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Ester Mbathera Former justice minister Sacky Shanghala says he doesn't wish prison conditions on anyone. He points out the inhumane conditions within the cells, including overcrowding, noise, fights, and illicit drug smuggling, which he says exacerbate health issues. The trial awaiting Shanghala was reflecting on the harsh realities of prison life on Monday when he and his co-accused brought an urgent application to put on hold the transfer of some of them from C Sections to Echo Sections. “Had I known, honestly, in the high position that I occupied before, I probably would have done something about it. It is…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa said the party did not receive the invite to the presidential discussion, and even if it did, there is no assurance of participating. Shaningwa said this on Monday while responding to questions about whether the party will allow its presidential candidate to participate in the presidential discussion taking place in Windhoek on Thursday. The public discussion is organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) to give presidential candidates from all political parties a platform to share their manifestos and plans to address social issues affecting the country. According to a local daily, KAS…

Ester Mbathera Swapo secretary general Sophia Shanigwa declined to divulge the agenda of her recent talks with the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the Chinese Communist Party. Last week, Shaningwa met with MPLA vice president Luisa Pedro Francisco Damiao before travelling to China for further engagements. “My God, Jesus. You think I should report to the media when I am meeting with my sister parties as the secretary general of the Swapo Party,” she said when questioned about these meetings." Shaningwa explained that Swapo operates within a global context, interacting with various nations and political parties.…

Ester Mbathera Late President Hage Geingob's commitment to minimising seafood loss and waste transformation, with the goal of providing more food from the ocean, has come to fruition. This comes after the launch of the Namibia Ocean Cluster, Africa's first initiative with the mission of maximising the use of all seafood harvested. Supported by the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda, this innovative non-profit entity is set to drive significant socio-economic and environmental benefits for the country. Geingob's involvement came from the participation in a high-level panel discussion for a sustainable ocean economy. Pierre le Roux, Seawork's Sales and Marketing…

Niël Terblanché Namibia's livestock sector, a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy, faces a significant divide due to the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF), often referred to as the Redline. The original purpose of this fence, which dates back to the German colonial period in 1896, was to stop the spread of infectious diseases like rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. Spanning approximately 1,250 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean to Botswana, the VCF separates northern Namibia from its central and southern parts. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration, during a fact-finding mission to communal farming areas in the country’s northern…

Niël Terblanché and Martin Endjala Residents of the Zambezi region are calling for the reinstatement of the original boundary between the Zambezi and Kavango East regions. Zambezi residents made the demand during the first public meeting with the Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission, held in Katima Mulilo on Monday. Speaking on behalf of the youth, Simasiku Sikwibele claimed that the Caprivi and Kavango have suffered disrespect. He acknowledged the fact that there are mineral deposits, tourism attraction facilities, and potential within the Bwabwata National Park, which he says does not benefit the people of the Zambezi region. “We are continually…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja For many graduates, the journey of becoming a teacher has become a harrowing ordeal, marked by long periods of unemployment and relentless job hunting. This is unlike their counterparts in the police, the army or the correctional services, who secure jobs immediately after their training. Despite the increasing number of qualified teachers, the availability of teaching positions fails to meet the demand, leaving numerous graduates in a state of uncertainty. Meriam Paulus, a lower primary education graduate from the International University of Management (IUM), expresses her frustration after attending over 30 interviews without securing a job since graduating…

Stefanus Nashama McHenry Venaani, leader of the official opposition, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), urged President Nangolo Mbumba to take immediate action to release the forensic audit report conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General of the August 26 Company (Pty) Ltd. “The citizens of our country have a fundamental right to access information pertinent to the governance of our nation, and the withholding of such crucial documentation undermines the trust and confidence reposed in our democratic institutions,” Venaani stated. In April, the Auditor-General's office remained mum on the forensic audit report of August 26. The audit of the state-owned…

Ester Mbathera Residents of Walvis Bay have resorted to unconventional methods to collect money to clear their debt to the harbour town’s municipality. Two women shared their ordeals with the Windhoek Observer on how they paid their water, as well as rates and taxes after they were disconnected by debt management company RedForce recently. While the Windhoek Observer is aware of their identity, it was decided not to disclose their names in order to shield their families from the potential consequences of public condemnation. "I am not able to look my husband in the eyes because of what I did…