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By Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed her administration’s ambitious goal of creating 500,000 jobs within five years, despite the government’s ongoing freeze on public service vacancies, a policy that continues to draw sharp criticism from the public and political commentators. Speaking at the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum in Windhoek on Thursday, the President said her government was determined to drive “a new era of decisive, efficient, and results-driven governance” focused on economic growth, inclusivity, and employment.  The job creation pledge is anchored in the recently launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), themed “Fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness, and Resilience…

Renthia Kaimbi Health and Social Services Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao’s threat to sue the Windhoek Observer for defamation, both personally and through her brother’s law firm, has drawn sharp criticism from legal and governance experts. They say the move raises concerns about ethics, conflicts of interest, and possible misuse of office. Through Dr Weder, Kruger & Haikali Incorporated, Luvindao issued an undated letter of demand to the Windhoek Observer threatening legal action over an article published on 17 October. The report stated that she had urgently reached out to foreign diplomatic missions for emergency anti-malarial supplies amid low national stock…

Chamwe Kaira Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has cautioned that if Namibia does not fix its current spending and debt path, the country’s financial stability measures could be badly affected. She presented the 2025/26 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Tuesday, maintaining the total budget at N$89.4 billion despite slower growth and fiscal pressure. “The baseline scenario, if left unattended, is highly undesirable and will lead to a serious deterioration of key fiscal anchors,” Shafudah said.  “Urgent actions under economic policy measures and expenditure restraint in the medium term will create a more viable and manageable fiscal path.” She said by…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) says the Red Mountain Joint Management Area (JMA) in the Red Mountain area still constitutes anti-competitive conduct.  NaCC reaffirmed its earlier position despite extending the deadline for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) to resolve the issue. In a letter dated 17 October 2025, the NaCC told mining claimant Timoteus Mashuna that its view on the matter remains unchanged. The Red Mountain Joint Management Area (JMA) is a conservation zone established in 2018 through a partnership between the Uibasen Twyfelfontein, Nawas and Sorris Sorris conservancies, sharing a mutual boundary. Earlier this…

Justicia Shipena Namibia has confirmed its first mpox case, linked to recent cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.  The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) declared an outbreak on Sunday after a case was confirmed in Swakopmund over the weekend.  Health minister Esperance Luvindao said the patient is receiving care in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital and remains in stable condition.  “In line with World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols, one confirmed case of Mpox constitutes an outbreak,” she said.  She said the ministry's team in the Erongo region are tracing contacts and monitoring potential…

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia has appealed for international help to restock critical malaria medicines as the country faces a worsening outbreak and dangerously low drug supplies. A letter obtained by the Windhoek Observer revealed that Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao had reached out to diplomatic missions for assistance after the national medical warehouse was found to have only a one-month supply of essential antimalarial drugs. The Windhoek Observer understands that a formal request was sent to Japan’s ambassador to Namibia, Asazuma Shinichi. However, it remains unclear if similar appeals were made to other embassies. “Today, I reach out to you regarding…

Allexer Namundjembo  The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says it will not cover travel expenses for political parties and stakeholders who wish to observe the printing of ballot papers.  The observation is for the ballots of the 2025 regional and local elections, set for next month.  All registered political parties, organisations, and associations are invited to observe the ballot paper production at their own expense. ECN said this decision was first communicated during the political parties liaison committee meeting on 3 September 2025 and reaffirmed during another PLC meeting on 14 October 2025. ECN chief electoral officer Peter Shaama said…

Allexer Namundjembo  The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will again pay a South African company, Uniprint Global, N$4.9 million to print ballot papers for the upcoming regional and local authorities elections.  This comes after no local companies made it to the final bidding stage. The elections are scheduled for 26 November 2025.  During the bidding process, ECN said seven local and five international companies purchased bid documents, but only four international companies submitted final bids.  The bids ranged between N$4.9 million and N$8.3 million, including delivery costs. The open international bidding process started on 16 June and closed on 28…

Renthia Kaimbi A plan by the Henties Bay Municipal Council to sell 100 hectares of coastal land for a major new development has sparked public outcry. Residents filed a formal objection just a day before the deadline. The objection, submitted on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, by local property owners, claims the proposed sale to Aetheria Strategic Investments (Pty) Ltd violates ministry directives, lacks transparency and could overwhelm the town’s strained infrastructure. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) had earlier warned against such land allocations.  In a letter dated 17 April 2025, executive director Wilhelmine Shivute expressed “great concern”…

Renthia Kaimbi The late Walvis Bay business leader and honorary consul for Cyprus and Greece, John Savva has been described as a man who contributed greatly to the town’s economic and social development.  He owned Venus Supermarket, the Atlantic Hotel in Walvis Bay, and the Afrodite Beach property development near Dolphin Beach.  His passing on Saturday has drawn tributes from national leaders and the Walvis Bay community, who remembered him as a builder, mentor, and leader. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conveyed her condolences, describing Savva as a key figure in the Walvis Bay business community who played a major role in…