Blog – Page 3 – Windhoek Observer

25 Jun

Digital health access to abolish medication queues

Opinions

Sem Billy David Long waiting times in hospitals and clinics remain one of the major challenges facing Namibia’s healthcare system. In many public healthcare facilities, patients are still required to queue for hours before receiving medical attention. The use of manual numbering tickets, manual cards for stamps or, in some cases, the absence of any formal queue management system contributes significantly to delays, confusion, loss of patient’s historical data, and overcrowding and even cause eventualities of worsening sickness or cause death. Patients often arrive very early in the morning to secure a place in line, yet many still spend several…

24 Jun

City of Windhoek legal advisor faces assault charges after alleged attack on teacher

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi A legal advisor at the City of Windhoek, Ngatatue Kandovazu, is facing charges of assault for allegedly striking a teacher at Ella du Plessis Secondary School with a stick after supposedly accusing her of striking his younger son. The incident, which took place on the school premises during afternoon school lessons on Monday, has sparked outrage among fellow teachers, with many questioning the level of respect shown toward educators and the growing culture of parental interference in schools. Kandovazu denied any wrongdoing, stating that he stood up for his son, whose life he believed was in danger. The…

24 Jun

NMRC clears Fabu-Paracetamol following safety concerns

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has confirmed that Fabu-Paracetamol meets required safety and quality standards following an independent assessment prompted by public concerns. In a public notice dated 20 May 2026, former Registrar of Medicines Fransina Nambahu said the NMRC commissioned independent laboratory testing on samples collected from various health facilities, including Central Medical Stores, to ensure a representative evaluation of the product available on the market. “A comprehensive number of batches were sampled and subjected to analytical testing. The results indicate that all batches complied with the required quality specifications and contained the correct quantities of…

24 Jun

Petition seeking removal of ||Khomani chief submitted

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A petition calling for the removal of ||Khomani Traditional Authority chief Julienne Gawanas has formally been submitted to urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa in terms of Section 12(2) of the Traditional Authorities Act, Act 25 of 2000. Steering Committee member Shaun Gariseb confirmed that the 29-page petition was delivered on Monday and reflects the wishes of members of the ||Khomani and ǂNūkhoen communities who support the initiative. Gariseb said the community had already removed Gawanas through its traditional processes and is now seeking formal recognition of that decision through legal mechanisms provided under Namibian law. “We…

24 Jun

NAMRA, NYS ink deal to train graduates for public service

National News

Patience Makwele The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the National Youth Service (NYS) have signed a three-year agreement aimed at strengthening youth development and preparing graduates for work in key public service and economic sectors. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed on Monday at the NamRA head office in Windhoek, sets out cooperation between the two institutions in training, capacity-building and skills development. At the centre of the agreement is a three-month National Service Training programme for NamRA graduate recruits, which will be facilitated by the NYS. The programme is expected to focus on discipline, work ethics and…

24 Jun

DBN secures US$1m climate finance grant

National News

Staff Reporter The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has secured a US$1 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to strengthen Namibia’s climate finance ecosystem and support investment in climate-resilient and low-carbon development initiatives. The funding was approved under the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme and follows DBN’s accreditation to the Green Climate Fund in July last year. According to DBN, the grant will support the implementation of a programme titled Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Catalysing Private Sector Climate Investments in Namibia over the 2026-2027 period. The programme is expected to strengthen the bank’s institutional capacity, systems and…

24 Jun

DBN’s climate finance breakthrough opens new doors for Namibia

Editorial

The Development Bank of Namibia’s (DBN) successful acquisition of a US$1 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) represents far more than a modest injection of funding. It is an important institutional milestone that strengthens Namibia’s ability to access international climate finance, build local capacity and position itself within the rapidly expanding global green economy. At first glance, US$1 million may appear relatively small compared to the scale of the country’s infrastructure and development needs. However, the significance of this agreement lies not in the amount itself but in what it enables. The grant, approved under the Green Climate…

24 Jun

FATF grey list exit boosts confidence in financial system

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia's removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list should strengthen confidence in the country's financial system while serving as proof of what coordinated national efforts can achieve, finance minister Ericah Shafudah said following the country's successful exit from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. Shafudah welcomed the development, which became effective on 19 June 2026, but cautioned that the achievement should not lead to complacency. “Namibia's exit from the grey list should give us confidence, but not complacency. Let it serve as an example of what we can achieve when our institutions work together…

24 Jun

Hospitality sector posts its strongest May performance on record

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia's hospitality sector posted its strongest May performance on record, with national occupancy reaching 62.17% in May 2026, up sharply from 56.21% in May 2025 and comfortably above the pre-pandemic May 2019 benchmark of 55.83% according to HAN. “The result is particularly noteworthy given that May 2026 fell entirely within the shoulder season, suggesting that structural demand drivers including the onset of safari and nature-based tourism ahead of the winter dry season are gaining momentum earlier than historically observed,” Simonis Storm said in a report. The Northern region delivered the highest occupancy nationally at 65.19%, up from 58.74%…

24 Jun

NamPower’s N$394m substation to strengthen Erongo power supply

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The inauguration of NamPower’s N$394 million Sekelduin Substation marks a major investment in Namibia's electricity infrastructure that will improve power reliability in the Erongo region while supporting economic growth, industrialisation and future energy projects, deputy minister of industries, mines and energy Gaudentia Kröhne has said. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Swakopmund, Kröhne said the new substation represents more than the completion of an infrastructure project, describing it as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security and supporting long-term economic development. She said the project will improve the reliability of electricity supply to Swakopmund and…