Blog – Page 26 – Windhoek Observer

26 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | A Statue on Robben Island Is Not Enough: Toivo Ya Toivo Deserves More

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

As the Namibian nation commemorates the legendary Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, a life-size statue of him will be unveiled on Robben Island in South Africa. This tribute is part of the historic Robben Island Prisoners Reunion, a key event celebrating the sacrifices of those who fought for the liberation of Namibia and South Africa. While this is a significant symbolic gesture, it raises a critical question: Is this enough for a leader whose legacy helped shape the very foundations of an independent Namibia? Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo deserves more than just a statue on a distant island; he deserves recognition…

26 Sep

Political, human and civil rights meaningless without socio-economic rights, justice!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Are human rights and economic rights, the latter entailing socio-economic justice, mutually inclusive and/or exclusive? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but pose this pertinent question in view of the fact that the two are usually treated and projected as not interlinked, interdependent and intertwined. Just as much as economic emancipation is and has been treated as more a byproduct of civil and political rights instead of being a focus of agitation and/or advocacy in itself. Going back to the days of national resistance and subsequently the liberation struggle. When emphasis was on freedom and independence, while the return of…

25 Sep

Windhoek councillors caught in travel ‘game’

Main

Shelleygan Petersen Eight City of Windhoek councillors were blocked from attending the Southern African Inter Municipality Sports Association (SAIMA) games in Lesotho after minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa disapproved their travel. The councillors had already departed when the message arrived, costing the municipality N$80 000 for the trip. They were invited to the games in Maseru from 21 to 26 September 2025 under the Lesotho Local Authorities Sports Association. Sankwasa sent a circular on Friday to all mayors, local authority councils, and chief executive officers. It stated that requests to attend the SAIMA games were disapproved. “Your…

25 Sep

OBSERVER COASTAL | Erongo governor urges use of census data to tackle unemployment

Featured

Renthia Kaimbi The governor of the Erongo region, Natalia /Goagoses, has called on all sectors to use the newly released census data to address the region’s 32% unemployment rate and to speed up development in line with the national agenda. She made the call on Tuesday at the launch of the 2023 Census Report and the Erongo Regional Profile at the Swakopmund Multi-Purpose Centre. The event brought together local authorities, traditional leaders, and business representatives. The census puts Erongo’s population at 240 206. /Goagoses said the figures are more than just numbers, describing the data as a "factual snapshot of…

25 Sep

OBSERVER COASTAL | Seibeb’s allies warn dethroning him could destabilise clan

Featured

Renthia Kaimbi A conflict within the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority has escalated into a stalemate, dividing a concerned community group and supporters of its chief, Zacharias Seibeb. The dispute centres on allegations of financial mismanagement, legitimacy, and claims of procedural flaws at the ministerial level. This followed after the government began the process to remove Seibeb as leader of the traditional authority. The process has been initiated by Urban and Rural Development minister James Sankwasa, who informed Seibeb of the decision in a letter dated 22 September 2025. The deputy chairperson of the Dâure Daman Community Concerned Group, Cornelia Atjiwara,…

25 Sep

Katjimune allegedly packs his bags out of PDM

National News

Justicia Shipena Former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune has allegedly resigned from the party. Sources within PDM claim Katjimune tendered his resignation this week, and that the party is withholding the confirmation. His alleged departure follows a wave of recent resignations, including former shadow minister of education Charmaine Tjirare and former National Assembly members Yvette Araes, Esmeralda !Aebes, Vakamuina Kamutuezu and Shonena Nathaniel. Reports last week also suggested that Katjimune and PDM leader McHenry Venaani disagreed on the reasons behind the resignations. PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that he has not received…

25 Sep

Mnyupe’s resignation rekindles doubts on hydrogen plans

Main

Justicia Shipena The resignation of James Mnyupe from the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2) has reignited doubts about the future of the ambitious project. On Wednesday, reports by The Namibian said Mnyupe stepped down because of a lack of political support. Mnyupe was appointed by former president Hage Geingob as the country’s first green hydrogen commissioner in August 2021. He later became head of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme. The green hydrogen project was the brainchild of Geingob. Geingob first announced the project during the high-level segment of COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. Corporate governance expert Johan Coetzee told the…

25 Sep

Former Lüderitz mayor considers political comeback

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Former Lüderitz mayor Philipus Balhao says he is considering contesting the upcoming regional and local authority elections after resigning from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and from his position as mayor this week. Balhao confirmed his intentions to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, a day after his resignation. “We have not made a conclusive decision yet, but I am working on a strategy. We are considering creating a ratepayers’ association with devoted citizens from an apolitical perspective. Right now, it is still just an idea, and we are putting more heads together. We haven’t made any firm…

25 Sep

Usakos man dumped in Spitzkoppe after police assault

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A Usakos resident, Melvin Areseb, is suing the Namibian Police for N$3 million after claiming he was unlawfully arrested, assaulted, and abandoned by police officers. His lawyers, Sisa Namandje & Co. Inc., set out the allegations in a letter of demand dated 19 September 2025 to inspector general Joseph Shikongo. The letter states that in August, Areseb was taken from his home in Usakos by warrant officer Jonas Flai, Constable Raphael Kaundu, and Constable Willem Jantze. “It is apparent that the members of the Namibian police arrived at our client’s residence at around 03:00 am, while our client…

25 Sep

MPs challenge lack of asset register in government

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition members of parliament have questioned the Ministry of Works and Transport over government spending on luxury vehicles and ballooning office rental costs. They also raised concern about the absence of a complete asset register to track state properties and vehicles. On Wednesday, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani criticized the procurement of luxury vehicles such as Toyota Prados while the country faces fiscal constraints. In March, the ministry confirmed spending N$20 million to procure 20 Toyota Prados to supplement the vehicle fleet. Earlier this month, it announced plans to auction 1 500 government vehicles that have…