Windhoek Observer – Page 404 – Windhoek Observer

04 Dec

Relief for consumers as the repo rate is lowered to 7%

Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Namibia reduced interest rates by 25 basis points to 7% on Wednesday. Consumers will now enjoy the relief of interest rates on mortgages and loans. According to the central bank’s governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, the move is to continue supporting the domestic economy while safeguarding the peg between the Namibian dollar and the South African rand. “This decision was reached following a comprehensive review of current and expected domestic, regional and global economic developments,” he explained. This was the sixth and final bi-monthly meeting of the MPC for 2024. He…

04 Dec

MTC extends connectivity to Otjinungua village

National News

Niël Terblanché Villagers of Otjinungua became part of a growing connected Namibia, where technology bridges distance and creates inclusion in even the most far-flung corners of the country. Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has launched a new network site in Otjinungua village, providing 2G voice and 4G broadband services to one of the country’s most remote areas in line with Namibia’s digital inclusion efforts. Situated 370 kilometres from Opuwo, in the Marienfluss Conservancy near the Kunene River bordering Angola, Otjinungua is home to the Ovahimba people. MTC’s spokesperson, Erasmus Nekundi, highlighted the significance of the achievement and said that the newly…

04 Dec

Africa Aquatics Zone IV championship kicks off in Windhoek

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The XXAfrica Aquatics Zone IV Swimming Championships started in Windhoek on Wednesday, with over 370 swimmers from 13 Southern African countries expected to compete for honours. The tournament, organised by the Namibia Swimming Federation (NASFED), also includes the Open Water Championships, which will be held at Lake Oanob outside Rehoboth and will run until Sunday, 08 December. NASFED athletes’ representative, Molina Smalley is part of the team competing at home but also preparing to compete at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships from 10 to 15 December in Budapest, Hungary. She encouraged her competing counterparts to have a firm…

04 Dec

From village to pharmacy mogul

National News

- Emilia Ananias-Nantinda behind Ondangwa and Oniipa’s Lifesaving Pharmacies Mallex Shipanga Emilia Ananias-Nantinda, a pharmacist and entrepreneur, has carved a path from the small village of Okapya in the Omusati Region to owning two thriving pharmacies in Ondangwa and Oniipa. As a businesswoman, pharmacist, mother, and wife, she has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for her community and beyond. “My childhood was like any other child in the village those days. We played amagoes and uma, fetched water, collected firewood, pounded mahangu, and more. Despite the fact that I lost both parents at a very young age, I…

04 Dec

Martin Lukato, man of the moment

National News

Mallex Shipanga Social media was abuzz with congratulatory messages to the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Martin Lukato, who has secured a seat in the 2025–2029 National Assembly after decades of a solo journey. Messages came from Namibians from all walks of life, including politicians from other parties, businesspeople, and news editors. “AR Political Activism Award 2020. In 2024, Brave Lukato is headed to Parliament. The red star shall find its rightful place in the minds and hearts of Namibians,” said Affirmative Repositioning (AR)'s George Kambala, who is also headed to the National Assembly. “Never say never! For…

04 Dec

Majority of Namibians live near health facilities

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has revealed that 87.1% of the population lives within 10 kilometres of a health facility, with 99.0% of urban residents having access and only 75.3% in rural areas. The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), according to NSA CEO Alex Shimuafeni, currently hosts 530 health facilities that have mapped geographic locations, including 49 hospitals, 60 health centres, and 421 clinics. Additionally, the infrastructure hosts 38 digitally mapped health district boundaries. Shimuafeni added that Windhoek Health District has the highest proportion of mapped health facilities, accounting for 11.1% (59 out of 530), followed by Katima…

04 Dec

Psychologist calls for mental health support

National News

Mallex Shipanga With the fourth highest suicide rate in Africa, at 9.7 per 100 000 people, Namibia faces a critical mental health crisis. Dr Gulia Lewis, a clinical psychologist, in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, urged the public to take preventive measures to address mental health challenges and reduce the risk of suicide. “Preventing suicide when dealing with mental health challenges involves creating a supportive environment, promoting coping skills, and ensuring access to help,” she said. The Namibian Police reported in September that they had 542 suicide cases for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. Of this figure, 449 were men…

04 Dec

NNN shatters glass ceiling

Main

Ester Mbathera, Mallex Shipanga and Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia has entered a historic era with the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, aged 72, as the country's first female and fifth president. Having served as the country's deputy minister of foreign affairs, minister of information and broadcasting, minister of women and child welfare, minister of environment and tourism, deputy prime minister, minister of international relations and cooperation, and now as the vice president. Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 638 560 votes from 121 constituencies. In her acceptance speech, president-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked Namibians for their trust and outlined her vision for the country. She emphasised her commitment…

04 Dec

Lukato’s breakthrough to parliament

National News

Ester Mbathera Martin Lukato, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), made it to the National Assembly after running his party single-handedly for more than 20 years. Lukato’s journey has been one of resilience, often met with ridicule as he campaigned alone, hosting rallies with only a handful of journalists in attendance. Not even his own family members were actively involved in his political campaigns, yet he persisted. This year, Lukato’s perseverance appears to have paid off, with the NDP securing 6 647 votes, an increase from the 4 559 votes obtained in the 2019 elections. The numbers place him…

04 Dec

Netumbo makes history!

Opinions

Namibians are living in interesting times politically. The Electoral Commission of Namibia has announced official presidential and natipmnal assembly elections results that marked the start of a new era in the country’s body politics. NNN has won the presidential seat with 57.31 %, making her the first democratically elected female president for the Republic of Namibia. The ruling SWAPO Party of Namibia won 51 elective seats in the 96-member National Assembly. From the look of things, the recently concluded elections were undoubtedly the most hotly contested since the dawn of Namibia’s independence. Clearly the Namibian democratic and political environment is…