Windhoek Observer – Page 414 – Windhoek Observer

10 Oct

Pioneer African historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 2

Opinions

PAUL SHIPALE As I was looking for an answer to the question in the famous Ndilimani Cultural Troupe’s song ‘Hifikepunye Pohamba Ndhira Dhipi Wahenda’ and the titled of the autobiography “The footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Ondjila Eyi A Enda,” or what I would rather title ‘The Arduous Life Journey Pohamba Traversed’ or ‘The Pathways Pohamba Walked in’ or even ‘Retracing Pohamba’s Footsteps,’ I realised that the answer to the above question is none other than what the son of former President Pohamba, Tulongeni Tutungeni Tudanaukeni Tuhafeni Pohamba, aptly put it that ‘The book shows that the path of integrity…

09 Oct

Investigative journalist not a member of PDM

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenya Investigative journalist Sonja Smith, who made it to the list of National Assembly candidates of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) for 2025-2029, is not a card-carrying member of the party. Smith is one of PDM president McHenry Venaani's ten presidential nominees. The party secretary general, Manuel Ngaringombe, confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. "Sonja is not a member of the party. She was a journalist and then she got a job through parliament to be the personal assistant to McHenry Venaani as a civil servant. She is on the parliament payroll. Working as a PA, she…

09 Oct

Analysts suggest that young people are rejoining Swapo for jobs

National News

Stefanus Nashama Political analysts predict it will take time for young people returning to Swapo to build trust and receive party leadership roles. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said leadership principles do not drive such young people. “What we are witnessing is that these young people rejoining Swapo are driven by positions and not really by the principles of leadership,” he said. This year, with the most anticipated and challenging election in independent Namibia, a noticeable number of young people or leaders have returned to Swapo. These include former Landless People’s Movement (LPM) deputy…

09 Oct

UPM pledges focus on water security and youth governance

National NewsAlly Angula, Jan van Wyk

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The United People’s Movement (UPM) has thrown its full support behind independent presidential candidate Ally Angula, describing her as a ‘God-fearing woman.’ UPM president Jan van Wyk, in the party’s election manifesto, urged Namibians to support Angula in her presidential bid. The United People’s Movement (UPM) has also announced a major focus on water security, with plans to invest heavily in desalination plants along Namibia’s coastline. Van Wyk outlined that these plants will supply water for drinking, industrial, and agricultural purposes through pipelines to inland projects. Alongside the focus on water security, the party stressed its commitment to…

09 Oct

Nujoma calls for inclusion of persons with disabilities in fishing industry

National NewsInternational Labour Organization, NAMOSA

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, Utoni Nujoma, has called attention to the continued exclusion and under-representation of persons with disabilities in the fishing industry. He made the call at the Namibian Maritime Officers and Shipping Association's (NAMOSA) annual general meeting last week. “May I point out that the need to create employment, especially for the youth, is one of our nation's biggest challenges. This is agreed. However, an aspect often forgotten but equally concerning is the continued exclusion and under-representation of persons with disabilities in Namibia, specifically in the fishing industry,” said Nujoma. In…

09 Oct

Ondonga King allocates farming units for crop production

National NewsOndonga Traditional Authority (OTA)

Stefanus Nashama The King of Ondonga, Tate Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, has directed that 54 farming units of the land of the Okashana Kuukongo WaNehale in the Oshikoto region be used for crop production. The land was allocated to individuals who were ready to start production. The Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) chairperson, John Walenga, announced this at the media conference held in Ondangwa on Wednesday. “This resulted in the engagement of a professional land survey to subdivide some of the land into 54 farming units, which were allocated to individuals who are ready to use the land for crop production,”…

09 Oct

New electoral law allows civil servants to retain jobs during elections

National NewsNangolo Mbumba

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Nangolo Mbumba has signed the new electoral law, which will allow public servants to take leave after being nominated to their political party's parliament list while elections are concluding. In the past, civil servants who appeared on the parliament list of their political parties were forced to resign from their positions. The electoral law has been amended to allow civil servants to take leave until the election results are announced. According to the amended law, if an individual is elected to parliament, they will be considered to have resigned but if they are not elected, they can…

09 Oct

Illegal shack congestion blamed for Walvis Bay fire

National NewsNamibia Housing Enterprise, Otweya informal settlement

Martin Endjala The illegal congestion of shacks is blamed for the recent fire disaster that left many families homeless in the Otweya informal settlement in Walvis Bay. On the evening of 4 October, the shack fire which occurred on the premises of the Namibia Housing Enterprise (NHE) destroyed over 70 houses. The aftermath has left about 200 families homeless. Tragically, the fire claimed one life. Festus Immanuel, the spokesperson of the Walvis Bay Backyard Tenants Group (WBTG), said devastating fires in Walvis Bay often occur in illegal structures. “These structures built in the backyards of formal houses or on empty…

09 Oct

Namibia takes major steps to transform education system

National NewsEster Anna Nghipondoka, Itah Kandjii-Murangi

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s education system is poised for transformation, but it will take a collective effort to achieve the ambitious goals set out in the Transforming Education Implementation Charter. The initiative is set to overhaul Namibia’s education landscape, focussing on inclusivity, quality education, vocational training, and research, aiming to better equip the country for future challenges and opportunities. Namibia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI) and the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) jointly hosted the inception meeting on Wednesday in a substantial step towards the implementation of the Transforming Education Implementation Charter 2023-2030. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, the…

09 Oct

Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for integrity in digital media

National News8th Southern Africa Broadcasting Association

Niël Terblanché While artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to reshape media, it must be wielded thoughtfully, with a commitment to truth and public service at its core. Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in media while opening the 8th Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (Saba) Broadcast and Digital Media Convention in Swakopmund. Addressing media professionals from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that AI could revolutionize broadcasting by making it more inclusive, accessible, and impactful. She, however, cautioned that this transformation must occur with ethical considerations at the forefront. Nandi-Ndaitwah…