Blog – Page 30 – Windhoek Observer

18 Jan

Youth groups say NYC is ‘damaged beyond repair’

Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi The National Youth Council (NYC) is facing a deep crisis with affiliates. The council describes it as dysfunctional and inward-looking. The council, which was created to unite and empower young people, is now widely seen as having been consumed by internal disputes, financial mismanagement, and a failure to carry out its mandate. These concerns are echoed by youth structures and lawmakers. Former member of parliament and Popular Democratic Movement's (PDM) secretary for legal affairs, Maximilliant Katjimune, tabled a motion in June 2024 calling for the NYC to be dissolved and absorbed into the National Youth Service. He said…

18 Jan

Rukonga Vision not happy with exam results

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Justicia Shipena Rukonga Vision School principal Peter Kudumo says the school is not satisfied with its performance in the 2025 national examination results. The school ranked first nationally among public schools at the Namibia Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) level and second nationally among public schools at the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) level. At ordinary level, the school placed five learners in the national top 20. Marian Kweyo ranked first overall, followed by Dacrus Manuel in second place. Panduleni Kamati placed 12th, Ananias Angula 13th and Hilia Ileka 18th. This gave Rukonga Vision School one of the highest representations in…

18 Jan

Govt monitoring 24 citizens caught in scam networks in Asia

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Justicia The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) is monitoring 24 Namibian nationals identified as being caught up in scam-related activities in Myanmar and Thailand. The development follows revelations made on Monday by member of parliament and Affirmative Repositioning movement leader Job Amupanda, who said six young Namibians were trafficked out of the country and are being held in Myanmar. Amupanda said the six were taken to Asia and trafficked to Myanmar, where they are held by the Myanmar military near Shwe Kokko Park, close to the Thailand border. The area is known as a hub for organised crime.…

18 Jan

Otavi youth build businesses through mental health and skills programme

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Allexer Namundjembo A mental health–driven entrepreneurship programme is changing the lives of young people in Otavi by linking emotional support with practical business skills to address unemployment and poverty. The initiative was led by National Mental Health Care Namibia in partnership with Royalty Empire Investment CC and Unmatched Potential, with funding from B2Gold Namibia and Ohorongo Cement. The programme combines mental health care with business training to help young entrepreneurs rebuild confidence, earn income and regain hope. The concept was developed by Cathy Kambanda, founder of National Mental Health Care Namibia, after years of providing frontline mental health services, including…

18 Jan

Germany simplifies Schengen visa process for Namibians

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Renthia Kaimbi The German Embassy in Windhoek has announced changes to its process for applying for a Schengen visa. The change is aimed at simplifying travel procedures for Namibian residents. From 19 January 2026, all applications for short-stay Schengen visas to Germany and several other European countries will be handled exclusively through the external service provider TLS Contact. The embassy stated that the partnership aims to provide applicants with a more efficient and convenient application process for travel to Germany and Europe. Under the new system, applicants can expect reduced waiting times and a quicker, simpler appointment booking process. TLS…

16 Jan

NCS defends hiring of police chief’s daughter

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Correctional Service (NSC) has defended the recruitment of Leefa Shikongo, the daughter of Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo. This comes in response to claims on social media that her hiring process was flawed. In a statement issued yesterday by NSC commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela, the NCS said allegations that Shikongo was recruited without the required qualifications, including claims that her highest grade was Grade 9, were “misleading”. Questions about whether she met the minimum requirements for her post sparked an online debate. The NCS said Leefa was recruited for a specific advertised position as a…

16 Jan

Dunaiski describes bail refusal as “shocking”

National News

Justicia Shipena Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive and fraud-corruption accused Olivia Dunaiski has described the judgement denying her bail as a “shocking” one. Dunaiski is now appealing the decision and is asking the High Court to condone delays in her bail appeal and allow the matter to be heard on its merits. Magistrate Linus Samunzala denied bail to Dunaiski and her co-accused in September last year. In his ruling, Samunzala said five of the six people accused in the N$480 million Namcor corruption and fraud case lied during their bail testimonies. She said the ruling which denied…

16 Jan

Education policy changes leave learners unsure about next step

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Popular Democratic Movement Youth League (PDMYL) says recent changes to education policies have left many learners uncertain about their transition from secondary to tertiary education. PDMYL spokesperson Inajovandu Katjepunda stated that the changes have created confusion and could limit opportunities for further study, especially for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. “The growing uncertainty is deeply concerning,” Katjepunda said, adding that policy shifts have directly affected access to higher education. The Ministry of Education this week released the 2025 national examination results. According to data from the ministry, only about 36% of Grade 11 learners met the minimum requirements…

16 Jan

Namdia mum on details of diamond heist recent arrest

National News

Justicia Shipena Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) says it cannot comment beyond confirming the arrest of one of its employees in connection with the N$315 million diamond heist. The Windhoek Observer approached Namdia after the company confirmed on Thursday that an employee had been arrested. The publication sought details, including the employee’s position, gender and identity, among others. “Unfortunately, as it is an active criminal investigation, Namdia is not in a position to provide any further details of the arrest,” Namdia’s public relations and communications officer, Beverley Coussement, told the Windhoek Observer in response to questions. Coussement did however, confirm that…

16 Jan

Nekundi cracks down on foreign-registered transport operations

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, has ordered immediate action against Bluu Car Rental Namibia (Pty) Limited for running unauthorised passenger transport services using foreign-registered vehicles in Namibia. The directive was issued yesterday as part of a clampdown on unlawful cabotage to protect the local transport sector. The violations were detected during preparations for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which Namibia is set to host. The ministry said it found that Bluu Car Rental was operating South African-registered vehicles for domestic passenger transport without the required cross-border permit. Nekundi said the conduct would not be…