Blog – Page 2 – News Stand

10 Jul

Philip Keripuu Tjerije: The stalwarts who kept Swapo’s name alive

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Joshua Razikua Kaumbi At the time of paying tribute to Immanuel Ngatjizeko my article was dedicated to Philip Keripuu Tjerije – a live tribute. Well, now Philip Keripuu Tjerije has died. I would always call him Comrade Senior as I would pose the same question as to whether Swapo in Omaruru would die with them. Philip Tjerije a second of seven children was born 13 June 1947 in Otjihinaparero and grew up in Omaruru, in that street that came all the way from town, a street of one big family. Our street connected separate worlds without irony. He died on…

10 Jul

Corruption in Namibia is Systemic, and there is a Psychology behind it

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Ndumba J Kamwanyah Namibia is once again in the spotlight because of corruption. This time it's not the Fishrot but the state-owned oil company, NAMCOR. Thirteen individuals, including entities, Have been charged in connection with a corruption scandal involving over N$500 million. This is not just another news story. It’s a serious reminder of how deep corruption has grown in our country, and how much work is needed to fix it. What’s shocking is not only the amount of money involved, but the network involved and how long it took for action to be taken. Signs that something was wrong…

10 Jul

When shall Africa ever awaken to the writing on the wall and rise?

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro IT is mindboggling how many times African leaders have to read the writing on the wall, which has been there since the days Imperialism and Colonialism, for them to realise that they are on their own. Regarding steering and shepherding African societies towards genuine economic emancipation and/or the whatever after Kwame Nkurumah’s political kingdom which all of the African countries have obtained. But since the dawn of political kingdoms not much have been happening and is happening to reach what should be the promised land. Economic emancipation. That few if any of these countries can ever claim…

10 Jul

The shattered mirror of Namibia: A Pan-Africanist analysis of economic decline and the urgency of sovereignty

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) There are realities whose poignancy transcends mere numerical quantification. Namibia’s recent downgrade by the World Bank’s classification - a global singularity, being the only state to transition from upper - middle - income to lower - middle - income status in 2025 does not constitute a mere statistical datum. It represents, rather, the visceral cry of an economic paradigm in the process of disintegration, an echo vehemently amplified by intellectual contributions in this prestigious journal. This imperative cry demands an introspection that transcends the coldness of econometric language, delving into…

09 Jul

Oil trails Namcor alumni in bribe web

info_e12wt4csMainAnti-Corruption Act, Cornelius ‘Cedric’ Willemse, Enercon, Validus Energy

Justicia Shipena Four of the eight individuals arrested this week by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on corruption charges are former employees of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). The remaining four are private individuals. An ACC official confirmed the arrests to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday after three more suspects were taken into custody. The eight suspects are accused of violating several sections of the Anti-Corruption Act, including sections 32 to 35. These provisions relate to public officials abusing their position or giving bribes to officials. “For those that were arrested now, four are former employees and four are…

09 Jul

Meatco board fails to appoint CEO as acting term expires

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIngwe Zaamwani, Mwilima Mushokabanji, Sakaria Nghikembua, Stefanie de Klerk

Hertta Maria Amutenja The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) is heading into August without a substantive chief executive officer. Acting CEO Patrick Liebenberg confirmed to Windhoek Observer that his six-month term will end this month. “I only will serve my six months, which will end at the end of July. Not been extended; I didn’t ask for an extension. The recruitment process is handled by the board because management doesn’t have any input into the recruitment process,” Liebenberg said on Wednesday. Liebenberg was appointed in February after the board decided not to renew the contract of former CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji. …

09 Jul

Hengari demands revival of dead rent board

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSankwasa, Tjekero Tweya

Allexer Namundjebo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament Inna Hengari is demanding answers from minister of urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa over the government’s failure to implement a rent control board. Hengari said the proposed board, first announced years ago to regulate rental markets and protect tenants, remains non-functional. “Without proper implementation, the board remains a symbolic gesture, offering no real protection for struggling tenants,” she said. She wants to know what has delayed the board’s rollout, why it is not operational, and why no members have been appointed to enforce regulations. In 2023, then minister of…

09 Jul

Namibia, India talks centre on trade, diamonds, pharmaceuticals

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Wednesday said Namibia is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India in strategic sectors such as mining and value addition. She made the remarks during official talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Windhoek on a state visit. The discussions focused on trade and investment, industrial cooperation, health, defence, multilateral reform, and people-to-people ties. “This State Visit provides us indeed the opportunity to give impetus to that vision and goal by strengthening trade, investment, technical cooperation, political and people-to-people relations between our two countries,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. She said the two countries…

09 Jul

Govt bars Namdia from its HQ

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMcHenry Venaani, Natangwe Ithete

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The government did not authorise Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) to continue operating from its Klein Windhoek headquarters following a diamond heist in January. This was revealed by minister of industry, mines and energy Natangwe Ithete, in Parliament on Tuesday. The diamond heist led to the disappearance of diamonds worth over N$314 million. Ithete said that Namdia has relocated its operations due to security concerns. “As we are currently speaking, Namdia is not operating from the same building for the same reasons and for the same concerns that the country is having that it is probably not safe. So…

09 Jul

Namibia leads Africa group in call for IP reforms

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJulia Imene-Chanduru, World Intellectual Property Organisation

Justicia Shipena Namibia has called for the adoption of an international legal instrument on limitations and exceptions for libraries, research, museums, educational institutions, and archives described the issue as critically important to Africa. Speaking in Geneva at the 66th Session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) General Assemblies, Namibian Ambassador to Switzerland Julia Imene-Chanduru said such an instrument would improve access to knowledge. She added that it would support education and research and promote innovation, competition, and economic development in Africa and beyond. Namibia is currently serving as the coordinator of the Africa Group for the first time, leading…