Featured – Page 31 – Windhoek Observer

18 Mar

African Artificial Intelligence (AAI): A catalyst for African development

Featured, Opinions

Kehad Snydewe "Don't judge a fish by how it rides a bicycle" is a favorite saying of mine, as I believe it sums up the experience of some organizations giving advice. It's my position that 'one size does not fit all.' Teaching a fish to ride a bicycle doesn't work. Thinking we can implement general solutions for individuals and specific challenges simply doesn't work. This got me thinking about Artificial Intelligence. AI holds immense potential for Africa to drive development, innovation, and economic growth. If harnessed and leveraged within an African context, it’s a tremendous strategic asset that can catalyze…

18 Mar

Namibia Motorsport Federation gets new leadership

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Motorsport Federation (NMF) has elected new leadership at its recent annual general meeting in Windhoek. Daniel Tjongarero Jr is the new president, with Benson Kalla as vice president. Bradley Ferreira will chair the motoring commission, Andreas Brendel will head the motorcycling commission, and Derek Jacobs will serve as secretary general. The newly elected officials will manage the sport’s administration and regulations for the next two years, focusing on expanding motorsport across Namibia and internationally. Jacobs said the sport struggles to attract participants because many believe it requires a large financial investment. ‘’Anyone can compete in motorsport…

18 Mar

A STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS, AND STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE

Featured, OpinionsA STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS

By P. T. Shipale The Confidénte newspaper (March 14-20, 2025) reports that Namibia’s President-elect and newly appointed SWAPO leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is taking decisive action to reform the executive branch of government. In a bold move to improve efficiency, cut costs, and facilitate more effective decision-making, the President-elect plans to restructure the Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries to between 12 and 15. Additionally, she is considering eliminating the positions of Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Ministers. In 2004 when the government amended the constitution in order to create a Vice-President’s position, I asked the question to find out…

17 Mar

Independence celebratory theme unveiled

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché With only three days left until Namibia celebrates its 35th Independence Day, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology revealed the official celebratory theme and logo for the next five years. The ministry’s executive director, Audrin Mathe in a statement on Monday announced the theme, “Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future” and said it reflects the nation’s commitment to unity, development, and progress. Speaking at the unveiling, Mathe said that the theme reinforces the collective responsibility to build a stronger, more prosperous nation. He added that the new logo is aimed at inspiring Namibians to continue working towards…

12 Mar

Spilling the beans led to recovery of N$3.4 million

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) recovered N$3.4 million after receiving information from whistleblowers through its Spill the Beans hotline. According to Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, the spokesperson of NamRA, the whistle blower platform was launched in partnership with Deloitte Namibia in May 2024 “The initiative has been instrumental in enhancing transparency and accountability within the country's tax system,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday. He added that since its inception, Spill the Beans has received 60 reports addressing concerns such as fraud, corruption, tax evasion, alleged money laundering, drug smuggling, and unethical behaviour. “These reports have led to…

10 Mar

Heavy rains damage roads in Omusati

Featured, National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Heavy rainfall in the Omusati region over the past few days has caused damage to roads and raised concerns over accessibility and safety. Omusati regional governor, Erginus Endjala said the region has received substantial amounts of rain, impacting several key roads. "The road between Onaanda and Okalyi has been completely wiped away by the rain. The Etayi gravel road, which connects to the tarred road, also has areas that are inaccessible," he said. Endjala added that most gravel roads in the region are in poor condition following the rainfall. "Once they get wet, one needs to drive with…

10 Mar

Green Hydrogen Programme open to criticism

Energy, Featured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGHP) welcomes constructive criticism regarding the industry. NGHP spokesperson, Jona Musheko said this on Monday following an incident involving veteran journalist Jemima Beukes, who is being disciplined by her employer, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) for excessively negative reporting on last year’s Global African Hydrogen Summit. Musheko said the organisation has not issued any directives on how journalists should report on green hydrogen initiatives. “We have not issued any formal complaints regarding the journalist in question or any other reporters. Furthermore, we have no concerns regarding perceived negative reporting on the sector,” said Musheko.…

10 Mar

S&T rates for public servants increased

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché Public servants can look forward to an increase in their Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), commonly referred to as S&Ts, effective from 1 April. The announcement was made by I-Ben Nashandi, the executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), during the official opening of the institution’s annual planning workshop currently underway in Swakopmund. Nashandi said the adjustment in S&T rates has not been finalised yet but that it is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance employee welfare and performance within the public sector. He also stressed the importance of embracing technological advancements and innovative…

06 Mar

Leprosy stigma fades in Zambezi region

Featured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo For decades, leprosy, or Hansen’s disease’s deep-seated stigma, extended beyond death in the Zambezi Region. Those affected by the disease often faced exile, isolation, and indignity even in death. Sibbinda Constituency Councillor Micky Lukaezi recalls the story of a man, a victim of leprosy, who was denied a traditional burial due to cultural stigmas associated with the disease. “He was taken to the forest as it was against cultural beliefs to bury people suffering from the disease in the same way as others. The belief was that those with leprosy could not be buried in the same manner…

06 Mar

Tackling poor sanitation is a critical step toward a healthier cleaner and, more prosperous Namibia

Featured, Opinions

Wayambekange N Hamufenhu Sanitation is often overlooked and remains largely invisible to many, yet it has far-reaching consequences. We face an invisible enemy that impacts millions of Namibians daily: “inadequate sanitation”. Despite the undeniable connection between sanitation and improvements in public health, economic productivity, education, and environmental sustainability, this critical issue remains underfunded, overlooked, and inadequately addressed. For Namibia to secure a prosperous future, it must recognize sanitation not just as an infrastructure need but as a foundational pillar of development. The country must confront this issue head-on by investing more resources and adopting a multisectoral approach to tackle the…