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19 Sep

Cabinet backs Geingob’s vision to remove red line

ObserverMainAfrican Continental Free Trade Area, construction of new veterinary cordon fences (Red Line)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The minister of agriculture, water, and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, has submitted the proposal to gradually remove the red line. Introduced in 1897, the 1250 km veterinary cordon fence separates the northern communal farms from the commercial farming areas. Its gradual removal was announced by the deputy minister of information, communication and technology, Modestus Amutse, on Thursday. Amutse also announced that Cabinet has approved the construction of new veterinary cordon fences (Red Line) and gates to create new disease-free zones. ‘’Cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to undertake the following interventions: carrying out a…

18 Sep

Water wars in Eengodi Constituency

ObserverMainEengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto

Martin Endjala The Eengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto region is grappling with a water crisis due to a lack of boreholes. Residents are forced to drink water with high salinity from wells. According to Iita Sinsikus, a resident of Oshana-Shomupanda village, the constituency has had to deal with this water crisis for several years. This is despite the recently announced borehole drilling program currently being carried out by the Ministry of Water, Agriculture, and Land Reform in various regions. He told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that despite their concerns, the water crisis remains unaddressed. “As we speak, we have…

17 Sep

‘I invested a lot in Swapo’ Martin Shalli

ObserverMain

Stefanus Nashama The former chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), retired General Martin Shalli, has defended his active participation in politics because it does not violate any laws. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with me participating in politics,” he said in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. The public often view former high-ranking soldiers such as generals as influential because of their military background. Many believe that the generals hold significant knowledge of the country's inner workings, which could have unpredicted consequences if injected into the political sphere. “I went into exile to fight for this country…

16 Sep

Amushelelo arrest ignite debate over Unam’s political ban

ObserverMainKauna Shikwambi, Landless People’s Movement, Ndumba Kamwanyah

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police briefly detained Michael Amushelelo, a member of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), after his arrest at Unam’s main campus in Windhoek on Monday. He was released a few hours later. Amushelelo and a group of LPM Youth Command members were protesting the university's ban on political activities on campus. The youth demanded a discussion on the matter with the university’s management, which resulted in the arrest. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah suggested that the police could have handled the situation better instead of making an arrest. “As a security apparatus, the police should be careful that…

15 Sep

Swapo promises N$85 billion for job creation

ObserverMainNetumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Swapo Party

Martin Endjala The Swapo Party’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government will allocate N$85.7 billion over five years to create mass employment if voted into power. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the announcement over the past weekend at the launch of the party’s 2025-2030 election manifesto. She said the manifesto has prioritised projects that would create employment opportunities leading to the absorption into the job market of unemployed graduates and other Namibians seeking employment. “The election manifesto covers social development and empowerment for all Namibians. That is why Namibians should vote for the Swapo,” she said. Netumbo said the party has committed…

12 Sep

Itula takes shots at Swapo

ObserverMainPanduleni Itula, Rui Tyitende

Ester Mbathera The leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Swapo party, accusing it of failing to meet its promises and perpetuating a culture of corruption and mismanagement. He also took shots at the governing party’s electoral process. Itula made these remarks during his party’s first electoral convention in Windhoek on Thursday. “The moral betrayal of the dignity of our people is despicable,” he said. The IPC will participate in the National Assembly and Presidential election slated for 27 November with Itula as its presidential candidate for the first…

11 Sep

Aranos mayor faces recall following GBV accusation

ObserverMainHans Bafrath

Martin Endjala The mayor of Aranos, Hans Bafrath faces a possible recall following a gender-based violence incident. According to reports, Bafrath, a member of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), assaulted his girlfriend last weekend. Johannes Kooper, the chairperson of the town council, confirmed this, saying that given the gravity of the situation, he is currently discussing with the council whether to recall the mayor. The Windhoek Observer understands that this is the second time the mayor assaulted his girlfriend. “We cannot have a party member who continues to be conducting himself in this manner and whose actions are not dealt…

10 Sep

Political analysts questioned Tutyavi’s appointment

ObserverMainJoseph Diescho, Ndumba Kamwanyah

Ester Mbathera Political analysts have questioned whether the appointment of 22-year-old university student Fenny Tutjavi to Swapo's parliamentary list is a genuine attempt at youth empowerment or merely political tokenism. Tutjavi, who hails from the Erongo Region, was one of the youngest candidates chosen by Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for the party's parliamentary list. Veteran political analyst Joseph Diescho warned that while the inclusion of young people in leadership roles is commendable, the principles of democratic leadership must not be overlooked. “We tend to get carried away with ethnic and youth gesturing that is in essence undemocratic in the…

09 Sep

‘Our democracy will not be sold’ – Netumbo

ObserverMainDemocracy 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

ObserverMain

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…