National News – Page 13 – Windhoek Observer

06 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | When artificial intelligence erases the first step

National News

For generations, the journey into working life followed a familiar rhythm. One began at the bottom of an intern’s desk, a junior designer’s draft, an assistant’s notes, or a trainee’s first uncertain attempt. The early work was rarely glamorous, often repetitive and sometimes invisible. Yet it served a quiet and essential purpose. It was the first step. It was where skill was formed, confidence was tested, and professional identity slowly took shape. Today, that first step is beginning to disappear. Across the world, artificial intelligence is transforming how work is produced, distributed, and valued. Tasks that once belonged to beginners,…

06 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | Why black history is our present tense

National News

If you walk through the streets of Windhoek today, you are not merely navigating a city; you are moving through the physical expression of an intellectual miracle. The independence we inhabit did not arrive as a sudden political accident. It was engineered. Long before the first flag was raised, our future was being drafted in the heat of exile camps, argued in the chambers of the United Nations, and whispered in the secret meetings of the Old Location. Black history is often spoken of as memory. In classrooms, it appears as a collection of dates and names. In speeches, it…

05 Feb

Parliamentary pressure forces Herunga to step down

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has resigned as the party’s chief whip in the National Assembly. He cited intense parliamentary pressure. Herunga will remain a member of parliament. Herunga has served as chief whip of Swapo since the start of the eighth Parliament. During Wednesday’s sitting, National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced that member of parliament Alpheus !Naruseb has been appointed as his replacement. Herunga has also stepped down as chairperson of the whole house committee. “Honourable Alpheus !Naruseb as the government chief whip. You are further informed that honourable Herunga has tendered his resignation as deputy…

05 Feb

No room for failure, Nandi-Ndaitwah tells Swapo MPs

National News

Renthia Kaimbi There is no room for failure in delivering services, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told newly inducted Swapo members of parliament on Wednesday. She said the party’s return to electoral dominance is a direct mandate for disciplined action. She addressed the opening of the Swapo party induction workshop for members of the eighth Parliament, where she said recent local and regional authority election results have restored public faith that must now be justified through performance. “The result of last year’s Regional and Local Authorities Elections, where the Swapo has gained back her glory, is a clear indication that the people…

05 Feb

Moongo questions Govt spending on workshops and committees

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Winnie Moongo has questioned the government's spending on workshops, conferences and high-level committees. Moongo is asking whether these activities deliver results at a time of tight public finances. In a notice submitted to Parliament on Wednesday, Moongo said the government continues to spend public funds and time on engagements that revisit the same issues each year, often without clear plans for implementation or measurable outcomes. “These engagements are routinely convened on the same issues, with little regard for value for money or tangible results,” Moongo said. She said the growing number…

05 Feb

Senior diplomats to mentor younger staff

National News

Renthia Kaimbi International relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi says senior diplomats will mentor younger officers as part of internal reforms to professionalise Namibia’s foreign service. The minister made the remarks during her ministry’s first general staff meeting of the year on Tuesday. She said the changes will include staff rotations to build capacity and a partnership with the Namibian Association of Former Heads of Mission to mentor younger officers. She told staff that the ministry must adapt to a world marked by rising geopolitical competition, weakened respect for international law and strained global cooperation. She said Namibia’s national interest…

05 Feb

IPC backs UNITA in bid to unseat Angola’s ruling party

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has endorsed Angola’s main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), for the country’s 2027 national elections. The endorsement was delivered by IPC national general secretary Christine Esperanza Aochamus on behalf of party president Panduleni Itula during UNITA’s 14th Ordinary Congress held on 28 November 2025 in Viana, Angola. The congress drew more than 1 200 delegates and confirmed Adalberto Costa Júnior as UNITA president after he secured 91% of the vote. Addressing delegates, Aochamus framed the message as one of shared history and shared political struggle…

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Mondesa Clinic reopens after year-long fire closure

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Mondesa Clinic in Swakopmund reopened its doors on Monday. The clinic had been closed for a year after a fire caused extensive damage to the facility. The Ministry of Health and Social Services confirmed the reopening, saying renovation work has been completed and all health services have been restored. The Erongo Regional Council’s directorate of health and social services cleared the clinic for use following repairs. Erongo health director Anna Jonas thanked the Mondesa community for its patience during the closure and apologised for the inconvenience caused. “We are pleased to announce that the renovations have been completed…

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Shore Runners Club grows coastal running community

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Shore Runners Club was formed in March 2025 and is growing into a recognised running community along the coast. It brings together runners of different ages and abilities around health, fitness and a shared identity. The club is the fourth formal running group in the coastal towns, following Walvis Bay Road Runners, Swakopmund Striders and BRG Running Club. Its formation followed a simple observation that many runners were active but lacked structure. “Before the club’s formation, many runners were active on the streets but lacked a shared structure and identity,” said co-founder and chairman Sydney Nuwuseb. “Shore…

05 Feb

New law bars officials from oil stakes

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena and Allexer Namundjembo Senior officials who will run the upstream petroleum sector will now be required to declare their assets and business interests under amendments to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act tabled in Parliament this week. The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill requires the director general and deputy director general of the newly created Upstream Petroleum Unit to submit statements of their assets, liabilities and business interests to the President shortly after appointment and whenever required. This includes any interests linked to petroleum activities. The draft bill aims to enhance transparency and minimise conflicts of interest. …