Blog – Page 9 – Windhoek Observer

27 Mar

Namibia ranks in top three in African gender disparity

Observer Money

Retuura Ballotti Namibia continues to distinguish itself as a continental leader in gender equality, supported by strong national institutions and sustained policy reforms. Research from the African Development Bank’s 2025 Gender Brief places Namibia among the top three African countries with the least gender disparity, driven by consistently high education completion rates among girls and a growing presence of women in strategic decision‑making roles. Women make up 51.8% of the national population, and the country’s empowerment and representation scores outperform continental averages, underscoring a social environment that increasingly supports gender equity. This national trajectory provides a fertile foundation for organisations…

27 Mar

Are poverty and inequality challenges or structural realities of capitalism?

Opinions

By the President’s own admission in her 36th Independence Anniversary statement and speech, Namibia is facing poverty and inequality. That is a fact! However, what is not clear and what the country must come to terms with through a national dialogue is what these socio-economic evils, for a lack of a better term, represent. Challenges as Her Excellency maintains. Or are they fundamental factors of the capitalist system? Because unless the country addresses these varying interpretations and understandings as they seem between and among those, like Her Excellency, who think poverty and inequality are just challenges, and those who think…

27 Mar

The urgent call beyond the rhetoric of One Namibia, One Nation

Opinions

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) On 21 March 2026, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stood before the nation and invoked a familiar but powerful refrain: “One Namibia, One Nation.” It is a phrase or slogan deeply embedded in the country’s post-independence identity and a moral anchor forged in the transition from colonial rule to sovereign statehood. Yet, in her speech, unity did not sound like a settled achievement. It sounded like a warning. Her emphasis on unity must be read not as ceremonial rhetoric but as a political signal. When a head of state stresses the dangers…

27 Mar

From promise to practice: Rethinking Namibia’s jobs conversation

Opinions

Hopolang Phororo Almost every day, Namibia’s newspapers carry a story about jobs. One day it highlights youth empowerment initiatives, such as MTC’s 4Life programme. Another day it is a sobering reminder that more than 70% of working individuals are unable to save or build generational wealth because unemployed relatives depend on them. On another day, we read about efforts such as the National Youth Development Fund supporting young entrepreneurs. And we also hear about TVET as a pathway to economic emancipation. Different headlines. Different angles. But they all point to the same reality: jobs and livelihoods matter deeply to Namibians. …

26 Mar

Expensive lessons: Why populism and inexperience don’t mix in public health

Editorial, Featured

The re-emergence of intermediaries in the procurement of medicines by the Health Ministry is not just an administrative adjustment; it is a sobering indictment of how policy, when driven by rhetoric rather than rigour, can backfire with real consequences for ordinary citizens. Reports that some medicines are now costing up to five times more, coupled with widening supply gaps and shortages in hospitals, should concern every Namibian. More importantly, it demands a frank reflection on how we arrived at this point. At the heart of the matter lies a familiar but dangerous pattern: the preference for performative, dramatic gestures over…

26 Mar

Health ministry back in bed with middlemen

Main, National News

ARVs, other medicine stocks low Buys medicine from local pharmaceutical companies Ministry returns N$700m to treasury Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Health and Social Services appears to be back in business with 'middlemen' as medicine shortages deepen and emergency purchases drive up costs. The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has invited bids for the supply of antiretroviral drugs for 12 months, raising questions about a return to intermediaries 'middlemen' after a shift to direct procurement from manufacturers. This follows as Namibia faces shortages of essential medicines. Sources who spoke to the Windhoek Observer said the ministry returned about N$700…

26 Mar

Shipwikineni apologises to Swapo

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Former swapo member Reinhold Shipwikineni has issued an apology to Swapo, its leadership and members. The apology follows a High Court judgement delivered in Windhoek on March 20, which dismissed an application by Shipwikineni and four others. The group had challenged the party’s decision not to hold an extraordinary congress within three months after a leadership vacancy following the death of President Hage Geingob. The court ruled the matter had become moot, as the congress had already taken place and the vacancy had been filled. “The relief sought by the applicants has since become moot,” the judgement reads.…

26 Mar

MUN demands investigation into diamond industry

National News

Patience Makwele The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has called for a parliamentary probe into the country’s diamond cutting and polishing industry. MUN submitted a petition to the National Assembly this week. The union said the industry faces reduced production, scaled-down operations and growing uncertainty among workers. “The current trajectory of the sector is unsustainable and requires immediate intervention to prevent further job losses,” the union said. The union said hundreds of jobs are at risk if no action is taken. It urged parliament to investigate the challenges affecting the sector, which has been central to Namibia’s plan to add…

26 Mar

Speaker rejects claims of bias in parliament

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The office of the speaker of the National Assembly has rejected claims that the speaker frustrates members of parliament. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s office said all actions in the chamber follow established rules and that the speaker’s conduct is guided by parliamentary procedures. “The office stated that the speaker is always governed by the standing rules, orders, and internal arrangements of the National Assembly, rather than by personal discretion or preference,” in response to questions by the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. It said rule 90 protects members’ right to speak without interruption, and any intervention by the Speaker is meant…

26 Mar

Namibia urged to prepare for AI-driven future

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia must move faster to prepare for artificial intelligence as the technology reshapes economies and public services, speakers said at a public lecture in Windhoek. AI specialist Chandan Chauhan addressed the event hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) in partnership with the Hans Seidel Foundation. He said AI has moved beyond simple tools to systems that can reason and perform tasks. It has evolved from generating content to handling text, images and video and is now entering a phase where systems can plan and act on their own. “AI is moving from answering questions to doing…