Main

Mnyupe allays environmentalists’ fear of Green Hydrogen Project

Mnyupe allays environmentalists’ fear of Green Hydrogen Project

Niël Terblanché The Green Hydrogen Commissioner of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, James Mnyupe, has assured that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) will oversee the development of a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative (SCDI), which includes the TKNP. This comes after the call for an independent and transparent Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the green hydrogen sector in Namibia by the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE). This call was made on International Day for Biodiversity and directed at the Namibian and German governments as well as the European Union. International…
Read More
Nekundi did make remarks about “political graves” for opposition leaders

Nekundi did make remarks about “political graves” for opposition leaders

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Despite denying that he told Swapo supporters to bury opposition leaders, Windhoek Observer has obtained an audio recording of Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Veko Nekundi clearly stating that he wants to see the ‘democratic graves’ of both Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani. He was speaking at a Swapo rally in Emono village, Omusati region, over the weekend. “If we are saying in Emono, where we are, if there is anything breathing opposition parties, it must be buried. On November 27 November when the election results are released, I want to see Itula’s grave here. A grave…
Read More
No tender advertised for new Windhoek District Hospital

No tender advertised for new Windhoek District Hospital

Stefanus Nashama and Ester Mbathera No tender has been advertised for the construction of the much-anticipated new 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital or any other services required. This is despite the ground-breaking ceremony that took place last week. The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) spokesperson, Johanna Kambala, confirmed that the board did not receive or handle a tender to this effect. “Please take note that CPBN did not receive any request from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to facilitate the procurement of this project,” she said. It is also not clear where the funds will be coming…
Read More
Shanghala regrets not reforming prison conditions

Shanghala regrets not reforming prison conditions

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…
Read More
Swapo yet to confirm participation in presidential discussion

Swapo yet to confirm participation in presidential discussion

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…
Read More
Shaningwa defends secrecy over talks with China and Angola

Shaningwa defends secrecy over talks with China and Angola

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.…
Read More
Geingob’s vision to minimise ocean waste comes to fruition

Geingob’s vision to minimise ocean waste comes to fruition

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…
Read More
VCF draws red line through beef marketing potential

VCF draws red line through beef marketing potential

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…
Read More
Zambezi residents want original borders reinstated

Zambezi residents want original borders reinstated

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…
Read More
Another victory for Paragon and NAC against Menzies Aviation in the Supreme Court

Another victory for Paragon and NAC against Menzies Aviation in the Supreme Court

Niël Terblanché In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Namibia dismissed an appeal by Menzies Aviation Namibia concerning the ground handling services contract at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA). The decision by a panel of three Supreme Court Justices provides another victory for Paragon Aviation Services in the protracted legal battle over the contract to provide ground handling services at Namibia’s main international airport. The dispute began in August 2021 when the Namibia Airports Company Limited (NAC) invited bids for ground handling services at HKIA. The contract was awarded to Paragon Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd in a joint…
Read More