Featured – Windhoek Observer

02 Feb

Immanuel blocks Beifang’s minimum wage exemption

Featured, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said employers cannot choose to ignore the minimum wage. He said any exemption from the minimum wage order will only be allowed after proper talks with workers. Immanuel said chapter 3 of the Labour Act and the minimum wage order are mandatory unless a formal exemption is approved. He said employers who ignore these provisions face compliance orders and penalties. He made the remarks over the weekend after rejecting Beifang Mining’s exemption application linked to other labour standards at Swakop Uranium. Beifang sought approval to reduce the minimum rest period…

30 Jan

Dear Inspector General Joseph Shikongo,

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

We write to you as the Windhoek Observer, and by extension on behalf of a concerned but hopeful Namibian public, to commend the Namibian Police Force for launching a national crime prevention operation scheduled to run from 30 January to 1 February across all 14 regions of our country. At face value, this is a welcome and necessary intervention. More importantly, it is long overdue. For far too long, crime has crept steadily into every corner of Namibian life, from our cities to our villages, from our homes to our places of work. What was once sporadic has become routine.…

30 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Featured, Opinions

As we move deeper into 2026, the identity of the young Namibian professional is undergoing a quiet but radical transformation. We are no longer defined simply by the degrees we hold or the offices we occupy; we are defined by the complexity of the burdens we carry and the ingenuity of the "hustle" we have mastered. This edition of the Young Observer seeks to peel back the polished veneer of corporate success to reveal the raw, lived truths of our generation. From the high-stakes pressure of the Groove Economy to the systemic lockout of the Experience Paradox, we are navigating…

29 Jan

Municipalities: competence must trump politics

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

A video clip now circulating widely on social media has struck a nerve across the country. In it, Prof. Job Amupanda confronts the CEO of a local authority over a presentation made to a parliamentary committee. The presentation contained a slide titled “Statistical Overview”, yet when questioned, the CEO could not provide a single statistic. The uncomfortable exchange that followed has since become a viral moment, but beyond the embarrassment of one official lies a much deeper and more troubling national issue: the appointment of individuals to critical public positions without the competence such offices demand. This newspaper has previously…

28 Jan

Namibia on the rise: streaming, 5G and the promise of progress

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

This week, Namibia found itself in the spotlight for two remarkable reasons, both signalling the country’s growing relevance on the global stage. American internet sensation IShowSpeed arrived in Windhoek as part of his highly publicised Africa StreamTour, drawing international attention to Namibia’s vibrant culture, energy, and youthful dynamism. At the same time, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) announced the rollout of 5G technology, a move poised to revolutionise the nation’s ICT landscape and drive economic growth across multiple sectors. At first glance, these two events may seem unrelated: one a pop culture phenomenon, the other a technical leap…

27 Jan

Sacky Shanghala: From legal drafter and advisor: a pioneer of the law to legal aid seeker as an accused man without a defence

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Sacky Shanghala, former Minister of Justice and former Attorney General of Namibia, spent years boasting that he was the architect of the country’s laws; no national regulation was issued without his opinion. Today, however, he finds himself accused in the Fishrot scandal, without the resources to secure an adequate defence, facing prosecutors paid with multimillion-dollar packages. “Why am I not legally represented as a former Minister of State? Why does the state have money for prosecutors but not for us?” Shanghala asked at the High Court of Windhoek. The contrast…

27 Jan

Words matter: Minister Sankwasa must lead with measure and restraint

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Public office is not merely a position of authority; it is a platform of influence. Every statement made by a minister carries weight beyond ordinary conversation, shaping public perception, institutional trust, and national cohesion. It is for this reason that the recent controversies surrounding Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa deserve sober reflection, not only by the minister himself, but by all who occupy positions of leadership in Namibia’s democratic order. The Editors Forum of Namibia (EFN) issued a strong condemnation following a personal and xenophobic attack directed at The Namibian journalist Tracy Tafirenyika. The attack reportedly arose after Tafirenyika…

26 Jan

Omaruru local authority council must be people-centered

Featured, Opinions

Serron NghoshiIt is quite obvious that moments of excitement in local governance are inevitable. The swearing-in of councillors and public announcements on land delivery, housing lists, or infrastructure plans often raise hope among residents, not only for Omaruru but everywhere. However, history has shown that excitement alone does not improve the lives of residents. What truly matters is the work that follows the excitement has passed. For many residents of Omaruru, particularly those in informal settlements and low-income areas, the daily realities remain unchanged; access to serviced land continues to be a major challenge year after year, lists are announced,…

26 Jan

The biggest lie being sold: A reflection on the vilification of black enterprise

Featured, Opinions

“Do you know who the biggest thieves in the country are? It’s black businesspeople. And do you know why you are not successful and why your life is miserable? It’s those same thieving, corrupt black empowerment elites and tenderpreneurs in this country.” That statement, delivered casually in conversation, captures a dangerous narrative quietly normalized in Namibia’s public discourse. It is not merely an opinion; it is the product of a sustained ideological campaign that frames black entrepreneurship, particularly participation in public procurement, as inherently corrupt, morally suspect, and economically parasitic. As a black entrepreneur who has built a business through…

26 Jan

When the uniform becomes a threat: A nation must confront the growing crisis within its armed services

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia woke up once again to the grim reality of gender-based violence intersecting with firearms and authority. In Khomasdal, a man believed to be a serving police officer allegedly shot his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself. The woman has reportedly survived and is receiving medical treatment. The man died at the scene. Police have confirmed the incident but have yet to release a full report. These bare facts are disturbing enough. But beyond the tragedy of two lives violently altered lies a deeper and more troubling question: How did we arrive at a point where those entrusted to…