Windhoek Observer

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The leader of the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) Werner Januarie said there is no positive movement in the direction of much-needed reforms in the public passenger road transport and taxi industries. He said this is due to a conflict of interest, as the same law enforcement agents and legislators are majority taxi owners. Januarie said this in a letter addressed to President Nangolo Mbumba on 27 May titled ‘’Calling on your action in solidarity with the taxi industry'' as seen by the Windhoek Observer. He said NTTU has been advocating for reforms in the public passenger…

Martin Endjala The Swapo secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, said a recent meeting between her and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was not secretive but part of their bilateral relationship. This follows last week's reports that Mnangagwa met in secret with prominent members of the ruling party in Namibia. “Why was our meeting termed secret and whose opinion made it secret? Those insinuations smell like hatred towards Swapo and Zanu-PF. Our bilateral relationship is not a secret and your informers must stop causing confusion,” she argued. She said the bilateral relationship between Swapo and Zanu-PF will continue. Shaningwa stated that the two…

Martin Endjala The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has dispatched teams of investigators across various regions of Namibia to investigate matters of alleged corruption. The issues include a variety of cases of corruption reported countrywide, such as theft, mismanagement, unlawful appointments, and transaction approval, among others. The ACC’s spokesperson, Josefina Nghituwamata confirmed this during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer last week. "Yes, I can confirm that the commission has sent out a team to various regions to investigate alleged corruption matters. But I cannot provide the details at this time. The team’s investigations are not focused on one region or…

Stefanus Nashama The City of Windhoek clarified the incident in which two young men interrupted the proceedings of the Ordinary Council Meeting last week. According to Lydia Amutenya, the City of Windhoek’s spokesperson, the two individuals requested to use the reading room at Katutura Community Hall for training purposes. “Their grievance is centred around a reading room located at Katutura Community Hall, which is managed by the city's Economic Development and Community Services Department,” she stated. Amutenya also explained that the individuals expressed dissatisfaction with the services offered by the municipality's employees. She added that they also called for the…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has taken another step towards enhancing the infrastructure of Etosha National Park by commissioning a new state-of-the-art road grader. The grader, valued at N$5 million, was procured through the Game Product Trust Fund and inaugurated by Theofilus Nghitila, the Executive Director of the MEFT. During the commissioning ceremony, Nghitila stressed the importance of maintaining the park's roads, especially as Namibia's high tourist season approaches. He said that the new grader will significantly improve the condition of tourist roads, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. "This grader marks the beginning of…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba has been conferred with the Most Ancient Order of Welwitschia Mirabilis by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The ceremony, held on Saturday, marked a new milestone in President Mbumba's life, which he described as an "epochal moment." In his acceptance speech, President Mbumba expressed profound humility and gratitude. He thanked God for the blessings he has received and acknowledged the trust and confidence the people of Namibia have placed in him as the Fourth President of the Republic. “Leaders are created through their experiences and the guidance of others,” he said while paying tribute to his…

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…