National News – Windhoek Observer

24 Jul

Union rejects Gendev’s increased salary offer

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU) has rejected Gendev Fishing Group’s latest salary offer, dismissing it as no genuine increment after the company issued a 24-hour ultimatum to workers to accept the proposal or forfeit it entirely. In an internal memorandum dated 22 July 2026 and seen by the Windhoek Observer, the company announced a proposed increase to the basic guaranteed monthly salary, from N$3,850.95 to N$6 800 for 195 hours per month. While management has framed this as a 120% increase reflecting a commitment to employee welfare, NASAWU has rejected the proposal, arguing that it…

24 Jul

AR student command slams exclusion of Namcol learners from subsidised education

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) student command has criticised the government's decision not to subsidise learners who enrol at the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) or other institutions to improve their Grade 11 and 12 results, arguing that the move undermines the constitutional right to education. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday, AR student command interim head of secretariat, Intelligent Katire said the government's free education policy should benefit all learners, including those seeking to improve their examination results. Katire's comments come after the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture ruled out extending financial…

24 Jul

IPC questions public sector appointments

National News

Sostenus Wilherm The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called for an urgent review of senior appointments in the public sector, alleging that the government continues to appoint or retain officials who have previously been implicated in forensic investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The party says the practice is eroding accountability and weakening state institutions. IPC shadow minister of works and transport, Nelson Kalangula said Namibia's public administration is facing what he described as a "crisis of governance and vetting", where officials accused of misconduct are not held accountable but instead transferred or promoted to other influential positions. Kalangula said the…

24 Jul

Namibia urged to leverage Africa’s digital partnerships

National News

Patience Makwele Namibians have been urged to take greater advantage of continental partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms to accelerate its digital transformation and strengthen its position in Africa’s digital economy, MTC’s Head of Digital Transformation, Nawa Likando said. Likando, who is part of the Africa Digital Festival (ADF) Digital Champions Cohort, said Africa’s digital future will depend on collaboration among governments, technology companies, innovators and policymakers rather than countries working in isolation. “The Africa Digital Festival Digital Champions Cohort is a network of professionals from across the continent who are recognised for their contribution to advancing digital transformation within their respective…

24 Jul

Construction payment dispute sent to mediation

National News

Sostenus Wilherm A contractual dispute between Manani Investments CC and August 26 Construction (Pty) Ltd over nearly N$800 000 in unpaid construction work has been referred to court-connected mediation by the High Court, in a move aimed at resolving the matter without proceeding to a full trial. High Court judge Shafimana Ueitele on Thursday ordered the parties to participate in an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process after considering the pleadings and documents filed in the matter. The mediation will be chaired by accredited mediator Richard Frankle and is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Windhoek on 29…

24 Jul

Omuthiya introduces tariff relief for pensioners, disabled residents

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Omuthiya Town Council has announced adjustments to its municipal tariff structure and the implementation of a new General Valuation Roll for the 2026/2027 financial year, with the changes taking effect from 1 July to 30 June 2027. The revised tariffs follow approval by the council and the relevant authorities, and were published in the Government Gazette under Gazette No. 8947, Notice No. 395 (updated Tariff Structure) and Gazette No. 8921, Notice No. 322 (General Valuation). The council’s public relations officer Martha Andreas said in a public notice that the adjustments were introduced to improve service delivery while…

24 Jul

YOUNG OBSERVER | ‘Hear us before we break’: Youth speak on teenage pregnancy and mental health

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele Young Namibians have called for greater support from parents, schools and government, saying many of the challenges they face, including teenage pregnancy, anxiety and mental health struggles, are worsened when adults fail to listen to them. The youth voices emerged during the national commemoration of World Population Day 2026 in Windhoek, where learners and young people challenged leaders to move beyond discussions about youth and create spaces where they can openly share their experiences. The event was held under the theme “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people today for the future,” with Khomas Governor Sam Shafiishuna…

24 Jul

YOUNG OBSERVER | Oil boom opens global career pathways for Namibian youth

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele More than 60 young Namibians have already secured internships and employment opportunities with international oil and gas companies as the country moves closer to developing its emerging petroleum sector. The announcement was made at the third Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Walvis Bay, where the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) highlighted its efforts to prepare young Namibians to participate in the industry through skills development, training and partnerships with energy companies. Delivering remarks on behalf of PETROFUND chief executive officer Nillian Mulemi, acting CEO Leorine Waggie said Namibia’s oil and gas future will depend not…

24 Jul

YOUNG OBSERVER | Katutura centre supports vulnerable children through education

Featured, National News

Eugenia Moche The Bernhard Nordkamp Centre (BNC) in Katutura continues to provide educational support, meals and a safe space for more than 200 vulnerable children, as poverty and unemployment continue to affect many families in the township. The centre, which was established in 2005 by director MaryBeth Gallagher, initially operated as a soup kitchen under the Church Alliance for Orphans before evolving into an after-school programme offering sports, educational support and counselling. Gallagher said the programme shifted its focus to education in 2010 after recognising that sport alone would not adequately prepare children for the future. “They have fun and…

24 Jul

Questions mount over N$39.5m US agriculture AI deal

Main, National News

Analysts urge transparency, local participation and safeguards as government defends strategic partnership Patience Makwele The government’s decision to award a N$39.5 million (US$2.4 million) artificial intelligence-powered agricultural monitoring contract to American technology company 6th Grain Corporation has sparked growing calls for greater transparency, with analysts questioning whether sufficient safeguards are in place to protect Namibia’s strategic interests and ensure local participation. The one-year agreement, signed between the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform and the United States-based company, will introduce satellite imagery, remote sensing, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence to monitor Namibia’s staple crops, including mahangu, maize, sorghum,…