Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché In the wake of Friday’s horrific terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow, which left at least 133 people dead and over 140 injured, international leaders, including Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, have come forward to condemn the violence and extend their condolences to the victims and the people of Russia. The brutal massacre, occurring at the packed Crocus City Hall during a performance by the veteran band Picnic, has been described as the deadliest attack in Russia for nearly two decades. President Mbumba expressed his profound sympathies to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the bereaved families, and the…

Niël Terblanché Dr Peya Mushelenga, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia, has urged for a unified effort to ensure the active involvement of women in decision-making processes in the peace and security structures of Africa. This call to action was made during the African Union Seminar on Women, Peace, and Security, that was held in Swakopmund to highlight the critical role of women in the pursuit of global peace and development. Mushelenga pointed to the essential subject of women in peace and security, stressing the importance of implementing the provisions of the United Nations Security Council Resolution…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation (MLREC), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), last week launched the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) on Decent Work in the Namibian Fisheries Sector. The launch which took place in Walvis Bay, was also accompanied by a Business Forum on Advancing Decent Work in the Namibian Fisheries Supply Chain. The Acting Executive Director of the Ministry of Labour Aune Mudjanima, made the announcement, stating that the Namibian fisheries industry, is a cornerstone of the nation's economy, that employs thousands of people and significantly contributes to international trade. However,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia's journey towards becoming a green hydrogen powerhouse is gaining momentum, thanks to its strategic global partnerships, policy support, and technological collaborations. In a significant leap towards establishing itself as a leader in the green hydrogen sector, Namibia has been officially invited to join the prestigious International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF). According to James Mnyupe, Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Commissioner, this membership enables the country to play an influential role in the annual Ministerial Meeting and Ministerial-CEO Roundtable, marking a pivotal step in its efforts to contribute to the global green hydrogen ecosystem. Mnyupe hailed this development as a…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Siemens Energy's keen interest in exploring opportunities to assemble electrolyzers in Namibia signals a monumental stride towards catapulting the country’s green hydrogen sector into prominence. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, recently embarked on a tour of Siemens Energy's gigawatt factory in Berlin, where cutting-edge electrolyzer production technologies were showcased, setting the stage for a partnership. Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe, said the visionary move by Siemens Energy aligns seamlessly with Namibia's burgeoning green hydrogen sector. “Siemens Energy expressed interest in exploring opportunities to assemble electrolysers in Namibia, aligning with the nation's rapidly growing green hydrogen…

Niël Terblanché The Chief Executive Officer of the Swakopmund Municipality, Alfeus Benjamin, announced that it is yet to approve a controversial rezoning request by Namaquanum Investments CC. The company aims to utilize Erf 3954 along Einstein Street in the coastal town's Industrial Area for the storage of radioactive materials. The proposal has sparked a wave of discontent among the residents of Swakopmund. This development came to light following a February advertisement by the property owners, which indicated their intention to store harmful materials on the premises, leaving the Swakopmund community unsettled. Erf 3954, located in Swakopmund Extension 10 (Industrial Area),…

Martin Endjala In an ongoing quest for sustainable energy solutions, Fothermo Photovoltaic (PV) water boilers (also referred to as PV boilers) have emerged as a beacon of innovation and environmental responsibility. This is the opinion of a Mechanical Engineer and a Renewable Energy Consultant at FurnTech Agency, a consumer electronics distribution company based in Windhoek that specialises in photovoltaic systems in Windhoek, Lilongeni Unoovene. He said the PV boilers offer a myriad of benefits that not only address the pressing need for clean energy but also revolutionise the way people think about residential PV solar water heating solutions. From reducing…