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09 Sep

‘Our democracy will not be sold’ – Netumbo

info_e12wt4csMainDemocracy on Sale

Ester Mbathera Swapo Party vice president and presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has defended her party’s recent fundraising campaign, which raised over N$16 million at a gala dinner. This came in response to media headlines labelling the event as "Democracy on Sale." Speaking on Monday after the party's electoral college, also known as the POT, Nandi-Ndaitwah questioned the media's portrayal of the event, saying that the party operates transparently. “We are a democratic and open party. We organised our gala dinner and people transparently, willingly came, and they made those donations,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah questioned why the…

08 Sep

Doreen Sioka calls it quits

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Ester Mbathera Veteran politician and minister of gender equality, poverty eradication, and social welfare, Doreen Sioka, has announced her decision not to return to parliament in 2025, bringing an end to her long and illustrious political career. She shared this with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday at the Swapo electoral college in Windhoek. “Enough is enough. One should call it quits. From the age of 15, I've been a politician. Now I'm 64 years old. I want to give the young ones a chance to take over,” she said. Sioka explained the importance of nurturing new leadership and pointed to…

08 Sep

“I have no favourites.” – Nandi-Ndaitwah

info_e12wt4csMainPOT

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…