growth and establish the country as a leader in innovation. The initiative was officially launched in Windhoek last week. The initiative takes Namibia in the direction of a knowledge-based economy.  ScaleUp Namibia is…