Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has reassured the public that the increase in acute respiratory infections caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the northern provinces of the People's Republic of China is not a cause for alarm. This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, in a statement on Wednesday. “The observed increase in cases of respiratory infections in China and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere is an expected phenomenon around this time of the year due to winter weather conditions,” Nangombe explained. Nangombe assured Namibians that the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has ordered the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Namibian Police (NAMPOL), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$1.3 million in settlements to the family of Joseph Kautjingu Ndondji. This follows a civil claim instituted after Ndondji (34) was shot and killed during a joint operation in Rundu on 3 March 2023. He was thought to be in possession of a pangolin skin. The settlement was finalised on 4 December 2024 and addresses the loss of support and emotional suffering endured by Ndondji’s parents and seven minor children.…

Allexer Namundjembo and Ester Mbathera Some parts of the country received good rains over the past few days, bringing much-needed relief but also posing challenges for communities. Some of the challenges include property damage and the disruption of people’s daily lives. Despite these short-term difficulties, experts and advocates have said this is an opportunity for the people to harness the water from rain for sustainable growth and development. Wayambekange Hamufenhu, a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate, explained the dual impact of the rain. “Water is one of the most precious natural resources, and despite the short-term destruction, it brings life,…

Ester Mbathera The process of doing cross-border payments across the Common Monetary Area (CMA) of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini has been described as cumbersome. The new cross-border payments came into effect in September last year, and all payment flows between these countries will be done via foreign exchange and will no longer be processed via electronic funds transfer rails. This is despite these countries’ currencies being pegged to the South African rand. Financial sector expert Adrianus Vugs argued sending money to the CMA has proven to be almost impossible since. “If we have a CMA, why are we…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has raised concerns about misleading advertisements for health products, including aloe vera juice, that claim to cure ailments such as ulcers, gastritis, and acidity. However, the lack of specific regulations governing such advertisements in Namibia has left a gap in consumer protection. The health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe expressed alarm over the unverified claims made by health product advertisers. "If consumers are not well-informed, such claims can mislead them and potentially harm public health," he said. He acknowledged that Namibia currently lacks regulations specifically addressing the advertising of health…