Windhoek Observer

Justicia Shipena Almost 500 children in Namibia were diagnosed with diabetes in the past year.  The health ministry says the trend is deeply worrying and needs urgent action from families, schools and communities. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said 377 cases were recorded among children aged 5–17 and 122 among children under five during the 2024/2025 financial year. She said the rise among younger children shows a shift that can no longer be ignored. Luvindao issued the warning during the 2025 World Diabetes Day commemoration on Friday at the UN Plaza Amphitheatre in Windhoek. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not…

Justicia Shipena  The public accounts committee of the National Assembly has been asked to summon the board and management of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) to explain the reported loss of money in a foreign investment. This comes as a tax claim issued by the South African Revenue Service triggered a major impairment in one of the fund’s offshore investment vehicles.  The claim created uncertainty about whether the fund would recover the full value of its assets.  GIPF reported an impairment of N$815 million in its 2025 financial statements.  Chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi said the amount formed part…

Renthia Kaimbi Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel says any continued 'go-slow' strike at Magistrates’ Courts will be taken seriously.  This is after sworn testimony from magistrates made his urgent High Court application unnecessary on Friday. Immanuel had approached the court seeking an order to declare a widespread work stoppage by magistrates a “go-slow” strike and to compel them back to their courtrooms. His application claimed that a de facto strike was crippling the justice system. The matter shifted when the Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia (MJAN) submitted sworn statements denying that any strike or slowdown was…

Allexer Namundjebo  The City of Windhoek will investigate the use of a municipal dump truck that was seen displaying a political party flag. The incident has raised public concern over the misuse of city property. Social justice activist Michael Amushelelo reported on Saturday that he saw the truck being used for a political campaign.  He said the conduct was unacceptable and called for action against the driver. “My fellow Namibians, today I witnessed a City of Windhoek municipal dump truck being used for the corrupt regime campaign,” he said.  He demanded a disciplinary hearing and the most severe punishment for…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged citizens to pay their water bills on time, saying the sustainability of the country’s water services depends on it. Local authorities were found to owe NamWater about N$3.5 billion, according to urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa.  NamWater reported earlier in March that local authorities, municipalities, town councils, individuals, village councils and rural water communities owed N$2.4 billion. The figure marked a 16% increase from the N$2.1 billion recorded in June 2024, with local authorities carrying the biggest share of the debt at N$889 million.  “Moving forward, we must remember that water…

Justicia Shipena  The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has shut down UCOM Mobile Namibia and confiscated its radio equipment after repeated violations of the Communications Act. Cran said UCOM continued transmitting illegally even after its spectrum licences were cancelled in February and December 2023.  The cancellations were due to non-payment of fees and inefficient use of spectrum that resulted in hoarding. The regulator gave UCOM six months, until June 2024, to migrate its roughly 1 000 customers and close its operations.  According to Cran, all services were meant to stop after that deadline. Cran’s executive for communication and consumer…

Allexer Namundjembo  The City of Windhoek has approved a 20-year Integrated Water and Wastewater Master Plan.  The plan was adopted at the last municipal council meeting for the year, held last week.  The move comes as the capital faces rising water shortages and growing climate pressures. The council said the master plan outlines how it will source, use and manage water over the next two decades, with a focus on securing supply, protecting the environment and upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure. Windhoek continues to experience severe water stress.  Dam levels at Von Bach, Omatako and Swakoppoort have dropped sharply in recent…

Justicia Shipena Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel says the global trade and finance systems must reward countries that commit to low-carbon development.  She said developing nations need fairer market access and trade rules that support climate action. Daniel delivered this message during a UNCTAD side event at the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.  She told delegates that current systems often disadvantage countries that are pursuing green industrialisation. She said countries like Namibia are investing heavily in low-carbon production but face barriers created by outdated trade rules and unpredictable carbon border policies. She cautioned that developing nations…