National News

Allexer Namundjembo Social justice activist and City of Windhoek council hopeful Michael Amushelelo says his top priority is to formalise informal settlements by servicing land and relocating residents to developed areas. He said this will allow the city to properly service those areas and ensure people live in dignified conditions. Amushelelo outlined his plan in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday as he contests for a seat in the upcoming municipal elections under the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF). “My key priority will be the servicing of land and making sure that land is affordable for all residents…

Justicia Shipena Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi says efforts to engage fishermen under the Government Employment Redress Programme have reached a deadlock because they refuse to listen to the government’s position. Zaamwani-Kamwi said the fishermen continue to demand that they be moved from one company to another, despite being informed that such a move cannot be approved at this stage.  This comes as on Wednesday, the fishermen, mostly from the Erongo region, travelled to Windhoek to demand answers from the minister on their petition calling for better working conditions and salaries.  They said they continue…

Allexer Namundjembo South African Lower Court Judges Express Solidarity with Namibian Magistrates Amid Planned Strike Allexer Namundjembo South Africa’s lower court judges have voiced support for Namibian magistrates who are on strike. They say both groups face the same challenges regarding low pay and poor working conditions. This comes as Namibian magistrates begin a partial strike on Wednesday.  South Africa's senior magistrate and president of the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA), Neelan Karikan, said South Africa’s lower court judges are also protesting for fair remuneration, better working conditions, and equal benefits.  “We have noted that in other jurisdictions,…

Renthia Kaimbi Tutaleni Primary School principal, Neville Visagie, walked 35 kilometres from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay over the weekend to raise funds to improve the school’s feeding programme.  His goal is to make sure every learner receives not just food, but nutritious meals that support their learning. Visagie said while the government provides basic food items like maize meal and bread for underprivileged learners, he wants to expand the menu and improve the school kitchen. “The main reason is to upgrade the menu so that once a week, we divert from the maize and bread,” he said. “Like tomorrow (today),…

Renthia Kaimbi Over 80 young entrepreneurs in Swakopmund have been chosen to receive funding through the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Initiative (YEDI). The programme by the Swakopmund municipality is designed to support and grow youth-led businesses. The initiative will disburse nearly N$1.2 million to help young people grow their ventures across the coastal town. The programme, launched in partnership with Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine, attracted 2 489 applications.  The mine contributed N$1 million to support the funding pool.  After a strict selection process, 41 applications were disqualified for not meeting eligibility criteria, including exceeding the age limit of 35 years or…

The Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge got off to a tremendous start this weekend, blessed with beautiful weather and an enthusiastic crowd of athletes.A flurry of late entries contributed to a fantastic turnout, setting the tone for the two-day endurance event.The first day was marked by palpable energy, determination, and widespread smiles as competitors gave their all in the initial cycling and running disciplines.Over 700 athletes descended upon Walvis Bay for the prestigious event, with a field comprising approximately 119 cyclists and 631 runners. The first day culminated in a prize-giving ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the participants, capping off…

Justicia Shipena Windhoek residents earned about N$1 million in a year and six months selling recyclable waste to the City of Windhoek through its first waste buy-back centre.  According to the municipality, the centre helped divert more than 120 tonnes of waste from landfill sites. The Windhoek municipality opened its first buyback centre in Katutura in April 2024, located at the corner of Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Bondel streets.  By December last year, residents had received over N$164 000 for waste sold to the centre, which was developed with support from the European Union (EU). According to city records, at that…

Renthia Kaimbi Organised gangs operating freely inside correctional facilities are instilling a culture of fear and violence, a parliamentary investigation has found. The report by the standing committee on home affairs, security, and constitutional and legal affairs revealed that gangs, such as the notorious 'Gang 28', known for their violent and sodomy-related practices, operate with impunity.  The gang’s presence highlights the vulnerability of LGBTQI inmates and the state’s struggle to protect them. The findings come from the committee’s oversight visits between January and March 2025.  The investigation found that gangs operating in correctional facilities and police cells recruit new members…