Windhoek Observer – Page 398 – Windhoek Observer

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important in Namibia, a country that evolved from a colonial and apartheid dispensation and still carries the weight of outdated and unjust laws that hinder social progress and economic development.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…

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…