Windhoek Observer

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…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has issued a stern warning to the public about a fraudulent scheme involving false promises of employment with the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS). According to Deputy Commissioner John Kambimbi, spokesperson for the NCS, these fraudsters are soliciting money from unsuspecting individuals by claiming they can secure positions at the NCS in exchange for payment. Kambimbi cited numerous instances in which these scams have deceived people. In one notable case, a fraudulent recruiter demanded N$2,000 from a victim, falsely promising that the payment would cover the cost of specialised training…