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Justicia Shipena Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha says the British tourist arrested for taking nude photos of San children might not have been aware of the children’s state of dress due to the cultural context of their attire. He said the way children from communities like the San and Ovahimba dress may appear nude or semi-nude by Western standards, but this is part of their traditional way of life. “But as you know, our kids in certain communities like the San people and the Himba people, this is their way of life. They don’t dress up properly. If you look at the…

Allexer Namundjebo Rent-A-Drum (Pty) Ltd will pay a N$ 250,000 settlement after the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) found the company engaged in anti-competitive conduct in violation of the Competition Act. The case followed a complaint filed by D Ishuna Investments CC in August 2023.  The Commission launched an investigation under Case No.: 2023AUG0006COMP. The findings, published in government gazette No. 8644 on 8 May, revealed that Rent-A-Drum had an exclusive distributorship agreement with Finnish company Molok OY.  This agreement made Rent-A-Drum the only supplier of Molok-branded underground waste systems in Namibia. At the same time, the Swakopmund Municipality’s procurement process…

Justicia Shipena  The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA)’s promise of jobs has been seen as far-fetched. Recently, NIDA’s chief executive officer, Richwell Lukonga, announced several initiatives aimed at creating 35,000 jobs over the next five years.  The job creation target is outlined in NIDA's first turnaround Integrated Strategic Business Plan for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and its Sustainable Business Model. However, young people believe the promise won’t materialise. Many say they no longer trust anything in the country because of what they’ve experienced in the past. Julius Natangwe, a youth activist, says young Namibians have lost trust in institutions like NIDA…

Allexer Namundjembo Concerns have emerged over how the “Be Your Own Boss” youth empowerment programme in Otavi is being managed. Sponsored by B2Gold Namibia with N$1.19 million, the program aims to equip 20 young people with business skills and start-up capital. Johannes Johannes, a local activist, has questioned the transparency of the project.  He raised issues about the funds allocated to participants and the quality of the training. He said trainees were told they would receive equipment worth N$3 000 each after completing the program, which he believes is too low compared to the overall budget. “Twenty times N$3,000 amounts…

Allexer Namundjebo Former Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Mac Albert Hengari, will face new charges when he next appears in court.  These include contravening Section 34(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act (Act 8 of 2003) and incitement to commit a crime under Section 18(2)(b) of the Riotous Assemblies Act of 1976.  This is explained in a letter from Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa, dated 12 May 2015, seen by the Windhoek Observer and addressed to Hengari’s legal firm, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc. Imalwa, in the letter, notified Hengari’s legal team that the state intends to oppose bail on…

Justicia Shipena  Once again, the government will cover millions to support NamPower’s tariff increase.  For the 2025/2026 financial year, it will cost N$283 million to ease the impact on consumers. The Electricity Control Board (ECB) approved a revised tariff increase of 3.8% on Tuesday, raising the average bulk tariff from N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to N$2.06 per kWh.  This change will take effect on 1 July 2025 and will remain in place until 30 June 2026. The government’s financial support covers 3.8% of the proposed tariff increase, helping to ease the impact of the initial 17.44% hike. ECB CEO Robert…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A group of Namibians living with chronic conditions is calling on the government to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duties on essential medication. Group spokesperson Stephen Bellesini said the appeal comes from personal experience of paying out of pocket for chronic medication not available in public hospitals. “State pharmacies only stock items listed on the Namibia Essential Medicines List (NEMLIST), which excludes many specialised or newer treatments required for chronic conditions. That leaves responsible citizens no choice but to turn to private pharmacies, where they face not just the full price of the medicine but layers…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Katima Mulilo Town Council has exchanged 31 hectares of land for two vehicles with Windhoek-based company Risk-Based Solutions (RBS) CC, owned by Dr Sindila Mwiya. A letter dated 15 June 2023, addressed to Dr Mwiya by the town council’s chief executive officer, Raphael Liswaniso, confirmed the deal.  The letter states that the council approved the application to purchase land located near the riverbank northwest of Katima Mulilo during a meeting held on 8 June 2023. “The Katima Mulilo Town Council (KMTC) is pleased to inform you that your application for the purchase of 31 hectares of land situated…

Justicia Shipena  The election of Friedrich Merz as Germany's chancellor implies that there is no longer a straightforward declaration or commitment to confront the genocide deal, says political analyst Henning Melber. Melber cautions that even simple symbolic actions, such as the unified proclamation against genocide, may not be realised under Germany's new administration. Merz was voted as Germany's future chancellor on Tuesday after winning a second Bundestag vote. While the previous "Ampel" coalition, which included the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Green Party, and the Liberal Party, explicitly committed to completing the joint declaration on genocide committed during Germany's colonial…