Featured – Page 13 – Windhoek Observer

01 Jun

THE TURNING POINT | Who should create jobs in Namibia? Revisiting the role of government and the private sector

Featured, Opinions

The recent announcement by the Chamber of Mines of Namibia that the mining sector sustained more than 166,000 jobs in 2025 is undoubtedly encouraging news. At a time when unemployment remains one of Namibia’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, any evidence of job creation deserves recognition. The continued advancement of uranium, gold, copper and critical mineral projects further suggests that the sector remains an important pillar of economic activity and national development. However, the announcement should also prompt a broader and more fundamental discussion: whose responsibility is it to create jobs in Namibia? This question lies at the heart of many…

29 May

YOUNG OBSERVER | Youth urged to protect Namibia’s history

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Young Namibians have been urged to learn, protect and retell the country’s history as Namibia marked its second Genocide Remembrance Day on Thursday. Speaking during the national commemoration held in Eenhana in the Ohangwena region, vice president Lucia Witbooi said the day should serve as an educational platform for young people to understand the history of the 1904–1908 genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people during German colonial rule. “To our youth, Genocide Remembrance Day must serve as an important educational platform through which they can learn about Namibia’s painful history,” Witbooi said. She said the resistance…

29 May

YOUNG OBSERVER | Youth speak out on disability inclusion

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Young Namibians are increasingly speaking out about neurodiversity, disability inclusion and children’s mental development. They call for better support systems and awareness across the country. The discussions come amid growing concern over the lack of specialised neurodevelopmental therapy services in Namibia, which forces some families to seek treatment outside the country. Author and Rory Kostin Foundation founder Anthea Kostin has become one of the voices driving awareness after publicly sharing her family’s experience raising a child living with a brain injury. Kostin’s daughter, Rory, suffered a severe brain injury after contracting bacterial meningitis as a baby. Kostin said…

29 May

YOUNG OBSERVER | Lüderitz to host Oil and Gas Youth Open Day

Featured, Uncategorised

Staff Writer The Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF) will host the first Lüderitz Oil & Gas Youth Open Day next month. This is part of NYEF's efforts to connect young people and local businesses to opportunities emerging in Namibia’s growing oil and gas sector. The event will take place on 20 June at the Lüderitz Waterfront Auditorium under the theme “Building Readiness. Creating Access.” According to NYEF, the open day forms part of the organisation’s Youth Day commemorative activities and is expected to attract about 300 participants, including learners, students, young professionals, SMEs, parents, local authorities, community stakeholders and industry…

27 May

Genocide Remembrance Day seems once again a shamble!

Featured, Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro This Thursday, 28 May, which has been proclaimed by the Namibian government, of course not out of its own volition but by the mission of a GENOCIDE descendant and supported by fellow descendants, Genocide Remembrance Day (GRD) is seen for the second time being officially commemorated under the auspices of the Namibian government. Following its gazetting in 2025, two years after descendants had been commemorating it for the near annihilation of their ancestors, for the second year running on their own. Certainly this is not the first time that the descendants are and have been and will be…

26 May

NASAN acquires Vivo, Engen assets under strict conditions

Featured, Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has approved NASAN Energies’ acquisition of assets from Vivo Energy Namibia and Engen Namibia, subject to strict conditions aimed at protecting competition in the fuel sector. The conditions include a five-year ban on sourcing petroleum products from Vitol and its affiliates, anti-circumvention measures, and stronger disclosure and monitoring requirements. NaCC said the transaction raised competition and public interest concerns in the downstream fuel sector. While the merger was seen as supporting local ownership and the participation of historically disadvantaged Namibians, regulators were concerned about the risk of coordinated conduct linked to upstream fuel…

15 May

YOUNG OBSERVER | Youth challenged to carry Nujoma’s legacy forward

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Minister of information and communications technology Emma Theofelus has urged young Namibians to follow the resilience, courage and spirit of resistance shown by Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma. The call was made during a commemoration event hosted by the Physically Active Youth Empowerment Organisation in Katutura to honour Nujoma’s legacy and role in Namibia’s liberation struggle. Speaking at the event, Theofelus said Nujoma’s values should continue guiding young people as they help build the country. "Dr Sam Nujoma, who has since left us. But in him and in us, his legacy continues because he lives in all of…

15 May

YOUNG OBSERVER | Japan boosts Unam emergency response capacity

Featured, Uncategorised

Lydia Sageus The government of Japan has donated two ambulances, a fire truck and emergency equipment valued at N$1.2 million to the University of Namibia (Unam) to strengthen emergency response services across its campuses. The handover ceremony took place recently at the university’s main campus. Japan’s ambassador to Namibia, Sinichi Asazuma, officially handed over the donation to Unam chancellor Nangolo Mbumba and Unam vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu. Receiving the donation, Mbumba thanked the government of Japan for what he described as timely support that will improve safety and emergency preparedness across UNAM campuses. “At a time when campus safety and…

15 May

Youth confidence shaken by online comparison culture

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Growing social media use among young people in Namibia is raising concerns about its impact on confidence, mental health and online safety, especially among children and teenagers. The issue was recently discussed on the Wheels of Justice, a Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) TV show, where experts warned about the dangers young people face online, including addiction, harmful content and unrealistic social expectations. Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus said parents, governments and technology companies all have a responsibility to protect children online. “How old should a child be to be on social media? Children under the ages…

15 May

YOUNG OBSERVER | ǁKaras launches youth desk to boost empowerment

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele The ||Karas region has officially launched the Governor’s Youth Desk alongside the Youth Empowerment Strategic Framework 2026–2029, in a move aimed at strengthening youth participation in governance, skills development and economic empowerment. The initiative was launched on Wednesday evening in Keetmanshoop during an event attended by more than 100 young people from across the region, alongside government officials, traditional leaders and development partners. Speaking at the launch, ||Karas governor Dawid Gertze said the youth desk was created to ensure young people become active participants in development and decision-making processes. He said the desk will connect young people to…