Windhoek Observer – Page 441 – Windhoek Observer

03 Dec

Swakopmund lights up the festive season with joy and unity

National News

Niël Terblanché The festive season has officially arrived in Swakopmund with the lighting of the town’s iconic Christmas tree. The tradition that brings residents and visitors together in celebration was held on Monday evening during a special ceremony led by the town’s outgoing mayor, Dina Namubes, who said that the Christmas lighting ceremony is a moment everyone looks forward to. “It marks the beginning of a festive period filled with warmth, hope, and unity,” she said. The mayor expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made the event possible. “This tree is more than just a festive decoration—it is a…

03 Dec

IPC vows to annul elections over irregularities

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has declared its intent to challenge the results of Namibia’s recent Presidential and National Assembly elections, citing a series of irregularities. Christine Aochamus, the party’s secretary general, confirmed the decision during an interview on South Africa’s Newsroom Africa channel on Sunday. According to Aochamus, the IPC plans to file a legal challenge aimed at nullifying the entire election process, regardless of the outcome. "The decision stands. We are aiming for the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to completely announce the full results of this poll. Once done, we will approach the courts…

03 Dec

Mbumba expands Khomas communal land by over 8 000 hectares

National News

Allexer Namundjembo President Nangolo Mbumba has expanded the communal land area in the Khomas Region by incorporating over 8 000 hectares of unalienated state land. In a government gazette of 29 November, Mbumba emphasised the importance of equitable land distribution in fostering rural development. The National Assembly approved the addition and executed it under section 16(1) of the Communal Land Reform Act, of 2002. The newly designated communal land consists of two significant portions of the Farm Groot Korasieplaats No. 440, situated in Registration Division “K” of the Khomas Region. The first portion measures 4,321.4135 hectares, while the second measures…

03 Dec

Cora Herma-Schulz gives old materials new life

National News

Mallex Shipanga The Windhoek-born Cora Herma-Schulz works in the import industry. In her free time, she does dot art and upcycling. When she started doing art, Schulz did her own research before falling in love with dot art. “I ⁠watched online articles and got interested in dot art,” she said. Over time, Schulz sharpened her skills in the art form. “I taught myself. It took almost two years to get where I am,” she said. Now, Schulz jokes that she will ‘dot’ anything that doesn't move. After beginning her journey as a dot artist, Schulz also began upcycling. Upcycling is…

03 Dec

Government approves major zoning amendments

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has approved significant zoning amendments in towns across Namibia, including Gobabis, Rehoboth, Tsumeb, Swakopmund, and Windhoek. The announcement was made by Minister Erastus Uutoni through Government Gazette No. 366 of 2024, under the Urban and Regional Planning Act, 2018 (Act No. 5 of 2018). Uutoni emphasized the importance of these changes in enhancing urban planning and addressing the development needs of the affected communities. “These amendments reflect our government’s commitment to structured urban growth, ensuring that towns and cities develop in a way that meets the needs of residents while fostering…

03 Dec

CoW mayor position to remain vacant

National News

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek's mayoral position will remain vacant until the next election of office-bearers, the municipal council has confirmed. The City of Windhoek’s spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. “The mayoral position will remain vacant until the next election,” she said. The election meeting, held on Monday, was adjourned after councillors walked out of the chamber. This followed the presiding magistrate, Immanuel Udjombala, denying their request for a short adjournment. A follow-up meeting scheduled for Tuesday was called off due to a lack of quorum. The election is now rescheduled for 9…

03 Dec

2024 Elections: Free and Fair or a Missed Opportunity for Democracy?

Opinions

Lucia Sibanga Established under Namibia’s Electoral Act of 1992, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) holds the exclusive authority to direct, supervise, manage, and control elections and referenda fairly and impartially. Yet, as the dust settles on the 2024 National Assembly and Presidential elections, these very principles have been called into question. The chaos and logistical failures experienced during this year’s elections have shaken public confidence leaving many asking: who takes responsibility? The ECN’s core values accountability, professionalism and integrity were overshadowed by a series of irregularities that disrupted the electoral process. Ballot paper shortages, polling stations opening late, and…

02 Dec

Congratulatory messages for NNN pour in

Main

Ester Mbathera Congratulatory messages have started to pour in for Swapo’s presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was leading the polls in the presidential race with 249 158 votes by 19h00 on Monday. The closest contender, Panduleni Itula had 126 935 votes. The messages are coming from liberation movements and women's organisations from the African continent before the final election results have been officially declared. The president of the Socialist Party in Zambia, Fred M'membe, used his X account to congratulate Nandi-Ndaitwah. “The Namibian people have voted, and congratulations are due to you, Comrade President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Your remarkable victory symbolises…

02 Dec

‘President should have decreed 29 November as a public holiday ‘ – Amupanda

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda has accused both the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and President Nangolo Mbumba of violating the Electoral Act by failing to decree additional public holidays for extended voting days. He made these remarks during a media briefing on Monday. “The President decreed 27 November as a public holiday, which is in accordance with the electoral act. But what is not right is when he extended the voting days, and he did not decree the 29th as a public holiday as per the act. This alone tells us that something is not…

02 Dec

Responsibility and Restraint Amid Namibia’s Electoral Disputes

Opinions

Ferdinand Tjombe As a former editor of newspapers and publications in Namibia, I feel compelled to address the surge of misinformation surrounding Namibia’s contested elections currently circulating on social media platforms. It is a matter of grave concern that certain individuals are disseminating baseless claims and divisive narratives, not only misleading the public but also risking the stability and unity of a peace-loving nation. To those propagating such misinformation, I urge you to cease this destructive behaviour. Engaging in what can only be described as political fabrication or "imaginary political hallucinations" does nothing to resolve the issues at hand. Instead,…