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Ester Mbathera  The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) has yet to release its final report on Namibia's 2024 elections.  The preliminary report was issued two days after the elections, but the final report remains pending. SEOM member, Magabolle Mafiri on Saturday told the Windhoek Observer that the report is still to be submitted to the Namibian government. "In line with the SADC principles and guidelines, it will be copied to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), following which it will be shared with electoral stakeholders after 90 days," said Mafiri. SEOM typically releases their preliminary statements,…

Ester Mbathera  Female members of Swapo have celebrated the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the party’s president, calling it a milestone that demonstrates women’s capability to lead. Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected by acclamation at Swapo’s 6th extraordinary congress on Saturday, becoming the party’s first female president.  The central committee had endorsed her as the sole presidential candidate on 17 February. Election by acclamation allows an association or party to skip the final ballot process in an uncontested election. Party member, Sharonice Busch described her election as a “significant moment” for young women and women across the country. “We have demonstrated that…

Allexer Namundjembo The Oranjemund Town Council (OTC) is demanding N$21 million in unpaid rates and taxes from the government for two properties, including the land housing the Oranjemund Airport.  The Ministry of Works and Transport owns the land, but the council says it has not received payments since 2018. The land in question is Farm 166, where the airport is located, and an adjacent Farm 171, which is vacant. The council claims that the government owes N$15.7 million for Farm 166 and N$5.3 million for Farm 171, totalling N$21 million in unpaid rates and taxes.  Council chairperson for the management…

Allexer Namundjembo Former First Lady Monica Geingos has called on the nation to honour her husband, the late President Hage Geingob, by sharing the new banknote with others.  She made these remarks during the launch of the N$60 commemorative banknote in honour of Geingob by the Bank of Namibia on Wednesday. “Geingob didn’t have the habit of keeping money. He always gave money to people. If you want to honour Geingob, give the note to as many people as possible,’’ Geingos said. She explained Geingob’s dedication to the country, noting the sacrifices he made for the nation.  “He spent his…

Nyasha Nyaungwa and Ester Mbathera  U.S.-based marine scientist Dr. Vincent Pieribone has warned against the risks of pollution and overexploitation of Namibia’s offshore ecosystem due to oil and gas exploration, fishing, and diamond mining activities. Pieribone, who serves as the co-CEO and Chief Science Officer of OceanX, a global ocean exploration nonprofit that operates the OceanXplorer - a research and media vessel for multifaceted scientific missions -said in a recent interview that Namibia’s vast and largely inaccessible coastline, rich in marine resources, is at risk of severe environmental degradation. He cautioned against the potential damage caused by extractive industries such…

Hertta-maria Amutenja  The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU) have raised concerns over changes to employment conditions following the implementation of the national minimum wage (NMW) on 1 January. MUN general secretary, George Ampweya, said some employers have opted to adjust existing employee benefits instead of complying fully with the NMW. "Some employers would say, yes, let's look at existing benefits, for example, trying to cut allowances to compensate for wage increases. This is causing difficulty, as employees must choose between keeping their jobs or losing benefits," Ampweya said. He stated that the fuel…

Allexer Namundjebo, Julia Heita , Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Namibia stood still in grief on Saturday as the nation laid to rest its founding father, Sam Nujoma, at Heroes’ Acre.  A profound silence fell over the country as the Namibian Defence Force's (NDF) honoured him with a solemn 21-gun salute, marking the final farewell to a leader who shaped the destiny of a free Namibia. Thousands of mourners filled the capital, Windhoek, their faces etched with sorrow and singing in unison the liberation ‘Sema ouli peni,’ calling on Nujoma to raise the national flag. Nujoma was silent forever.  A visibly sad President…

Ester Mbathera  The body of founding president Sam Nujoma will arrive in Windhoek on Thursday after a series of regional memorial services held across the country.  The arrival marked the final leg of a nationwide memorial tour that allowed the public to pay their respects to the late leader.  These services took place in Etunda, Eenhana, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Grootfontein, Walvis Bay, and Keetmanshoop. Nujoma’s body will arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) from Keetmanshoop.  A street procession will follow the arrival, starting at HKIA and moving through designated routes in Windhoek.  The procession will start at 8h30, passing…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The death of a five-year-old child in Otavi has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of Namibia's traffic law enforcement.  Clemesia Hanes lost her life when an unlicensed driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a yard, killing her and injuring three other children.  The driver did not possess a valid license and was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the accident. Road safety activist Felix Tjozongoro has called for Namibia’s traffic law enforcement to be removed from the Namibian Police and placed under the Ministry of Transport, citing ineffective enforcement…