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08 Sep

“I have no favourites.” – Nandi-Ndaitwah

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Ester Mbathera As the Swapo Party prepares to finalise its candidate list for the National Assembly 2025-2029, the organisation’s vice president and presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, expressed the need for unity and comradeship among the delegates to the electoral college. Nandi-Ndaitwah said this at the opening of the party’s highly anticipated electoral college, often referred to as the "POT,” on Sunday in Windhoek. “I will continue to tell you, that you are all my favourites and that we must continue to have that and work as a team. Therefore, besides the difficult task before us, it must be done, and…

05 Sep

Political analyst warns that ECN action could undermine trust ahead of elections

info_e12wt4csMainKalimbo Iipumbu, Sakaria Johannes

Stefanus Nashama Political analyst, Sakaria Johannes has advised the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to get its house in order to avoid losing credibility ahead of the November elections. Johannes said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday, hours after the High Court declared the ECN’s decision to deregister the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) invalid. “There will be public questions as to why ECN opened a case when it was not the option to go for. One would think the commission is used by political figures to cut the legs of opposition political parties that would…

04 Sep

Kavango East governor backs elephant culling as drought relief measure

info_e12wt4csMainBonifatius Wakudumo, elephant culling

Hertta -Maria Amutenja Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo has voiced strong support for the government's proposal to cull elephants and other wildlife for drought relief measures. Wakudumo argues that culling is essential for maintaining a balance between human and wildlife needs and offers a different perspective, supporting culling as a necessary measure. “When we have good rain and the people have cultivated their crops, that is when we start to experience serious problems as elephants destroy people’s crops. In the absence of good rain, grazing for both cattle and elephants becomes minimal, increasing the risk of competition for resources. While…

03 Sep

Paragon Investment Holdings enters offshore mining industry

info_e12wt4csMainEdgehill Resources, Kenzoll Capital, LK Mining

Niël Terblanche Paragon Investment Holdings, through its subsidiary Edgehill Resources, has made an entrance into the offshore diamond mining sector. Partnering with Kenzoll Capital and other key stakeholders, Paragon is part of the joint venture behind the acquisition of the Adamastor, a state-of-the-art mining vessel set to operate in Hottentots Bay. This move positions Paragon as a new player in the lucrative offshore diamond industry, which is crucial to the country's economy. LK Mining’s representative, Lazarus Jacobs, has expressed optimism about the project’s potential, highlighting the favourable marine conditions and the high recovery rate of diamonds in the area. “The…

02 Sep

Opposition accuses Nandi-Ndaitwah of playing political games with sports minister

info_e12wt4csMainAgnes Tjongarero, Independence Stadium, Lifalaza Simataa, Maximalliant Katjimune

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Opposition political parties argue that Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's criticism of sport, youth, and national service minister Agnes Tjongarero, because she hasn't started renovating Independence Stadium, should not be taken seriously. Opposition parties believe that Nandi-Ndaitwah is using her words as an election gimmick to portray herself as a leader who holds others accountable, even though she is not. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Maximalliant Katjimune said the timing of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s criticism of her former fellow cabinet member is questionable. He said she has been part of the government for years and has been aware of…

01 Sep

Parties silent about election agendas

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political parties have remained largely unresponsive to questions about their strategies for tackling national issues ahead of the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Despite inquiries sent by the Windhoek Observer between August 23 and 28 on topics such as poverty, food security, and court backlogs, the majority of parties offered little to no response. The publication also sought to understand their plans regarding renewable energy, infrastructure, basic education, and the decriminalisation of sex work but received sparse feedback. Marius !Goraseb, secretary general of the All People’s Party (APP), said the media should wait for their manifesto launch,…

29 Aug

Rural constituencies in Zambezi region struggling with water crisis

info_e12wt4csMainJudea Lyaboloma Constituency

Martin Endjala The prevalence of water challenges is increasing for rural communities in the Zambezi Region due to ageing infrastructure and depleted water supply. This is according to Judea Lyaboloma Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai, who confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Dival, most rural communities in the constituency and other parts of the Zambezi Region do not have enough water services because of limited availability and administrative problems. He said failure to maintain and repair dried-out boreholes is among the biggest challenges. “Rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes,…

28 Aug

Police officer nabbed in recruitment scam

info_e12wt4csMainKauna Shikwambi

Martin Endjala and Ester Mbathera A police officer has been arrested in connection with a recruitment scam and is set to appear in court on 8 October. This was confirmed by Nampol’s national spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, on Wednesday. “Thus far, only one officer was arrested. The investigation is still ongoing. His next court date is 08 October 2024. The case was postponed for further investigations,” she disclosed. The Windhoek Observer has established that the officer has been in police custody for the past three weeks in the cells of the Seeis police station. Fillipus Meleksedek exposed the issue…

27 Aug

Israel bound military cargo vessel denied docking in Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csMainMV Kathrin

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Safety Security through the Namibian Police, revoked the permission previously granted for the vessel MV Kathrin to enter and dock at Namibia’s main harbour on 24 August.. The port of Walvis Bay scheduled the vessel, carrying cargo in transit, for docking on 25 August. Israel, which is currently involved in a conflict with Gaza, was the destination of the vessel carrying military equipment and supplies. According to a letter seen by the Windhoek Observer, Nampol’s Inspector-General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, directed Africa Global Logistic PTY Limited that the permission for the…

26 Aug

First-ever murder conviction in fatal vehicle collision sets new precedent

info_e12wt4csMainMagistrate Gaynor Paulton

Niël Terblanché Jandre Dippenaar became the first and only Namibian in history to be prosecuted and convicted of murder in the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle collision. On Friday, in the Swakopmund Regional Court, he was sentenced to spend the next 15 years in prison. Magistrate Gaynor Paulton imposed the extraordinary sentence after convicting Dippenaar on six counts of murder, one count of reckless and negligent driving, and one count of operating a vehicle without a valid driving license in the Swakopmund Regional Court in June. Paulton ordered the 15-year custodial sentence, stating that the six counts of murder…