Windhoek Observer

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Hilya Nghiwete, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), has accused Minister of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation Itah Kandji-Murangi of pressuring NSFAF board members to fire her for no reason. Nghiwete said this in a letter addressed to Kandji-Murangi dated 16 April seen by the Windhoek Observer. The letter includes President Nangolo Mbumba, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa on the carbon copy list. When contacted on Monday to confirm if she is indeed the author of the letter, Nghiwete promised to call back, but she never…

Stefanus Nashama Elma Dienda, the chief whip for the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) in the national assembly, has criticised the ministers for avoiding answering questions in parliament. Dienda made the remarks on Monday in an interview with the Windhoek Observer. According to Dienda, it is always a problem for the ministers to come to Parliament on Thursday when they have to answer questions. “It is not the first time for ministers to absent from parliament on Thursday. It is always an issue just because they do not want to answer questions,” she said. Last week, while parliamentarians had just returned…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Landless People's Movement (LPM) is engaging the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on the procedures to replace the party’s former deputy leader, Henny Seibeb and member of parliament, Edson Isaaks in the National Assembly. Last week, the two resigned from the party and the National Assembly. On Monday, the party spokesperson, Lifalaza Simataa, said that the party is still engaging the ECN on the right procedures to follow and ensuring everything is done within the confines of the law. “The party is still consulting with ECN on the appropriate measures to take in the instance of the…

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) believes that Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's proposal to increase the old-age pension to N$3 000, as proposed by the late President Hage Geingob, seems to be more about political opportunism than genuine concern for the elderly. Over the weekend, Nandi-Ndaitwah announced her plans at the Hage Geingob Memorial Lecture in Ongwediva. She said that if elected into power at the upcoming presidential and national assembly elections, she would fulfil President Geingob's wish to increase the old-age pension. “You will agree with me that it is not easy to double the old-age grant…

Niël Terblanché Residents of Namibia's Kunene Region have voiced strong support for the establishment of a new region in northwestern Namibia, calling for the division of the current Kunene Region into two separate entities. This proposition was presented during recent public hearings conducted by the Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission, reflecting a collective desire to enhance administrative efficiency and local governance. The residents propose splitting the current Kunene Region into two parts, naming one Kunene and the other Welwitschia Region. The belief that a more focused and localised governance structure would better serve the needs of the community and improve…

Martin Endjala The Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, has asked residents to refrain from demanding that the police arrest suspected drought relief food thieves. Her demands come after residents of Tsumeb accused Tsumeb Constituency Councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela and council officials of stealing the estimated N$100 000 worth of drought relief food last month. “The Namibian Police also warned people not to demand the arrest of others but rather come to the police and give correct information or provide such information anonymously on the established platform. Finally, rest assured that the public will soon be updated in this regard,”…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The recent decision by the Labour Commissioner to deregister seven trade unions and one employers' organisation has left workers and employers in a state of uncertainty. Daniel Imbili, president of Namibia Fishing Industries and the Fisherman Workers Union (NFI and FWU), expressed concern over the implications of the deregistration. "Labour cases of union members are now left hanging in the air unless the companies and perhaps the Labour Commissioner grant us permission to complete the cases. The major issue here is one never knows who their friend or enemy is," he said. Imbili also stated that the union…

Niël Terblanché Namibia's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are shedding their reputation as financial burdens and emerging as vital contributors to national development. This transformation was the central theme at the ninth annual State-Owned Enterprises Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Oshakati over the weekend. The event, which also featured a series of inter-SOE sports events, highlighted the evolving role of SOEs in the country’s economic landscape. The chairperson of the Public Enterprises Chief Executive Officer’s Forum, Fluksman Samuehl, expressed optimism about the future of SOEs. “Namibia’s SOEs are no longer seen as liabilities to the government. They are now crucial partners…

Ester Mbathera Public hospitals are struggling with the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery due to unreturned medical equipment, including wheelchairs, crutches, and other assistive devices, as well as technological products such as prostheses, hearing aids, and visual aids. Walter Kamaya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS), pointed out that the failure to return loaned medical equipment is hampering service provision in public hospitals, particularly within the occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and medical rehabilitation departments. “The personal mobility of clients who require wheelchairs has been greatly impacted due to the shortage of wheelchairs in the country. This…

Niël Terblanché The construction of a new communications tower in Ikumwe village represents a significant milestone in Namibia's quest to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity in rural areas. Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, stressed the transformative potential of this project during the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday. According to her, the new tower will usher in a new era of digital inclusion and economic development for the village and the larger Zambezi Region. Theofelus said that the lack of digital infrastructure in Namibia has long hindered local businesses from competing in the broader marketplace, thereby…