Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché In a step closer to developing water security and supporting economic growth, Namibia is set to construct a second desalination plant along its coast. In this regard, NamWater, the national water utility, has secured the services of Synergy International Consultants as a transaction advisor to develop an implementation model and provide essential legal, technical, and financial assistance for the project. In a notice that was published in various national newspapers last week, NamWater stated that the initiative comes in response to the rising water demand driven by increased uranium mining, industrial development, and population growth. The strategic decision…

Health Correspondent Medical doctor and health philanthropist Dr Esperance Luvindao, in partnership with OSAAT Africa Health Foundation and MENGA Healthcare Technology, unveiled MENGA, a digital health solution. The solution was invented by Luvindao and launched on Thursday. “MENGA is unique in that it provides real-time access to a doctor and medication as opposed to a mere locker system,” she said. According to Luvindao, the platform has been in the works for the past couple of years and was developed to assist patients throughout Africa’s semi-rural areas, suburbs and informal settlements to gain access to prescribed medication without having to travel…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A cadet constable of the Namibian Police died on 30 July after falling ill during a verification and screening process at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Training Centre. Kandiwapa Matheus, 30, was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the Namibian Police’s spokesperson, the incident occurred shortly after Kandiwapa had completed the initial screening. "Sadly, he was declared dead upon arrival. The next of kin was informed,” she said. He had been part of Police Basic Training Course 1 of 2023-2024, which was officially opened on 29 September 2023,…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A political analyst, Valentinia Mentor, has raised questions regarding the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's (MICT) recent call for the public to act responsibly on social media platforms while the nation approaches elections in November. “The sudden concern and urge from the MICT towards the public to be responsible when it comes to the use of social media is questionable considering that the nation will head to the polls in a few months,” she said. Mentor explained that Namibia is a democracy where freedom of expression, including the use of social media, is a fundamental right. She…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The moratorium on the procurement of new vehicles for government agencies, including regional governors and councillors, will remain in effect. The late President Hage Geingob introduced the five-year moratorium in 2020 as part of austerity measures to reduce government expenditure. The moratorium specifically prohibited the acquisition of new vehicles for ministers and other senior public officials. On Thursday, Alfredo Hengari, the Presidential Press Secretary informed the Windhoek Observer that President Nangolo Mbumba has not addressed the matter yet. This is despite calls from regional councillors and governors to lift the ban, citing that a lack of vehicles has…

Niël Terblanché The N$17.5 million allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for the construction of earth dams and the restoration of existing water retention infrastructure in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions will likely only be utilised in the next financial year, 2024/2025. This was revealed by the National Council Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources in its regional visits report released earlier this week. The committee's visit to the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, and Oshikoto regions highlights the annual challenges these areas face due to flooding. Floodwaters in these regions disrupt daily life, keeping children out of school for…

Martin Endjala The Rally for Democracy Party’s (RDP) president and former small business consultant, Mike Kavekotora criticised the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board’s (NIPDB) international missions. Kavekotora argued that quantifying the benefits of these trips for Namibian businesses is challenging, particularly when considering the possibility of securing some opportunities through the private sector. “In general terms, however, the Namibian government is known for undertaking these NIPDB trips without mapping out the anticipated outcome,” he argued. The NIPDB this week invited business people to participate in upcoming investment attraction missions to Ghana, Russia, Cuba, Angola, Brazil and China. The trips…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Works and Transport has been criticised for not implementing regulations for driving schools in Namibia. Issues like unqualified instructors and inadequate training materials have highlighted concerns about the quality and standards of these schools. Road safety activist, Felix Tjozongoro criticised the Ministry's lack of control over driving schools, which he believes has led to an increase in road fatalities. He stated that the ministry has failed to enforce existing regulations, allowing poorly trained drivers on the roads. He referenced the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund crash and claims report of 2023, which states that road…