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DAILY OBSERVER | Confused and contradictory: Government’s mixed signals on jobs must stop

The Namibian government must understand this once and for all: jobs are not political slogans to be thrown around at convenience, they are a matter of national survival. Every mixed message, every contradictory pronouncement, and every vague promise chips away at public confidence and deepens the despair of thousands of unemployed Namibians. When the Office of the Prime Minister announced recently that all unadvertised government positions would be frozen, many citizens reluctantly accepted it as part of much-needed fiscal discipline. The assumption was simple: government is tightening its belt to control the ballooning public wage bill, prioritising efficiency and redirecting…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Namibian youth join Afro-Arab Dialogue on peace and development

YOUNG OBSERVER | Namibian youth join Afro-Arab Dialogue on peace and development

Namibia participated in the Afro-Arab Youth Congress held in Uganda from 6 to 10 October 2025 under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity, and Prosperity.”  The event marked the launch of a fundraising drive for the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) International Headquarters in Uganda and convened its General Council. Namibia was represented by Leonard Akathingo and Esther Shakela. Akathingo joined a panel discussion on mental health among men, where he shared his journey of turning pain into power and purpose.  Akathingo is the president and founder of the Popya Assistance Foundation, an organisation that focusses on gender-based violence,…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | YOUTH SPOTLIGHT: Breaking ground with precision  – The journey of Zhahida Tjizera

YOUNG OBSERVER | YOUTH SPOTLIGHT: Breaking ground with precision  – The journey of Zhahida Tjizera

In a field often dominated by men and hard hats, Zhahida Tjizera stands out not just for breaking barriers but for redefining what it means to build with purpose.  As a quantity surveyor, she measures more than bricks and mortar; she measures progress with perseverance and dedication.  From early dreams of shaping skylines to navigating construction sites and cost estimates with precision, Zhahida represents a new generation of Namibian women making their mark in technical professions. Her story is one of quiet determination and bold ambition, a reminder that success in STEM and construction is not reserved for any gender…
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YOUNG OBSERVER  | #UNMUTED 

Last week during a Parliament session, a member of an opposition party took to the floor to lament the exclusion of the springbok on one of the national notes. While some may have found it hilarious, the episode posed a sobering question regarding the (possibly deteriorating) quality of debate in the August House.  The National Assembly is the legislative arm of government, and it is meant to dissect and pass laws with scrutiny of government actions and policies. It is supposed to be a house that seeks solutions for the challenges that we face as a nation. One therefore wonders…
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OBSERVER DAILY | Celebrating Excellence: Why Namibia must call its best home

When Dr Ndjodi Ndeunyema recently travelled home to Namibia, it was for a profoundly personal reason, to marry the woman he loves, herself an academic of exceptional calibre. The Windhoek Observer congratulates the newlyweds and celebrates their union as a joyful reminder of what Namibian brilliance looks like. But this editorial is not about romance; it is about recognition. It is about celebrating excellence and asking whether, as a nation, we truly value our best minds. Dr Ndjodi Ndeunyema represents the very best of Namibia, a young, highly accomplished scholar who has distinguished himself on one of the world’s most…
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THE TIDE LINE | A farewell to Namibia’s Favourite uncle

The coastal air feels heavier this week. Walvis Bay, usually abuzz with salt, seagulls, and the rhythm of commerce, has fallen a little quieter. The news of the passing of John Savva, or as everyone knew him, Uncle Savva, has rippled across the Namibian coastline with the weight of disbelief and sorrow. It feels, quite simply, like the town has lost a heartbeat. Yes, death is life’s unbroken promise to us all. But there are those rare souls whose presence feels eternal, whose laughter fills rooms, whose kindness steadies communities, and whose integrity anchors generations. Uncle Savva was one of…
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Vision without action is a mirage

General (Rtd) Denga Ndaitwah’s recent public lecture at the University of Namibia’s School of Military Science was not just a reflection on leadership; it was a sober call to national reality. With characteristic clarity and discipline, Namibia’s First Gentleman and former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force reminded us of an uncomfortable truth: Vision 2030 risks becoming a beautiful but empty academic document unless its ambitions are grounded in the lived realities of our people and implemented with unwavering commitment. A vision without a compass Vision 2030, unveiled two decades ago, remains one of the most aspirational national blueprints in…
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A quarter century of UNSCR 1325 

A quarter century of UNSCR 1325 

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi I remember vividly the corridors of the United Nations in October 2000. During Namibia’s leadership of the Security Council in October, I carried with me the conviction that the world needed to view conflict differently. We had emerged from our own liberation struggle, a struggle during which women were not only victims but also fighting side by side with our male combatants, leaders and even mediators. It was inconceivable to my colleagues and I, that women should remain marginalised in the Council's deliberations on peace and security. When Namibia proposed that women must be recognised not just as…
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DAILY OBSERVER | Losing ground at sea: Why Namibia must urgently reclaim Walvis Bay’s global standing

When the Port of Walvis Bay slipped in the latest global port efficiency rankings, the news landed with the weight of disappointment. For years, the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has stood as a model of national competence, a success story of what a well-run public enterprise can be. Walvis Bay, in particular, has symbolised Namibia’s gateway to global trade, a logistical hub linking southern Africa to the Atlantic and beyond. Namport attributes the decline in ranking to global shipping disruptions, and that explanation is not without merit. The world’s supply chains have been in disarray for years, buffeted by overlapping…
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Namibia’s glorious David moment

There are sporting victories that fill us with joy, and then there are victories that alter the very texture of national identity. Namibia’s stunning triumph over South Africa is one of those seismic moments when a nation’s pulse quickens, its spirit expands, and its people, regardless of tribe, class, or geography, breathe as one. On that unforgettable day, before more than 4,000 roaring fans, Namibia did the unthinkable: they toppled the mighty Proteas. Scenes from that match tell it all, Namibian flags waving wildly in the evening air. It wasn’t just a cricket match. It was poetry. It was payback…
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