Windhoek Observer – Page 391 – Windhoek Observer

24 Mar

Power outages disrupt Walvis Bay Water supply again

National News

Niël Terblanché Water supply interruptions in Walvis Bay have continued into this week, with the national utility NamWater confirming a third power outage in the Kuiseb area on Sunday afternoon. In a statement issued on Monday, NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata said the latest disruption was due to a broken power cable near High Dune. “Erongo RED isolated the affected section and rerouted power from another substation, restoring electricity to the area at 20:30,” he said. According to Ndamanomhata, once electricity was restored, efforts began to restart the boreholes near High Dune. He, however, added that not all boreholes could be…

24 Mar

SMEs at risk as BIPA eyes deregistration

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A recent notice from the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has raised concern within the business community about plans to deregister non-compliant businesses. Marius Nangolo, spokesperson for the Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA), warned that the move could negatively affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs), many of which are already struggling. “There are quite a number of challenges that businesses are facing. One of the key issues is affordability, especially for SMEs. Another challenge is the lengthy registration process, and many businesses do not fully understand the process or the requirements to remain compliant,” Nangolo said. He…

24 Mar

Brave Warriors keeps World Cup dream alive with Guinea draw

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The senior national football team, the Brave Warriors, kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive after a 1–1 draw against Equatorial Guinea on Monday afternoon. Namibia now has 12 points from six games and remains second in Group H, one point behind Tunisia, who lead the group with 13 points and have played one game fewer. Equatorial Guinea is fourth with seven points, though that could change if the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) restores the six points deducted earlier in their campaign. The deduction came after the team selected an ineligible player, Emilio…

23 Mar

Female-led government, a first for Africa

Main

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has become the first country in Africa where women hold the top three government positions. This followed the swearing-in of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 21 March as the country’s first female president. She previously served as Namibia’s first female vice president, a role she assumed in February 2024 after Nangolo Mbumba became president following the death of Hage Geingob. Alongside her are Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the first woman to serve as Speaker, while Witbooi is the second woman to become Vice President. Nandi-Ndaitwah has long supported…

23 Mar

African leaders hail Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has praised President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, for becoming the country’s first female head of state. Hassan said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership marks a milestone for women in Africa. Speaking at the inauguration and Namibia’s 35th Independence celebrations at State House on 21 March, Hassan highlighted the significance of the moment for gender equality. “Your resounding victory is a moment of pride for the continent, but more so for the people of Tanzania, your home during the most formative years. We are happy to see the daughter we nurtured and raised with love and compassion now rise…

23 Mar

Malaria cases surged past 20 000

National News

Niël Terblanché The country is currently grappling with a surge in malaria cases, with the Ministry of Health and Social Services reporting a total of 20 135 cases as of 9 March 2025. Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the former Minister of Health and Social Services, said last week that 3 890 of these cases were recorded in the first few days of March alone. He added that the outbreak, declared in December 2024, has resulted in 44 fatalities so far. “The most affected health districts include Katima Mulilo, Andara, Nkurenkuru, Outapi, Engela, Eenhana, Okongo, and Nyangana,” he said. Shangula said that…

23 Mar

Efundja threatens northern regions

National News

Niël Terblanché The northern regions are grappling with the annual "efundja" floods, which have already claimed two lives and are causing increasing anxiety among local farmers. Heavy rains across southern Africa, particularly in Angola, have led to a surge of floodwaters flowing southward into Namibia's Cuvelai River basin, exacerbating the situation. Over the weekend, the Namibian Police reported two drowning incidents linked to standing water in low-lying areas. On Thursday morning, the body of 38-year-old Tuli Christoph Christoph was discovered floating in a waterlogged area near Omuthitu-wenghete village in the Outapi Constituency. He had last been seen alive by his…

23 Mar

Alweendo pledges continued commitment to national development

National News

Ester Mbathera Former cabinet minister Tom Alweendo, who did not return to the new executive, has thanked the nation for the support he received. Alweendo, who served as Minister of Mines and Energy, said his time in public office has ended, but his commitment to Namibia remains strong. “Our nation is rich in potential, and it is up to all of us—wherever we find ourselves—to do what is required to unlock it. Let us continue to work with integrity, vision, and determination to build the Namibia we all aspire to see. Thank you once again for your support. The journey…

23 Mar

NNN calls for vigilance in protecting peace and freedom on Liberation Day

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to continue honouring the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the fight against apartheid and for the freedom and peace the region enjoys today. Southern Africa Liberation Day is observed on 23 March each year to mark the end of one of the fiercest conventional battles at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola’s Cuando Cubango Province. The battle marked a turning point for Angola and laid the foundation for peace and development, placing the country at the centre of the SADC integration agenda. “As the…

23 Mar

The meaning of independence: A reflection on Namibia’s 35th anniversary

Opinions

Sakaria Johannes As Namibia celebrates 35 years of independence, it is a time for reflection on what independence truly means and how far we have come since the dawn of freedom. For many Namibians, independence signifies the end of colonial rule, the promise of a better future, and the vision of equality and freedom. However, despite the triumphs of liberation, we must critically assess the state of our nation today. Are we truly free? What have we achieved since we gained our independence, and are we living the dream our forefathers fought for? What Have We Achieved So Far? While…