Featured – Page 6 – Windhoek Observer

30 Jul

OBSERVER COASTAL | Navachab increases Half Marathon sponsorship to N$1.5 million

Featured, National News

Renthia Kaimbi QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine has increased its sponsorship of this year's Navachab Half Marathon to N$1.5 million as it seeks to grow the event into an international competition. The 12th edition of the race is scheduled for 19 September at the Usab Sports Field, with organisers targeting approximately 2 000 entries, up from 1 275 participants in 2025. Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek, Navachab spokesperson Mclyn Kasale confirmed that the allocation for medals, trophies and prize money has risen from N$345 000 in 2025 to N$530 000 this year. He emphasised that while the mine…

30 Jul

OBSERVER COASTAL | Erongo governor pushes business formalisation to grow women-owned enterprises

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses has urged women entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses and take advantage of government support programmes aimed at helping small enterprises expand and create jobs. The call came during a Women and Youth Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Business Engagement Meeting in Swakopmund, where 18 entrepreneurs operating in sectors including tailoring, beauty and wellness, cultural crafts and other small businesses met with the governor to discuss challenges and opportunities facing their enterprises. The engagement provided a platform for the entrepreneurs to share their experiences while exploring government support mechanisms such as business registration, access…

28 Jul

Regional Governors: Ceremonial custodians or catalysts for development?

Editorial, Featured

Every year, Namibia’s regional governors stand before councillors, traditional leaders, government officials and residents to deliver what has become known as the State of the Region Address. The speeches are often polished. They catalogue achievements, outline aspirations and reaffirm government’s commitment to development. Roads are promised. Schools are celebrated. Water projects are announced. Investment is encouraged. Yet once the applause dies down, an uncomfortable question remains: what exactly is a regional governor empowered to do? This is not a criticism of the individuals who occupy these offices. Many governors work tirelessly to resolve disputes, facilitate development and represent their regions…

24 Jul

YOUNG OBSERVER | ‘Hear us before we break’: Youth speak on teenage pregnancy and mental health

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele Young Namibians have called for greater support from parents, schools and government, saying many of the challenges they face, including teenage pregnancy, anxiety and mental health struggles, are worsened when adults fail to listen to them. The youth voices emerged during the national commemoration of World Population Day 2026 in Windhoek, where learners and young people challenged leaders to move beyond discussions about youth and create spaces where they can openly share their experiences. The event was held under the theme “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people today for the future,” with Khomas Governor Sam Shafiishuna…

24 Jul

YOUNG OBSERVER | Oil boom opens global career pathways for Namibian youth

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele More than 60 young Namibians have already secured internships and employment opportunities with international oil and gas companies as the country moves closer to developing its emerging petroleum sector. The announcement was made at the third Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Walvis Bay, where the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) highlighted its efforts to prepare young Namibians to participate in the industry through skills development, training and partnerships with energy companies. Delivering remarks on behalf of PETROFUND chief executive officer Nillian Mulemi, acting CEO Leorine Waggie said Namibia’s oil and gas future will depend not…

24 Jul

YOUNG OBSERVER | Katutura centre supports vulnerable children through education

Featured, National News

Eugenia Moche The Bernhard Nordkamp Centre (BNC) in Katutura continues to provide educational support, meals and a safe space for more than 200 vulnerable children, as poverty and unemployment continue to affect many families in the township. The centre, which was established in 2005 by director MaryBeth Gallagher, initially operated as a soup kitchen under the Church Alliance for Orphans before evolving into an after-school programme offering sports, educational support and counselling. Gallagher said the programme shifted its focus to education in 2010 after recognising that sport alone would not adequately prepare children for the future. “They have fun and…

23 Jul

OBSERVER COASTAL | New FIDS improves Walvis Bay passenger experience

Featured

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has introduced a modern Flight Information Display System (FIDS) at Walvis Bay International Airport, aimed at improving passenger experience through faster and more reliable access to real-time travel information. The newly installed system, valued at approximately N$1.3 million, introduces digital flight information screens throughout the airport terminal, allowing passengers to receive timely updates on arrivals, departures, boarding times, gate allocations, and operational changes. The displays have been strategically installed at key passenger touchpoints, including check-in areas, departure lounges, waiting areas, and other passenger service locations, ensuring that travellers have easy access to important…

23 Jul

OBSERVER COASTAL | Mayor calls for collective action to prepare youth for emerging industries

Featured

Renthia Kaimbi The recently concluded 2026 Erongo Regional Career Fair that took place at the Walvis Bay Town Hall last Monday, drew learners from across the region to a vibrant marketplace of educational and professional possibilities. Officially opening the event, the town’s mayor Johannes Shimbilinga, delivered a stirring address in which he described career fairs not merely as exhibitions but as vital bridges linking youthful ambition with tangible opportunity. He highlighted the power of such platforms to connect young people directly with employers, training institutions, and industry leaders, enabling them to navigate their futures with clarity and confidence. Shimbilinga urged…

23 Jul

OBSERVER COASTAL | Swakopmund hosts 2026 Africa Public Service Day

Featured

Renthia Kaimbi Swakopmund became the epicentre of continental dialogue on public service excellence as Namibia hosted the 19th Africa Public Service Day (APSD) celebrations from 21 to 23 July 2026. The three-day event, held at The Dome, brought together public servants from across the country to reflect on the role of effective governance in addressing one of the continent’s most pressing challenges, being universal access to water and safe sanitation. This year’s commemoration was anchored under the theme, "Enhancing Public Sector Institutions and Empowering Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Achieve Universal Water Availability and Safe Sanitation by 2063.” The theme directly aligns…

21 Jul

What mobility system is Namibia building so that every citizen can get to work with dignity?

Featured, Opinions

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Development must be measured by people’s daily lives When governments speak about development, they often point to new highways, upgraded roads, logistics corridors, ports, and infrastructure projects. These investments are important and deserve recognition. Namibia has built one of the most extensive and well maintained road networks in Southern Africa, creating a solid foundation for regional trade and economic integration. However, an essential question remains: What mobility system is Namibia building to ensure that every citizen can get to work with dignity? This is not merely a question about transport.…