Blog – Windhoek Observer

03 Dec

Government approves major zoning amendments

ObserverNational News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has approved significant zoning amendments in towns across Namibia, including Gobabis, Rehoboth, Tsumeb, Swakopmund, and Windhoek. The announcement was made by Minister Erastus Uutoni through Government Gazette No. 366 of 2024, under the Urban and Regional Planning Act, 2018 (Act No. 5 of 2018). Uutoni emphasized the importance of these changes in enhancing urban planning and addressing the development needs of the affected communities. “These amendments reflect our government’s commitment to structured urban growth, ensuring that towns and cities develop in a way that meets the needs of residents while fostering…

03 Dec

CoW mayor position to remain vacant

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek's mayoral position will remain vacant until the next election of office-bearers, the municipal council has confirmed. The City of Windhoek’s spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. “The mayoral position will remain vacant until the next election,” she said. The election meeting, held on Monday, was adjourned after councillors walked out of the chamber. This followed the presiding magistrate, Immanuel Udjombala, denying their request for a short adjournment. A follow-up meeting scheduled for Tuesday was called off due to a lack of quorum. The election is now rescheduled for 9…

03 Dec

2024 Elections: Free and Fair or a Missed Opportunity for Democracy?

ObserverOpinions

Lucia Sibanga Established under Namibia’s Electoral Act of 1992, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) holds the exclusive authority to direct, supervise, manage, and control elections and referenda fairly and impartially. Yet, as the dust settles on the 2024 National Assembly and Presidential elections, these very principles have been called into question. The chaos and logistical failures experienced during this year’s elections have shaken public confidence leaving many asking: who takes responsibility? The ECN’s core values accountability, professionalism and integrity were overshadowed by a series of irregularities that disrupted the electoral process. Ballot paper shortages, polling stations opening late, and…

02 Dec

Congratulatory messages for NNN pour in

ObserverMain

Ester Mbathera Congratulatory messages have started to pour in for Swapo’s presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was leading the polls in the presidential race with 249 158 votes by 19h00 on Monday. The closest contender, Panduleni Itula had 126 935 votes. The messages are coming from liberation movements and women's organisations from the African continent before the final election results have been officially declared. The president of the Socialist Party in Zambia, Fred M'membe, used his X account to congratulate Nandi-Ndaitwah. “The Namibian people have voted, and congratulations are due to you, Comrade President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Your remarkable victory symbolises…

02 Dec

‘President should have decreed 29 November as a public holiday ‘ – Amupanda

ObserverNational News

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda has accused both the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and President Nangolo Mbumba of violating the Electoral Act by failing to decree additional public holidays for extended voting days. He made these remarks during a media briefing on Monday. “The President decreed 27 November as a public holiday, which is in accordance with the electoral act. But what is not right is when he extended the voting days, and he did not decree the 29th as a public holiday as per the act. This alone tells us that something is not…

02 Dec

Responsibility and Restraint Amid Namibia’s Electoral Disputes

ObserverOpinions

Ferdinand Tjombe As a former editor of newspapers and publications in Namibia, I feel compelled to address the surge of misinformation surrounding Namibia’s contested elections currently circulating on social media platforms. It is a matter of grave concern that certain individuals are disseminating baseless claims and divisive narratives, not only misleading the public but also risking the stability and unity of a peace-loving nation. To those propagating such misinformation, I urge you to cease this destructive behaviour. Engaging in what can only be described as political fabrication or "imaginary political hallucinations" does nothing to resolve the issues at hand. Instead,…

02 Dec

Justice Dave Smuts retires after decades of service

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Judiciary bid farewell to Justice Dave Smuts upon his retirement from the Supreme Court on Monday. Chief Justice Peter Shivute described Smuts as a "towering figure in the legal profession," retiring after decades of service marked by intellect, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Born on 17 November 1954, Smuts began his academic journey in South Africa, later earning his Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in 1983 through scholarships. He also served as the Orville Schell, Jr. Fellow at Yale Law School in 1990, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of excellence in the…

02 Dec

From fear to fame: mastering the art of public speaking for career success

ObserverOpinions

JUNIAS ERASMUS Public speaking is often cited as one of the most common fears, even surpassing the fear of death for some people.The anxiety of standing in front of a crowd, with all eyes fixed on you, can be paralyzing. Yet, those who conquer this fear often find that it opens doors to new opportunities and elevates their careers in ways they never imagined. The journey from fear to fame in public speaking is not just about mastering a skill; it’s about transforming yourself and redefining your professional trajectory. At the heart of this transformation is the realization that public…

02 Dec

Brazil helps Namibia to mitigate hunger

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché In an effort to strengthen Namibia's efforts towards achieving zero hunger, the government of Brazil has donated N$2.16 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). On Monday the WFP announced that the funding aims to support integrated community-based food systems programmes across five regions in towns like Tsumkwe, Gobabis, Stampriet, Opuwo, and Olukula. Since 2020, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) has collaborated with WFP to enhance productivity and combat hunger in these areas, directly benefiting over 300 smallholder farmers. The programmes focus on improving household food and nutrition security, transforming the livelihoods of people in rural…

02 Dec

CoW council election adjourned amidst walkout

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The election of new office bearers for the City of Windhoek’s municipal council on Monday ended in disarray after councillors walked out. As a result, presiding magistrate Immanuel Ndjombala adjourned the election meeting. The disruption began when councillor Ilse Keister-Elago of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) requested a brief adjournment, which was denied. She and several other councillors, including Job Amupanda (AR), Ivan Skrywer, Sade Gawanas (LPM), the IPC’s Jürgen Hecht, and outgoing deputy mayor Joseph Uapingene, exited the chamber in protest. The only agenda item addressed before the adjournment was outgoing mayor Queen Kamati’s tabling of the 2024…