Windhoek Observer

Ester Mbathera Outjo municipality sold erven to the residents for N$4,500 as part of the formalisation of the informal settlements. This was confirmed by the town's acting chief executive officer Jaco Labuschagne to this publication on Friday. Last week, the first 900 residents were shown their erven. “We are still planning for 2,000 but the first 900 have been marked and distributed,” he said. Labuschagne further explained that the services for the new landowners will be done on a prepayment basis. “This will include rates and taxes, sewage and water. They erven will cost N$4,500 and the resident can pay…

Martin Endjala National Assembly member, Marina Kandumbu says there is danger in politicising education as this can lead to a decline in academic performance. Kandumbu said this during her contribution to a motion on education last week in the National Assembly. “This can have a long-lasting consequence for our future citizens, who will be ill-equipped to participate in the democratic process and governance. The politicisation of education is a dangerous trend that can have serious negative consequences for society,” she said. She advised political parties to create a neutral environment without attachment to politics when discussing the challenges facing the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Johanna Kapolo, the mother of the missing 20-year-old Namibian student, Faith Enkali, has expressed hope for the safe return of her son. Enkali, who is a student at the Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD), was last seen leaving his student accommodation on Malleson Street in Mowbray in the early hours of Monday, 15 April. Reports indicate that he did not inform his housemates of his plans before his disappearance. "I'm praying for my son Faith's safe return. We hope for him to be found soon," said Kapolo. The Head of CTCFD, Gregg Maragelis, stated that the…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) is advocating for strict measures and methods to trace rental vehicles. This is according to a report released by NamPol’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, last week. “The car hire industry is being targeted, and therefore, the police want to encourage stringent measures and methods when transacting vehicle hire,” she said. Shikwambi said the police statistics revealed that most reported vehicle thefts occurred in retail areas. “Theft of motor vehicles, especially at rental places, is increasing because our statistics at the motor vehicle theft unit reveal that most reported vehicles are stolen from…

Niël Terblanché The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has long recognized the significant role of labour migration in regional development and integration. With the adoption of the Labour Migration Action Plan (2020-2025), the SADC aims to enhance the management of labour migration, emphasizing the protection and welfare of migrant workers and promoting skills transfer to match labour supply and demand within the region. In line with these regional efforts, Namibia has taken a proactive step by establishing the Namibian Employers and Trade Union Labour Migration Network (NETUMN). Officially launched after a key meeting in Walvis Bay in September last year,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia remains unaffected by recent developments in health and safety that have prompted several African countries to recall a paediatric cough syrup due to serious health risks. Last week, Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia confirmed that the batches of Benylin paediatric syrup linked to toxicity concerns are neither distributed nor registered in Namibia, ensuring public safety. The recalled batches numbered 329303 and 329304, were found to contain diethylene glycol, a toxic substance linked to acute kidney injury and multiple fatalities. The products were withdrawn from South Africa, Eswatini,…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia currently houses 359 foreign nationals in correctional facilities across the country, according to statistics provided by the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS). NCS head of public and media relations, deputy commissioner John Kambimbi, said a total of 352 inmates are males and seven females. “Crimes committed include murder, attempted murder, immigration offences, rape, robbery, stock theft, fraud, illegal possession of firearms, kidnapping, housebreaking, illegal hunting, and possession of drugs,” he said. Zambia has the highest number of inmates at 124, followed by Angola with 192 inmates. The inmates are from the United States of America (2), Angola (192),…

Stefanus Nashama Minister of Health and Social Service, Kalumbi Shangula, has revealed that the ministry is faced with obstacles in contracting a consultant to assist with finalising the regulations related to enacting the Mental Health Bill. According to the minister, the main issues were delayed responses from legal drafters and a shortage of funds. “We expect to address these shortcomings in the 2024/25 financial year. The Ministry has allocated funds to contract a consultant who will assist the ministry’s team with finalising the Bill and its regulations,” Shangula explained. The minister disclosed the status of the Bill to the National…