National News – Windhoek Observer

17 Apr

Vision April 2026 plan faces constitutional test

Main, National News

Patience Makwele Former and current members of parliament have raised legal and practical concerns over a directive requiring senior civil servants to seek healthcare at public hospitals. The directive came into effect on 1 April as part of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Vision April 2026 reforms. It targets 294 senior government officials, including political office-bearers, executive directors and security chiefs. Under the arrangement, affected officials are expected to use public health facilities. Those who opt out can retain access to private healthcare through a N$240 monthly allowance linked to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas). The government says the…

17 Apr

Nust financial aid officer denied bail in N$2m fraud scheme

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A 41-year-old student financial aid officer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) was denied bail when she appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday over an alleged fraud scheme involving more than N$2 million. Maria Hengari faces charges of fraud and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The charges relate to the alleged acquisition and use of proceeds from unlawful activities. State prosecutor Reinhard Kamatoto opposed bail. Kamatoto cited the seriousness of the case in denying bail and the strength of the state’s evidence as well as concerns that the accused could interfere…

17 Apr

Businessman gives Tsumeb Municipality N$1.8m ultimatum

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A Tsumeb-based businessman has issued a final demand to the Tsumeb Municipality, seeking N$1.8 million in compensation. He is also demanding his name be clear over what he says is the misuse of his company. Lukas Hashondili Shailemo, owner of Star Innovation Projects, said the matter, which dates back to 2025, remains unresolved. He said delays in the investigation have affected his business and reputation. “I have exercised patience and fully cooperated; however, the continued delay and lack of a clear outcome is unacceptable and has caused significant damage to my name, reputation, and business interests,” he said.…

17 Apr

Ministry targets better accountability and transparency

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has committed to improving accountability, transparency and service delivery under its new strategic plan for 2026 to 2030. The plan was launched in Windhoek on Thursday and will guide the ministry’s work over the next five years. The ministry's executive director, Ben Nangombe, said the plan focuses on delivering accessible and efficient legal and labour services. “I implore you to hold us accountable for our service delivery by gauging our actual performance against the promises outlined in this Strategic Plan,” Nangombe said. He said the ministry aims to provide “quality, timely…

17 Apr

Dog vaccination rates still below target

National News

Staff Writer The directorate of veterinary services says Namibia is making progress in the fight against rabies. However, the directorate said vaccination levels remain below the target needed to fully control the disease. Chief veterinary officer Kenneth Kennedy Shoombe said vaccination campaigns have reached thousands of dogs across the country. His remarks were delivered on his behalf by Magrecia Hausiku, a representative from his office, at the rabies project review and planning meeting held in Ondangwa this week. Shoombe said the meeting reviewed progress and identified areas that need improvement. He said Namibia vaccinated more than 157 000 dogs in…

17 Apr

‘My baby would have been alive’ — Mother speaks from prison

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele When Fiona, an inmate at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, realised she was pregnant at 17, fear set in. Months passed before her body showed signs of pregnancy. When she told the man she believed was responsible, he denied it and cut off contact. “I had missed my period for two months. But it didn’t click at first that I was pregnant because it was not something new; I always missed my periods for longer than five months.” “He blocked me everywhere; told me if I ever called him, he would make my life a living hell and he…

17 Apr

YOUNG OBSERVER | Graduates take any job to survive

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele The Asoli Progressive Party has raised concern over a growing gap between Namibia’s tertiary education system and labour market demands as a new group of graduates prepares to enter a strained job market. In a statement this week, party president Joseph Kauandenge questioned whether universities are equipping students with skills that match economic needs. He warned that many graduates face limited job opportunities after years of study. Kauandenge has called for a review of tertiary education programmes and stronger links between government, universities and the private sector. It also called for policies that help graduates enter the workforce.…

17 Apr

YOUNG OBSERVER | Unam launches Africa’s first welding engineer programme

National News

Staff Writer The University of Namibia (Unam) has launched Africa’s first international welding engineer programme at its José Eduardo dos Santos Campus in Ongwediva. The programme was introduced on 13 April under the framework of the International Institute of Welding. It has enrolled its first group of 12 students and aims to build technical skills for sectors such as green hydrogen, oil and gas, mining, shipbuilding and steel construction. The qualification is the highest level in the global welding certification system. It is designed to prepare graduates to meet international standards for quality, safety, and performance. Unam vice chancellor Kenneth…

16 Apr

Cabinet nods upstream local content policy

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Cabinet has approved the upstream local content policy in principle. The national upstream petroleum local content policy is aimed at building local capacity and facilitating skills transfer, with the stated goal of directing the benefits of large-scale energy projects primarily toward Namibians. It also seeks to create a globally competitive petroleum sector that maximises national benefits by fostering meaningful and lasting participation by Namibians and local businesses across the value chain. Through the policy, the government also aims to diversify Namibia’s revenue sources beyond taxes and royalties by focusing on value extraction through backward,…

16 Apr

Lawmakers doubt road promises made at Sona

National News

Patience Makwele Members of parliament have questioned the government’s ability to deliver on road infrastructure plans announced during the State of the Nation Address. The concerns were raised during a budget debate for the Ministry of Works and Transport this week. Lawmakers pointed to poor road conditions, delayed projects and funding challenges. They said ongoing projects alone may not be enough to address wider challenges in the road network. Swapo member of parliament Sebastiaan Karupu raised concerns about roads in the north. “We have observed that the pieces from Grootfontein to Rundu and from Divundu to Kongola are in the…