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Ester Mbathera  The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) has reported that its cost-to-income ratio remains high, with expenses surpassing income. The agency’s executive consultant and chief financial officer, Julius Nghikevali, revealed this during the release of NIDA's six-year abridged annual report for the financial years 2018/2019 to 2023/2024, released on Monday in Windhoek. “That is a picture that any business would need to change and that is a key focus area for us,” he said. Despite the challenges, NIDA has achieved a 30% growth in total assets from 2019 to 2024, primarily due to investment properties. “The investment property aspect…

Ester Mbathera  In 1999, Catherine Kaunda, the oldest child of Zambia's founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, became homeless after a High Court ruling declared her father stateless.  This decision affected his children and grandchildren. Catherine lived in South Africa at the time when the Thabo Mbeki administration offered her only refugee status. She was eventually given a seven-day ultimatum to leave the country. "Nujoma was God-sent. My father arranged with Nujoma to take me in. I had no travel documents to come to Namibia. It was all arranged by Uncle Sam. I am now a citizen of Namibia. This is my…

Niël Terblanché Looming adverse weather conditions threaten to disrupt these commemorations, particularly in the northern regions of the country at the time when the mortal remains of Founding President Sam Nujoma started a tour of seven regions to allow Namibians in rural areas to pay their final respects. A series of regional memorial services have been organized to honour Nujoma’s legacy.  The Namibian Meteorological Service (NMS), in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, issued a public weather warning on Wednesday. The NMS advisory forecasts moderate to heavy thunderstorms over the coming weekend in the Kavango East, Kavango West,…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe and Ester Mbathera The remains of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma have begun the journey to their final resting place, and the nation has paid its last respects. The remains arrived early on Thursday morning at State House, where President Nangolo Mbumba officially sanctioned their departure to the regions. Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba and former First Lady Penexupifo Pohamba were among the dignitaries who arrived to pay their respects. The Namibian Defence Force (NDF), led by the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, is overseeing the solemn procession. The journey began with a brief…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has received over 52 000 applications from young people to be trained as cadet constables.   The head of NamPol’s public relations division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday.  “We received slightly more than 52 000 applications from which only 1 200 could be shortlisted,” she said. She said the review of these applications is ongoing, with the shortlist of successful candidates expected before May. “The shortlisting process is ongoing and expected to be concluded between February and May,” she said. Shikwambi noted that shortlisting has been completed…

Allexer Namundjembo and Stefanus Nashama  The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has announced its preparedness to conduct the funeral proceedings for the late Founding President, Sam Nujoma, without seeking assistance from neighbouring countries. Defence minister, Frans Kapofi said this with reference to the funeral last year of President Hage Geingob during an interview with One Africa TV on Monday. “We don’t foresee making the same request as last year with regard to seeking assistance from neighbouring countries. I think we should be able to do it within the means we have. We will not approach people to help us…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Swapo’s decision to endorse Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole candidate for the party presidency while freezing the vice president position until 2027 has raised concerns about internal democracy and leadership succession. Analysts argue that the move suggests a controlled leadership process rather than an open contest, questioning the party’s commitment to democratic principles. Former Swapo Think Tank member and political commentator, Ben Mulongeni criticised the decision, saying it contradicts the principles of democracy.  “Endorsement is not a democratic thing. People know what the constitution says, and the rules state that there must be elections because positions…

Allexer Namundjembo The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), which is affiliated with the ruling party, Swapo, has asked its affiliates to contribute N$15 000 towards the funeral of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma. In a memorandum issued by NUNW General Secretary, Job Muniaro, each affiliate is expected to submit their contributions by the 20th of this month. "Your contributions will go a long way in ensuring that we give our Founding Father a respectful and deserving send-off," the memo stated. When contacted for comments, Muniaro explained that the contributions from affiliates would be used to purchase water. "It…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  A court ruling in the United States of America has secured the continued flow of essential funding for key health programs in Namibia. The executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, confirmed the good news in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. “Every day, basically, there is a new development. The latest development, in essence, says that funding for methods related to the provision of emergency assistance and services for the treatment of co-infections like TB will continue,” said Nangombe. A temporary restraining order issued on 7 February by a U.S.…

Allexer Namundjembo The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and Angola’s ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) have paid tribute to Namibia’s founding father, Sam Nujoma, for his role in supporting the southern African liberation struggle.  This joint recognition reflects the shared history between Angola and Namibia, where both countries faced colonial oppression and fought for their independence from foreign powers. In a press release, UNITA president Adalberto Costa Júnior highlighted how the African liberation struggle united various movements, including UNITA and Swapo, Namibia’s liberation movement led by Nujoma. “Since the beginning of Angola’s…